Literature/Documents. Annual Reports for 1887-1900 and 1902 (15); 1914 agreement between the Bahamas Government and the New York and Cuba Mail Steamship Co. on the carriage of mail and freight; 1913 agreement between the Bahamas Government and Florida East Coast Hotel Co. on steamship services (including mail carriage) and running of hotels; 1826 document appointing William Webb to the Executive Council of the Bahamas; 1804 act allowing the export of salt to the USA, etc. (21).

1772 (Nov 10) Entire to "The Reverend Doctor Daniel Burton, Secretary to Venerable Society for the Propagation in Foreign Parts, in Abington Street, Westminster", internal filing endorsement "Mr Moss, Missionary, Harbour Island, Nov. 10 1772", privately carried to London and posted within the Penny Post with fine triangular "PAYD / PENY / POST / T / FE" of the Temple office and "7 / O'CLOCK /W" time handstamp for Westminster. Small closed tear, otherwise fine and a very early letter from the Bahamas.

1786 (Feb 28/Mar 20) Entire letter from Panton Leslie & Co in Nassau to Madeira, endorsed "p. Captn Redmond", privately carried, a postscript to the letter stating "this will be handed you by the master of a small vessel belonging to us which we have let upon freight to a gentleman of Charleston, So Carolina". Also London Gazette's of Sept. 26/30 1775 announcing the final two packets to the USA, and April 15/19 1788 announcing a new packet to Jamaica and Leeward Islands; and three prints of Nassau. An early Bahamas letter, vertical file fold, otherwise fine.

1787 (Dec 17) Entire letter from J.W McKenzie in Nassau, to London endorsed "via Chs Tn", with "COWES / SHIP LRES", the reverse endorsed "Forwarded by your obedient servt Wm Ogilvy Junr" and "Cowes 6 April 1788, Forwarded by ymo sts James Mackenzie & Co". The writer, J.W McKenzie was one of the loyalists forced to leave East Florida when retaken by the Spanish and then forced to move to the Bahamas when the United States confiscated their property. An early Bahamas letter, sent via two forwarding agents.

1804 (May 10) Handwritten memorial from the officers of the Armed Brig "Alexandrine", written at Nassau to John Haskett, Governor of the Bahamas, asking that they share in the prize money for the capture of the French Brig "Argo". The "Argo" was captured by H.M.S "Racoon" and the "Alexandrine", but the officers of "Racoon" have disputed the right to share prize money with the "Alexandrine" because the commission of this Brig was given locally by Haskett, which they claim is insufficient to entitle it to prize monies. An interesting historical letter, hand delivered.

1805-40 Entires with ship letter handstamps of London, Gravesend or Liverpool (2), two from Wesleyan missionaries at Harbour Island or Abaco, 1816 Gravesend ship letter with the address obliterated in ink, otherwise fine. (4).

1809 Entire (partial letter from John Storr) to London "pr packet" with good "BAHAMAS" handstamp, charged 2/-. Photo on Page 88. (Image1)

1815 (Apr 18) Entire from London to Nassau prepaid 2/½, reverse with "POST PAID WITHDRAWN SHIP LETTER / LONDON" datestamp across the flap. Reverse with two tears clear of the handstamp, the only Withdrawn Ship Letter we have seen to the Bahamas.

1827 (Nov 13) Entire letter from Nassau to Philadelphia endorsed "P. Ocean via Havana", manuscript "1d" charge, the reverse endorsed "Recd and forwarded by yr. obt. hble servts Bassiane Brothers, Hav. 8 Dec. 1827", handstruck "6" charge mark applied in Philadelphia.

1829 Entire to England "By Jamaica Mail" with "BAHAMAS" handstamp, the rate increased from 2/2 to 4/4. Photo on Page 88. (Image1)

1838-40 Entire letters from Lympstone in Devon, both to "Lieut Thomas Smith R.N, Commanding H.M Surveying Ship Lark, Nassau" prepaid 2/- or charged 1/-, both with Exeter Py Post datestamps, the first also with boxed "No 12". (2).

1846-49 Entires from Wesleyan Missionaries to London with circular datestamps of "NASSAU - NEW - PROVIDENCE" or "BAHAMAS" (2, codes A and B), two with file folds, otherwise fine with clear datestamps. (3).

Turks Islands. 1847-48 Entires from Missionaries on the Turks Islands, to London, with circular datestamps of "NASSAU - NEW - PROVIDENCE" or "BAHAMAS" (code C), the 1848 letter with the address panel endorsed "Turks Islands, Rev Rycroft", file folds, otherwise fine. (2).

1852-60 Entire and part entire with "PAID / AT / BAHAMAS" crowned circles in red, the 1852 (Mar 13) part entire to San Francisco (reduced on three sides) with a magnificent strike of the crowned circle, prepaid 4d with "20" handstamp, Bahamas and St. Thomas backstamps; the 1860 entire prepaid 5d to Scotland with a fair strikes of the crowned circle, vertical file fold. (2).

c.1860 Entire to Mrs A. Murray, Nassau, handstamped "BAHAMAS / SHIP LETTER", charged 1/4, a little staining at right, a good strike of this uncommon ship letter handstamp. Photo on Page 88. (Image1)

Blockade Runner Mail/Forwarding Agents. 1863 Stampless cover to Heidelberg, Germany, carried on the "Leopard" from Charleston which arrived at Nassau on January 19th, handstamped blue oval "FORWARDED BY / HENRY ADDERLEY & Co / NASSAU N.P / BAHAMAS" then put into the post prepaid 1/5 in cash. Handstamped red "NASSAU / PAID" c.d.s (2 strikes), oval "PD", London and Calais datestamps, backstamped in France and Germany. A rare cover, ex Ludington. Photo on Page 88.

1863-64 Entires from G.B to Nassau, the first from Warrenpoint franked 6d, red "1d" and an arrival backstamp, with enclosed postscript "I think Cecil is wrong in running the blockade, it is a dangerous trade"; the 1864 entire from London franked 4d pair + single, missent to Germany with "ENGLAND PER AACHEN / FRANCO" c.d.s. (2).

1864 Cover franked 6d from Derry to "Mr Henry Lawrence on board the Steam Ship Colonel Lamb", endorsed "not here" and "unclaimed" with "4" charge and tiny "ADVERTISED" handstamp (Proud I1), redirected to Halifax N.S, reverse with "NASSAU - NEW - PROVIDENCE" datestamp and manuscript "Found in Letter Box". Opened out, very unusual.

1849 (Sep 6) Letter written and signed by Alfred Edward Chalon, painter of the QV head used for various stamp issues including Bahamas. Chalon writes to his friend Richard James Lane (artist, engraver and lithographer) inviting him to visit.

Plate proofs in black, a pair on India paper and a single on thick card. (3). Photo on Page 98. (Image1)

Mint singles (6) and pairs (2), one pair apparently brown-lake, one on medium paper, one a printers reference or specimen copy with horizontal manuscript line, also a used stamp with pin perfs at right but without margins (2005 B.P.A form declining to issue a certificate). One unused pair without gum (possibly a plate proof), the others all fine mint. S.G. £520+. (9).

1d Dull lake on thin paper used with A05 cancel, four small to good margins. With Brandon Certificate (1982). S.G. 2, £1,300. Photo on Page 98. (Image1)

1d Dull lake on thin paper, mint block of nine with upper margin, part papermakers watermark "CEYW" reversed in upper margin, mounted in the margins and on one stamp, very fine. S.G. 2, £585+. Photo on Page 102. (Image1)

1d Lake, clean-cut line perf 14-16, fine mint, large part original gum, a rare stamp. S.G. 3, £5,500. Photo on Page 98. (Image1)

4d and 6d Plate proofs in black on thick card, 6d with light crease. (2). Photo on Page 98. (Image1)