1774 (c.) Allentown Pa. to Philadelphia Pa. Folded cover from a correspondence to merchant John Mitchell endorsed "p Stag" at lower left, origin and dating based on evidence from other examples of this correspondence; some minor edge wear, Very Fine.
Estimate; $150 - 200.

Joseph Borden operated a stage coach route that stopped in, and ran through, Allentown. "The stages were wagons with low sides and benches on the floor of the wagon. A crude canvas cover with canvas or leather side curtain protected the passengers from the weather. The wagons were unsprung… and…passengers suffered broken arms and legs due to being tossed about or out of the wagon. Stages overturned occasionally.

It is interesting to note that in September of 1777, the British defeated George Washington's troops at Brandywine Creek, Pennsylvania, prompting panic among the people of Philadelphia who now found themselves defenseless against British occupation.

Facing this threat, the state government ordered that several of the more important bells in Philadelphia be removed from the city to prevent the British from melting them down to forge weaponry. This included the bell from the Pennsylvania State House, the now famous Liberty Bell.

The Liberty Bell was secreted away from Philadelphia and taken to present-day Allentown, escorted by heavy guard and hidden on a hay wagon. It was taken to Zion Reformed Church, where soldiers hid it, along with several other prominent bells, under the church floor. The bell remained hidden in the church throughout the British occupation of Philadelphia, until June of 1778, when the bell was returned to the State House. Est. $150-200 (Image)

Est. $150-200

"Phila/Delphia". Red two-line postmark on flap, magenta "29/IY" Franklin mark and matching "4" pence due rating port-to-port rate to Providence R.I., 1769 docketing; some reinforced fold splitting, Very Fine and scarce use with postmark not across flaps, ex-Hugh Feldman.
Estimate; $400 - 600.

Letter was prepaid 4 pence for port-to-port rate per Act 5 Cap 25 of 1765. Est. $400-600 (Image)

Est. $400-600

"Phila/Delphia". Red two-line postmark on flap of 1771 folded letter to Lancaster Pa., reddish "28/FE" Franklin mark backstamp and magenta "2" dwt (6 pence) rating for 60-100 miles, matching magenta "/10" local currency rating, Very Fine and scarce use with postmark not across flaps, ex-Carson, Siskin.
Estimate; $500 - 750.

The recipient Jasper Yeates, was a Philadelphia jurist latter appointed by President Washington as a commissioner to confer with western Pennsylvania residents during the Whiskey Rebellion. The writer Will Mitchell writes regartding legal matters, and ends with "Do you think you could recommend a Tolerably handsome Dutch lass with some money to a Young Irish Friend of yours. Finally began to think of Matrimony seriously.". Est. $500-750 (Image)

Est. $500-750

"Phila/Delphia". Red two-line postmark struck across flaps of 1771 folded letter to Salem Mass., magenta "18 MA" Franklin mark and red manuscript "4" pence prepaid rating for port to port rate, endorsed "p Post", Very Fine.
Estimate; $300 - 400. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400

Philadelphia Pa., Sep 11. Blue cds ties 3¢ orange brown (10A), large to touched margins, deep rich color, on 1851 sealed printed circular to Hampton Ill., attractive and Very Fine.
Estimate; $150 - 200. Est. $150-200 (Image)

Est. $150-200

Philada. Pa. Jun 4. Blue cds and matching rare italicized "20" rating handstamp on folded cover to Charleston S.c., endorsed "Care of Thomas Middleton Factor"; folds reinforced, F.-V.F. and scarce rating handstamp, Stets rarity 7.
Estimate; $100 - 150. Est. $100-150 (Image)

Est. $100-150

Philadelphia Pa., Jan 31. Blue cds with red "PAID" and "6" in double-ocatagon rating handstamps on 1852 folded letter to Millwell N.J. at double the 3¢ letter rate, Extremely Fine gem strikes.
Estimate; $200 - 300.

This is an unusual use of the "6" double-octagon rating handstamp that was previously used only for incoming ship letters. Est. $200-300 (Image)

Est. $200-300

1712 (Jul. 2) Philadelphia Pa. to Liverpool, England. Datelined folded letter endorsed "pr mary hoop galley Capt John annis commdr" at bottom left, carried as endorsed by private ship "Mary Hoop" to London arriving Aug. 25th, London small "AV/25" bishop mark backstamp and "5" pence rating, which is crossed out and updated to "inall 9" pence due from addressee; some light staining, Fine and scarce early private ship letter.
Estimate; $300 - 400. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400

1712 (Aug. 29) Philadelphia Pa. to Liverpool, England via New York. Datelined folded letter from the Brown correspondence, privately carried to New York where transferred to private ship Andrews from New York Aug. 25th to Lisbon, put aboard the British mail packet Queen to Falmouth arrival Nov. 18th, then carried to London Foreign Post Office where rated at the "1/6" (1s 6d) Lisbon packet rate, which included carriage from Falmouth to London, passed to the London Inland Post Office where the inland postage to Liverpool (4d) was added and rerated "In all 1N10" for total due of 1s 10d, London "NO/21" Bishop backstamp, Very Fine, ex-Siskin.
Estimate; $2,000 - 3,000.

THE ONLY RECORDED PHILADELPHIA LETTER VIA THE LISBON-FALMOUTH PACKET.

This letter was probably intended for the packet to Bristol, advertised as the Edgley. The Edgley never reached New York, but sailed into Philadelphia on May 3, 1712 for repairs. She did not return to Bristol, but left Philadelphia for Nevis on June 5th. The Edgley was the last advertised Bristol Packet. The Brown correspondence yielded the three recorded 1712-13 Bristol packet letters.

In 1712, only a letter via packet from Lisbon would have been charged 1s6d in London. Est. $2,000-3,000 (Image)

Est. $2,000-3,000

1715 (Sep. 30) Philadelphia Pa. to Liverpool, England. Datelined folded letter from the Brown correspondence, sent unpaid by private ship to London, mails ashore at Deal, London "NO/28" Bishop arrival backstamp and rated "Inall 7" pence inland postage due for 3d from Deal to London and 4d London to Liverpool, docketed as received Dec. 1st, 61 days transit; some edge wear, Very Fine and early ship letter.
Estimate; $500 - 750. Est. $500-750 (Image)

Est. $500-750

1734 (Mar. 5) Philadelphia Pa. to London, England. Datelined folded letter to Isaac Norris in care of the "Pennsylvania Coffee House", endorsed "via Bristoll", sent unpaid by private ship to Bristol where rated "5" pence due for 4d inland to London plus 1d ship fee, London "21/IV" Bishop backstamp, docketed received May 1st, 58 days transit; silked, toned file fold, Fine and scarce use endorsed for collection at a coffee house.
Estimate; $400 - 600.

The Pennsylvania Coffee House provided a place for businessmen and politicians with an interest in the colony to meet for socializing and deal-making. Letters could be delivered there, and a ship's bag was available for patrons to deposit their letters for Philadelphia, paying the ship captain 1d. This coffee house was on Birchin Lane near the Lombard Street post office. Benjamin Franklin used this coffee house as his address at times during his stays in London in 1750s-60s. Est. $400-600 (Image)

Est. $400-600

1746-1794 Philadelphia Private Ship Mail and Early Uses. Group of 15 folded covers, 12 carried by private ship, several with sender's ship-name endorsements and large group from Philadelphia to Bristol with various landing ports and rating, one early "Way 16" use to Philadelphia; etc.; mixed condition, F.-V.F.
Estimate; $1,000 - 1,500. Est. $1,000-1,500 (Image)

Est. $1,000-1,500

1748 (Oct. 10) Philadelphia Pa. to London, England. Folded cover with "Phi. paid dwt 3:8" written in Benjamin Franklin's hand (who was Postmaster at this time) for 3dwt (9d) inland to New York plus 8gr (1d) outgoing ship fee, first endorsement crossed out and updated to "p first ship from NYK", carried by private ship from New York Jan. 2nd to Dover arriving Apr. 15th for 106 day voyage, Dover "15/AP" Bishop backstamp and "4" pence due rating for 3¢ inland to London plus 1d ship fee, London "17/AP" arrival backstamp and rerated "4" pence due; some splitting reinforced, Very Fine, with 2019 P.F. certificate.
Estimate; $7,500 - 10,000.

ONE OF ONLY TWO PREPAID SHIP LETTERS FROM PHILADELPHIA RECORDED.

Benjamin Franklin was the Philadelphia Postmaster from 1737 to 1753. Est. $7,500-10,000 (Image)

Est. $7,500-10,000

1749 (Sep. 30) Philadelphia Pa. to London, England. Manuscript docketing on inside of folded letter sheet to London, England addressed "To be left at the Pennsylvania Coffee-House in Birchin Lane", endorsed "pr the Dolphin, Capt LeGros, QDC" ship endorsement, carried as endorsed by Sloop Dolphin from Philadelphia Oct. 5th, London "2/DE" Bishop mark arrival backstamp and manuscript "10" pence due rating; tone spots and some splitting at folds, Fine and scarce use endorsed for collection at a coffee house.
Estimate; $400 - 600.

London rated "10" pence due for a 1 oz. letter of two-times 4d inland plus 1d ship fee and 1d delivery.

The Pennsylvania Coffee House provided a place for businessmen and politicians with an interest in the colony to meet for socializing and deal-making. Letters could be delivered there, and a ship's bag was available for patrons to deposit their letters for Philadelphia, paying the ship captain 1d. This coffee house was on Birchin Lane near the Lombard Street post office. Benjamin Franklin used this coffee house as his address at times during his stays in London in 1750s-60s. Est. $400-600 (Image)

Est. $400-600

1766 (Jun. 6) Philadelphia Pa. to London, England. Datelined folded letter sent by private ship Jamaica from Philadelphia Jun. 6th to Dover arriving Aug. 10th, "Dover/Ship Lre" two-line entry handstamp and "4" pence due rating for 3rd inland plus 1d ship letter, London "10/IY" Bishop mark arrival backstamp, Very Fine and early ship letter.
Estimate; $200 - 300. Est. $200-300 (Image)

Est. $200-300

1768 (Nov. 7) Philadelphia Pa. to London, England. Datelined folded letter endorsed "p. Capt Falconer" at lower left, carried by ship "Pennsylvania Packet" from Philadelphia Nov. 7th to Plymouth arriving Dec. 11th, "Plymouth/Ship.Lre" two-line handstamp and rated "5" pence due for 4d inland plus 1d ship, some edge wear, Very Fine and early ship letter, ex-Arnell.
Estimate; $150 - 200. Est. $150-200 (Image)

Est. $150-200

1772 (Aug. 1) Philadelphia Pa. to London England. Folded cover addressed to Thomas Penn, Proprietor of Pennsylvania Colony, sent unpaid by private ship Snow Charlotte from Philadelphia Aug. 12th to Waterford arriving Sep. 21st, entered mails with "WATERFORD" straightline with matching "SHIP" handstamp and manuscript "9" for 8d inland (2x 4d) to Dublin plus 1d ship fee, London "21/SE" bishop mark backstamp and manuscript "1/9" due rating for 1sh packet to London (2 x 6d) plus the 9d previously rated and crossed out; some fold splitting, Very Fine.
Estimate; $1,000 - 1,500.

THE ONLY RECORDED "WATERFORD" STRAIGHTLINE POSTMARK. Est. $1,000-1,500 (Image)

Est. $1,000-1,500

1774 (Apr. 5) Philadelphia Pa. to Ballymoney, Ireland via London. Folded letter with light "PHIL/DELPHIA" two-line red backstamp with matching light "5 AP" Franklin mark backstamp, "New-York" straightline backstamp and red manuscript "To pay 6" rating as a debit to London for colonial inland postage, carried by packet Mercury from New York Apr. 7th to Falmouth arriving May 26th, London "28/MA" bishop mark backstamp and "IN^D. AND PAC^T./POSTAGE two-line handstamp applied and manuscript "1/6" due for 6d Colonial inland plus 1sh packet postage, London rerated "Inall 2/4" to include 6d to Ireland plus 4d Irish inland, Dublin incorrectly rerated "2/8" due; staining and faults, Fine and rare, ex-Hugh Feldman.
Estimate; $1,500 - 2,000.

ONE OF ONLY NINE RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THE LONDON "IN^D. AND PAC^T./POSTAGE".

In February 1756, William Franklin, GPO Comptroller in Philadelphia, issued a notice that packet letters from New York to London must be prepaid for both packet and American inland postage; single rates were 4dwt (1/-) and 2dwt (6d), respectively. This edict was not regularly followed, and Britain did not demand prepayment of incoming packet letters from America until 1784. In the early 1770s London used three different handstamps to inform addressees of their additional postage due. Est. $1,500-2,000 (Image)

Est. $1,500-2,000

1774 (Jul. 15) Philadelphia Pa. to Poole, England. Datelined folded letter endorsed "favoured P - Captn. M Causlane via London" sent unpaid by private ship Jane from Philadelphia Jul. 18th to Deal arriving Aug. 20th, Deal "20/AV" arrival backstamp and manuscript "4" pence due (3d inland to London plus 1d ship), London rerated "Inall 8" pence due for the 4d plus 4d inland to Poole, the letter is to a British owner of property in Bucks County Pa. describing extensive damage done by revolutionaries, Very Fine.
Estimate; $400 - 600.

Deal is on the southeast coast, about 70 miles by sea from London. Putting the London mails ashore at Deal saved at least a day, more if wind and tides were adverse. The time saved was partly offset by the addressee having to pay an additional three pence inland postage to London. Est. $400-600 (Image)

Est. $400-600

1774 (Sep. 3) Philadelphia Pa. to Poole, England. Datelined folded letter with red clear strike of red "PHILA/DELPHIA" two-line backstamp on flap and matching red "6 SE" Franklin mark, endorsed "p Packet via New York" at bottom left, "NEW-YORK" straightline on other flap with light strike of "7 SE" Franklin mark over Philadelphia straightline, red manuscript "To pay 1/" rating for double-rate debit to London for colonial inland postage, carried by packet Mercury from New York Sep. 8th to Falmouth arriving Oct. 8th, London "11/OC" bishop mark backstamp and matching "INLAND AND/PACKET POSTAGE" two-line handstamp on front with manuscript "3N" postage due for inland plus two-times packet postage, re-rated "3N8" 3sh8d due for 8d inland to Poole, beautifully written letter concerns contains a draft of "Durham Lands" divisions and sales; wear and small paper loss on one flap which does not affect any markings, splitting along folds, Very Fine and rare colonial packet letter, ex-Hahn.
Estimate; $4,000 - 6,000.

AN EXCEPTIONAL PACKET LETTER WITH MARKINGS OF THREE CITIES, INCLUDING ONE OF ONLY EIGHT RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THE LONDON "INLAND AND PACKET POSTAGE" HANDSTAMP.

Six types of London postmarks denote unpaid American and packet postage. All are rare. Est. $4,000-6,000 (Image)

Est. $4,000-6,000

1775 (Apr. 4) Philadelphia Pa. to London, England. Datelined folded letter addressed to Jamaica Coffee House, light strike of "PHILA Apr: 4" straightline postmark on flap, endorsed "p packet" at bottom left, red "N. York Ap: 5" straightline backstamp with manuscript "To Pay 6d" as debit to London for colonial inland postage, carried by packet Duke of Cumberland from New York Apr. 6th to Falmouth May 4th, London "4/MA" Bishop mark backstamps and matching clear strike of "AM^N. & PACT./POSTAGE" two-line handstamp and manuscript "1/6" 1sh6d due for colonial inland plus packet postage, Very Fine and exceptional packet letter with markings of three cities., ex-Hahn.
Estimate; $5,000 - 7,500.

ONE OF ONLY TWO RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THE "PHILA" STRAIGHTLINE RECORDED ON FOREIGN MAIL, AND THE ONLY RECORDED EXAMPLE OF THE LONDON "AM^N. & PACT./POSTAGE" HANDSTAMP.

Letter includes an invoice and discusses loading the brig Rachel to Madeira, and the great scarcity of money. Two weeks to the day after this letter was written, Paul Revere warned Sam Adams that 100 British soldiers were on their way to Concord to destroy arms. Est. $5,000-7,500 (Image)

Est. $5,000-7,500

1775 (Aug. 2) Philadelphia Pa. to London, England. Folded letter with Quaker dateline "Philada. 8 mo 2d 1775" from Samuel Pleasants to James Gordon in London, blockade run by ship Chalklet from Philadelphia Aug. 9th to Bristol arriving Sep. 17th, entered mails with "BRISTOL/SHIP LRE" two-line handstamp and manuscript "5" pence rating for 4d inland plus 1d ship fee, London, Very Fine early Revolutionary War ship letter from the Colonies to England through the American privateer blockade, ex-Siskin, Dr. Robertson, Walske.
Estimate; $1,500 - 2,000.

THE ONLY RECORDED REVOLUTIONARY WAR BLOCKADE-RUN COVER THROUGH THE AMERICAN PRIVATEER BLOCKADE OF DELAWARE BAY.

American privateers began attacking British shipping in the Spring of 1775. As America's largest city, Philadelphia was a center of trade, so British vessels in or out of Delaware Bay offered attractive prizes. By the Summer of 1775 Royal Navy warships were patrolling the mid-Atlantic coast between Cape Henlopen and Chesapeake Bay to thwart privateer attacks.

"Fifteen large galliots carrying at their bows from 32 to 48 pounders, swivels, etc. and fifty men each, are built at Philadelphia, and are to be stationed in Delawar [sic] River about Redbank, to oppose any men of war, who may attempt to come up the river, and to defend the machines sunk in that narrow part of the river." from The Ipswich Journal, England, 23 September 1775

Delaware Bay was not under a British blockade until March 1776 when the frigate HMS Roebuck entered Delaware Bay and stood off Lewes. Despite defensive measures along the Delaware, Philadelphia was invaded and occupied in September 1777. Est. $1,500-2,000 (Image)

Est. $1,500-2,000

1782 (Sep. 30) Philadelphia Pa. to London, England. Datelined folded letter carried by private ship through the British blockade, reverse with Temple Receiving House "Payd Penny Post" triangular backstamp and "19, O'Clock" circular handstamp, docketed across face as received Feb. 12th 1783; toning and some separation, Fine and scarce Revolutionary War blockade-run use.
Estimate; $300 - 400. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400

1787 (Aug. 21) Philadelphia Pa. to Cork, Ireland. Datelined folded letter with partial "New-York Sep 5" straightline and manuscript "1/-" due rating for 1sh packet fee, carried by Falmouth packet Grantham from New York Sep. 8th to Falmouth arriving Oct. 2nd, London (10.3) backstamp and manuscript "1/6" due rating, Cork rerated "1/10" due for 1s packet fee plus 10d inland postage; small stain spot, F.-V.F., ex-Feldman.
Estimate; $200 - 300. Est. $200-300 (Image)

Est. $200-300

1791 (Dec. 20) St. Croix, DWI to Philadelphia Pa. Granite folded letter endorsed "p Brig Hannah, Capt Thos Kenney, DDC" at bottom left and manuscript "2d." (16 grains) at top right for ship fee; accompanied by 1843 ship letter from St. Croix to Newark N.J. with red Philadelphia cds and "Ship" handstamp, Very Fine pair.
Estimate; $200 - 300. Est. $200-300 (Image)

Est. $200-300