Philadelphia Rate Collection, 1792-1844. Album of 53 stampless usages in the 1792, 1799, 1816 and 1825 rate periods, variety of postmarks and ratings, inbound and outbound uses, note 1792 Philadelphia Franklin mark with manuscript. "10" rating to New York, 1798 Philadelphia Franklin mark and manuscript. "12½" cent rating for 101-150 miles to Shippensburgh Pa., 1798 Philadelphia Franklin mark and "Free" handstamp free franked to Keene N.H., 1802 New Orleans to Philadelphia with "Wimn. D. Jul 22" cds and matching small "Ship" handstamp, 1800 "Phi, 5 De" cds and "60" cent rating to Boston with "Boston" receiving straightline; 1817 "Phil., 6 Jan" cds to Dover N.H. and forwarded with red Portsmouth N.H." rimless oval; 1816 "Phil" cds and "Ship" arc handstamp with manuscript. "1¼ oz" and "$1.02" quadruple rating; 1829 Philadelphia to Baltimore with "Steamboat" straightline, 1844 Philadelphia red cds and black "Collect" fancy box, 1834 "Phila." red octagon datestamp to Thibodauxville forwarded without red double-circle postmark; and 1834 Philadelphia to St. Johns, New Brunswick via Robbinstown Me., etc., some flaws.
Estimate; $1,000 - 1,500. Est. $1,000-1,500 (Image)

Est. $1,000-1,500

Philadelphia War Rates, 1815-16. Group of 10 covers mostly from Philadelphia but also a couple inbound uses, including 2nd Day of Rate: Feb. 2nd use at 15¢ rate for 40-90 miles to Columbia, 1815 Philadelphia to New London Ct. at 25½¢ rate for 150-300 miles forwarded with manuscript "N London Ct, March 15 } Forwd" postmark and "18¾" rating totalled to 44¼¢ to Boston; 1815 double the 30¢ rate to Boston (only 4 recorded from Philadelphia), Philadelphia to New Germantown N.J. at 15¢ rate, two 1815 Easton Pa. uses to Philadelphia at double the 15¢ rate; 1815 Philadelphia to Baltimore at 18¾¢ rate for 90-150 miles, Philadelphia to Bethany Pa. at 25½¢ rate for 150-300 miles, etc.; some fold toning, F.-V.F. and scarce war surcharge rate group.
Estimate; $500 - 750. Est. $500-750 (Image)

Est. $500-750

1771 (Dec. 24) Kingston, Jamaica to Philadelphia Pa. Datelined folded letter carried by private ship into Edenton N.C. where rated "1/4" stg. due, Philadelphia crossed out and converted to "6 16" 6dwt 16gr in red manuscript for ship and inland and "3/" sh in local currency at left, Very Fine.
Estimate; $500 - 750.

Edenton N.C. rated "1/4" stg. due (16d) that Philadelphia converted to 6 dwt 16 grains (1 shilling 8 pence) for ship and inland = 20d, converted to local currency (20d stg. x 1.67) = 34d plus 2d delivery = 3 shillings due in local currency. Est. $500-750 (Image)

Est. $500-750

1787 (Jun. 30) Ostende, Belgium to Philadelphia Pa. via London. Datelined folded letter carried privately to London, reverse with brownish London "JY, 4, 87" cds and matching "POST/PAID" in circle handstamp with red manuscript "P 2/" rating for two-times the 1sh packet rate, carried by Packet Dashwood from Falmouth Jul. 8th to New York arriving Aug. 30th, New York manuscript "4" dwt due rating for two-times the 2dwt rate for 60-100 miles; light fold toning, F.-V.F. and scarce use from Ostende, One of the earliest uses from Belgium to the United States.
Estimate; $200 - 300. Est. $200-300 (Image)

Est. $200-300

1788 (Nov. 28) Anvers, Belgium to Philadelphia Pa. via London. Datelined folded letter carried privately to London, flap with brownish London "DE, 3, 88" cds and matching partial "POST/PAID" in circle handstamp with red manuscript "P 2/" rating for two-times the 1sh packet rate, carried by Packet Queen Charlotte from Falmouth Dec. 9th to New York arriving Feb. 13th, New York manuscript "2" dwt due rating for inland postage, F.-V.F.
Estimate; $200 - 300. Est. $200-300 (Image)

Est. $200-300

1790 (Feb. 26) Antwerp, Belgium to Philadelphia Pa. Datelined folded letter, brownish London "MR, 3, 90" transit cds and matching "POST/PAID" in circle handstamp with red manuscript "P 2/-" prepaid rating for two-times the 1sh packet rate, carried by Packet Queen Charlotte from Falmouth Mar. 6th to New York arriving Apr. 26th, New York "2 16" 2dwt 16gr due rating for two-times the 1dwt 8gr single rate of 60-100 miles, Philadelphia "1/4" due rating in local currency, Very Fine.
Estimate; $300 - 400. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400

1793 (Aug. 3) Berne, Switzerland to Philadelphia Pa. Docketed folded cover endorsed "p The Pigou" in red manuscript at lower right, carried privately to London, then by private ship Pigou from London Sep. 2nd to Philadelphia arriving Oct. 31st, entered mails with bold strike of Philadelphia "4" cents due 12mm handstamp for port of arrival ship letter, fresh and Extremely Fine, a scarce use from Switzerland.
Estimate; $200 - 300.

The Philadelphia 12mm "4" rating handstamp is recorded from 1792-1799 with only fifteen recorded examples. Est. $200-300 (Image)

Est. $200-300

1794 (Jan. 23) Kingston, Jamaica to Philadelphia Pa. Datelined folded letter endorsed "p Elizth. & Mary, Capt. Latimer" at lower left, carried as endorsed by ship Elizabeth & Mary to Philadelphia, entered mails with clear strike of Philadelphia "4" cents due 12mm handstamp for port of arrival ship letter, docketed as received Apr. 2nd; horizontal file fold, Very Fine.
Estimate; $200 - 300.

The Philadelphia 12mm "4" rating handstamp is recorded from 1792-1799 with only fifteen recorded examples. Est. $200-300 (Image)

Est. $200-300

1794 (Oct. 17) Havana, Cuba to Newport R.I. Folded letter carried privately to Philadelphia, forwarder's endorsed "Philada. 8 Decemr. 1794. Recd under cover and forwarded by Post, Your Friends Elliston & John Perot", entered mails with Philadelphia brownish "8 DE" Franklin mark and manuscript "20" cent rating, Very Fine.
Estimate; $200 - 300. Est. $200-300 (Image)

Est. $200-300

1796 (Mar. 11) Montserrat to Newburyport Mass. "datelined folded letter endorsed "via Capt grice, philadelphia", sent unpaid by private ship, entered mails with partial Philadelphia "5 AP" Franklin mark and manuscript "Sh 26" rating for inland postage plus 2¢ ship fee, letter of Stephen Holland headed "Moserate" and reads in part "…we were obliged to…go under the Le of Antegar the weather being thick & very dark at 10pm was Brought to by the gangers a British 74 gun ship & a small Schooner her tender & we were order'd on board with our papers…the Capt. whose name is Laforing…conceived that our property on board was of french & could not be american property & after that order'd us on board…to take us in to Antegar but the wind still being to the northward order'd us to Monserate whare we arrived at 3pm & Anchord in Plymouth Bay for adjudication…I was order'd on shore without Capt. Hoyt to be Examined & to go through the Interogatives…how the Business will turn god only knows for I don't know…"; docketed as received Apr. 11th, F.-V.F. and rare early incoming letter from Montserrat with news of ship seizure by British.
Estimate; $300 - 400. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400

1797 (Jun. 7) Kingston, Jamaica to Philadelphia Pa. via New York. Datelined folded letter addressed to George Thatcher at Congress, carried by private ship to New York, entered mails with "N. York June 7" straightline postmark and matching "Free" rating handstamp, red manuscript "Sh" ship rating, Very Fine and scarce Free ship use.
Estimate; $150 - 200.

The addressee, George Thatcher (1754-1824) graduated from Harvard in 1776. He was a delegate to the Continental Congress and was later elected by the District of Maine as a Federalist to every Congress from 1789 until his retirement in 1801. He once wrote "Parties are not necessary to the existence or support of political liberty". He did not think a Bill of Rights was necessary either. Est. $150-200 (Image)

Est. $150-200

1800 (Aug. 2) Amsterdam, Netherlands to Providence R.I. Datelined folded letter endorsed "pr. Ship Howard" at bottom left, entered mails with partial magenta "PHI, 13 OC" cds and matching small "SHIP" handstamp with red manuscript "36l rating for two-times 17¢ inland postage for under 300 miles plus 2¢ ship fee, docketed as received Oct. 17th, letter to the owners of Ship Mary Ann concerning delays, Very Fine, ex-Hugh Feldman.
Estimate; $200 - 300.

Philadelphia was the first city in the United States to introduce a "SHIP" handstamp, and this type was used until 1804. New York put a similar postmark into use in 1806. Est. $200-300 (Image)

Est. $200-300

1806 (Jul. 2) Amsterdam, Netherlands to Providence R.I. Datelined folded letter carried by private ship into Philadelphia, entered mails with brownish "PHI, 8 SE" cds and matching arc "SHIP" handstamp with "27" rating for two-times 12½¢ inland postage for 90-150 miles plus 2¢ ship fee, Very Fine.
Estimate; $200 - 300.

This Philadelphia "SHIP" arc handstamp was used from 1804 to 1817. Est. $200-300 (Image)

Est. $200-300

1836 (Dec. 20) Matanzas, Cuba to New York via Lewes Del. Datelined folded letter from Drake & Coit sugar and molasses merchants endorsed "via Philadelphia", carried by private ship to Lewes, entered mails with manuscript "Lewes Del, Jany 23" postmark with matching "Ship" and "39½" rating for 37½¢ inland postage plus 2¢ ship fee; horizontal file fold, Very Fine and scarce use redirected due to Delaware Estuary Blocked by Ice during Winter of 1834-35.
Estimate; $200 - 300.

Although this letter was directed "Via Philadelphia", but ice on the Delaware River prevented navigation above Lewes, Delaware. Est. $200-300 (Image)

Est. $200-300

1841 (Jun. 23) Cape Pamas, West Africa (Liberia) to New York N.Y. via Philadelphia. Folded cover with datelined original letter, carried by private ship from Africa to Philadelphia, entered mails with blue "Philadelphia Pa. Sep 25" cds and matching "Ship" handstamp with red manuscript "14½" due rating for 12½¢ inland postage plus 2¢ ship fee; fold splitting, otherwise Very Fine and scarce early use from forerunner Liberia.
Estimate; $400 - 600. Est. $400-600 (Image)

Est. $400-600

1845 (May 12) St. Petersburg, Russia to Philadelphia Pa. via Hamburg & London. Datelined folded letter with "St. Petersburg, en. 12. May. 1845." framed backstamp and prepaid 240 kopeks (15 kop. Russian inland, 44 kop. Prussian transit, 180½ kop. British transit and transatlantic), Russian red manuscript "44" kop. credit rating to Prussia, pink Prussian "2/8d" credit to U.K., London "Paid" (6.2) tombstone transit, Liverpool (6.3) transit oval, carried by Cunard Caledonia from Liverpool Jun. 4th to Boston arriving Jun. 19th, Philadelphia blue "20¾" rating handstamp updated in blue manuscript "39" due (½¢ undercharge) for 37½¢ inland postage plus 2¢ ship fee, Very Fine and rare use from Russia.
Estimate; $500 - 750.

THE ONLY RECORDED LETTER FROM RUSSIA TO THE UNITED STATES BY THIS ROUTE.

This letter was handled under the 1843 Russia-Prussia convention and the 1841 Prussia-Great Britain convention, then traveled in British open mail, arriving in the United States as an unpaid ship letter. Est. $500-750 (Image)

Est. $500-750

1848 (Feb. 26) Havana, Cuba to New York N.Y. Datelined blue folded letter endorsed "pr 'Elizabeth I.' via Phila" at bottom left, carried as endorsed by Ship Elizabeth I from Cuba to Philadelphia, entered mails with blue "SHIP" straightline and matching "7" in circle rating handstamp for 5¢ inland postage plus 2¢ ship fee, docketed received Mar. 10th, Very Fine.
Estimate; $150 - 200. Est. $150-200 (Image)

Est. $150-200

(Retaliatory Period) 1848 (Jul. 19) Liege, Belgium to Philadelphia Pa. Docketed folded cover with "Société, De La Vieille, Montagne" double-oval and privately to Liverpool, entered mails with red "Paid at Liverpool, JY 22 1848" octagon datestamp and matching "1/-" due handstamp for 1s packet rate, carried by Cunard Line America from Liverpool Jul. 22nd to New York arriving Aug. 4th, Philadelphia blue "29" due handstamp for 24¢ retaliatory packet rate plus 5¢ inland, docketed as received Aug. 5th; file fold reinforcement, Very Fine and attractive, One of only 12 single-rate retaliatory covers recorded to Philadelphia.
Estimate; $400 - 600. Est. $400-600 (Image)

Est. $400-600

1851 (Dec. 24) Rotterdam, Netherlands to Philadelphia Pa. Folded letter with blue Rotterdam (12.24) datestamp with manuscript "110" Dutch Cents rating on reverse for all transit fees to U.S., red manuscript "1/4" 1s4d Dutch credit to G.B., London (12.26) transit with matching red "16/cents" credit handstamp to U.S., carried by Collins Line Atlantic that departed Liverpool Dec. 28th but returned to Queenstown, then carried by Cunard Line Africa arriving in New York on Feb. 15th, New York "Br. Packet, N. YK., '5' Feb 16" exchange due cds; central file fold, Very Fine and interrupted voyage use, the 16¢ credit rating is very uncommon, ex-Winter.
Estimate; $400 - 600.

The Collins Line Atlantic departed Liverpool on December 28th, but returned under sail to Queenstown and towed to Liverpool for repairs after 25 days with broken shaft. Her mails were transferred to British packet Cunard Line Africa. The mails were carried as American Packet mails and the 16¢ credit was allowed. Est. $400-600 (Image)

Est. $400-600

1852 (Jun. 5) Havana, Cuba to London, England via Philadelphia. Datelined folded letter send unpaid, carried by Barque Emily Binning from Cienfuegos May 28th to Philadelphia arriving Jun. 10th, blue "Philadelphia Pa., Jun 11" cds and matching "24" cent rating handstamp, New York black "21" debit to G.B., carried by Collins Line Arctic from New York Jun. 12th to Liverpool arriving Jun. 23rd, London red (6.23) arrival backstamp and manuscript "1/-" due rating for 1s packet rate, Very Fine and scarce 21¢ debit use.
Estimate; $200 - 300. Est. $200-300 (Image)

Est. $200-300

1853 (May 25) Havana, Cuba to San Francisco Cal. via Philadelphia. Datelined folded letter sent privately to Philadelphia, blue "Philadelphia Pa., Jun. 12" cds with red "PAID" and "6" double-octagon rating handstamp for prepaid 6¢ rate over 3,000 miles; horizontal file fold, Very Fine and attractive use with bold markings.
Estimate; $200 - 300. Est. $200-300 (Image)

Est. $200-300

1861 (Apr. 11) Lima, Peru to Philadelphia Pa. Blue datelined folded letter bearing Peru, 1d blue tied by "Franca" framed handstamp and matching strike at center, on cover via Panama, reverse with British P.O. "PAID-TO/PANAMA" two-line backstamp, carried by steamship to New York, entered mails with "Steamship/10" circular handstamp for 10¢ due; edge wear, Very Fine.
Estimate; $400 - 600. Est. $400-600 (Image)

Est. $400-600

1865 (Jun. 27) Malaga, Spain to Philadelphia Pa. Blue datelined folded letter bearing Spain 2r red lilac (72) and thee 2r salmon (73a) singles, two of latter on reverse uncancelled, large margins to touched, two on face tied by indistinct Malaga cds and "P.D." oval handstamp, blue Madrid (7.2) transit backstamp, light red London Paid (7.10) transit cds, carried by Inman Line City of London from Liverpool Jul.12th to New York arriving Jul. 24th, black "Philadelphia Am. Pkt. Jul 25" exchange cds and black "21" due handstamp, Very Fine.
Estimate; $200 - 300. Est. $200-300 (Image)

Est. $200-300

1871 (Oct. 26) Cadiz, Spain to Philadelphia Pa. Folded cover bearing Spain 200m pale brown (168), four singles, tied by dotted diamond grids and "Cadiz, 28 Oct 71" cds and oval "P.D." handstamp, prepaying the double 800 milesimas (20¢) rate for ¼-½ oz., Madrid (10.30) transit backstamp, endorsed "via Francia" and routed Madrid-Paris-Calais in closed bag to London, red London Paid (11.2) transit cds, carried by Inman Line City of New York from Queenstown Nov. 3rd to New York arriving Nov. 14th, Philadelphia blue crayon "3" cents due for single rate (up to ½ oz.), Very Fine.
Estimate; $300 - 400.

This marginal weight letter was rated double in Spain (¼ to ½ oz.) but only single in the U.K. and U.S. (< ½ oz.). Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400

1873 (Jan. 28) Cairo, Egypt to Philadelphia Pa. Cover bearing G.B. 4d vermilion and 6d ochre prepaying the 10d rate for 8d British packet and inland, 1d transatlantic and 1d U.S. inland, tied together by "B01" barred ovals, British P.O. "Cairo, JA 28, 73" origin cds, carried by P&O Pera from Alexandria Feb. 1st to Brindisi arriving Feb. 5th, red London Paid (2.10) transit cds and matching red "2" handstamp for 2¢ credit to U.S.; light overall toning, Very Fine and scarce use from Egypt.
Estimate; $300 - 400.

Senders could stipulate that letters from Alexandria to Great Britain should go via Southampton, but letters not so-endorsed would default to the steamship route via Brindisi, then overland by rail, a saving of five to seven days. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400