Daniel F. Kelleher Auctions, LLC Sale

To see new sales and other StampAuctionNetwork news in your Facebook newsfeed then Like us on Facebook!

Map

LotNo.

Symbol

CatNo.

Lot Description

201

Tristan da Cunha, 1836, small colored map, published in England by Baldwin & Gradock mounted on gray card, inscribed "Recently inhabited by a few Americans and English", Very Fine, ex Mayo.
Estimate $300 - 400. (Image)

Est. $300-400
CLOSED
Will close during Public Auction

Postal History

LotNo.

Symbol

CatNo.

Lot Description

202

Tristan da Cunha, 1793, letter by Admiral Sir Erasmus Gower, endorsed at Chusan Harbor off the coast of China, autographed letter (no outer wrapper or postal markings but consisting of two closely written double sheets and complete) signed by Admiral Sir Erasmus Gower during his pioneering voyage to China to escort Earl Macartney to Peking (the Earl was the first English Ambassador to China), the letter includes a detailed and very early description of "the Islands of Tristan da Cunha, which have often been seen but never examined, which honor I meant to have conferred on myself …", the expedition anchored at Tristan, but the proposed thorough investigation was prevented by bad weather, not however before they had done a survey of the place, "… we ascertained that there was a safe Anchorage, good fresh-water, an exact situation of the Islands, that their Inhabitants were Oceanic Birds & fish, and that there were excellent eatable fish at the bottom where the ship lay, there are three of these Islands, named Tristan de Cunha, Inaccessible and Nightingale …", Fine to Very Fine.
Estimate $2,000 - 3,000

Tristan da Cunha was first explored by Portuguese and Dutch in the 17th Century and their accounts are preserved in various archives, this is a most important early description of these rarely visited islands and the earliest artifact relating to Tristan in private hands. The remainder of this long letter includes a fascinating outline of visits to the tiny islands of St. Paul and Amsterdam in the south Indian Ocean, and the voyage past the coasts of Sumatra, Cambodia, Formosa and China, the writer took his ship north of Chusan into the Yellow Sea, to which he says that no European had ever been before. (Image)

Est. $2,000-3,000
CLOSED
Will close during Public Auction

203

Tristan da Cunha, 1836 (Jan 2), pre-cachet folded whaling letter to Shelton Island, New York, showing manuscript "20 3/4" rate marking, along with red "SHIP" handstamp and matching "New Bedford Mar 17 MS" receiver. Lengthy, literate contents from Mr George Cartwright to his father, datelined Jan 2, 1836 … "We are now around the Trusteen Islands. We went ashore New Year's day …"; minor edge wear and tears, Fine to Very Fine.
Estimate $1,500 - 2,000

A remarkable and historically significant letter, being the earliest known surviving letter from Tristan da Cunha in private hands (see introductory paragraph in Gibbons, referring to this 1836 cover as well as the 1843 example). A unique opportunity to acquire perhaps the most important item in Tristan philately . (Image) (Image2)

Est. $1,500-2,000
SOLD for $3,500.00
Will close during Public Auction

204

Tristan da Cunha, 1843 (Oct 29), pre-cachet folded whaling letter to Southampton, NY, showing manuscript "20 3/4" rate marking, along with red "SHIP" handstamp and matching" "New London Mar 1 Conn"" arrival marking. Splendid, insightful content offered in this highly literate letter, from a John Rose to his wife, offering keen insights to the lives of the whalers. He writes "I shall stop hereabouts until Dec, when if I do not get 1,000 or 2,000 bls, I shall go to the Crosetts or to desolation as thats the place of resort for ships which whale hereabouts"; minor water stains, Fine to Very Fine.
Estimate $1,000 - 1,500

A magnificent, rare and exceptionally important item of Tristan postal history, long considered to be the earliest known surviving letter from Tristan, now taking its place as the second earliest example. (See introductory paragraph in Gibbons referencing the previous lot, the 1836 cover, as well as this one). A cornerstone exhibition piece . (Image) (Image2)

Est. $1,000-1,500
SOLD for $2,000.00
Will close during Public Auction

205

(

)

Tristan da Cunha, 1892, pre-cachet cover front from the Peter Green correspondence, good size cover front, carried from Tristan in Feb 1892 by the HMS Raleigh, showing "Simons Town 7 MR 92" transit and "T" handstamp along with "New York Ap 6" receiver and "Due 10 Cents" marking, and endorsed "Posted at Sea". Addressed to Charles E. Murtha in Brooklyn. Pieter Groen was a Dutch sailor who ship wrecked at Tristan in 1836 and remained there till his death in 1902 at the age of 94, serving as the governor of the island.
Estimate $600 - 800

This is believed to be the earliest cover (front) originating from an islander at a time when the population of the island was 50 . (Image)

Est. $600-800
SOLD for $325.00
Will close during Public Auction

206

Tristan da Cunha, 1896, very rare cover front written and sent by Governor Peter Green to Holland, endorsed in his handwriting "We have no stamps on Tristan", with octagonal "T/25c" due handstamp applied in route, possibly at the Cape, with original four page letter dated "Mai 1896", written to a relative reminiscing about his family etc. Carried on board the HMS Magpie; some age spots and minor edge tears, Fine to Very Fine.
Estimate $1,500 - 2,000

Aside from the 1836, the 1843, and the 1895 Cartwright whaling covers which begin this sale, this item represents one of the earliest known covers originating at Tristan. Illustrated and discussed in Crabb, page 152 . (Image)

Est. $1,500-2,000
SOLD for $900.00
Will close during Public Auction

207

Tristan da Cunha, 1901, incoming cover from Norwich CT to "Tristan d 'Acunha", franked by a 5¢ US Bureau print, tied by Norwich FEB 21 1901 Conn Flag machine cancel, addressed to Mr. Thomas Beetham Governor of St. Helena, with front showing St. Helena OC 13 01 transit marking. This cover is one of four letters carried by the HMS Beagle, which arrived at Tristan 19 Nov, 1901, and subsequently is believed to be among the earliest incoming entire cover to Tristan da Cunha. A showpiece; minor edge tears, Fine to Very Fine.
Estimate $250 - 350. (Image) (Image2)

Est. $250-350
SOLD for $275.00
Will close during Public Auction

208

Tristan da Cunha, 1906, pre-cachet period picture postcard to Cape Town, with a plethora of postmarks that deserve a detailed description in chronological order: 24 mm circle with manuscript inscription inside the circumference "TRISTAN DA CUNHA", Townsville, Queensland September 17 circular datestamp, and above this postmark is the "570" numeral cancelllation surrounded by the oval of radial bars, "LOOSE/ SHIP/ LETTER" oval handstamp also applied in Townsville, as was the three-line "10/ CTMS/ T" handstamp. There is an inverted manuscript "4" hidden beneath a black "2d" postage due marking applied in South Africa, two Cape Town Oct. 20, 1906 receiving circular datestamps, plus "CAPE TOWN/ POSTE RESTANTE" datestamp applied on Oct. 22, 1906. Accompanied by an article titled "I have Printed-Manuscript or Handstamp?" by Davidson, that appeared in the Ice Cap News (American Society of Polar Philatelists) Volume 28, Whole No. 157, and strictly related to this great piece of postal history. The postcard was sent to "R. Henderson Esq./ General Post Office/ Cape Town", and the writer titled his address as "S.S. Surrey/ Is. of Tristan da Cunha/ 1566 miles from C. Town", and wrote the following message: "This card may reach you before the end of next year. Treasure it! There is no Postal Administration here/ Sincerely yrs/ J. Rowley."; small repair at bottom, Fine to Very Fine.
Estimate $750 - 1,000

Extremely Rare; according to the author of the article, only about 30 pieces were entrusted to Mr. & Mrs. Barrow aboard the "SS Surrey" in order to be posted from Tristan. However only this one has been discovered to date . (Image) (Image2)

Est. $750-1,000
CLOSED
Will close during Public Auction

209

Tristan da Cunha, 1910-15, 1d King Edward VII private-order postal stationery cutouts, comprising block of four and vertical tête-bêche gutter pair stuck on sheets, and cancelled with type I cachets, Fine to Very Fine.
Estimate $100 - 150

Stamp dealer Victor Marsh obtained postal stationery cut-outs, and sent them on covers and stuck on sheets of paper to Tristan for postmarking. Considered by many collectors as contemporary souvenirs, and in consequence part of the postal history of the island . (Image)

Est. $100-150
SOLD for $60.00
Will close during Public Auction

210

Tristan da Cunha, 1912, postcard to Jersey, Channel Islands, datelined on Dec. 28, 1912, showing type I cachet in violet, taxed on arrival at Cape Town, and showing "T/ 10¢" postage due marking. Additional "2d/ 723" British postage due handstamp, and Christmas greeting message on reverse; minor creases along the top, Fine to Very Fine.
SG C1; £5,500 ($8,800).
Estimate $1,000 - 1,500. (Image)

Est. $1,000-1,500
SOLD for $950.00
Will close during Public Auction

211

Tristan da Cunha, 1918, mixed franking cover to London, front franked with Brazil Fonseca 200r and Great Britain King George V 1d, each tied by "Rio de Janeiro/ 3a Seccão" Apr. 29, 1918 circular datestamp, latter stamp also tied by wavy lines cancel, adjacent type I cachet, Fine to Very Fine.
SG C1; £5,500 ($8,800).
Estimate $1,000 - 1,500

Type I cachet was used for about eleven years (December 1908 to December 1919). This piece represents a late usage of such marking . (Image)

Est. $1,000-1,500
SOLD for $650.00
Will close during Public Auction

212

Tristan da Cunha, 1918, cover to Drogheda, Ireland, franked with ½d King George V vertical pair, tied by London Jan. 27,1919 circular datestamps, adjacent type I cachet and London inspector's mark rarely found on obverse. Carried by the ship "Southern Sea", which called at Tristan on November 13, 1918; cover has been repaired along the top, Fine to Very Fine, 1980 RPS certificate.
Estimate $500 - 750. (Image)

Est. $500-750
SOLD for $450.00
Will close during Public Auction

213

Tristan da Cunha, 1918, stampless cover to Kenilworth, South Africa, showing faint type I cachet, and backstamped in South Georgia on May 11, 1918, probably carried by the "SS Perth", which called at Tristan on Apr. 24, 1918; small faults on reverse from rough opening, Fine to Very Fine.
SG C1; £5,500 ($8,800).
Estimate $500 - 750. (Image)

Est. $500-750
SOLD for $275.00
Will close during Public Auction

214

Tristan da Cunha, 1919, "Marsh" covers with type I cachet, one large-size registered cover to London, carried aboard the H.M.S. Yarmouth, franked with six ½d green King George V postal stationery cut squares, showing four strikes of the scarce type I cachet, and docketed by Victor Marsh; other similar cover presumably carried aboard the same steamship but docketing of receipt erased, and also showing four strikes of the same cachet, Fine to Very Fine.
Estimate $600 - 800. (Image)

Est. $600-800
CLOSED
Will close during Public Auction

215

Tristan da Cunha, 1920, Sam Swain manuscript letter, datelined on Tristan on November 4, 1920, to Leslie Powall, and reads in part "… I will let you know what the islanders stand most in need of…", "…We stand most in need of flour, tea, coffee, sugar, cocoa and clothing…", "…I have also a family of six children all girls and I find it very hard to get clothing at times…" & "…Would you be so kind and send me some leather shoes".
Estimate $200 - 300

Sam Swain was the island patriarch, and a notable figure with his dark face and long beard. George Crabb (The Postal History of Tristan da Cunha, page 50) shows a picture of a group of the men on the island in 1906, and Mr. Swain is the first standing at left . (Image)

Est. $200-300
SOLD for $200.00
Will close during Public Auction

216

Tristan da Cunha, 1920, cover to Singapore, showing a nice strike of type II cachet in violet, adjacent "SINGAPORE/ TO PAY 16 CENTS" postage due rectangular handstamp, backstamped with South Georgia Nov. 25, 1920 and Singapore receiving February 5, 1921 postmarks. Accompanied with full manuscript letter, datelined on Oct. 30, 1920, informing that the writer has two kids, and in his own words "one are a dummy and the other are 8 years of age"; cover and letter with punctures from letter holder, Fine to Very Fine.
Estimate $500 - 750. (Image)

Est. $500-750
SOLD for $450.00
Will close during Public Auction

217

Tristan da Cunha, 1920's, cover to England, franked with ½d & 1d King George V stamps, tied by a nice strike of Tristan da Cunha/ South Atlantic type II cachet in black, Very Fine.
Estimate $200 - 300. (Image)

Est. $200-300
SOLD for $170.00
Will close during Public Auction

218

Tristan da Cunha, 1922, Schackleton-Rowett Expedition, Great Britain 2s6d stamp with black boxed Tristan da Cunha handstamp, dated May 30, 1922 after the Quest had left, presumably a favor but rare, Very Fine.
Estimate $300 - 400. (Image)

Est. $300-400
SOLD for $425.00
Will close during Public Auction

219

Tristan da Cunha, 1922, Shackleton-Rowett Antarctic Expedition. Cover franked with 1d King George V pair, tied by "Tristan da Cunha" boxed cachet and "S-R Antarctic Expedition" May 25, 1922 circular datestamp, addressed to Surrey, England; vertical crease not affecting stamps or markings, Fine to Very Fine, 1989 BPA certificate.
Estimate $1,000 - 1,500

The "Quest" arrived at Tristan on May 20, 1922 and stayed five days. Before they left they took aboard the mail for dispatch to England. This cover was prepared as a souvenir for the crew. George Crabb states in his book (The Postal History of Tristan da Cunha): "No examples are known to me of the Tristan cachet used on cover" . (Image)

Est. $1,000-1,500
SOLD for $4,000.00
Will close during Public Auction

220

Tristan da Cunha, 1922, Shackleton-Rowett Antarctic Expedition, front franked with St. Helena 2d King George V stamp tied by St. Helena Aug. 9, 1922 circular datestamp, and showing black boxed "Quest R.Y.S." handstamp. The ship returned to England calling at St. Helena, Ascension, Cape Verde and Azores to arrive at Plymouth on September 16, 1922, Fine to Very Fine.
Estimate $750 - 1,000

The "Quest" arrived at South Georgia on January 4, 1922. At 2:50AM on January 5, Schackleton suffered a fatal heart attack. The expedition was taken over by the second-in-command, Captain Frank Wild, and carried on a programme of exploration in the Antarctic, returning to England and calling at St. Helena, Ascension, Cape Verde and Azores to arrive at Plymouth, England on September 16, 1922 . (Image)

Est. $750-1,000
SOLD for $4,000.00
Will close during Public Auction