Mail Between Canada and United States continued...

(Kamouraska to Quebec, Mar. 29, 1785). Folded letter datelined CaMouraska le 29 mars 1785” and addressed to Quebec, red 1/4” and K.4” split currency marking at top, vertical file fold of little consequence, Very Fine, split currency markings are rarely seen after 1781, especially on covers from small towns such as this, ex Glassco and Sanderson (Image)

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(Quebec to Halifax, Nova Scotia via New York, Jan. 2, 1788). Manuscript Quebec Jan 2 1788” at top left of folded cover addressed to John Wentworth in Halifax, Nova Scotia, lightly struck Montreal JANy 7” two-line datestamp on back, AMERICAN PORT” and PAID*” handstamps applied in Montreal, rated 2N1” in red paying the rate for inland and packet postage thru Montreal and New York, interior with message signed J Wentworth”, likely written upon receipt, cover missing top flap

VERY FINE. THIS IS THE ONLY RECORDED EXAMPLE OF THE AMERICAN PORT” BRITISH PACKET DIRECTIVE MARKING, WHICH WAS APPLIED IN MONTREAL. THIS COVER WAS SENT FROM NEW YORK ON THE FALMOUTH PACKET, STOPPING AT NOVA SCOTIA. AN IMPORTANT EARLY CROSS-BORDER AND TRANSATLANTIC MAIL ARTIFACT.

This cover, dated at Quebec on January 2, 1788, was postmarked at Montreal on January 7 with the special AMERICAN PORT” handstamp, indicating it was intended to depart on a British packet vessel from an American port. It was carried on the Lake Champlain and Hudson River water route to New York City, and from there it was carried on the next Falmouth Packet sailing--the Grantham on February 20, 1788--which stopped at Halifax on the eastbound transatlantic trip to England (sailing information from John S. Olenkiewicz, Frajola website).

The addressee, Sir John Wentworth, was the Surveyor General of the King’s Woods at this time. He eventually went on to become the first civilian Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia in 1791 and was knighted in 1795.

Ex Montgomery (Image)

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(Quebec to Berthier, Mar. 12, 1793). Quebec” and 12/MR” Bishop mark in double-circle handstamp with triangle on flap of folded cover to James Cuthbert in Berthier, rated 9” at top left, cover was turned and used by addressee for message dated Sep. 23, 1793 and signed J. Cuthbert”, splitting along folds, couple reinforced with tape, otherwise Fine, a late use of this datestamp which was put in use around 1772, James Cuthbert (ca. 1719-1798) was an army officer, merchant and seigneur having amassed a large amount of property along the St. Lawrence river, ex Sanderson (Image)

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(Quebec to Montreal, Apr. 15, (ca. 1795). Bold Quebec, Canada” split-circle handstamp with 15/AV” Bishop mark clearly struck on top flap of ca. 1795 folded cover to Montreal, rated 9” at top right, minor tape reinforced folds, Very Fine, ex Sanderson (Image)

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Get Market Data for [Canada Quebec to Montreal]

(Quebec to Montreal, Mar. 19, 1798). Clearly struck Quebec, Canada” rimless circular datestamp with split 1798” yeardate and 19/MR” Bishop mark on side flap of folded Schedule of papers” for a Royal Artillery Sergeant to notary in Montreal, rated 9” at top right, Very Fine, a choice strike of this rare marking, which was in use for only one year, ex Sanderson (Image)

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Get Market Data for [Canada Quebec to Montreal]

(Quebec to Chambly, Oct. 31, 1799). Clear QUEBEC/OCT. 31 99” two-line datestamp on top flap of folded letter To Mr. John McCutchson Esq., Company at Chambly”, endorsed From a Sergeant 26th Regiment” with 1d” soldier’s one-penny concession rate, signed (Lord) Elphinstone” at bottom, contents regarding being unable to avoid a transfer back to England and having to leave behind his wife and children in Canada, some minor splitting along folds, some reinforced

FINE AND INCREDIBLY RARE ONE-PENNY SOLDIER’S CONCESSION RATE FROM CANADA. THIS IS THE EARLIEST RECORDED EXAMPLE KNOWN IN PRIVATE HANDS.

Chambly is located just outside of Montreal and likely would have required an 11p rate. An important item for any early Canada or military postal historian. Ex Sattin and Sanderson (Image)

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Get Market Data for [Canada Quebec to Chambly]