British Parliamentary Post and Early Colonial Period continued...

VERY FINE. ONE OF THE FEW REPORTED COVERS BEARING A POSTAGE RATE PRIOR TO THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE QUEEN ANNE ACT OF 1710.

The sender, Rip Van Dam (born ca. 1660, died 1749), was a prominent Colonial governor who presided over the trial of Peter Zenger. The addressee, Jonathan Dickinson, was a Quaker merchant from Jamaica, who gained fame after he, his family and crew were shipwrecked off the Florida coast in 1696 and held captive by Indians. After their release, Dickinson and his family eventually settled in Philadelphia, where he started a branch of his trading business (source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonathan_Dickinson)

T his cover from Van Dam to Dickinson was posted prior to the June 1, 1711, effective date of the British Postal Act of November 25, 1710 (generally known as the Queen Anne Act of 1710/11). The distance between New York City and Philadelphia, just over 100 miles, would have required 3dwt (9p) under the 1710/11 Queen Anne rates. Prior to June 1, 1711, the rate was 4-1/2p. We interpret the "Doub 16d" rate marking as two times the 4-1/2p rate (9p), converted into local currency at an exchange rate of approximately 1.8. There may be other interpretations, given the complexities of early Colonial postage rates and currency conversions, but there is no doubt this marking represents a postage rate prior to implementation of the new Queen Anne rates on June 1, 1711. (Image)

VERY FINE. AN EXTREMELY EARLY NEW YORK CITY COLONIAL POSTMARK ON MAIL FROM JAMAICA.

Jonathan Dickinson, was a Quaker merchant from Jamaica, who gained fame after he, his family and crew were shipwrecked off the Florida coast in 1696 and held captive by Indians. After their release, Dickinson and his family eventually settled in Philadelphia, where he started a branch of his trading business (source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonathan_Dickinson).

Although the "8br" month designation in the docketing would normally be interpreted as October, the "9br" leaves no doubt that the letter was datelined in August and received in September.

The ASCC Vol. 3 values a 1711 "NY" at $3,750 and 1719 "paid via N York 10d" at $3,000. This form of postmark is unlisted. (Image)