| The Ted Light Collection of Florida Postal History - Pre-Statehood |
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| Lot |
Photo |
Description |
Lot 1945 |
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Pensacola, / Nov. 20., fine strike of straightline on 1821 folded letter from Charles Bradford to his wife at Providence, RI, manuscript "Paid 25" rating for over 400 miles; long vertical tear on face, carefully sealed by paper tape on reverse, some light cover stains, Fine, very scarce postmark. ASCC $2,000.
ONE OF ONLY THREE RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THE PENSACOLA TYPE III STRAIGHTLINE.
Provenance: Meroni
Charles Bradford was the postmaster pro-tem at Pensacola in the early Military Government period.
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Lot 1946 |
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Apalachicola F.Ty. Jun 12, fine strike of c.d.s. with matching "Paid" handstamp and manuscript "25" on 1835 folded letter to London, boxed "Portsmouth Ship Letter" handstamp and red 1835 receiver on reverse, Very Fine, only three covers are recorded with the paid handstamp.
Estimate 400 - 500
Provenance: Meroni
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Lot 1947 |
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Apalachcola, F.Ty. Jan 2, fine strike of c.d.s. with matching "18¾" rate marker on territorial period folded letter to Midgeville, Ga., Fine and scarce.
Estimate 150 - 200
Apalachicola was the only Florida post office to use the 18¾ rate handstamp.
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Lot 1948 |
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Apalachicola Territorial Mail, group of seven covers, 1836-1844, comprising "Apalachicola F.Ty." c.d.s. in black and red; rates comprise 25 and 56¼ including red "25" rate markers, and black "paid" handstamp, couple small faults, F.-V.F. group.
Estimate 400 - 500
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Lot 1949 |
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Chattahoochee F.T. / May 4, manuscript postmark on 1839 folded letter to Quincy, Florida, manuscript "6¼" rating written over by "12½" and "double" added, letter contained a list of voters in the city being sent to the county seat; couple light file folds, F.-V.F., illustrated in the Florida stampless handbook.
Estimate 500 - 750
THE ONLY RECORDED EXAMPLE OF THE MANUSCRIPT CHATTAHOOCHIE TERRITORIAL TYPE II POSTMARK.
The act of April 9, 1816 created a 6¢ rate for single letters not over 30 miles. The 6¼ rate was adapted by postmasters to correspond with the circulating currency valued at 6¼¢.
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Lot 1950 |
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Fernandina / July 13, manuscript postmark with matching "50" rating for double rate over 400 miles on 1827 folded letter to Tallahassee, Fla., letter requests funds to compensate election officials, some internal tape reinforcement and aging, Fine and rare.
Estimate 200 - 300
Provenance: Meroni
Fernandina was the third Florida post office established September 22, 1821.
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Lot 1951 |
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Fort Brooke, Feb 5, 1838, datelined two page letter carried by military courier, from the quarter master to Lt. Morgan at Fort Dade, informing him that twenty-two wagon loads of forage was en route to his post, Very Fine and interesting letter.
Estimate 200 - 300
Fort Brooke on Tampa Bay was the principle port for supplies during the Seminole War. Fort Dade was about 50 miles northeast of Fort Brooke.
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Lot 1952 |
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Fort Marion, E. Fla., dateline on Oct 11, 1825 folded letter to Col. R. Jones in Washington, D.C., light strike of "St. Augustine E. Flo." red oval postmark and matching "free" handstamp, letter mentions the discharge of a minor by the court and that muster rolls for company A were enclosed, some splitting with reinforcement on folds, Fine.
Estimate 200 - 300
Fort Marion was built by the Spaniards during their occupation of Florida and was used by the United States in the period of 1825-1828.
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Lot 1953 |
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Jacksonville Flo. Dec 7, fine strike of red c.d.s. on 1831 folded cover to the Surveyor General in Tallahassee, Fla., manuscript 18¾ rating for 150 to 400 miles, docketing notes enquiry respecting field notes, couple edge faults, Fine.
Estimate 200 - 300
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Lot 1954 |
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Jacksonville Flo. Jan 5, fine strike of red c.d.s. on 1836 folded cover to Gen. C. Irvin, Commisionary Gen. of Purchases in Phil., Pa., red manuscript "25" rating crossed out and "free" added, docketing reads, "Lt. Alex Mitchell relative to the supplies placed in charge for sale to the volunteers and Indians in the service of the U.S. in Floridas." Very Fine with interesting docketing of the Second Seminole War.
Estimate 300 - 400
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Lot 1955 |
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Key West, Dec 7, 1827, dateline on folded letter by ship to St. Marys, Ga., where red Dec 15 c.d.s. struck and rated "ship 27" in manuscript to Boston, interesting letter informing a ship owner as to a delay imposed by the Mexican government at Vera Cruz due to funds not arriving, Fine.
Estimate 200 - 300
The Key West post office was not established until Feb 18, 1829 after being settled in 1822 by the English.
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Lot 1956 |
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Key West Territorial Mail, group of nine covers, 1829-1843, comprising five with the red "Key-West Florida" oval including one with "free" handstamp, and four ship letters with a Key West dateline including a Jan 1829 use prior to the opening of the post office and an 1841 transatlantic use to Germany, some interesting content including "wrecking being dull" reference to salvaging wrecked ships, few faults, F.-V.F. group.
Estimate 1,000 - 1,500
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Lot 1957 |
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Magnolia Fla, fine strikes on two folded letters, first is Jany 18, 1832 to Tallahassee, Florida, manuscript "6" rating for up to 30 miles, letter contains an invoice for supplies furnished to the territorial militia; second is Mar 13, 1836 to Providence, R.I., manuscript "50" rating for double weight over 400 miles, letter contains an invoice for a shipment of 44 bales of cotton, couple small faults, Fine pair.
Estimate 750 - 1,000
THE SECOND FOLDED LETTER IS THE LATEST RECORDED EXAMPLE OF THE TYPE II MARKING.
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Lot 1958 |
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Magnolia Fla / May 16, fine strike with day in manuscript, matching "paid" handstamp and manuscript "by L Read Esq", both surrounded by a manuscript box, 1834 folded letter to Tallahassee, Florida, manuscript "24" rating and "1oz" for 4-times the 6¢ rate under 30 miles, faint Tallahassee receiver, Fine.
Estimate 500 - 750
THE ONLY RECORDED MAGNOLIA TYPE II POSTMARK WITH A PAID HANDSTAMP IN LARGE LETTERS.
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Lot 1959 |
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Magnolia Fla / Sep, 30., very fine strike of straightline postmark on 1834 folded letter, manuscript "Free" endorsement by postmaster, manuscript "4½" collect for Canadian postage, red Montreal transit and red La Prairie receiver with manuscript date, letter inquires if family members are effected by the cholera raging in Canada; paper tape repairs, Fine and attractive.
Estimate 500 - 750
Provenance: Meroni, D. Jarrett
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Lot 1960 |
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Monticello, Fla / Jan 25, manuscript postmark on 1843 folded letter to Tallahassee, Florida, manuscript "6" rating for collect under 30 miles (located under docketing), legal correspondence on debt case, Fine.
Estimate 300 - 400
THIS IS THE LATEST RECORDED EXAMPLE OF THE MONTICELLO TYPE IV MANUSCRIPT POSTMARK.
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Lot 1961 |
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Newnansville / Fa Feby 14, blue manuscript postmark on 1842 folded letter to Phil., Pa., red manuscript "25" rating for over 400 miles, writer is a slave owner urging his mother to stop obtaining signers to abolition petitions; light water staining at bottom, Fine with interesting content, the latest of only four manuscript postmarks in blue.
Estimate 200 - 300
The Newnansville post office was established on May 1, 1837.
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Lot 1962 |
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Pensacola / Jun 3, fine strike of straightline on 1822 folded letter from Charles Bradford to his wife at Providence, RI, manuscript "Paid 25" rating for over 400 miles, some cover stains, upper left corner missing and small edge tear, Fine. ASCC $850.
THE EARLIER OF THE TWO RECORDED PENSACOLA TYPE IIIB TERRITORIAL POSTMARKS.
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Lot 1963 |
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Pensacola / 9 Sep, manuscript postmark on 1822 folded letter to Philadelphia, Pa., manuscript "25" rating for collect over 400 miles, interesting content regarding the yellow fever, "We are up to our eyes in the yellow fever, Pensacola the Montpelier of the Gulph for health, is most terribly scourged. Half of the dennizens are dead including Dr. Bronaugh and the other half have fled …we are now 5 miles from town on the sea shore where we will remain until first frost"; some cover splitting and paper tape reinforcement, Fine.
Estimate 500 - 750
THIS IS THE EARLIEST RECORDED EXAMPLE OF THE MANUSCRIPT TERRITORIAL POSTMARK (TYPE II).
Provenance: Meroni
This manuscript postmark is believed to have resulted from the temporary relocation of the Pensacola post office due to the outbreak of yellow fever.
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Lot 1964 |
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Pensacola / 9 Sep, red manuscript postmark on 1826 folded letter, datelined Pensacola Navy Yard to Boston, Mass., red manuscript "Paid 25" rating for over 400 miles, the writer was involved in the building of the Navy Yard and mentions having to pay his men around $2.25 per day to unload shipments of bricks, Very Fine.
Estimate 400 - 500
Congress passed a law in 1825 authorizing the establishment of a Navy Yard on the Gulf Coast. Pensacola was approved as the site and construction began in April 1826. In its early years the base dealt mainly with the suppression of slave trade and piracy in the Gulf and Caribbean.
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Lot 1965 |
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Pensa. F. very fine strikes of red c.d.s. on two covers, each with a "free" handstamp in a different size; first is dated Nov 24, 1827 on a folded letter endorsed "on service", letter is in regards to orders from the War Department; second is dated May 2, 1829 on a folded letter and also endorsed "on service", letter is datelined Camp Clinch in regards to military matters from the headquarters of the 4th infantry; vertical file folds, otherwise Very Fine.
Estimate 400 - 500
TWO OF THE THREE RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THE PENSACOLA TYPE VI C.D.S. IN RED WITH MATCHING FREE HANDSTAMPS. THE MAY 2, 1829 EXAMPLE IS THE LATEST RECORDED.
Camp Clinch was in existence from 1823 to 1834 using the Pensacola post office for mail.
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Lot 1966 |
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Pensa F. Jul 16, fine strike of c.d.s. with matching "free" handstamp on 1832 folded letter to Member of Congress in Allentown, Pa., letter was missent to Washington, D.C. where red Jul 29 c.d.s. and matching "free" handstamp were struck; two vertical file folds, Fine.
Estimate 150 - 200
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Lot 1967 |
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Pensa. F. Nov 26, fine strike of c.d.s. on 1834 folded letter to New Orleans, La., datelined at the Navy Yard, red manuscript "18¾" rating for 150 to 400 miles, letter was a reply to an inquiry on ship sailings to Vera Cruz, some cover splitting with paper tape reinforcement, Fine.
Estimate 200 - 300
Provenance: Meroni
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Lot 1968 |
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Pensa. F. Jun 30, fine strike of blue c.d.s. on 1836 folded letter to the Navy Agent in Boston, datelined US Frigate Constellation in Pensacola, manuscript "25" rating for over 400 miles, letter was a request to discontinue a sailor's allotment; two vertical file folds, Fine.
Estimate 200 - 300
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Lot 1969 |
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Pensacola Territorial Mail, group of 10 covers, 1828-1844, comprising "Pensa F." c.d.s. in red, blue, and black, and the "Pensacola Flor." in black; various rates include 18¾ 25, 37½ and 50, Free, and a triple forwarded use, couple small faults, F.-V.F. group.
Estimate 750 - 1,000
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Lot 1970 |
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Port Leon Flo Nov 3, fine strike of rimless c.d.s. with manuscript date on 1844 legal size court house letter to Tallahassee, Fla., manuscript "25" rating for 4-times the 6¼¢ rate for under 30 miles, lower right corner repair, otherwise Fine.
Estimate 400 - 500
The Port Leon post office was established on Oct 28, 1840 and changed names to New Port on Jan 18, 1844. The docketing may be incorrect as the recorded period of usage for the type III postmark is in Mar 1, 1842 to Dec 2, 1842.
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Lot 1971 |
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Quincy F / July 22, manuscript postmark on 1831 folded letter to Athens, Ga., manuscript "18¾" rating for 150 to 400 miles, some cover splitting and reinforcement, toning, Fine.
Estimate 300 - 400
Provenance: Meroni
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Lot 1972 |
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Quincy Flo. Oct 15, fine strike of red oval postmark and manuscript date on 1835 folded letter to Tallahassee, Fla., manuscript "6" for collect not over 30 miles, letter contained voter results for the Oct 12 vote at the Tadbury Precinct in Gadsden County, some fold splitting with reinforcement, Very Fine.
Estimate 300 - 400
Provenance: Meroni
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Lot 1973 |
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Rocky Comfort F / 15 March, manuscript postmark on 1832 folded letter to Sumpterville, S.C., matching manuscript "Paid 25" for over 400 miles, lightly cleaned, otherwise Very Fine.
Estimate 500 - 750
THE ONLY RECORDED EXAMPLE OF THE ROCKY COMFORT TYPE II POSTMARK IN BLACK AVAILABLE TO COLLECTORS. THE OTHER EXAMPLE, DATED MAY 9, 1833, REPOSES IN AN ARCHIVE.
The Rocky Comfort post office existed from November 5, 1827 to April 17, 1838.
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Lot 1974 |
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St Augustine, / 25 April 1822., fine strike of straightline postmark used during the first month of the Florida Territory on a folded letter to Pennsylvania., manuscript "25" collect rating for over 400 miles, long letter relating to family matters, some small faults including a couple age holes, Fine. ASCC $750.
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Lot 1975 |
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St. Augustine, / Nov 5, very fine strike of straight line with manuscript "Free" on 1822 folded letter to the Quarter Master Gen. in Washington, D.C., letter regarding material needed to repair military hospital and barracks; couple file folds with minor splitting, otherwise Very Fine.
Estimate 750 - 1,000
UNLISTED STYLE OF ST. AUGUSTINE POSTMARK, SIMILAR TO TYPE VIII.
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Lot 1976 |
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St Augustine / April 1, manuscript postmark on 1823 folded letter to New York, N.Y., manuscript "25" collect rating for over 400 miles, letter is from a father writing to his sons attending school; minor ink erosion in rating, Fine.
Estimate 500 - 750
ONE OF ONLY FIVE RECORDED ST. AUGUSTINE MANUSCRIPT POSTMARKS DURING THE TERRITORIAL PERIOD.
Provenance: Meroni
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Lot 1977 |
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St Augustine - E. Flo. - Nov 8, bold strike of red oval postmark with matching "free" handstamp on 1826 folded letter to the Quarter Master Gen. in Washington, D.C., letter from Jos. M. White, member of Congress from the Terr., to Gen. Jessup urging passage of the pending appropriation bill for building roads in the East Florida area for military and civilian use; single file fold with minor splitting, otherwise Very Fine and choice.
Estimate 400 - 500
THE ONLY RECORDED EXAMPLE OF THE ST. AUGUSTINE TYPE XII POSTMARK IN RED WITH FREE HANDSTAMP.
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Lot 1978 |
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St. Augustine E. Flo., two covers, both with oval postmark and matching "free" handstamp to Brig. Gen. Jessup in Washington, D.C., first is dated April 5 on an 1827 folded letter in regards to problems building the St. Francis Barracks, manuscript "on public service" endorsement; second is dated Aug 30 on an 1827 folded letter in regards to the St. Francis barracks needing repairs and public boat reporting, each with file folds and some splitting, Fine, two of the three recorded examples of the type XII postmark in black with free handstamps.
Estimate 300 - 400
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Lot 1979 |
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St. Augustine E. Flo. May 15, Fine strike of red oval postmark with red manuscript day and matching "2 oz" and "80" on legal size folded letter to Jacksonville, Fla., letter was rated 8-times the 10¢ rate for 30 to 80 miles, letter mentions that the original enclosure were legal documents; edge wear with some separation, Fine and rare rating.
Estimate 200 - 300
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Lot 1980 |
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St. Augustine E. Flo. Aug 16, beautiful strike of oval postmark with manuscript date on 1832 folded letter to St. Mary's, Ga., manuscript "12½" for collect 80 to 150 miles, letter in regards to land registration, Very Fine.
Estimate 400 - 500
UNLISTED MANUSCRIPT DATE VARIATION OF THE TYPE XII POSTMARK.
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Lot 1981 |
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St. Augustine E. Flo., Fine strikes on two folded covers to Philadelphia, first is dated Mar 23 with a manuscript "Paid 25" and black "Paid", second is dated Mar 27 with manuscript "25" for collect over 400 miles, second with small fault, otherwise Very Fine pair.
Estimate 300 - 400
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Lot 1982 |
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St. Augustine Fl.T. June 6, c.d.s. and matching "free" handstamp on 1837 folded letter to Gen. Jones in Wash., D.C., letter regards a private who deserted while on march during the Seminole War and has rejoined his company in Tampa, claiming he was pardoned on order from Gen. Gaines, Very Fine, interesting content, the earliest recorded example of the type XIV postmark with "free" handstamp.
Estimate 200 - 300
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Lot 1983 |
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St. Augustine Fl.T., c.d.s. and matching "free" handstamp in different colors on a pair of covers to Gen. Jones in Wash., D.C., first in red is dated Jun 3 on an 1843 folded cover, second in black is dated Feb 13 on an 1844 folded cover, both are docketed to have enclosed military reports, Very Fine pair.
Estimate 200 - 300
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Lot 1984 |
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St. Augustine Territorial Mail, group of 10 covers, 1828-1845, comprising "St. Augustine E. Flo." oval postmarks in red and black, and "St. Augustine Fl. T." c.d.s. in red and black, rates comprise 10, 18¾ 25, and free, good variety, few minor faults, F.-V.F. group.
Estimate 1,000 - 1,500
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Lot 1985 |
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St. Joseph Fl.T. Jul 11, clearly struck c.d.s. on 1838 folded letter to New York, red manuscript "25" collect rating for over 400 miles, long letter concerning family activities, piece out at top, otherwise Very Fine.
Estimate 300 - 400
St. Joseph post office existed December 28, 1835 to March 28, 1854.
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Lot 1986 |
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St. Mark Florida Aug 24, fine strike of c.d.s. with red manuscript day and large "free" handstamp on 1835 folded letter to Pensacola, Flor., manuscript "A. Crane / P.M. St. Mark" endorsement, Fine.
Estimate 300 - 400
Ambrose Crane was postmaster from Nov 9, 1827 to May 28, 1838.
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Lot 1987 |
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St. Mark Florida Feb 24, fine strike of c.d.s. with manuscript day with matching "free" handstamp and manuscript "on service" on 1837 folded letter to Brig. Gen R. Jones in Washington, D.C., datelined Fort Brooke with a letter from a Captain reading "… I arrived here on the 12th with a hundred and nineteen recruits from New York", Very Fine.
Estimate 400 - 500
Fort Brooke was in existence from 1821 to 1882 using the St. Mark and Tampa post offices for mail.
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Lot 1988 |
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St. Mark Florida April 1, fine strike of c.d.s. with manuscript date on 1840 folded letter to New York, N.Y., manuscript "50" double rating, contains invoice and bill of lading for shipment of cotton, Very Fine and clean.
Estimate 300 - 400
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Lot 1989 |
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San Pedro Fla. / 27 Jany, red manuscript postmark with matching "paid 18¾"for 150 to 400 miles on folded cover to Hamburg, F.T., which is near Madison, cover faults and age toning, Fine.
Estimate 400 - 500
ONE OF ONLY FOUR SAN PEDRO POSTMARKS AVAILABLE TO COLLECTORS.
San Pedro was established on Sep 6, 1833 and changed to Talofa on Apr 9, 1841.
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Lot 1990 |
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Tallahassee Fla Jul 29, beautifully struck oval date stamp with line under date on 1829 folded cover to N. Trist in Wash., D.C., sharp red manuscript "25" rating for over 400 miles, docketing from F. Eppes who was later the mayor of Tallahassee, Very Fine.
Estimate 200 - 300
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Lot 1991 |
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Tallahassee Fla Sep 23, very fine strike of oval date stamp on 1829 folded letter to Dublin, Ireland, red manuscript "Paid 25" for over 400 miles to New York and "2/-" for postage due in Ireland, boxed "Ship Letter Liverpool" and red Dublin transits on reverse, message is in regards to a purchase of land in Florida, some edge splitting with paper mending, Fine and rare transatlantic.
Estimate 300 - 400
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Lot 1992 |
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Tallahassee Floa Decem 28, clear strike with matching "paid" handstamp on 1831 folded cover to Philadelphia, Pa., red manuscript "50" double rating for over 400 miles, Very Fine.
Estimate 150 - 200
THE EARLIEST RECORDED EXAMPLE OF THE LARGE TALLAHASSEE OVAL POSTMARK.
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Lot 1993 |
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Tallahassee Fla June 14, superb strike of oval date stamp with matching strike of "paid" handstamp on 1832 folded letter to Philadelphia, Pa., red manuscript "25" rating for over 400 miles; Very Fine and choice.
Estimate 300 - 400
THE ONLY RECORDED EXAMPLE OF THE TYPE IV POSTMARK WITH A PAID HANDSTAMP.
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Lot 1994 |
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Tallahassee Floa Decem 14, Fine strike on 1832 folded letter to Worshipful Master of Washington Lodge No. 2 in Quincy, Fla., manuscript "6¼" rate for under 30 miles, letter included a listing of Masonic Lodge members, cover faults including fold separations, Fine and rare unofficial 6¼ rate.
Estimate 200 - 300
Provenance: Meroni
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