| Revolutionary War Period (1775-1783) |
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Lot 114 |
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1773 (Jul. 12) Philadelphia Pa. to London England via New York, datelined folded letter endorsed "p packet", bearing lightly struck red "PHILA / DELPHIA" two-line handstamp on flap, partial "NEW YORK" straightline handstamp and matching "4 / AU" Franklin mark, bold strike of "INLAND AND / PACKET POSTAGE" handstamp with "4N6" rating indicating prepayment of 4 shillings 6 pence, London "6 / SE" Bishop mark and manuscript "To pay 1/6" rating for 1 shilling 6 pence inland British postage due; paper loss in center, Fine.
Estimate 5,000 - 7,500
ONE OF ONLY A FEW RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THIS STYLE "INLAND AND PACKET POSTAGE" HANDSTAMP.
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Lot 115 |
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1773 (Sep. 1) Wilmington N.C. to Hillsborough N.C. via Private Post, folded cover with date docketing bearing manuscript "6d" rating by post to New Bern, flap endorsed with "taken out of the Post Office at Newbern and postage paid by A. Miller", carried by "Newbern Mail" private post inland to Hillsborough, Fine, the 2 dwt rate (6 pence) for 60-100 miles from Wilmington to New Bern, private post to Hillsborough.
Estimate 1,500 - 2,000
ONE OF PERHAPS TWO OR THREE PRIVATE POST USAGES IN PRIVATE HANDS.
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Lot 116 |
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1773 (Sep. 7) Boston Mass. to Philadelphia Pa., datelined folded letter bearing magenta "BOSTON" handstamp and matching "6 / SE" Franklin mark with manuscript "4 dwt" rating, received in Philadelphia with red manuscript "1/10", few light stains, Very Fine, the single 4 dwt (1 shilling) rate for 300-400 miles, rated 1 shilling 10 pence in local currency (20d postage plus 2d carrier fee).
Estimate 1,000 - 1,500
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Lot 117 |
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1773 (Sep. 27) Leeds, England to Philadelphia Pa. via Boston, datelined folded letter carried by private ship to Boston, bearing well struck magenta "BOSTON" straightline and matching "13 / DE" Franklin mark on flap, manuscript "Sh 4.16" rating, red Philadelphia manuscript "2/2", slight overall toning, Very Fine, rated 4 dwt for overland postage from Boston to Philadelphia plus 16 grains ship fee, rated 2 shillings 2 pence in local currency (24d postage plus 2d carrier fee).
Estimate 1,500 - 2,000
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Lot 118 |
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1773 (Oct. 4) Torquay, England to Philadelphia Pa., datelined folded letter with "p Packet" endorsement, bearing "DART / MOUTH" two-line handstamp and "8 / OC" Bishop mark, manuscript "In all 1N4" rating, "NEW YORK" straightline handstamp and matching "20 / NO" Franklin mark, red manuscript "7.8" rating and matching "3/3", received Dec. 3, 1773, Fine, rated 5 dwt 8 gr (1shilling 4 pence) British inland and packet postage plus 2 dwt (6 pence) postage from New York to Philadelphia, rated 3 shillings 3 pence in local currency (37d postage plus 2d carrier fee).
Estimate 2,000 - 3,000
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Lot 119 |
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1773 (Nov. 10) Lancaster Pa. to Philadelphia Pa., datelined folded letter bearing magenta "La" postmark and matching "pd 2" rating, internal separations and small tear on front, Fine, prepaid the 2 dwt (6 pence) rate for 60-100 miles.
Estimate 4,000 - 5,000
POSSIBLY THE ONLY EXAMPLE OF THIS POSTMARK IN PRIVATE HANDS.
Provenance: Carson
Illustrated, The Encyclopedia of British Empire Postage Stamps, Robson Lowe, Vol. V, 1973, p. 45.
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Lot 120 |
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1774 (Apr. 29) Newburyport Ms. to Philadelphia Pa., datelined folded letter bearing manuscript "NP" postmark and matching "4.16" rating, Philadelphia red manuscript "2/2", docketed as received May 10, 1774, some soiling, Fine, the published 4 dwt 16 grains (1s 2d) rate from Newbury to Philadelphia, rated 2 shillings 2 pence in local currency (24d postage plus 2d carrier fee).
Estimate 1,000 - 1,500
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Lot 121 |
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1774 (Aug. 8) Lisbon Portugal to Philadelphia Pa. via New York, datelined folded letter carried by ship to New York, bearing partial "NEW-YORK" straightline handstamp with matching "14 / OC" Franklin mark, manuscript "Sh 2.16" rating, forwarders endorsement "N York Oct. 14 1774 Rec'd & Forward by…Monson & Hay", Philadelphia red manuscript "1/4", Fine, the 2 dwt (6 pence) rate for 60-100 miles plus 16 grain ship fee, rated 1 shilling 4 pence in local currency (14d postage plus 2d carrier fee).
Estimate 1,000 - 1,500
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Lot 122 |
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1774 (Sep. 30) Lisbon Portugal to Marblehead, Ms, printed death announcement with dateline and endorsed "via Cadiz", flap with "Cadiz 9 Novr. 74 forwd by…Butlers & Mathews" forwarders endorsement, carried via private ship to Marblehead bypassing the post, some light toning, Fine.
Estimate 1,000 - 1,500
A printed death notice "of our regretted friend and Partner Mr. Joseph White" and a second printed message from his successor, James Houston.
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Lot 123 |
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1774 (Oct. 17) New York N.Y. to Norwich Ct. via Norwich Local post, folded letter with partial dateline, bearing "NEW-YORK" straightline handstamp on reverse with partial Franklin mark, red manuscript "2 16" rating, Norwich manuscript "1/5" on flap, Very Fine, the 2 dwt 16gr rate for 100-200 miles, rated 1 shilling 5 pence in local currency that includes a 1 pence carrier delivery fee.
Estimate 1,000 - 1,500
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Lot 124 |
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1774 (Dec. 26) George Town Md. to Philadelphia Pa., datelined folded letter bearing manuscript "George Town" postmark and matching "2" rating, additional red manuscript "1/-", business content ordering Irish linens; Extremely Fine and fresh, the 2 dwt (6 pence) rate for 60-100 miles, rated 1 shilling in local currency (10d postage plus 2d carrier fee).
Estimate 2,000 - 3,000
THE EARLIEST RECORDED POSTMARK FROM GEORGE TOWN.
Provenance: Haas, Jarrett
George Town was located on the eastern shore of Maryland.
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Lot 125 |
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1775 (May 3) Boston Ms. to New York N.Y. via Providence, datelined folded letter hand carried through the Rebel lines surrounding Boston, to Providence where placed in the King's Post with "PROVIDENCE / MAY 5" two-line postmark on flap, manuscript "3.8 - 10d" rating; some paper loss from wax removal, Fine, the 3 dwt 8 gr (10 pence) rate for 200-300 miles.
Estimate 7,500 - 10,000
THE ONLY RECORDED EXAMPLE OF THIS PROVIDENCE POSTMARK, AND AN EARLY COVER CIRCUMVENTING CENSORSHIP.
Dated 14 days after the battle of Lexington-Concord, the letter states: "…most of the letters both publick & private were open'd before they got here; & some of them stop'd; this letter goes by private conveyence to Providence to be put into the post office there & hope it will reach you."
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Lot 126 |
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1776 (Jul. 8) "Carles Neck Staten Island Province of N.Y." to Edinburgh England, datelined folded letter from a British Officer with Howe's invasion of New York addressed to The Earl of Lauderdale, endorsed "free J Maitland", manuscript "NY" postmark and ratings, carried by warship to Portsmouth entering the mails with London "12 / AV" Bishop mark and manuscript "1N" and "In all 1N6" rating, part of flap missing, Fine, rated 1 shilling for the transatlantic packet plus 6 pence for British inland postage.
Estimate 5,000 - 7,500
The letter contains in part: "We left Halifax the 10th June & anchored at Sandy Hoock the 29th. On the first of July we ran up to a bay of Long Island where the Rabels thought we were going to Land & were very strong indeed. The next day we weighed & ran up to this Island where the Light Infantry & Granadiers Landed about Eight O'Clock at night we took possession…next morning before sun rise we Light Infantry Gentry marched on into the Country whilst more of the Troops were Landing we were not opposed… Our little Army are all now ashore & cantooned in & around the Island which is a very pretty one… We expect the Guards & Germains every hour… the Rabels have caught some Transports with Highlanders & I am afraid our friend Col. Arch. Campbell is taken & carried into Boston, there is a Major Menzies killed in the defense of one of the Transports in short I dare say we shall lose at least one Fourth of the Highland Bodys for want of Men of War to protect them the Rables carried a transport with Highland Men into Rhode Island the other day and marched them Three Miles to a Goal in the Country playing the Rogues March before them this has given great ofence to all the Highlanders of our Army & I think myself it was very impertiment."
The Rogue's March was a song traditionally used to escort prostitutes out of town (a British invention, not American, hence the depth of the insult to the Highlanders).
John Maitland, the 7th Earl of Lauderdale (hence the free franking privilege), was an important figure in the battles and occupations of Staten Island, New Brunswick and Charleston, where he died in 1780 of a fever. He was the only Parliamentarian to die while fighting in the Revolutionary War.
Staten Island fell to the British during the New York campaign in September 1776 and remained under British occupation through November 1783.
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Lot 127 |
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Withdrawn
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Lot 128 |
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1777 (Oct. 15) Germantown Pa. to North Britain, folded letter datelined "German Town - 5 miles from Philada" from a British officer occupying Germantown, 11 days after the battle, letter traveled by army courier to New York, then packet to Falmouth, and post to North Britain, "3 / DE" Bishop mark and manuscript "postage 1/10" on flap, manuscript "1N" and "In all 1N6" ratings, flap tear and wear, Fine, rated 1 shilling 10 pence due from addressee on flap.
Estimate 4,000 - 5,000
THE ONLY RECORDED COVER ASSOCIATED WITH THE BATTLE OF GERMANTOWN.
The author of the letter notes "our army are in possession of Philadelphia three weeks past".
The battle of Germantown was considered "almost a victory" (Boatner, p. 430), giving the American troops a much-needed moral boost and serving as added impetus towards obtaining a military commitment from the French.
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Lot 129 |
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1778 (Mar. 24) Falmouth England to Philadelphia Pa. via New York, datelined folded letter endorsed "P Packet", sent by Falmouth Packet to New York with manuscript "1oz 4/" rating, forwarded to Philadelphia; small edge tear at bottom, lightly soiled, Fine, the 4 shilling packet rate for a quadruple weight letter, or group of letters weighing up to 1 ounce.
Estimate 5,000 - 7,500
THE ONLY RECORDED LETTER TO OCCUPIED PHILADELPHIA.
The letter in part reads: ".within these few days we have Confirmation of a Treaty Offensive & Defensive figured between the French Court & America which makes me fear the present proposals will be without effect. its expected a French War will be the Consequence & that is now daily expected to be the case. Therefore I wish for all my friends to be prepared for such an event as I fear it will be attended with bad consequence to the friends of Government that have their property in America. It is reported that two Eng'h 74 Gun Ships have had an engagement with two French ships."
The New York Parliamentary Post Office was located on a warship in the harbor. The British occupied Philadelphia from September 26, 1777 until June 18, 1778. No postal markings are known during this period.
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Lot 130 |
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1778 (May 16) Philadelphia Pa. to Edinburgh England, datelined folded letter bearing "PORTSMOUTH / SHIP LRE" handstamp and manuscript "In all 1N7" rating, additional manuscript ratings crossed out, London "3 / IY" Bishop mark; faults including tear partly across address panel, Fine, rated the 1 shilling transatlantic packet fee plus 7 pence British inland postage.
Estimate 2,000 - 3,000
Provenance: Martin Willcocks
The letter was written by British Col. Thomas Stirling, and includes interesting historical content, "We are anxiously waiting for a packet from your side to know what is to become of us, as this French War may probably change our operations…Washington is at his old Cantonment and does not get his reinforcements readily; the Congress rejects every idea of reconciliation, and they are all in high spirits with the French Treaty and the War."
The British occupied Philadelphia from September 26, 1777 to June 18, 1778.
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Lot 131 |
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1778 (Jun. 7) Philadelphia Pa. to Flintshire, North Wales, datelined folded letter carried via the New York to Falmouth packet bearing London "22 / JY" Bishop mark upon arrival, then on to North Wales, manuscript "1N" rating updated to "in all 1N4", some light soiling and wear, Fine, rated 1 shilling for transatlantic packet postage plus 4 pence British inland postage.
Estimate 6,000 - 8,000
ONE OF THREE RECORDED LETTERS FROM THE OCCUPIED PHILADELPHIA AREA.
The letter from a British Army Lieutenant notes: "…the Comm'rs are come and we are in great anxiety to know what plan will be fixed upon for the ensuing campaign - peace is not wish'd at all, nor hardly talk'd of as the Rebels have delcar'd they will not treat but as Independent States. All the goods of this town are put on board ships and fallen down the river by order of the Commander-in-Chief - many people who fear'd being left behind,
have embark'd in these ships, all the heavy baggage of the Army, the women & children are embark'd also; The rebels have publish'd a list of persons whom they mean to treat as traytors to the States of America, if they will not give them selves up before the 21 - of June 1778. Even then to take their tryals for their several treasons…This has olig'd several people to leave this town & put them selves on board the ships, some for England and others to take their chance with the Army…"
Written three weeks before the battle of Monmouth and the British departure from Philadelphia
The British occupied Philadelphia in September, 1777 and remained there through June 1778. It was shortly after learning of the Franco-American military alliance that the British command, fearing an expanded theater of war, left the city and disbursed their troops to the West Indies and Florida.
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Lot 132 |
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1779 (Jan. 4) New York N.Y. to Oyster Bay, Long Island N.Y., datelined folded letter from George Brinley to Seth Norton concerns foraging for British Army needs, bearing "Per Express" and "On His Majestys Service" endorsements, carried by military express within occupied territory; minor toning, Very Fine.
Estimate 3,000 - 4,000
A WONDERFUL LETTER CONCERNING FORAGING ON LONG ISLAND FOR THE BRITISH ARMY.
George Brinley was a deputy commissary for the British Army in New York in charge of the forage department with several assistants, clerks, laborers, collectors and issuers of forage. He was writing to the Deputy Commissionary of Storage at the port of Oyster Bay on Long Island noting, "…the Commissionary General expects a very considerable supply from your port." New York was the headquarters of the British commissionary for forces in the American colonies.
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Lot 133 |
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1779 (Jun. 21) Gulf of Florida to Staffordshire England, folded letter with "At sea in the gulph of Florida on board the sloop Jenny" dateline that landed at St. Augustine, British Florida, endorsed "favor of Capt. Brown", carried by ship to Bristol where partial "BRISTOL / SHIP LYRE" handstamp struck, manuscript "5" rating, bottom edge splitting tape reinforced, Fine, rated 5 pence British postage.
Estimate 2,000 - 3,000
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Lot 134 |
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1779 (Jul. 21) New York N.Y. to Philadelphia Pa., datelined folded letter from Walter Franklin to Reynell & Coates discussing the sale of goods, bearing manuscript "X" censor marking, there are no reported postmarks from occupied New York; soiling mostly on fold, Fine.
Estimate 5,000 - 7,500
THE ONLY RECORDED EXAMPLE OF BRITISH CENSORSHIP IN THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR.
New York City fell to the British forces in September 1776 and remained in British hands until November 1783. In the first month of the occupation a fire broke out in a house near Whitehall Slip destroying almost 500 buildings and causing much discomfort to the occupiers who were counting on ample quarters for the coming winter.
The late Calvet Hahn concurred with Siskin in his assessment the "X" is indeed a censor marking. How the cover traveled to Philadelphia is a matter for further investigation.
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Lot 135 |
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1779 (Oct. 30) Staten Island N.Y. to Essex England, datelined folded letter from a British Officer to his grandfather carried by packet service from New York to Falmouth, London "22 / DE" Bishop mark and manuscript "1N" rating, updated with "In All" script handstamp and manuscript "1N3" rating to include postage to Essex, edge wear and splitting, Fine, one shilling packet postage plus 3 pence British inland postage.
Estimate 5,000 - 7,500
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Lot 136 |
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1780 (Jul. 23) Savannah Ga. to Portsmouth England, folded letter with "Savanay" dateline from a British seaman carried by private ship to Portsmouth England, entered the post with "PORTSMOUTH / SHIP-LRE" two-line handstamp to London, arrived with "11 / OC" Bishop mark and carried on to Dunbar; soiling and small faults, Fine.
Estimate 2,000 - 3,000
After a decided defeat at the hands of the British, and due in large part to the inefficacy of the French Alliance, Savannah was occupied from December 1778 into July 1782.
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Lot 137 |
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1781 (Jan. 20) Charles Town S.C. to Bristol England, folded cover with docketing bearing "CHARLES / TOWN" straightline handstamp, carried by private ship to Bristol, London " 10 / AV" Bishop mark, manuscript "3N" rating updated to "4N"; small faults, Fine, triple the 1 shilling packet rate plus 1 shilling British inland postage.
Estimate 2,000 - 3,000
ONE OF THREE RECORDED LETTERS FROM CHARLES TOWN S.C. DURING BRITISH OCCUPATION.
On May 12, 1780, after a bitter struggle, General Benjamin Lincoln surrendered Charles Town to the British, their greatest prize of the Revolutionary War. Occupation by the British lasted for two and a half years, ending on December 14, 1782 when the defeated British Army marched out of the city.
The three recorded letters are:
1. 1780, Oct. 16 folded letter from Charles Town S.C. to London England via British packet, Frajola 9/10/83
2. 1781, Jan. 20 folded letter from Charles Town S.C. to Bristol England, via British packet, the cover offered here
2. 1781, Dec. 22 folded letter from Charles Town S.C. to Northamptonshire, England via the Dashwood packet, Siskin lot 139.
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Lot 138 |
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1781 (Aug. 29) Jamaica to Madeira Portugal, datelined folded letter bearing "JAMAICA" straightline handstamp on flap and endorsed "by the packet", carried by West Indies packet from Kingston Jamaica via Pensacola to Charleston, then via Charleston packet to Falmouth, London "2 / NO" Bishop mark on flap and manuscript "1N" rating, carried by private ship to Madeira, docketed "Recd 10 March 1782", Very Fine, the 1 shilling packet rate.
Estimate 5,000 - 7,500
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Lot 139 |
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1781 (Sep. 8) Yorktown Va. to Richmond Va., folded cover with date docketing, endorsed "Cornwallis" and handled by military courier "By a Flag of Truce" to Governor Nelson of Virginia while Lord Cornwallis' Army was surrounded at Yorktown, docketed "Recd September 10", Very Fine.
Estimate 5,000 - 7,500
A RARE CORNWALLIS COVER POSTED DURING THE SIEGE OF YORKTOWN.
Governor Nelson was a signer of the Declaration of Independence for Virginia and led that militia at the battle of Yorktown.
The original letter (located in an archive) was a reply to Nelson's request for the release of two American civilians held as British prisoners. Cornwallis denied the request because they had been spying on British fortifications.
The British surrendered six weeks after this letter was sent, militarily ending the Revolutionary War.
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Lot 140 |
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1781 (Dec. 22) Charles Town S.C. to Northamptonshire England, datelined folded letter bearing "CHARLES / TOWN" two-line handstamp across flaps, endorsed "Per the Dashwood Packet", carried via packet to Falmouth and rated "1N", updated to "1N3" for carriage to Kettering; minor edge splitting, Fine, rated 1 shilling for packet postage plus 3 pence British inland postage.
Estimate 2,000 - 3,000
ONE OF THREE RECORDED LETTERS FROM CHARLES TOWN S.C. DURING BRITISH OCCUPATION.
Provenance: Johnson
Charleston was occupied from May 1780 through December 1782.
In October of 1763, packet service was initiated from Falmouth to Barbadoes, Grenada, Antigua, St. Christopher's, Jamaica, Pensacola, and Charles Town. Francis Dashwood was appointed the Postmaster General of Jamaica on November 5, 1781. This packet service was discontinued in 1782.
Illustrated, "The Posted Letter in Colonial and Revolutionary America 1628-1790", Alex L. Ter Braake, p. N-6.
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Lot 141 |
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1782 (Sep. 12) New York N.Y. to Kingston Jamacia, via Montego Bay, datelined folded letter from occupied New York by private ship to Montego Bay Jamaica, entered post with "MONTEGO / BAY" two-line handstamp across flap to Kingston, manuscript "3" rating; cover tear, Very Fine, rated one penny ship fee and two pence postage.
Estimate 4,000 - 5,000
THE LATEST RECORDED COVER MAILED FROM AMERICAN COLONIAL AREAS OCCUPIED BY THE BRITISH DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR.
The letter refers to supplying clothing to British prisoners of war in Pennsylvania. The writer also mentions the need to move from New York within two or three months. The letter in part reads: "I wrote you of my having been appointed to carry Cloathing & stores for the British prisoners in Pennsylvania & I left this place the 9th of April & only returned a few days since— my expedition has not turned out so well as there was reason to expect I should get into a good line of Business in the Commissary Department— since then great changes have happened here, and some of my best Friends are gone to Britain, which puts an end to my hopes".
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