| Independent Postal Services (1774-1792) |
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| Lot |
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Description |
Lot 192 |
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1778 (Apr. 28) York Town Pa. to Lancaster Pa., free franked folded letter (ALS) from Henry Laurens as president of the Continental Congress, to Thomas Wharton, President of Pennsylvania, endorsed "On public service Henry Laurens", Very Fine and choice.
Estimate 3,000 - 4,000
Henry Laurens was President of the Continental Congress from November 1, 1777 to December 9, 1778.
On September 11, 1777, the battle of Brandywine was fought by an outnumbered American force that was surprised by British tactics and forced to retreat toward Chester. The British occupation of Philadelphia was delayed until September 26. Due to the occupation, the Continental Congress was forced to decamp with the utmost haste, and in great confusion to Lancaster Pa. On September 27, Congress adjourned in Lancaster, and resolved to meet again three days later in York Town, an interior market town a bit further removed from the British forces. Congress remained in York Town until June 27, 1778, shortly after the British had evacuated Philadelphia.
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Lot 193 |
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1778 (May 4) Fredericksburg Va. to Lancaster Pa. forwarded to York Town, datelined folded letter bearing manuscript "Fredbg" postmark and matching "5.8" rating updated to "6", forwarded from Lancaster to York to reach the moving seat of Government, slightly soiled fold, the single 5 dwt 8 grains rate to Lancaster, plus 16 grains added for postage to York Town.
Estimate 1,000 - 1,500
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Lot 194 |
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1778 (May 30) York Pa. to Fort Pitt Pa., folded cover with date docketing, folded cover addressed to General Hand at Fort Pitt, carried by military express; file fold, Fine.
Estimate 500 - 750
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Lot 195 |
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1778 (Jul. 19) St. Pierre Martinique to Falmouth, Me. via Boston, folded letter with "Saint peire Martineco" dateline, carried by private ship to Boston where entered the post with "Way 4" manuscript rating to Falmouth, Casco Bay, light toning, wear, Fine, the 4 dwt rate for 100-200 miles.
Estimate 2,000 - 3,000
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Lot 196 |
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1778 (Jul. 30) Bladensburg Md. to Philadelphia Pa., datelined folded letter addressed to Robert Morris bearing manuscript "Bladensburgh" postmark with matching "July 30 1778" and "Free", Very Fine and choice.
Estimate 3,000 - 4,000
A GEM COVER AND THE ONLY RECORDED EXAMPLE OF THIS POSTMARK.
The free franking on this letter was valid because it was addressed to a member of the Continental Congress, signer Robert Morris.
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Lot 197 |
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1778 (Oct. 20) to Hillsborough N.C. via Edenton Military Forwarder, folded cover from Gen. George Rogers Clark addressed in his hand to General Sumter's Chief of Staff, bearing "11.8" and "6/." ratings, carried by post office to Edenton where taken out of the mails with forwarders endorsement "Edenton Octr. 20th 1778 taken out of Post Office forwarded…Achibd Corrie"; light toning, Fine, rated 11 dwt 8 gr (34 pence), charged 6 shillings in local currency.
Estimate 3,000 - 4,000
AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE WAR TIME USAGE FROM GENERAL GEORGE ROGERS CLARK.
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Lot 198 |
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1779 (Jan. 7) Boston, Ms. to Falmouth Me., datelined folded letter bearing Boston manuscript "Way 4" postal rating to Falmouth, Casco Bay, Very Fine, the 4 dwt rate for 100-200 miles.
Estimate 1,000 - 1,500
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Lot 199 |
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1779 (Mar.) Philadelphia Pa. to Dover Del., folded cover with "Letter from John Rodney March 1779" docketing and addressed to the Governor of Delaware, carried privately indicated by "Favoured by Wm Phillips Frolloch" endorsement, fold split on flap, Fine to Very Fine.
Estimate 500 - 750
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Lot 200 |
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1779 (Apr. 24) Hartford Ct. to Philadelphia Pa., datelined folded letter bearing manuscript "Hartfd" postmark with matching "24" rating, letter forwards a winning $500 lottery ticket; toning and minor edge fault, Fine, triple the 8 dwt rate for 100-200 miles.
Estimate 1,000 - 1,500
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Lot 201 |
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1779 (May 15) Nantes France to Alexandria Va., datelined folded letter with "p the Courier de l'Europe Capt. Roux" endorsement, carried by private ship most likely to an American port in New England where manuscript "Ship 18" rating applied, carried to Alexandria, implied forwarding upon receipt with manuscript "forwd 4" totaled to "22", "Recd Augt. 28" docketing; light stains, Fine, rated 16 dwt for American inland postage plus the 2 dwt ship fee, and additional 4 dwt forwarding postage.
Estimate 1,000 - 1,500
A very interesting business letter that concerns war materials procured from France and notes, "The swarm of English Cruisers that were ready to put to sea at the beginning of the hostilities have so much infested the seas, and plundered our Commerce, before we could put ourselves in a state of defense by fitting out privateers as well as they; that, now not only we want to retrieve our losses, but we are unequal in the context through our government has the Superiority".
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Lot 202 |
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1779 (May 24) Easton Pa. to Providence R.I., folded letter from Captain William Pierce, Major General John Sullivan's aide-de-camp, endorsed "p Post", manuscript "12" rating, docketed "Rec'd June 18th 1779", light soiling, Very Fine, the 12 dwt rate for 300-400 miles.
Estimate 7,500 - 10,000
AN IMPORTANT FIRST HAND ACCOUNT OF SULLIVAN'S EXPEDITION.
The letter indicates the Sullivan Expedition is underway and states: "…I arrived at Camp the 16the ins. & immediately fixed myself to General Sullivans' family (Note: "family" in the 18th century was used to connote a person's staff). On the 20the we arrived at this town, a pretty little place standing on a point between the Rivers Lake & the Delaware, about 12 miles from Bethlehem. There we have an Army collected for the purpose of a secret Expedition, tho' every body knows it. I cannot consistent with my office, give you any intelligence of our rout; let it suffice that we shall have innumerable difficulties to encounter with Savages, Wildernesses, Rocks & Mountains, such as would stagger the persevering spirit of a Hannibal; & if compelled to retreat (but the Devil, why should I introduce such a word?) we should run a hazard equal with Genophon when he retreated through three Hostile Countries with 10,000 men. As this Expedition will be of a very important nature, & as we shall have some of the most curious scenes to encounter, perhaps, that an Army did, I propose keeping an exact journal of all the military operations for the amusement of my friends, that is to say if I escape with whole bones…"
The Sullivan Expedition set out from Easton on June 18 (Sullivan had arrived on May 7) with 2500 men and officers. The instructions were to destroy the Iroquois settlements as the tribe had joined with Canadian Tories to strike frontier settlements. Between June and November 1779, 40 Iroquois towns were destroyed, along with the fields and orchards.
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Lot 203 |
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1779 (Jun. 20) Talbot Court House Md. to Philadelphia Pa., folded letter with "Talbot" dateline, addressed to Robert Morris, signer, bearing manuscript "Talbot" postmark and "8" rating, some staining, Fine, the 8 dwt rate for 100-200 miles.
Estimate 2,000 - 3,000
The rate of 1775 from Talbot to Philadelphia was 2 dwt 16 grains. In 1777 the rates were increased 50% and in 1779 the 1777 rates were doubled. Therefore, the rate for this cover was 2 dwt 16 gr X 1.5 X 2 = 8 dwt.
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Lot 204 |
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1779 (Nov. 2) New Castle Va. to Philadelphia Pa., folded letter with "Petersburg" dateline, entered the post with manuscript "New Castle" postmark and matching "12" rating, Very Fine, the 12 dwt rate for 300-400 miles.
Estimate 2,000 - 3,000
THE ONLY RECORDED EXAMPLE OF THIS POSTMARK.
The rate of 1775 from Talbot to Philadelphia was 4 dwt. In 1777 the rates were increased 50% and in 1779 the 1777 rates were doubled. Therefore, the rate for this cover was 4 dwt X 1.5 X 2 = 12 dwt.
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Lot 205 |
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1779 (Nov. 12) Boston Ms. to Fredericksburg Va. forwarded to Petersburg, folded cover with docketing, bearing "Way 9" rating to Fredericksburg, received and forwarded with "Alx. Forwd." postmark with matching "2.16" rating totaled to "11.16"; ink smear in address, Very Fine, rated 9 dwt to Fredericksburg and forwarded from Alexandria to Petersburg with additional 2 dwt 16 grains, totaling 11 dwt 16 grains.
Estimate 750 - 1,000
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Lot 206 |
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1779 (Nov. 21) Newbern N.C. to Edenton N.C., folded cover with docketing, bearing manuscript "Way 16" rating, file fold, few toned spots, Very Fine, double the 8 dwt for 100-200 miles, way fee paid in cash.
Estimate 1,000 - 1,500
AN EXTREMELY RARE INFLATIONARY WAY USAGE.
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Lot 207 |
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1779 (Dec. 9) Portsmouth Va. to Baltimore Md., folded cover with docketing and addressed to "Representative of France resident in Baltimore", bearing manuscript "Portsmouth" postmark and matching "24" rating, Jan. 19, 1780 receipt docketing; two file folds, Very Fine, double the published 12 dwt rate from Portsmouth to Baltimore.
Estimate 1,500 - 2,000
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Lot 208 |
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1779 (Dec. 11) to Mount Holly, N.J., folded cover with date docketing from Samuel Huntington as President of the Continental Congress to "His Excellency The Governor of New Jersey", free frank endorsement "S. Huntington" and "public service", faults reinforced, Fine.
Estimate 3,000 - 4,000
EXCEEDINGLY RARE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS FREE FRANK.
Samuel Huntington was a signer of the Declaration of Independence and President of the Continental Congress from September 29, 1779 to July 6, 1781.
There were no examples of this free frank in the sales of Grunin or Robertson.
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Lot 209 |
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1780 (Jan. 24) Fredericksburg Va. to Boston Ms., datelined folded letter bearing manuscript "120" rating, light toning, Fine and scarce, rated 120 dwt, or 20-times the published 1775 rate of 6 dwt from Fredericksburg to Boston.
Estimate 1,500 - 2,000
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Lot 210 |
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1780 (Mar. 6) Wilmington Del. to Philadelphia Pa., datelined folded letter bearing manuscript "200" rating, endorsed "By Post"; repaired paper loss at center, Fine, rated 200 pence in local currency, should have been rated double the 26 dwt 16 gr (80 pence) rate for up to 60 miles, or 160 pence.
Estimate 1,000 - 1,500
As a result of inflation, colonial currency was seriously devalued, giving rise to the expression "Not worth a Continental".
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Lot 211 |
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1780 (Apr. 8) Boston Mass. to Philadelphia Pa., folded letter (ALS) from Jeremiah Powell with "State of Massachusetts, Bay Council Chamber" dateline, endorsed "On Public Service", manuscript "240" rating that was updated to "480", docketed "£10 - received…"; soiled file fold, Fine, rated in local currency at the 80 dwt (240 pence) rate for 300-400 miles (20 times the 4dwt 1775 rate) from Boston to Philadelphia, re-rated upon receipt to double the 240 pence rate (480 pence) due to the enclosed currency and report.
Estimate 3,000 - 4,000
AN EXTRAORDINARILY HIGH INFLATION RATE COVER.
During the Revolutionary period, Jeremiah Powell served as one of the Council Presidents of Massachusetts on several occassions from June 24, 1776 to October 25, 1780. There were no elected governors in Massachusetts during the Revolutionary period.
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Lot 212 |
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1780 (Apr. 21) Petersburg Va. to Philadelphia Pa., datelined folded letter bearing manuscript "Petersbg." postmark with matching "Way 94" rating, received in Philadelphia and rating updated to "186.16", Extremely Fine and fresh.
Estimate 5,000 - 7,500
OF THE FOUR 20X AND FIVE 40X COVERS RECORDED, THIS IS THE ONLY WAY COVER AND THE ONLY SHOWING A TOWN POSTMARK.
The Petersburg postmaster rated this letter 20 times the 4 dwt 16 gr rate for 400-500 miles plus 2d for the way fee, totaling 94 dwt. When received in Philadelphia, the rate had risen to 40 times. Therefore the Philadelphia postmaster rated the letter as due 40 times the 4 dwt 16 gr (the published 1775 rate from Petersburg to Philadelphia for 400-500 miles). The way fee was not charged, thus the total was 186 dwt 16 grains.
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Lot 213 |
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1780 (Jun. 9) Alexandria Va. to Philadelphia Pa., datelined folded letter bearing manuscript "133.8" rating; soiling at fold and edge, Fine, rated at 40-times the published 1775 rate of 3 dwt 8 gr, or 133 dwt 8 grains.
Estimate 2,000 - 3,000
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Lot 214 |
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1780 (Dec. 19) Philadelphia Pa. to Baltimore Md., datelined folded letter (ALS) written by Robert Morris, signer of the Declaration of Independence, bearing manuscript "320" rating, Very Fine, rated in local currency at the 106 dwt 16gr (320 pence) rate for 100-200 miles (40 times the 1775 rate of 2 dwt 16 gr) from Philadelphia to Baltimore.
Estimate 3,000 - 4,000
The ALS from Morris is business in nature but notes, "Your letter of the 15th Inst. was left at the Coffee House & there picked up by an acquaintance…Pour Mons. Rouge is returned here after being taken by the Enemy he wants more money from me…".
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Lot 215 |
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1781 (Feb. 1) Middletown Ct. to Philadelphia Pa., datelined folded letter bearing manuscript "2.16" rating; toned and separations, Fine, rated the prewar rate of 2 dwt 16 grains, the postmaster should have charged half the marked rate.
Estimate 3,000 - 4,000
ONE OF ONLY FOUR REPORTED COVERS OF THE "SIX WEEK" RATE.
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Lot 216 |
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1781 (Feb. 20) Philadelphia Pa. to Hartford Ct., datelined folded letter bearing manuscript "8" rating; internal tears tape reinforced, Fine, rated the prewar rate of 2 dwt 16 gr (8 pence) for 100-200 miles, the postmaster should have charged half the marked rate.
Estimate 3,000 - 4,000
ONE OF ONLY FOUR REPORTED COVERS OF THE "SIX WEEK" RATE.
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Lot 217 |
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1781 (Feb. 24) Lyon France to Baltimore Md., forwarded to Philadelphia, datelined folded letter carried by French packet to New York, entered post and rated "10" from New York to Baltimore, forwarded to Philadelphia with manuscript "Bal" postmark and "Ford 8" rating totaled to "18", docketed received "le 12 Octobre 1782", soiling, Fine, rated 10 pence (3 dwt 8 grains) for 200-300 miles from New York to Baltimore and 8 pence (2 dwt 16 grains) forwarding 100-200 miles to Philadelphia.
Estimate 3,000 - 4,000
DELAYED FOR OVER 1½ YEARS DUE TO THE BRITISH NAVAL PRESENCE OFF THE MID-ATLANTIC COAST.
French ships at this time, when they were unable to approach America due to the British vessels, would often sail to the Caribbean and off-load onto one of the islands such as Martinique, planning to return later for the cargo and deliver it to America.
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Lot 218 |
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1781 (Apr. 3) Philadelphia Pa. to Hartford Ct., datelined folded letter bearing manuscript "4" rating, the letter requests a new reply "as the mail was taken near the clove", some internal separating, Very Fine, rated the prewar rate of 4 dwt from Philadelphia to Hartford, should have been 8 dwt for 300-400 miles.
Estimate 750 - 1,000
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Lot 219 |
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1781 (Apr. 6) Plymouth Ms. to Norwich Ct., folded letter bearing free frank "Free Eben Hazard" of Ebenezer Hazard, Surveyor of Posts and later Postmaster General, address leaf separated and reinforced, internal paper loss replaced, Very Fine appearing.
Estimate 4,000 - 5,000
IMPORTANT LETTER REGARDING CLARIFICATION OF POSTAL RATES.
This ALS provides detailed directions to the new postmaster of Norwich, Connecticut. In the letter he states: "…they are now to be doubled; your best way will be to charge the same in Dwts & Grs as formerly (by this I mean as in the Table of Rates) but instead of taking 3d Sterling per Dwt as the Tables direct, take 6d Ster'g or 8d lawfull. This you are to observe will be so much in Specie, but you may receive other money equivalent, only remember to keep your accounts in Specie".
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Lot 220 |
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1781 (May 28) Boston Ms. to Middletown Ct., datelined folded letter bearing manuscript "2 16" rating and additional "1/10", endorsed "Post"; light wear and soiling of file fold, Fine, rated the prewar rate of 2 dwt 16 grains, charged 1 shilling 10 pence in local currency.
Estimate 1,000 - 1,500
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Lot 221 |
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1781 (Jul. 26) to North Carolina, folded cover endorsed with "Public Service / J Parker" of Colonel Josiah Parker to General Alan Jones in N.C., military pass endorsed by Parker "Let the bearer have provisions and forage. All ferries must pass the bearer. J:Parker", docketed "Intelligence" and "Recd. 30th", Very Fine.
Estimate 1,000 - 1,500
General Alan Jones was a militia general of North Carolina and later served as a member of the Continental Congress.
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Lot 222 |
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1781 (Sep. 6) Yorktown Va. to Halifax N.C., folded cover with date docketing, bearing the free frank "Lafayette MG"of Major General the Marquis de Lafayette to Governor Burke, docketed as received "21 Jany 1782"; toning, Fine.
Estimate 6,000 - 8,000
Delivery of the cover was delayed because Governor Burke was in the hands of the British.
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Lot 223 |
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1781 (Sep. 21) Baltimore Md. to Boston Mass., datelined folded letter bearing manuscript "4 - 16" rating, Very Fine and choice, rated the prewar rate of 4 dwt 16 grains for 400-500 miles.
Estimate 4,000 - 5,000
OUTSTANDING CONTENTS DESCRIBING CORNWALLIS' DIFFICULTIES AT THE SIEGE OF YORKTOWN.
The letter discusses the Siege of Yorktown already in progress. This is a portion: "Early in August we received accts that the Enemys whole force had embarked in Virginia… Something Unexpected turning up obliged Lord Cornwallis to alter his Intentions and he took post on York River Virginia where he at present remains blocked up by a fleet of upwards 30 Sail Line Battle Ships, and on the Land Side a powerful Army opposes his retreat, so that I am in Great hopes he will Ere Long, with his whole Army Share the Fate of Burgoyne."
The author of the letter is accurately assessing the logistics which led to the British defeat at Yorktown. Here he is referring to the fact that Cornwallis, originally told to establish his base at Old Point Comfort, instead chose to occupy Yorktown. A main advantage of this location would have been easy access to escape via the British ships nearby. However on 5 September, 1781 the French fleet inflicted severe damage to the British causing Admiral Graves to abandon the Virginia Coast, leaving Cornwallis and his troops in a hopeless position.
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Lot 224 |
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1781 (Oct. 4) Boston Ms. to New Haven Ct., datelined folded letter bearing manuscript "B" postmark with matching "5/6" and "8" ratings; internal splitting and tear in address panel, Fine, double the 4 dwt rate for 100-200 miles, rated 5 shillings 6 pence local currency.
Estimate 1,000 - 1,500
ONE OF ONLY TWO RECORDED LETTERS BEARING A BOSTON POSTMARK DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR PERIOD FROM JULY 1775 TO JANUARY 1783.
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Lot 225 |
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1782 (Apr. 18) L'Orient France to Boston Ms. via Philadelphia, folded cover bearing "P Alliance / C Barry" endorsement, forwarder's endorsement on flap "Forwarded by … Cuming J Macarty, L'Orient 18 April 1782", carried by private ship to Philadelphia, entered the post with Philadelphia "P.JU Y * 19" straightline postmark and manuscript "Sh 4.16" rating, paper loss on flap, Very Fine, the 4 dwt rate for 300-400 miles plus 16 grain ship fee.
Estimate 3,000 - 4,000
This cover had been slated to travel on Commodore Barry's warship, the "Alliance" when it sailed to New England. The Alliance, however, had departed from L'Orient France on March 16, 1782 and arrived into New London on May 12. The cover missed the Alliance and was forwarded on the next available departure.
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Lot 226 |
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1782 (May 4) Philadelphia Pa. to Annapolis Md., datelined folded letter bearing boldly struck "PHILA. MAY 4" straightline postmark on flap, manuscript "2.16" rating, Very Fine, the 2 dwt 16 gr rate for 100-200 miles.
Estimate 2,000 - 3,000
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Lot 227 |
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1782 (May 12) West Point N.Y. to Long Island N.Y., datelined folded letter written by a private in the New York State Militia under Washington's command, to his mother in British Occupied Long Island, endorsed "pr favour of Mr. Carlton", writer took advantage of a meeting between General Washington and British Commander Sir Guy Carleton to transmit his letter across the lines, foxing and small faults, Fine.
Estimate 6,000 - 8,000
The letter reads:
"…we lay still in quarters and have no talk of moving as yet - Mr. Guy Carlton is now at General Washington and supposed to be sent to settle Peace among us - we hear the house of Parliament in England is disolved - and a new sit chosen - and more than two thirds of them vited for america which gives us a great reason to think that peace will be settled by next fall - and we don't expect to have any campaing opned this year - the times is exceeding hard to bear among us we draw no wages and are not like to draw any this summer - but I hope the war will be over next fall"
General Guy Carlton was the governor of Quebec in 1767, 1775 and 1786. It is believed it was his leadership that prevented the citizens of Canada from likewise rebelling from the "Mother Country".
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Lot 228 |
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1782 (Aug. 13) Alexandria Va. to Philadelphia Pa. via Baltimore, datelined folded letter bearing mostly clear "BALTIMORE / August 15, 1782" two-line postmark on flap, manuscript "2 - 16" and "1/4" ratings, toning mostly on fold and small cover tear at upper left, Fine, the 2 dwt 16 gr rate for 100-200 miles, rated 1 shilling 4 pence in local currency (14d postage plus 2d carrier fee).
Estimate 1,000 - 1,500
THE EARLIEST RECORDED EXAMPLE OF THE FIRST AMERICAN YEAR DATED POSTMARK.
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Lot 229 |
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1782 (Aug. 15) New Shoreham R.I. to Warrick R.I. via Little Rest, datelined folded letter bearing manuscript "Little Rest 15th Augst 1782 / to East Greenich / T Potter Jr" postmark with matching "dwt 1:16-" rating; some toning and file folds, Fine, rated 1 dwt 16 gr (5 pence).
Estimate 4,000 - 5,000
THE ONLY RECORDED POSTMARK FROM THE LITTLE REST R.I. POST OFFICE THAT WAS IN EXISTENCE FOR ABOUT ONE YEAR.
The Little Rest post office is listed as being open by July 1782 and discontinued by July 1783. The only postmaster during its period of existence was Thomas Potter Jr. Little Rest is now part of Kingston, Rhode Island located in Washington County.
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Lot 230 |
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1782 (Nov. 1) Trenton N.J. to Albany N.Y., folded cover with date docketing bearing manuscript "Tren" postmark and "Post Paid 4" rating, Fine, prepaid the 4 dwt rate for 300-400 miles.
Estimate 2,000 - 3,000
THE ONLY RECORDED POST-WAR CONFEDERATION POSTMARK FROM NEW JERSEY.
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Lot 231 |
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1783 (Jan. 6) Philadelphia Pa. to Boston Ms., datelined folded letter from R. Throckmorton bearing Philadelphia "8 / IA" Franklin mark and manuscript "4" rating, endorsed "p post", Very Fine, the 4 dwt rate for 300-400 miles.
Estimate 1,000 - 1,500
A letter written by R. Throckmorton which reads in part: "I was disappointed in my expectations of receiving your additional instructions for my government in Virginia p.post at Trenton, and having given directions for any letters that might appear by the next post following me to this place… but I am sorry to find that the weather had prevented the mail arriving at Morristown as usual."
Starting with this cover and until 1798, Philadelphia only used a Franklin mark and did not use a city name postmark. Only three exceptions during that 15 year period have been documented.
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Lot 232 |
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1783 (Jan. 28) Philadelphia Pa., folded cover bearing free frank "Steuben / Maj. Genl." of Frederich Wilhelm Augustin, Baron von Steuben addressed to Lt. Col. Benjamin Walker, bold Philadelphia "28 / IA" Bishop mark and matching "FREE" handstamp, endorsed "Public Service", file fold, Very Fine.
Estimate 5,000 - 7,500
A CHOICE FREE FRANK AND A VERY EARLY USAGE OF THE FREE HANDSTAMP.
Provenance: Grunin
Von Steuben (1730-1794) was a Major General and Washington's Inspector General. This cover is addressed to Lieutenant Colonel Benjamin Walker, formerly Von Steuben's Aide-de-Camp and then Washington's.
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Lot 233 |
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1783 (Feb. 13) Boston Mass. to New Milford Ct., datelined folded letter bearing extremely fine strike of red "BOSTON" straightline postmark and matching "13 / FE" Franklin mark, manuscript "2 16" rating, Very Fine and choice, the 2 dwt 16 gr rate for 100-200 miles.
Estimate 1,000 - 1,500
This is the first month that the Boston Post Office resumed the regular use of a postmark.
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Lot 234 |
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1783 (Oct. 8) Princeton N.J. to Richmond Va., datelined folded letter bearing "Elias Boudinot" free frank endorsement and "On Public Service of the United States", addressed to Benjamin Harrison, Governor of Virginia, sealed tear and minor restoration, Very Fine appearance.
Estimate 3,000 - 4,000
A CHOICE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS FREE FRANK.
The ALS states in part: "I do myself the honor of enclosing to your Excellency a certified Copy of an Act of Congress…passed in Consequence of an Application from your Delegate, in behalf of the State of Virginia."
Elias Boudinot of New Jersey was President of Congress from November 4, 1782 to November 2, 1783, then sitting at Princeton. This letter authorizes Virginia to maintain "2 armed vessels and 25 privates"
Benjamin Harrison was a signer of the Declaration of Independence for Virginia and was twice governor of that Commonwealth.
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Lot 235 |
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1783 (Nov. 9) Piny Grove Cherokee Nation to Philadelphia Pa. via Edenton, folded letter with "Piny Grove" dateline carried privately to Edenton, entered the post with "EDENTON.NOV.12" straightline postmark with manuscript "3.8" rating and additional "1/7" rating, Very Fine, under-rated 3 dwt 8 gr, should have been 4 dwt 16 gr, rated 1 shilling 7 pence in local currency (17d postage plus 2d carrier fee).
Estimate 4,000 - 5,000
Provenance: Carson
Piny Grove was a key town of the Cherokee Nation.
Illustrated, "The Posted Letter in Colonial and Revolutionary America 1628-1790", Alex L. Ter Braake, p. II-85
Illustrated, The Encyclopedia of British Empire Postage Stamps, Robson Lowe, Vol. V, 1973, p. 42.
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Lot 236 |
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1784 (Feb. 20) New Orleans, Spanish Louisiana to Quebec, Canada, datelined folded letter, no postal markings, Very Fine.
Estimate 5,000 - 7,500
THE ONLY RECORDED COVER FROM SPANISH UNITED STATES TO CANADA IN PRIVATE HANDS.
Provenance: Poitras, Steinhart
There was no postal route so the letter was carried by favor from New Orleans, overland by way of the Mississippi River and the Illinois Country. The writer, Jaques-Nicolet Perrault was a well known merchant and seigneur and notes in the letter that this was the best route. The letter was carried at the end of the American Revolutionary War period.
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Lot 237 |
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1784 (May 16) New York N.Y. to Philadelphia Pa., datelined folded letter (ALS) from James Searle endorsed "With a Box - Pr. Bordentown Stage", carried by stage via Bordentown accompanying samples of 22 "old Madeira wines", couple light stains, minor restoration including fold reinforcement, Fine.
Estimate 1,500 - 2,000
James Searle was a member of the Continental Congress and manager of the U.S. Lottery during 1776-1778.
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Lot 238 |
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1784 (Jul. 5) Port Royal Va. to Philadelphia Pa., folded cover with docketing and last page of letter, bearing manuscript "3.8" rating; some ink erosion, Fine, the published 3 dwt 8 gr rate from Port Royal to Philadelphia.
Estimate 500 - 750
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Lot 239 |
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1784 (Jul. 30) Charlestown S.C. to Philadelphia Pa., datelined folded letter bearing manuscript "-8-" rating, carried by coastal ship to Philadelphia, soiling, Fine, over-rated at the 8 dwt rate for distances over 1,000 miles.
Estimate 500 - 750
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Lot 240 |
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1785 (Jun. 1) New York N.Y. to Hartford Ct., datelined folded letter endorsed "Pr. Mr. Curly Post Rider", handed unsealed directly to a post rider so no postal markings were required, handling instructions "by the favour that the post Rider would himself immediately on his arrival at Hartford wuth his own hand, deliver this into the hand of Mr. Wolcott or Mr. Wales, and take care to bring an answer. have left it open that he might not be obliged to carry it to the post office from which they might not receive it…to take a return", cover split from interior leaf, slightly soiled fold, Fine.
Estimate 500 - 750
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Lot 241 |
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1785 (Jun. 9) Amsterdam Holland to Philadelphia Pa. via French Packet, datelined folded letter bearing "PAQ L'ORIENT" straightline handstamp and manuscript "Post Paid to N. York", endorsed "P Packet via France", carried via the French packet 4th Courier de New York which sailed from L'Orient on September 30 and arrived in New York on November 13, entered the post with manuscript "2" rating, Philadelphia manuscript "1/-", Very Fine and clean, sent prepaid to New York where rated the single 2 dwt rate for 60-100 miles to Philadelphia, rated 1 shilling in local currency (10d postage plus 2d carrier fee).
Estimate 2,000 - 3,000
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