Lot 47
1756 (Nov. 22) New York, N.Y. to London, England via Falmouth Packet, docketing on folded cover bearing two-line "NEW / YORK" handstamp, carried via the Falmouth Packet, received with "11/FE" Bishop mark, manuscript "3oz¼" weight and "13N" rating; tear in flap and wax seals removed, Very Fine, thirteen-times the 1 shilling per ¼ ounce transatlantic packet rate.
Estimate 4,000 - 5,000
A VERY FINE EXAMPLE OF THIS VERY EARLY HANDSTAMPED POSTMARK AS WELL AS AN EXTREMELY HIGH TRANS-ATLANTIC PACKET RATING.
Provenance: Mayer
The Falmouth packet service was initiated by the British Post Office on November 15, 1755, dispatching from Falmouth to New York. Regular service continued until approximately the 1780s. The agent for the Falmouth packet applied the New York handstamp, which was similar to the example originally used by the agent for the Bristol Packet in 1710.
The cover is addressed "To the Honourable Thomas Penn, Equire", who was the son of William Penn.
Illustrated, "The Posted Letter in Colonial and Revolutionary America 1628-1790", Alex L. Ter Braake, p. D-21 & F-33.
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| Realized $9,500 |
