Lot 134
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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| Realized $4,250 |
