Lot 86
1769 (Aug. 27) London, England to St. Augustine Fl. via Charles Town, datelined folded letter addressed to Governor Grant of St. Augustine, bearing "6 / SE" Bishop mark and manuscript "1N" rating, carried via British Packet from Falmouth to Charles Town arriving October 17, bold strike of "CHARLES / TOWN" handstamp and manuscript "10.17.1" date, handled by post rider to St. Augustine, Very Fine and choice, rated 1 shilling packet fee from England to Charles Town.
Estimate 5,000 - 7,500
A VERY RARE COVER TO BRITISH FLORIDA.
Provenance: Lounsbery
In 1768, at the insistence of Governor Grant of Florida, a mail small expert repair vice was es tab lished between Charleston S.C. and St. Augustine, though the volume of mail was likely only a few pieces at a time.
The service was by postrider and ran via Savannah and Sunbury to St. Augustine in British East Florida, taking two weeks in each direction. Estimates of frequency of service range from once a month to twice a year. The service lasted about four or five years.
The letter it self is a rather gossip-filled correspondence to the governor of South Carolina concerning a "friend of his", Lord Albemarle, whose mistress had just eloped (after he had laid out £8000on her). Evidently he was so distressed he was speaking publicly of his hurt.
Illustrated, "American Postal Markings", Royden H. Lounsbery, p. 3.
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| Realized $5,500 |
