Lot 92
1770 (Jul. 2) St. Dorothy's Jamaica to Edenton N.C. via New Bern, datelined folded letter carried via private ship to New Bern N.C., forwarded by post overland to Edenton with perfect strike of brownish-black oval "NEW- / BERN" handstamp boldly struck on reverse, manuscript "1N6" rating, postal instruction in the same hand and ink on reverse "Mr. Neil is requested to forward this letter by the first safe opportunity", light toning and fold separations tape reinforced, Very Fine strike of this unique postmark, rated the 1 shilling packet fee from Jamaica plus 2 dwt (6 pence) postage for 60-100 miles from New Bern to Edenton.
Estimate 10,000 - 15,000
THE ONLY REPORTED EXAMPLE OF THIS HANDSTAMP AND THE EARLIEST EXAMPLE OF A DOMESTICALLY PRODUCED HANDSTAMP DEVICE.
Expertization: 2001 P.F. certificate.
The letter from Thomas Iredell in Jamaica to James Iredell, Comptroller of Customs at Edenton, mentions the difficulty of sending letters and recommends routing mail through South Carolina. Also discusses the shipment of a slave from the island to Edenton.
Illustrated, "The Posted Letter in Colonial and Revolutionary America 1628-1790", Alex L. Ter Braake, p. II-86.
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| Realized $14,500 |
