Vignettes

Commentaries on Items in the Gross Collection

The power of the postage stamp Two disparate events in time, yet inextricably linked. The Humanity of Philately Introduction to Sale Three, by Charles F. Shreve and Tracy L. Carey Introduction to Sale Two, by Charles F. Shreve and Tracy L. Carey Philatelic Entropy The 1893 de Coppet Sale and the 24¢ F Grill Pane The One and Only 2¢ Louisiana Purchase Error Plate Block The Fascinating Corner of the 1¢ 1851 Plate 2 Introduction, by Charles F. Shreve and Tracy L. Carey The Sixth Wave The 10¢ 1847 Bible Block Lincoln in '64 The British Schemer The Waterbury Circus Elephant The 1889 Eden Musée Exhibition ⇚ Select other Commentaries here (16 available)

Wednesday, October 3, 2018 — Scott R. Trepel

1188 - United States Stamp Treasures from the William H. Gross Collection

1851-56 Issue

The British Schemer

The illustrated San Francisco News Letter was published by Frederick Marriott, an English-born journalist, newspaper publisher, financial schemer, occasional blackmailer and pioneering promoter of aviation technology who emigrated to California in 1849. Marriott touted his Letter as a practical means to convey news to correspondents on the East Coast, overseas and within the state of California. It also served to advance Marriott’s intertwining financial and political interests, to level attacks against his foes, and to extort money from public figures he threatened with the prospect of scandalous news.

Marriott was implicated in an 1852 scheme to distribute worthless bank notes, known as “shinplasters.”

When Adams & Co. failed in 1855, he was caught up in the massive losses from unregulated banking practices and rampant speculation. Marriott started the Letter to launch counterattacks against his critics, but also found it useful as a means to extort money. In 1857 he was arrested in a sting operation resulting from Marriott’s attempt to shake down the San Francisco chief of police. He and his accomplice were each tried, convicted and ordered to pay a $500 fine.

In 1866 Marriott established the California Aerial Steam Navigation Co. and attempted to turn his blimp-like “Avitor” into a practical flying machine. After a few modestly successful display flights, the gas-filled Avitor caught fire and was destroyed. Marriott continued to pursue his dream of an “aeroplane” until his death in 1884.

The News Letter in the Gross collection is addressed to a naval medical officer on board the U.S. Frigate Independence in Panama.

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