Sale 1291 — United States Postal History
Sale Date — Tuesday-Wednesday, 25-26 July, 2023
Category — Autographs, Free Franks, Stampless
Lot
Symbol
Photo/Description
Cat./Est. Value
Realized
1
James Buchanan. Clear signature as President at bottom of Dec. 30, 1858 letter directing the Secretary of State to authorize William W. Preston to negotiate with the government of Spain concerning commerce, claims of citizens and the cession of Cuba, Very Fine, several attempts were made to purchase Cuba in the decades before the Spanish-American War, this effort by Buchanan of course failed, accompanied by historical information on the appointment of Preston and his mission
E. 750-1,000
0
2
Andrew Jackson. Signature as President at bottom of vellum piece from Commissioner of the General Land Office, dated Nov. 1, 1830, with printed "By the President" next to signature, light folds affect the signature which is clear, piece with few toned spots away from signature, Very Fine and attractive
E. 300-400
0
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Executive Mansion, C. C. Sniffen, Secretary. Imprint cover with violet signature of Culver C. Sniffen, aide and secretary to President Ulysses S. Grant (1873-76), addressed in Sniffen's hand to Hon. John A. Bingham, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to Japan, at Yedo (Tokyo), Japan, directed "Through Dept of State U.S.A.", top backflap removed, slight soiling and tiny edge tears, still Fine, the Grant administration developed ties to the new Meiji government in Japan, after he left office Grant became the first American president to visit Japan (in 1879), this is a very rare cover carried by diplomatic pouch
E. 750-1,000
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(New York N.Y., 1771) "Sh 2.16". Red manuscript ship-letter rate (2dwt plus 16gr ship fee) on folded letter datelined "Madeira July 21, 1771" to Philadelphia, sender's directive "via New York", red "1/4" due in local currency (2dwt16gr=8p x 1.67 inflation factor=14p plus 2p carrier fee, or 1sh4p), "23/SE" (Sep. 23) Franklin mark on back, "NEW/YORK" two-line handstamp, Very Fine, scarce use
E. 200-300
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CH, MA 17. Bold straightline handstamp of Charleston S.C. with manuscript "25" cents rate on 1799 folded letter, by "Watermail" to Albany, N.Y., manuscript docketing on flap mentions "Paid 27 cents postage" probably indicating a 2c ship or carrier fee which was omitted from the rate on the front, Extremely Fine strike, ex Lounsbery
E. 400-500
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"Cincinnati 15 Feby. 1803". Manuscript postmark with matching "25" rate on folded letter to Newark N.J., fresh and Very Fine, ex Jarrett
E. 500-750
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England to Baltimore via Bermuda, War of 1812 "Blockade Avoidance". Large part of folded letter (front and back panels are complete) from England, previous auction description states this was carried per neutral Swedish ship Prince Carl Johan via Bermuda on April 9, 1814 and then to Newport R.I., perfect strike of "Newport R.I. Apr. 18" circular datestamp and "SHIP" handstamp, manuscript "62" cents due (likely triple 20c rate + 2c ship fee as this was sent prior to the start of the 50% surcharge), Very Fine, the War of 1812 New England blockade was not initiated until April 25, 1814, so this is a "blockade avoidance" cover rather than a "blockade run" cover, Baltimore was blockaded in February 1813, so mail addressed there after that could be routed via unblockaded New England ports and then sent overland, ex Pitts
E. 400-500
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"From Boat Genl. Clynch, Sunday, March 28, 1840, St. John's River between Picolata & Jacksonville". Dateline on folded letter to Albany N.Y., neat "Savannah Geo. May 30" circular datestamp and "STEAM BOAT" straightline handstamp, magenta "25" rate, Very Fine and rare use, there are no known steamboat markings from Florida rivers, the example offered here, carried on a river boat, is extremely rare
E. 200-300
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Huntsville Al. Jan. 15 (1846). Bold strike of blue circular datestamp with matching negative "10" and Stars in Circle rate handstamp on folded cover addressed in blue to New Orleans La., slight edgewear including two small tears, Extremely Fine strike, ex Kramer
E. 300-400
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Tuscaloosa Ala. Stampless Covers. 17, including 1834 with 37-1/2c rate, 1835 with 25c rate, 1837 with 50c rate, 1841 with 18-3/4c rate, nice group of 5c and 10c rates, one "Free" and addressed to President of the United States and sent in 1847, overall Fine-Very Fine and attractive group
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E. 300-400
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Tuscaloosa Ala. Cover Balance. Eight covers with stamps or entires, including 3c Nesbitt with great strike of Star fancy cancel, another Nesbitt with a similar cancel, two with 3c 1857 Issue also with a similar cancel, one with No. 10 with four margins on lady's cover to Choctaw Agency Miss., few faults but overall Fine-Very Fine group
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E. 400-500
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1860, Boston to Yokohama via Shanghai, China. Blue cover with part strike of red Boston Apr. 18 (1860) circular datestamp, addressed to Frederick O. Wellman, in care of Frazar & Co., Shanghai, China, pencil "39" rate, red crayon "34" credit, red London Paid datestamp (Apr. 30), red crayon "1" British Colonial credit, Hong Kong backstamp (Jun. 21), clear strike of "FRAZAR & CO. SHANGHAE" framed handstamp and "F&Co." in circle on back, receipt docketing "Yokohama July 26th 1860" where Wellman received the cover, edgewear and flap tears, still Fine, a rare early cover to Japan
Image 2
E. 300-400
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1860, Boston to Shanghai, China. Blue cover with receipt docketing indicating origin at Boston May 4, 1860, addressed to Frederick O. Wellman, in care of Frazar & Co., Shanghai, China, sender's directive "Via Southampton", red "New York Am. Pkt. May 5" circular datestamp on back, red "PAID" in oval handstamp and pencil "33" rate, red "12" credit handstamp, red London Paid datestamp (May 17), red crayon "1" British Colonial credit, Hong Kong backstamp (Jul. 6), pencil note on back "Recd. 11th July 1860 E.F." is the date received by Frazar in Shanghai, addressee's receipt docketing dated August 31 -- the long delay from Shanghai indicates Frazar forwarded this to Wellman in Japan, probably on the first voyage of P&O Cadiz from Shanghai to Japan, departing Jul. 18 and arriving Jul. 20 -- minor edgewear, Fine
E. 300-400
0
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