Sale 1316 — United States Postal History
Sale Date — Tuesday-Wednesday, 19-20 March, 2024
Category — Mail Arranged by Destination: Holland thru Japan
15c Brown & Blue, Ty. II (119). Rich colors, centered to bottom, tied by segmented cork cancel, red "New York Paid All Br. Transit Aug. 21" circular datestamp on 1869 folded cover to Amsterdam, Holland, red receiving backstamp, fresh and Very Fine, carried on the Inman City of Boston, only three 15c covers (Type I or II) to Holland are recorded in the PRA Census book, ex Heimburger
6c Ultramarine (115). Tied by segmented cork cancel on mostly complete blue folded cover (without side flaps) to Rotterdam, Holland, sender's routing "Per Steamer 'Nebraska' from N.Y.", straightline "INSUFFICIENTLY PAID" and "SHORT PAID" handstamps, receiving backstamp (Apr. 5, 1870), manuscript "15" due rate, Very Fine, the Closed Mail rate to Holland changed to 10c in Feb. 1870, thus this was charged for deficient postage and penalty, ex Mason, Juhring, Coulter, Cipolla and Eubanks
10c Green, F. Grill (96). Rich color, used with horizontal pair of 3c Red, F. Grill (94), tied by quartered cork cancels, "Chicago Ill. May 19" (1869) circular datestamp on bright buff "Republican Platform" Grant-Colfax with Standing Liberty Campaign cover to Trondheim, Norway, red boxed "Hamburg Franco" datestamp, red crayon "1" ties 3c, red "6" credit apparently applied in Chicago, "21/2Wf." German credit handstamps, receiving backstamp, some edgewear slightly affects 10c
VERY FINE APPEARANCE. A VERY RARE AND UNUSUAL GRANT-COLFAX CAMPAIGN COVER TO NORWAY.
The franking pays the 16c rate via North German Union direct. Ex "Angel". With 1995 P.F. certificate.
15c Brown & Blue, Ty. II (119). Rich colors, tied by cork cancel and "Mobile Ala. Oct. 17" circular datestamp on cover to Tromso, Norway, via Christiana, red "New York Oct. 22/5" 5c credit datestamp (scarce type), red "Wfco 2" (sgr.) handstamp for credit beyond North German Union, lightened stain spot at left, sealed opening tear at top
VERY FINE. ONLY TWO COVERS WITH THE 15-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE ARE RECORDED TO NORWAY. A RARE DESTINATION.
Only three covers to Norway are known for the 10c value and up. One other with a 15c is known, ex Coulter.
Ex Rose and Dr. Heimburger. With 1977 P.F. certificate.
7c Orange Vermilion (160). Used with three 3c Green (147), tied by segmented cork cancels, "Chicago Ill. Sep. 27" circular datestamp on cover to Skien, Norway, red New York 5c credit datestamp, red "2" (sgr.) credit handstamp, receiving backstamp, slightly reduced at top and some edgewear including small tear at top, stamps with slight soiling, still Fine and unusual franking paying the 16c rate by North German Union Mail
12c Black, F. Grill (97). Used with two 2c Black, F. Grill (93), tied by blue segmented cork cancels, matching "Galesburg Ill. May 14" (1868) circular datestamp on buff cover to Sweden, red "6" credit handstamp, transit and receiving backstamps, red boxed "Aachen Franco" datestamp, minor edgewear, stamps with few toned spots, otherwise Fine and scarce use paying the 16c rate via North German Union Direct Mail to Sweden
6c Ultramarine (115). Vertical pair, used with vertical pair of 2c Brown (113), tied by single brushstroke cancel, "Shawnee Kan. May 3" (1870) circular datestamp on buff cover to Lammhult, Sweden, red "New York Paid All Direct May 7" backstamp, red "4" credit handstamp, red boxed "Bremen Franco" datestamp, red boxed "Weiterfr. 11/2 Sgr." credit handstamp, top 6c tiny tear at top left, Very Fine and colorful franking from Kansas to Sweden, the rate was 14c by North German Union Mail Direct with a 2c penalty, the sender must have overpaid by 2c to make sure it was not treated as unpaid
12c Dull Violet, H. Grill (140). Distinct vertical row of grill points behind ear of portrait and horizontal row across top of head, fresh color in distinctive 12c grilled-issue shade, tied by target cancel on salmon-colored cover addressed in violet to Gotland, Sweden, indistinct strike of town datestamp, red "New York 4 May 4" (1872) 4c credit datestamp, red "Wfr. 11/2" German credit handstamp (re-stated credit in silbergroschen), Swedish receiving backstamps (May 20 and 21, 1872)
VERY FINE. THIS IS THE FINEST EXAMPLE OF THE 1870 12-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY GRILLED ISSUE ON COVER. ONLY FOUR COVERS ARE REPORTED—THIS IS THE ONLY COVER TO SWEDEN.
Our Levi records contain three other covers previously described as bearing the 12c 1870 Grilled Issue: 1) single used alone on cover to Liverpool, ex Braus (Sale 449, lot 54); 2) used with 10c 1870 to India, Bissell corr. (ex Braus, Sale 449, lot 55); and 3) used with Nos. 145, 146, 147 and 148 on large domestic cover from the Austro-Hungarian Consulate in New York (Sale Apr. 18, 1979, lot 175). This fourth cover was identified by us after it was consigned to our auction in 2001 as a No. 151. The grill on this stamp is much stronger than the grills on the stamps on the other covers. The stamp overpays the 11c NGU Closed Mail rate to Sweden. The cover was carried on the North German Lloyd's Weser II, departing New York on May 4 and arriving in Southampton on May 15, 1872.
Ex "Andromeda" and Curtis. With 2001 P.F. certificate. Scott value for 12c Grill is $3,750 off cover and $7,000 on cover.
12c Green (117). Used with 6c Ultramarine (115), tied by cork cancel and "Petaluma Cal. Jun. 12" (1872) circular datestamp on registered buff cover to Locarno, Switzerland, red "New York Registered Jun. 22" circular datestamp, framed "CHARGEE" handstamp, sequence of four different Swiss transit and receiving backstamps, all beautifully struck
FRESH AND VERY FINE. A RARE USE OF THE 12-CENT AND 6-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE ON A COVER FROM THE WEST COAST TO EUROPE.
The 18c rate pays the 10c Closed Mail via England rate and 8c registration fee for foreign mail. Ex Dr. Heimburger. With 2013 P.F. certificate.
3c Green (147). Horizontal strip of four, perfs trimmed at sides, used with 1c Ultramarine (145) on 7c Vermilion entire (U185), cancelled by cork, matching "Bangor Me. Jan. 15" (1873) double-circle datestamp to Lausanne, Switzerland, red "New York Paid All Via Eng. & Ustd" handstamp, Basel and receiving backstamps, some toned perfs, slight edgewear, Fine and colorful franking paying double the 10c rate by Closed Mail via England, ex "Mercedes"
5c Brown (76). Used with 1c Blue, F. Grill (92) and 2c Black, F. Grill (93), tied by leaf cancels on folded printed notice from New York dated Aug. 25, 1868 to Palermo, Sicily, sender's directive "pr Russia", bold "PAID ALL" handstamp, some splitting along folds, 2c defective with pieces out, otherwise Fine and scarce printed matter use to Italy
30c Orange, F. Grill (100). Rich color, clearly defined grill, used with 10c Green, F. Grill (96), both tied by bold circle of V's cancels, "San Francisco Cal. Apr. 23" (1869) circular datestamp on folded cover to Genoa, Italy, merchant datestamp and red New York transit, Very Fine, attractive and scarce use of 30c F Grill overpaying double the 19c rate via North German Union Closed Mail, ex Paliafito
12c Green (117). Rich color, used with 5c Red Brown (75), radiant color, straight edge at left, tied by grids, "Chicago Ill. Oct. 11" (1869) circular datestamp on cover to Naples, Italy, red "New York Paid All Br. Transit Nov. 16" circular datestamp, lightly struck backstamps, Very Fine, scarce franking overpaying by 2c the 15c rate by Italian Closed Mail
15c Brown & Blue, Ty. II (119). Tied by cork cancel, "Millbridge Me. Dec. 30" (1869) circular datestamp on buff cover to Palermo, Italy, where redirected to Trapani, light strike of red New York datestamp, range of transit backstamps, cover with few scuffs at right, slightly reduced at right, Very Fine use paying the 15c Closed Mail rate
15c Brown & Blue, Ty. II (119). Marvelous deep rich colors, used with 7c Vermilion (149), tied by blue quartered cork cancels, matching "Carson City Nev. Feb. 21" (1871) circular datestamp and matching "REGISTERED" straightline in oval frame handstamp (ties 15c along perfs) on blue folded cover to Lugano, Switzerland, dark red "New York Registered Mar. 5" double-circle datestamp and matching "GER TRANSIT/PAID ALL" two-line framed handstamp, "CHARGEE" framed handstamp, Basel and Lucerne backstamps, trivial edgewear
EXTREMELY FINE. A SPECTACULAR MIXED-ISSUE FRANKING AND PROBABLY UNIQUE REGISTERED COVER TO SWITZERLAND WITH THE RARE "GER. TRANSIT/PAID ALL" HANDSTAMP.
The sender in Carson City incorrectly paid the 7c NGU rate to Germany and the 15c domestic registry fee. The correct postage was 10c for Closed Mail via England and 8c for the registry fee. The New York exchange office applied the rare "Ger. Transit/Paid All" handstamp.
Illustrated in Rose book (p. 126). Ex Haas and Coulter.
7c Orange Vermilion (160). Rich color, tied by well-struck New York Foreign Mail Star cancel (Ty. ST-8P5) on 1875 cover to Naples, Italy, "New York Br. Transit Jan. 14" backstamp, clearly-struck "INSUFFICIENTLY PREPAID" handstamp, various crayon rates and Italy 10c and 40c Postage Dues (J6, J9) tied by datestamps, fresh and Very Fine, pretty and scarce usage underpaying the 10c rate, ex "Mercedes"
6c Ultramarine (115). Vertical strip of three and single (latter with minor repaired tear), used with 1c Buff (112), torn along right edge before use, all cancelled by matching cork cancels, "Marietta O. Sep. 15" circular datestamp on 3c Pink entire to Lisbon, Portugal, addressed in purple to naval officer aboard U.S.S. Plymouth but returned to B. F. Stevens in London with his red Oct. 28, 1870 double-oval receiving datestamp on back, red New York and London transits, bold "FRANCA" oval handstamp and Lisbon receiving backstamp, slightly soiled but a Fine and very unusual use, only two covers with the 6c to Portugal are recorded and the other is in the Swiss PTT Museum, ex Rose and Dr. Heimburger, with 1990 P.F. certificate
7c Orange Vermilion (160). Used with 3c Green (158), tied by bold targets on 1c Blue wrapper to Funchal, Madeira, some overall toning and wear, Very Fine appearance, rare usage, the 11c pays the North German Union Direct rate, ex "Mercedes"
7c Orange Vermilion (160). Used with 1c Ultramarine (156) and two 6c Dull Pink (159), cancelled or tied by targets, "Saratoga Springs N.Y. Apr. 12 12M" circular datestamp on cover to Teneriffe, Canary Islands, red crayon "12" credit, one 6c affixed over 1c after the 1c was cancelled and tied by indistinct circular datestamp, light strikes of transit and arrival backstamps, left 6c small fault at bottom left not noted on certificate, otherwise Very Fine and colorful, a rare use to the Canary Islands, the rate was 16c from July 1870 to 1875 when it was reduced to 12c, prepayment was optional so this appears to pay double the 10c portion of the rate, ex Albert, with 1981 P.F. certificate
3c Ultramarine (114). Two singles, used with 10c Green, F Grill (96) and 30c Orange (71), matching cork cancels (one 3c tied), "Evanston Ill. Nov. 17" circular datestamp on 1869 tissue paper cover to Athens, Greece, red "New York Paid All Br. Transit Nov. 20" backstamp, carried on the Inman City of London, blue crayon "2" at upper left indicates double rate, red crayon "16" double 8c credit, red "Verviers-Coeln Franco" transit datestamp, red crayon "f6" (sgr.) double-rate credit for service beyond North German Union, receiving backstamp, cover with some wear as one would expect in this fragile paper
VERY FINE. A COLORFUL AND RARE FRANKING PAYING THE DOUBLE 23-CENT RATE TO GREECE VIA NORTH GERMAN UNION CLOSED MAIL. THIS IS ONE OF ONLY SIX RECORDED 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE COVERS TO GREECE AND IT IS THE ONLY EXAMPLE OF THIS DOUBLE RATE.
Ex Cutts (from our 1996 Rarities sale) and Dr. Heimburger. With 1996 P.F. certificate.
15c Brown & Blue, Ty. II (119). Centered to top, tied by unusual cork cancel on cover to Constantinople, Turkey, bold "Middleborough Mass. Nov. 17" circular datestamp and bit of red New York 5c credit datestamp, red "Franco" handstamp, "Norddeutsch Post-Argentur 11/12 No. 1" transit backstamp, slightly reduced at right, Fine use paying the 15c rate for North German Union Direct Mail, ex Dr. Heimburger, with 1996 P.F. certificate
10c Green (68). Used with 1c Ultramarine (156), tied together by blue "Northborough Mass. Oct. 29, 1871" circular datestamp on small cover to Constantinople, Turkey, red "New York Paid All Oct. 31" circular datestamp also ties 1c stamp, red crayon "4" cents credit, "Kaiserich Deutsches Postamt 21 11" backstamp, carried on the HAPAG Holsatia, departing New York Oct. 31, 1871, arriving Plymouth Nov. 10, stamps with light toning spots, cover with tiny tear at top, Very Fine and unusual combination, the 11c rate via North German Union Direct was effective starting Oct. 1871, so this is an early use of this rate
10c Yellow (116). Pair, vivid color, few toned perfs, tied by quartered cork cancels and "Newark N.J. Feb. 15" duplex datestamp on yellow cover with printed address to "Rev. James S. Dennis, Beirut, Syria", printed directive "Via North German Union Closed Mail", red "5" in circle credit handstamp, matching New York transit backstamp, red "Verviers Coeln Franco" transit datestamp, blue crayon "f 3" (sgr.) for credit beyond North German Union, bold Beirut receiving datestamp on front of cover, small part of backflap removed, slight edgewear
VERY FINE. A COLORFUL AND RARE USE OF THE 10-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE ON A NORTH GERMAN UNION MAIL COVER TO BEIRUT, SYRIA.
The Laurence 10c 1869 book notes that the addressee was a Christian evangelist who for many years was part of the American Presbyterian Mission in Beirut, where the American University was founded. Dennis served as librarian for the mission and corresponded with other missionaries around the world. There are ten recorded 10c 1869 covers to Syria, including eight sent via NGU Mail. Five of the eight bear two singles to pay the 20c NGU rate.
Ex Mack and Dr. Heimburger. With 2013 P.F. certificate.
10c Yellow (116). Used with three 10c Brown, H. Grill (139), we see several noticeable grill points especially on the right stamp, tied by segmented cork cancels, "Newark N.J. Jul. 18" (1870) circular datestamp on cover with printed address to "Rev. James S. Dennis, Beirut, Syria", printed directive "Via Prussian Closed Mail" partly crossed out and "North German Union" written in, printed "Paid under 1/2 oz." partly crossed out with "1oz." written in, red "New York Paid All Direct Jul. 19" backstamp, red crayon "10" and "f4" credit markings, indistinct circular datestamp, stamps with few faults from placement near edge of cover, missing part of top flap
VERY FINE. AN EXTREMELY RARE USE OF THE 10-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE WITH THE 10-CENT NATIONAL BANK NOTE COMPANY GRILLED ISSUE ON A NORTH GERMAN UNION MAIL COVER TO BEIRUT, SYRIA. THIS IS THE ONLY RECORDED COMBINATION OF 1869 PICTORIAL AND BANK NOTE STAMPS TO SYRIA, AND THE ONLY EXAMPLE WITH ANY FRANKING PAYING DOUBLE THE 20-CENT RATE VIA NORTH GERMAN UNION MAIL.
The Laurence 10c 1869 book notes that the addressee was a Christian evangelist who for many years was part of the American Presbyterian Mission in Beirut, where the American University was founded. Dennis served as librarian for the mission and corresponded with other missionaries around the world. There are ten recorded 10c 1869 covers to Syria, including eight sent via NGU Mail. France mobilized its army on July 15, and the Franco-Prussian War officially started July 19, the day this cover departed New York. This was carried on the HAPAG Silesia, departing New York Jul. 19, 1870. She stopped at Leith, Scotland, due to the start of the war and stayed there until Sep. 29 so this was routed in an unknown way from Leith.
With 1985 P.F. certificate.
3c Green (158). Six, three with straight edge, dark shade, tied by target cancels, "Summerville (?) Jul. 21" (1874) circular datestamp on 3c Green entire to Lieut. Col. James Bassel, Egyptian Army, Cairo, Egypt, red "Detroit Paid All Br. Transit Aug. 2" transit datestamp (scarce exchange office routing), red crayon "16" credit and red "London Paid" transit datestamp, "Alexandria AU 27 74" British P.O. backstamp, "Poste Egiziane" Alexandria and Cairo backstamps (Aug. 28), some gum stains slightly affecting three stamps, small tear in top of left stamp, otherwise Very Fine, a rare cover to one of 50 or so American military officers who went to Egypt in the 1870s to train and direct the army of the Khedive Ismail, Lieutenant-Colonel James Bassel served in Egypt for about one year before leaving for the Far East, this was overpaid 1c for the 20c British Mail rate via Southampton, the Detroit Aug. 2 (1874) datestamp indicates this was carried on the Allan Line's Peruvian, departing Quebec on Aug. 8, arriving Liverpool Aug. 17, ex "Andromeda", with 2003 P.F. certificate
6c Dull Pink (159). Horizontal strip of four, bright color, cancelled by targets, "Chester Vt. Aug. 15" (1874) circular datestamp on cover to Seychelles, written as "Sea Shells, Indian Ocean", New York and London transits, red crayon "20" credit, red crayon "1" British Colonial credit, receiving backstamp (Oct. 19), third stamp tiny tear at bottom left, barely reduced at left, Very Fine, a rare use paying the 24c British Mail rate to the Seychelles, the recipient was on the Barque Leditia, which was patrolling for pirates
12c Blackish Violet (162). Horizontal pair, used with 3c Green (158), cancelled or tied by targets, "New Haven Conn. Feb. 20 4PM" (1875) circular datestamp on cover to Wellington, Cape of Good Hope, South Africa, red "New York 1.10 Mar. 1" credit datestamp, red London Paid datestamp, Cape Town and receiving circular datestamps, barely reduced at right, Very Fine and attractive
24c Lilac (78). Bright color, used with horizontal pair of 2c Brown (157), tied by cork cancels, "Newark N.J. Feb. 1 3PM" circular datestamp on cover to Moradabad, India, red 1875 London transit also ties pair, red "New York 24 Feb. 2" credit datestamp, Sea Post Office and receiving backstamps, slightly reduced at left, right stamp in pair rounded corner at lower right, otherwise Very Fine, scarce late use of the 24c 1863 Issue on cover to India paying the 28c rate by British Mail via Brindisi
30c Ultramarine & Carmine (121). Rich colors, part of left margin torn away by sender before affixing stamp, used with 6c Ultramarine (116), perfs trimmed at left prior to use, tied by "Hampton N.H. Oct. 4" (1870) circular datestamp on cover to Anjer, Java, Dutch East Indies addressed to "Mr. Randolph P. DeLancey, Care Mr. Schuit, Anjer Hotel, Anjer, Java" and "Ship Golden Fleece, Capt. Adams" with directive "Via Marseilles", red "New York Oct. 5" datestamp, red crayon "32" credit to Great Britain, red London Paid datestamp (Oct. 17), "121/2 Cents" handstamp applied by British postal authorities for credit to Netherlands for carriage beyond Singapore by Dutch colonial mail service, receiving backstamp, slightly reduced at left, some overall wear
VERY FINE APPEARANCE. THE ONLY RECORDED USE OF THE 30-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE ON A COVER TO THE EXOTIC EAST INDIES ISLAND OF JAVA. A FASCINATING COVER ADDRESSED TO A CREWMAN ABOARD THE WHALING SHIP GOLDEN FLEECE ON ITS RETURN FROM A JOURNEY TO THE FAR EAST.
Randolph P. DeLancey, a resident of Hampton, New Hampshire, was a crewman aboard the whaler Golden Fleece, when she embarked on a journey to the Far East in 1869. The entire voyage is documented in the book, Under the Mizzen Mist, by Nehemiah Adams, the father of Captain Robert C. Adams. The book briefly describes the pass through Anjer in Java.
Anjer was completely obliterated by a tsunami following the eruption of the volcano at Krakatoa in 1883. According to the Mystic Seaport website (http://www.mysticseaport.org/research/ ): "The London and China Telegraph for Feb. 27, 1868 lists G. Schuit as the proprietor of the Anjer Hotel in Anjer in the Sunda Strait. When Krakatoa erupted 15 years later, another member of the Schuit family, H. Schuit, was the proprietor, and other reports tell us that the hotel, which was set above a seawall, was ripped from its foundation by the waves. An issue of Popular Science for 1884 states that while Mr. Schuit survived the incident, his family did not. This earlier picture is one of the few reminders of the idyllic setting of the Anjer Hotel before 1883."
Ex Dr. Kapiloff and Dr. Heimburger. With 2003 P.F. certificate.
30c Orange, F. Grill (100). Rich color, used with 12c Black, F. Grill (97), straight edge at left, tied by bold rosette cancels on folded letter datelined "New York 12 February 1869" from Weston & Wolf to Charles Thorel & Co. in Yokohama, Japan, sender's directive "p. City of Baltimore via Marseilles", red "New York Paid All Br. Transit Feb. 13" (1869) circular datestamp on back, matching red "32" credit handstamp also ties 30c stamp—carried on Inman City of Baltimore, departing New York Feb. 13, 1869, arriving Queenstown Feb. 24—red London Paid datestamp (Feb. 25), red crayon "1d" British Colonial credit, carried on Peninsular & Oriental Steam Navigation Co. steamers from Southampton to Alexandria (Egypt), then overland to Suez, and from there to Hong Kong via Galle (Ceylon), "Hong-Kong C AP 8 69" datestamp on back, 30c light crease and tiny scuff
VERY FINE. AN EXTRAORDINARY FOLDED LETTER TO JAPAN FROM THE THOREL CORRESPONDENCE, WITH AN ATTRACTIVE 1868 GRILLED ISSUE FRANKING.
Charles (or Karl) Thorel was one of many western merchants doing business in Japan after the 1858 Harris Treaty formalized commercial relations between the United States and Japan. Thorel partnered with a Swiss-born merchant named Karl Ziegler in the silk-trading firm of Thorel, Ziegler & Company. The company was based in Yokohama and operated from 1865 to 1868, at which point the partnership dissolved. Thorel continued in business under the name Charles Thorel & Company. Were it not for the Thorel correspondence, collectors would have no 24c or 30c 1869 covers to Japan. In addition, there are quite a few Thorel covers with stamps of earlier issues or other 1869 values.
With 1977 P.F. certificate.