Sale 1155 — United States and Confederate States Postal History
Sale Date — Tuesday, 9 May, 2017
Category — China Mails, Outbound, Stampless and Stamped
Lot
Symbol
Photo/Description
Cat./Est. Value
Realized
3121
New York to Canton, China. Sep. 1, 1837 folded letter to Wetmore & Co. in Canton, carried outside the mails with red "Forwarded by Jos. W. Alsop Jr." rectangular framed handstamp with two lines in script, clearly struck on backflap, Very Fine, Alsop and Wetmore were partners at an earlier point
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E. 400-500
600
3121A
New York to Canton, China. Two folded letters to Dr. John P. Green, first dated Feb. 26, 1845, second sent via Olyphant and Co., dated July 15, 1845 and docketed "Recd. March 7th", Very Fine, Dr. Green was the first American missionary doctor sent to China
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E. 300-400
200
Back to Top3122
New York to London to Canton, China. Blue folded letter with "New York 42 Sep. 7" debit circular datestamp to Baring Bros. in London where forwarded to Canton, China, red "London Paid 24 Sep. 1850" circular datestamp, small red "VIA MARSEILLES" handstamp, appropriate manuscript ratings, Hong Kong (Nov. 11) backstamp, light horizontal file fold, some slight age spotting, Very Fine
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E. 400-500
800
Back to Top3123
Philadelphia to Canton, China. Blue folded cover to Augustine, Heard & Co., red "Phila. Paid 5cts" octagonal handstamp uprated to 45c, blue "Philadelphia Pa. Sep. 7" circular datestamp, 1852 transit datestamp, Hong Kong backstamp, manuscript "45 Cents Paid" crossed out and credited "40", fresh and Very Fine, unusual use
E. 1,000-1,500
1,700
Back to Top3124
Baltimore to Canton, China. Baltimore May 2, 1854 datelined folded letter to Augustine Heard & Co. in Canton, China, blue "Baltimore Md. Jun. 5" circular datestamp, Boston Jun. 7 transit backstamp, "Paid" straightline with manuscript "45" in both pencil and magenta pen, bold red "40" credit handstamp, manuscript directive at top "Per Str. America from Boston to Liverpool & thence per Peninsular & Oriental Steam Ship Company Packets via Ceylon," London and Hong Kong transit datestamps, fresh and Very Fine 45c rate to Canton, sent to England via British Packet, ship directives are rarely seen with such detail
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E. 500-750
750
Back to Top3125
New York to Canton, China. Folded letter datelined "New York May 22nd 1855" to Augustine Heard & Co. in Canton, China, large red "Boston Paid Br. Pkt. May 23" circular datestamp and "48" credit handstamp, pencil "53" for total paid by sender, London transit, Hong Kong backstamps (26 Jul.), light horizontal file fold, fresh and Very Fine, ex Starnes
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E. 750-1,000
375
Back to Top3126
Boston to Canton, China. Green folded cover to Augustine Heard & Co. in Canton, China, "Boston Br. Pkt. 23 May" and 1855 Hong Kong backstamps, endorsed "Via Marseilles", red "38" and "Paid" handstamps, pencil "43" at top for total amount paid by sender, London transit, Very Fine
E. 400-500
350
Back to Top3127
Baltimore to Canton, China. Baltimore Mar. 24, 1856 datelined folded letter to Augustine Heard & Co. in Canton, China, blue "Baltimore Md. Apr. 18" circular datestamp, New York Apr. 19 transit backstamp, "Paid" straightline with manuscript "33" and bold red "12" credit handstamp, manuscript directive at top "Per Steamer Washington and Peninsular Steam Navigation Company Packets," London and Hong Kong transit datestamps, fresh and Very Fine 33c rate to Canton, sent to England via American Packet
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E. 500-750
800
Back to Top3128
Ipswich Mass. to Hong Kong, China. Cover with "Ipswich Mass. Jul. 14" circular datestamp and "Paid" and "10" handstamps to John Heard at Augustine Heard & Co. in Hong Kong, routing instructions "Via Marseilles", manuscript "3/4" rating for amount due from recipient (80c), Boston, London and receiving backstamps, docketed "Photographs July 13 1857" at right, minor edgewear, Very Fine
E. 200-300
225
Back to Top3129
New York to Shanghai, China. Blue 1857 folded letter to Shanghai, China, red "New-York Br. Pkt. Paid Jul. 22" circular datestamp, red London transit, Hong Kong backstamp (Sep. 19), endorsed "overland mails via Marseilles", magenta "40" manuscript credit and pencil "45" for total paid by sender, horizontal file fold, Very Fine cover from the Augustine Heard correspondence
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E. 300-400
375
Back to Top3130
New York to Shanghai, China. 1857 folded cover with red "New-York Br. Pkt. Aug. 25" circular datestamp to Shanghai, China, endorsed "via Marseilles & Overland Mail", red London transit, magenta "40" manuscript credit, pencil "45" for total paid by sender, Hong Kong backstamp (Oct. 26), minor edgewear, Very Fine
E. 300-400
225
Back to Top3131
Boston to Hong Kong. 1858 folded letter with red "Boston B. Pkt. Paid 5 May" circular datestamp and red "19" credit handstamp to Hong Kong, China, addressed care of Baring Bros. in London, red May 17 London circular datestamp, endorsed "Via Marseilles" and "prepaid to London", pencil "24" for total postage paid by sender, light horizontal file fold, Very Fine and unusual use sent thru the mails to London then carried privately
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E. 300-400
350
Back to Top3132
To H.M.S. Camilla, China Station. Manuscript "Galesville Wi. Nov. 13/58" postmark and "Paid 30 cts" rate on small envelope to Albert Markham on board the H.M.S. Camilla in China, prepaid 30c for French Mail but credited 12c for British Mail via Southampton and sent by Kangaroo on Nov. 20, red New York Am. Pkt. backstamp and London Paid datestamp (Dec. 30), Very Fine
E. 500-750
0
Back to Top3133
Boston to Hong Kong, China. 1860 folded letter to Hong Kong, China, red "Boston B. Pkt. Paid Jan. 11" circular datestamp, red London transit, red crayon "74" credit marking and "2" for double the 1p colonial rate, endorsed "via Marseilles", receiving backstamp (March 11), pencil "84" for total paid by sender, Very Fine, a beautiful cover paying an unusual rate (double the U.S. and G.B. and triple the French portion)
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E. 300-400
400
Back to Top3134
30c Orange (71). Used with 12c Black and 3c Rose (69, 65), 3c and 30c bright early 1861 shades, tied by bold strikes of large "Paid" grid cancel, red "Boston Br. Pkt. 40 Nov. 13" (1861) credit datestamp on bluish folded cover to Hong Kong, China, sender's directive "for Overland Mail via Marseilles" and struck twice with "INSUFFICIENTLY/PREPAID" two-line handstamp, red crayon "1" 1p Colonial rate handstamp, red London transits and Hong Kong arrival backstamp, outstanding conditionEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL THREE-COLOR 1861 ISSUE FRANKING TO HONG KONG FROM THE AUGUSTINE HEARD CORRESPONDENCE.
The rate to Hong Kong by British Mail via Marseilles was 45c at this time. This was probably charged additional postage due to the Sep. 1861 change in rate for a half-ounce letter.
With 2017 P.F. certificate
E. 4,000-5,000
5,000
Back to Top3135
30c Orange (71). Used with 24c Brown Lilac and 3c Rose (70a, 65), tied by bold strikes of large "Paid" grid cancel, red "Boston Am. Pkt. Paid Apr. 25" (1863) backstamp on bluish folded cover to Hong Kong, China, sender's directive "Via Marseilles" and "per Hibernian" at top, red crayon "36" credit, red crayon "1" Colonial rate marking, red London transit and Hong Kong arrival backstamp of June 20, 24c and 3c affixed slightly overlapping, beautiful conditionEXTREMELY FINE. A COLORFUL AND CHOICE 1861 ISSUE FRANKING TO HONG KONG.
This cover from the Augustine Heard correspondence is correctly prepaid 57c for the British Mail via Marseilles rate prior to June 1863.
With 2017 P.F. certificate
E. 4,000-5,000
5,000
Back to Top3136
3c Rose, 24c Red Lilac, 30c Orange (65, 70, 71). Tied by grid cancels, red "N. York Br. Pkt. Paid Jul. 16" circular datestamp on 1862 cover to Hong Kong and forwarded to Shanghai, China, red London transit datestamp and red crayon "1" Colonial rate marking also tie 30c stamp, magenta manuscript "52" credit, sender's directive "Via Marseilles", blue "Hong Kong C SP 30 62" receiving backstamp with "C" reversed, missing part of top flap, minor edgewear, Very Fine and unusual forwarded use, carried on the Cunarder Scotia (dep. N.Y. July 16, arr. Queenstown July 25), then forwarded to Marseilles for sailing of the P. & O. steamer Vectis (dep. Marseilles July 28, 1862, arrived Alexandria Aug. 3), then carried overland to Suez where carried on the P. & O. steamer Bengal (dep. Suez Aug. 4, arrived Galle Aug. 17) then on the P. & O. steamer Behar (dep. Galle Aug. 19, arrived Hong Kong Sept. 3)
E. 1,000-1,500
1,000
Back to Top3137
30c Orange (71). Three singles, used with 24c Lilac (78) and tied by grid cancels on 1863 folded letter to Hong Kong, China, sender's directive "Via Marseilles", red "N. York Br. Pkt. Paid Nov. 11" circular datestamp, manuscript magenta "98" credit, red London transit datestamp, red "2" Colonial double-rate handstamp, "Hong Kong C JA 7" receiving backstamp with "C" reversed, faint horizontal file fold well away from stamps, left stamp small tear at bottomVERY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL DOUBLE-RATE 1861 ISSUE FRANKING SENT BY BRITISH MAIL VIA MARSEILLES.
This is an extremely rare high franking, with $1.14 in postage. Power Search located only one higher to China (with two 90c a 30c and a 2c stamp) and two others equal to this (both to Shanghai, one with a 90c stamp). With copy of 2002 P.F. certificate
E. 3,000-4,000
3,500
Back to Top3138
5c Yellow Brown (205). Horizontal pair, tied by cork cancels and used with China, 1885, 3ca Lilac, Rough Perf 12-1/2 (11; Chan 17), affixed to back and tied by blue Tientsin customs seal and "Customs Shanghai Feb. 26, 1887" transit circular datestamp on cover to Pawtucket R.I., blue "Customs Tientsin Feb. 12 87" double-circle datestamp, red "San Francisco Cal. Apr. 4" also ties China stamps as does arrival circular datestamp (April 12), light strike of "U.S. Postal Agency Shanghai" oval handstamp on front, stamps affected by toning from gum or additional adhesive, cover torn and repaired affecting one China stampA RARE CHINA SMALL DRAGON AND UNITED STATES MIXED-FRANKING COVER FROM TIENTSIN TO THE UNITED STATES VIA SHANGHAI.
During the winter months the port at Tientsin was blocked by ice, so mails were carried overland, a journey of approximately twelve days through occasionally unsafe territory. This entered the U.S. postal system at the U.S. Postal Agency in Shanghai.
Illustrated in Prize Selections from Rocpex Taipei 1981 on p. 88.
E. 5,000-7,500
0
Back to Top3139
6c Carmine (148). Tied by cork cancel, "San Francisco Cal. Oct. 3" circular datestamp on 1874 cover originating in Hong Kong and sent to Charleston S.C., endorsed "Vasco de Gama via San Francisco" at top left, seal on back "Russell & Co., Hong Kong, China", blue "Forwarded by Macondray & Co., San Francisco" oval backstamp, receipt docketing, some edgewear, stamp with faulty perfs at right, otherwise Fine, a very unusual use, the Vasco de Gama was a British steamship plying the trans-Pacific route, it arrived in San Francisco on Oct. 2 (copy of Shipping Intelligence accompanies)
E. 750-1,000
0
Back to Top3140
Covers from U.S. to China. Three, including two with No. 205 on cover to J.C.A. Wingate in Foochow, China, last is 2c paid reply card from New York to Hong Kong used in 1905, some wear, Fine group
E. 200-300
200
Back to Top3141
Manila, Philippines to Boston. Folded letter datelined "Manila 8 Jany 1861" to Boston, red "RUSSELL & STURGIS, MANILA" oval forwarder's handstamp, Hong Kong (Jan. 30), London (Mar. 16) and Boston (Ap. 1) backstamps, bold "Boston 45 Apr. 1" integral-rate circular datestamp, "40 Cents" for credit to G.B., light vertical file fold, Very Fine
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E. 300-400
475
Back to Top3142
Manila, Philippines to Boston. 1959 folded cover with red "RUSSELL & STURGIS, MANILA" oval forwarder's handstamp to Boston, Hong Kong (Nov. 28), London (Jan. 13, 1859), bold "45" handstamp for amount due from recipient, manuscript "40" cents credit to G.B., Very Fine, unusual with no Boston or other arrival marking
E. 200-300
350
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