Sale 989 — 2010 Rarities of the World
Sale Date — Saturday, 19 June, 2010
Category — French Packet Service, 1783-1788
Lot
Symbol
Photo/Description
Cat./Est. Value
Realized
2
P. Le Courier de l'Europe./capt:CORnickNew-York. Clear strike of two-line handstamp on folded letter datelined "Philadelphie le 13 Dece. 1784" and addressed to Epernay, France, carried on Le Courier de l'Europe from New York on December 31, 1784, arriving at L'Orient on January 17, 1785, forwarded to Paris (internal notation dated at Paris, February 7, 1785), manuscript "26" sols due marking crossed out and re-rated "36", manuscript "Deb. d'Epernay" on back, small piece out of flap (clear of marking), short sealed tear just into "New"VERY FINE. THE ONLY RECORDED EXAMPLE OF THIS FIRST ROYAL PACKET MARKING WITH THE "CAPT. CORNICK" INSCRIPTION. AN IMPORTANT ARTIFACT OF 18TH CENTURY TRANSATLANTIC MAILS.
Two types of markings are known on mail carried by the French Royal Ship Agency's Le Courier de l'Europe on separate trips from New York to L'Orient: the marking offered here with "capt:CORnick", and a similar marking that reads "Le Courier de l'EUROPE/New York*16 Juin 1785". This is the only recorded example of the "Capt. Cornick" version.
E. 7,500-10,000
8,500
3
Le Courier La Martinique/New-York.15 Jan.1785. Two-line handstamp clearly struck on back of folded double-sheet letter datelined "Philadelphie Le 12 Janvier 1785" and addressed to Messrs. Roux Brothers in Marseille, France, "PAID" straightline handstamp applied in Philadelphia, manuscript "2" (dwt) rate to New York, carried on the first return trip of the Courier La Martinique from New York to L'Orient on January 15, 1785, manuscript "50" sols double-rate due markingVERY FINE. THIS IS THE ONLY RECORDED EXAMPLE OF THE "LE COURIER LA MARTINIQUE" FRENCH ROYAL PACKET MARKING, WHICH WAS APPLIED IN NEW YORK ON MAIL CARRIED DURING ONE TRIP BY THE COURIER LA MARTINIQUE. AN IMPORTANT EARLY TRANSATLANTIC COVER.
The Courier La Martinique made two round trips between New York and L'Orient in 1784 and 1785. This is the only recorded cover with the "La Martinique" marking.
E. 7,500-10,000
15,000
Back to Top4
COL*PAR/L'ORIENT. Readable strike of two-line handstamp on folded cover to Bordeaux, France, receipt docketing indicates origin at Philadelphia on May 25, 1784, original ship routing crossed out and re-routed "P the Polacre Le Caprice", manuscript "18" sols due marking, J. J. Berard's endorsement on back dated at L'Orient on July 23, 1784, received July 29, Very Fine, an extremely rare eastbound Royal French Packet cover
E. 400-500
700
Back to Top5
PAQ. L'ORIENT. Straightline handstamp and additional "Port Paye a L'orient*" straightline on folded letter datelined "St Quentin le 23 May 1784" and addressed to Philadelphia, manuscript "20" sols prepaid rate marking on back along with endorsement of J. T. Berard datelined "L'Orient le 20 Juin 1784", receipt docketing "le 10 7bre" (Sep. 10), carried in 41 days on the second voyage of the French Royal Ship Agency's Courier de L'Orient from L'Orient to New York, manuscript "2" (dwt) rate from New York to PhiladelphiaVERY FINE. AN OUTSTANDING WESTBOUND ROYAL FRENCH PACKET COVER WITH THE "PORT PAYE A L'ORIENT" PREPAYMENT MARKING.
The "Port Paye a L'orient*" straightline marking is exceedingly rare.
E. 2,000-3,000
4,000
Back to Top6
PAQ. L'ORIENT. Lightly-inked but readable strike of straightline handstamp with "Port-Paye De L'Orient" fancy framed prepayment handstamp on greenish folded letter datelined "L'Orient 20 Novr 1784" to Philadelphia, carried by the French Royal Ship Agency's Courier de l'Amerique on its third voyage, departing from L'Orient on December 1, 1784, and arriving in New York on January 18, 1785 (49 days), manuscript "20" sols prepaid rate marking on back, receipt docketing dated January 20, 1785, Very Fine, a rare westbound French Royal Packet cover with the fancy "Port Paye De "L'Orient" marking
E. 1,500-2,000
3,500
Back to Top7
PAQ. L'ORIENT. Clearly struck straightline handstamp, faint strikes of "B" (Bordeaux) and "P.P. Bordeaux" (Port Paye) circular handstamps on folded letter datelined Bordeaux 29 Janvier 1785" and addressed to Philadelphia, sender's endorsement "franco L'orient", manuscript "12 Double" and "24" on back, carried on the fourth voyage of the French Royal Ship Agency's Courier de l'Europe, departing from L'Orient on March 23 and arriving in New York on April 29, 1785 (37 days), manuscript "6" (dwt) due, re-rated "2/8" due in local currency (6dwt=18p x 1.67 inflation factor=30p plus 2p carrier fee, or 2sh8p), April 30 receipt docketing, Very Fine, rare combination of markings on this westbound French Royal Packet cover
E. 1,500-2,000
2,600
Back to Top8
PAQ.L'ORIENT. Clearly struck straightline and "Port Paye De L'Orient" fancy framed handstamp on folded letter datelined "Bordeaux 22 Mars 1785" and addressed to Philadelphia, sender's endorsement "franco L'orient", manuscript "38" sols on back, carried on the second voyage of the French Royal Ship Agency's Courier La Martinique, departing from L'Orient on May 1 and arriving in New York on May 28, 1785 (27 days, the fastest crossing of the French Royal Packets), manuscript "6" (dwt) due, re-rated "2/8" due in local currency (6dwt=18p x 1.67 inflation factor=30p plus 2p carrier fee, or 2sh8p), May 31 receipt docketing, slightly toned file fold, still Very Fine, rare and clearly struck combination of markings on this westbound French Royal Packet cover
E. 1,500-2,000
2,600
Back to Top9
PAQ.L'ORIENT. Incredibly bold strike of straightline handstamp, faint strike of "P.P.P.P." (upside down at top) and "P.PAYE" handstamps on folded letter datelined "Marseille 1st Augst. 1785" and addressed to New York, carried on the fourth voyage of the French Royal Ship Agency's Courier de New York, departing from L'Orient on September 30, and arriving in New York on November 13, 1785 (45 days), manuscript "40" sols prepaid rate marking on back, manuscript "2d" (dwt) due, Very Fine, a magnificent strike of the "Paq. L'Orient" straightline
E. 1,500-2,000
2,600
Back to Top10
PAQ.L'ORIENT. Clearly struck straightline handstamp on folded letter datelined "Rotterdam le 4 Aoust 1785" and addressed to Philadelphia, endorsed "affranchise pour L'Orient" and "Franco Nieuw York", meaning full payment was made in the Netherlands, carried on the fourth voyage of the French Royal Ship Agency's Courier de New York, departing from L'Orient on September 30, and arriving in New York on November 13, 1785 (45 days), manuscript "2" (dwt) due, November 15 receipt docketing, Very Fine, a rare example of French Royal Packet mail originating in another country (and marked "prepaid")
E. 1,500-2,000
3,250
Back to Top11
PAQ.L'ORIENT. Clear strikes of straightline and "P.P.P.P." handstamps on folded letter from Leghorn, Italy, datelined "Livorne 22 Juillet 1785" and addressed to Philadelphia, probably routed through Dunkerque, as it has a faint strike of straightline and notation in dateline (see next lot), sender's routing "P. L'orient", carried on the fourth voyage of the French Royal Ship Agency's Courier de New York, departing from L'Orient on September 30, and arriving in New York on November 13, 1785 (45 days), manuscript "38" sols prepaid rate marking on back, manuscript "2" (dwt) due, Very Fine, a rare French Royal Packet cover originating in Italy
E. 1,500-2,000
4,750
Back to Top12
PAQ.L'ORIENT. Bold strike of straightline handstamp, faint strike of "P.P.P.P." and "DUNKERQUE" handstamps on folded letter addressed to Philadelphia, carried on the sixth voyage of the French Royal Ship Agency's Courier de New York, departing from L'Orient on November 6, and arriving in New York on December 27, 1786 (51 days), manuscript "38" sols prepaid rate marking on back, manuscript "2" (dwt) due, re-rated "1/-" due in local currency (2dwt=6p x 1.67 inflation factor=10p plus 2p carrier fee, or 1sh), Very Fine, carried on the last French Royal Packet sailing from L'Orient (the Second Agency Royal French Packet sailings were made from Le Havre)
E. 1,500-2,000
4,000
Back to Top13
PAQ. L'ORIENT. Straightline handstamp clearly struck on folded letter datelined "Amsterdam Augt 3, 1786" to New York, sender's routing "Via L'Orient pr French Packet", no indication of receipt date but believed to have been carried on the French Royal Ship Agency's Courier de l'Europe, departing L'Orient on September 24, and arriving in New York on October 22, 1786 (28 days), manuscript "2" (dwt) due, Very Fine, some private ship letters were marked "Paq. L'Orient", but the endorsement on this strongly suggests French Royal Packet service
E. ` 1,000-1,500
2,100
Back to Top14
PAQ. NEW YORK. Mostly readable straightline handstamp on folded cover from New York to Paris, France, red "20" sols due marking on back, red "NEW-YORCK/PAR LE HAVRE" two-line handstamp and "27" sols due, Fine, extremely rare French Royal Packet cover during the Second Agency with ships departing and arriving through Le Havre
E. 1,000-1,500
1,700
Back to Top15
P. PAYE PARIS. Red straightline and "P" in triangle handstamps on folded letter datelined "Paris le 2 Fevrier 1788" and addressed to Philadelphia, carried on the eighth voyage of the French Second Royal Ship Agency's Courier de L'Orient, departing from Le Havre on February 27, and arriving in New York on April 17, 1788 (50 days), manuscript "20" and "7" sols prepaid rate markings on back, manuscript "2" (dwt) due, re-rated "9d" in local currency, April 18 receipt docketing, Very Fine, carried on the last voyage of the French Royal Packet before the line was discontinued
E. 1,000-1,500
3,250
Back to Top16
P.F. DE NEW YORK. Straightline handstamp on back of folded letter datelined "New York 16 February 1793" and addressed to Havre de Grace, France, red "Amerique Septentrionale P. L'Orient" double-circle handstamp, manuscript "1" crossed out and re-rated "30" sols, Very Fine, probably carried on one of the DuBois packets under contract with the French government, the Le Suffren departed New York on March 15, 1793, and arrived in L'Orient on May 15, examples of such mail are very rare
E. 1,000-1,500
1,300
Back to Top17
Herout & de Handel Line. Three folded letters carried on this short-lived French Packet line (in service June 1847 to February 1848): Aug. 14, 1847, from New York to Paris via Cherbourg with blue "PAQ. REG." framed handstamp, carried on first return voyage of the Philadelphie, the only mail to receive this marking, received Sep. 3; Nov. 8, 1847, from Natchez Miss. to Paris via Le Havre on the New York and Feb. 5, 1848, from New York to Reims via Le Havre on the Missouri (last voyage of the line), latter two with blue "Le Havre Paq. Reg." arrival datestamp, Very Fine, extremely rare
E. 1,000-1,500
1,300
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