Sale 989 — 2010 Rarities of the World
Sale Date — Saturday, 19 June, 2010
Category — British Postal Agency in New York
PAID AT NEW-YORK. Exceptionally clear strike of British Postal Agency's Crown-Circle handstamp on folded letter addressed to "Sir Charles Adam KCB, Commander in Chief", red "NEW-YORK AP 23, 1842" British Postal Agency double-circle datestamp on back next to "Forwarded by Richard S. Tucker New York" oval handstamp with manuscript "25th April", red crayon "1/-" rate, light strike of yellow cancel next to crowned circle marking, manuscript "Rec'd at Havana 7 May", small central toned spotVERY FINE. ONE OF THREE RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THE "PAID AT NEW YORK" CROWN-CIRCLE HANDSTAMP, ONLY TWO OF WHICH ARE AVAILABLE TO COLLECTORS. THIS IS THE LATEST USE.
The Crown-Circle markings were applied by the British postal agent on letters carried by the British Royal Packet service. All three recorded examples of this marking were carried on the Havana and North American route, which lasted from January to September.
The recipient, Sir Charles Adam, was a highly decorated naval officer, serving as rear admiral, First Naval Lord and on the Admiralty Board. After leaving the Board he was commander-in-chief of the North American and West Indies Station aboard the H.M.S. Illustrious, a post he held from August 17, 1841, through December 28, 1844. It is during this brief period that the cover offered here was sent.
The other two recorded examples are: 1) Feb. 12, 1842 folded letter used from New York to Mexico, carried on the steamer Clyde, routed thru the Bahamas instead of thru Cuba, ex Glassco (Robson Lowe Nov. 25, 1969 sale), and 2). March 5, 1842, folded letter to the Sandwich Islands (Hawaii), followed the same route as the first, but continued to Mazatlan where forwarded by the U.S. Consul (institutional holding).
NEW-YORK MY 11, 1842. Clear strike of British Postal Agency's red circular datestamp on light blue folded cover from Mazatlan, Mexico to London, England, neat "America L" handstamp and also "Forwarded by Meyer & Stucken, New York" oval handstamp, red London transit, origin indicated by docketing, light vertical file folds, small piece out of back from openingVERY FINE. A RARE EXAMPLE OF THE BRITISH POSTAL AGENCY'S NEW YORK DATESTAMP ON A COVER FROM MEXICO TO ENGLAND.
This cover was carried outside of the mails from Mexico to New York, where it was placed into the British Packet mails. It was carried aboard the Cunarder Caledonia from Boston. It is believed that five examples of this marking exist. The cover offered here makes an outstanding companion to the previous lot in this sale.