ALBANY. Partly clear strike of straightline handstamp with matching "11/DE" (Dec. 11, 1773) Franklin mark on folded cover to London, England, manuscript "Albany 2:16" (2dwt 16gr) and "to pay 8" rates, mostly clear strike of "INLAND AND/PACKET POSTAGE" brownish-black two-line handstamp applied at New York with manuscript "1N8" due marking, "NEW-YORK" straightline handstamp and "15 DE" Franklin mark, neat "5/FE" London Bishop's mark, docketing indicates origin was Schenectady, trivial wear

VERY FINE. A RARE COLONIAL SHIP LETTER FROM NORTHERN NEW YORK TO LONDON, WITH ALBANY STRAIGHTLINE AND THE RARE "INLAND AND PACKET POSTAGE" HANDSTAMP. VERY FEW EXAMPLES OF THIS TRANSATLANTIC PACKET MARKING ARE KNOWN IN PRIVATE HANDS.

The folded cover has a large watermark at center. Additional docketing indicates the contents were read at a committee meeting in February 1774.

Carried by New York-Falmouth Packet on the Duke of Cumberland (Captain Mitchel), departing New York on Jan. 9, 1774, arriving Falmouth Feb. 3, 1774 (source: John Olenkiewicz)

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