Sale 1316 — United States Postal History
Sale Date — Tuesday-Wednesday, 19-20 March, 2024
Category — Ship Mail from China by Arranged by Port
1805 U.S. Consulate at Canton, China. Part-printed two-sided certificate declaring delivery of goods at the port of Canton, dated Oct. 10, 1805, and signed by William Jones (master) and William Blake (ship's mate) of the ship Ploughboy (sailing from Philadelphia), and by Edward Carrington, U.S. consular agent, with bold strike of red "American Consular Agent at Canton" circular handstamp with eagle and shield, folds and minor edgewear, reinforced along split at center, ex Mizuhara
Boston Ms. May 7 (1834). Red circular datestamp with matching "SHIP" handstamp and red manuscript "20-1/2" rate on folded letter datelined Canton, China, Jan. 15, 1834, from William Hunter to Julia Hunter, New York City, sender's directive "Neponset", letter mentions "We have never had so many departures for home…The hardest of the season however is over. We have now but 6 or 7 ships left…", Very Fine, ex Dr. Spicer
Boston Ms. Nov. 10 (1836). Red circular datestamp with matching "SHIP" handstamp and red manuscript "Free" crossed out and rated "20-1/2" rate on folded letter datelined "Turon Bay, Cochin China, May 21, 1836", from Samuel Lee to his father, Gideon Lee, New York City, first page of letter starts off "For a long time I have been an invalid labouring under the accumulated evils of the East Indian diarrhoea, the rheumatism and a complaint which you yourself better know (namely) Dyspoepsea... I am but barely able to crawl about the decks"—it continues with a new dateline "Macao Hospital, May 28th 1836" and notes that he had no way to send mail from Turon Bay, reports of cholera, will be heading home soon, etc.—all in all a delightful glimpse of world travel in the 19th century and a rare early letter from Turon Bay, Very Fine
3c Dull Red, Ty. I (11). Two, large margins to slightly in, deep rich color, tied by large "Paid" grid cancel, red "Boston Mass. 9 Aug." (1856) circular datestamp on Mar. 20, 1856 folded letter carried by clipper ship Argonaut from Canton, China, to Boston, forwarded to Sharon Springs N.Y., addressed to Augustine Heard by his nephew, sender's directive "Argonaut", clearly struck "SHIP 6" handstamp applied on arrival at Boston, Very Fine, rare use of the 1851 Issue to forward a clipper ship letter from China, ex Blake
New-York Jan. 13 (1815). Red circular datestamp with matching "SHIP" handstamp and red manuscript "27-1/2" rate—25-1/2c War of 1812 50% Surcharge Rate plus 2c ship fee—on folded letter datelined Canton, China, Sep. 23, 1815 from Jonathan Hartt to Caleb H. Snow, Providence R.I., sender's directive "pr. Brig Macedonian, Capt. Blackman", forwarded to Boston, manuscript "ford" notation and rate computation with additional 15c War of 1812 50% Surcharge Rate for a total of 42-1/2c due, Very Fine, an extraordinary War of 1812 Rate cover combining two different distance rates plus 50% surcharge and 2c ship fee that was not subject to the surcharge
NEW YORK DATESTAMP IS 1816
"Frigate Constellation, Whampoa, April 14th '42". Dateline on folded letter from a sailor on board the U.S.F. Constellation in Whampoa, China, to his father in Albany N.Y., red "New-York Sep. 19" (1842) circular datestamp, blue manuscript "12-1/2" rate, writer reports "We sailed from Macao on the 10th and on the 13th arrived at Whampoa anchorage... Our ship is the first American Man of War that was ever so far up Canton River", light soiling and edgewear, a historically significant letter sent from Whampoa by a U.S. sailor on board the U.S. Flagship Constellation—as reported in the letter, Commodore Kearney journeyed up the Pearl River and anchored off Whampoa, to begin negotiations at the end of the Opium Wars, the first time a U.S. naval vessel ventured above the Bocca Tigris forts
Missionary Letter from Macau, 1844. 3pp partly cross-written letter datelined "Macao Nov. 7th 1844" from Rev. W. S. Culbertson to his father in Chambersburg Pa. care of Walter Lowrie, New York City, carried outside the mails to New York, red "New-York Feb. 25" (1845) circular datestamp, blue manuscript "37-1/2" rate, neat receipt docketing, the letter describes journey and surroundings, characterizes the Chinese as "a very strange people" and describes the men with queue hair style, slight toning around folds, Fine, scarce missionary letter from Macau, Rev. Culbertson was on his way to Ningpo
"United States Ship St. Louis, Boca Tigris, Canton River, Novembr. 1844". Dateline on folded letter from Andrew Weir to his uncle in Columbus Miss., partly readable red New York circular datestamp, blue manuscript "27" rate, splits along folds and opening tear extends to top of address panel, clearly written and informative 3pp letter from a sailor on duty in the Pacific and Asia, outlines journey back to Norfolk, Fine, ex Dr. Spicer
New-York Ship 7cts Oct. 26 (1845). Red integral-rate circular datestamp on Apr. 25, 1845 blue folded cover to C. M. Wolcott, care of Lippincott Way & Wolcott, Philadelphia, sender's ship-name directive "Sappho", accompanied by a letter from Henry to his sister Mary, datelined Shanghai Apr. 25, 1845, but handwriting does not match address and we cannot be sure it belongs, Very Fine, ex Drucker and Dr. Spicer
Missionary Letter from Ningpo, China, to Brooklyn N.Y, 1849. Red "New-York Ship 7cts Feb. 1" (1850) integral-rate circular datestamp on folded letter datelined "Ningpo Sept. 20, 1849" from Rev. E. C. Lord to Rev. J. W. Sarles, Brooklyn N.Y., interesting letter regarding shipment of "Chinese curiosities" including "birds of paradise", Very Fine, a rare early letter from Ningpo
Boyd's City Express Post, Aug. 4, 4 O'C. Lightly struck oval datestamp on 5-page blue May 5, 1851 folded letter from O. E. Roberts in Shanghai, China, to Aaron Rand in New York City, sender's directive "Overland Marseilles", additional street address probably added in New York City before delivery by Boyd's, Fine strike on an attractive missionary letter, rare use of a local post to deliver mail from China
New-York Ship 7cts Sep. 23 (1851). Red integral-rate circular datestamp on folded cover from Hong Kong, China, to Philadelphia, wax seal of Rawle & Drinker with their letter enclosure dated Jan. 30, 1851, to Len & Blanchard, sender's ship-name directive "Lantuo", there is an odd smudged black marking on back that we cannot identify, Fine
New-York Ship 7cts Sep. 30 (1851). Bold integral-rate circular datestamp on cover from Shanghai, China, to Hingham Mass., addressed to Miss Adeline Thomas, sender's ship-name directive "Ship 'Carrington'", original letter from Helen E. Baylies datelined Shanghai Apr. 17, 1851, faint toning around cover edges, Very Fine, ex Dr. Spicer
Consignee's Letter per "Flyaway" from Canton, China, 1855. Folded letter from Augustine Heard Jr. to his father George in Ipswich Mass., datelined Canton July 12, 1855, sender's directive "Consignee pr 'Flyaway'", received at New York where "New-York Ship 5cts Nov. 2" integral-rate circular datestamp was applied, Nov. 3 receipt docketing and note at bottom of letter dated Nov. 7, Very Fine, this letter accompanied a shipment of goods and bill of lading, it was rated at 3c plus 2c ship fee for postage to Ipswich
Shanghai, China, to New York, 1858. Folded letter datelined Shanghai, Oct. 6, 1858, from Augustine Heard & Co. to Archer & Bell, New York, sender's directive "per 'Quickstep'", carried by the bark Quickstep from Shanghai Oct. 11, sailed around the horn and arrived New York Jan. 31, 1859, delivered by carrier department, bold red "Paid U.S. Mail City Delivery 1 Jan. 31" 1c integral-rate datestamp, slight wear and toning along file fold, otherwise Very Fine, unusual use of carrier to deliver mail from China
3c Dull Red, Ty. III (26). Horizontal pair tied by "New-York May 24, 1860" circular datestamp on cover from Shanghai, China, to Newport R.I., carried outside the mails by a ship owned by Olyphant, clearly struck red "Forwarded by Olyphant's Son & Co. New-York" oval handtamp, contemporary notation on back gives Shanghai origin and transport details, faint stain, Very Fine, unusual conveyance
Hong Kong to Stoneham Mass., 1861. Buff cover with red and blue stencilled Waving Flag Patriotic design, addressed to Mrs. Marcus L. Woodard, Stoneham Mass., sender's directive "Via Marseilles" and "Long may it wave" below flag, red "Hong Kong Paid C NO 29 61" circular datestamp, "Hong Kong C NO 29 61" backstamp, red crayon "2/1" and "2/2" rates, red London Paid datestamp (Jan. 13, 1862) and "16 Cents" credit handstamp, "N. York Am. Pkt. 5 Jan. 31" 5c due datestamp, barely reduced at right, same correspondence as lot 6018, which does not have the Hong Kong Paid datestamp
VERY FINE. AN EXTREMELY RARE USE OF AN AMERICAN CIVIL WAR PATRIOTIC COVER FROM CHINA DURING THE FIRST YEAR OF THE WAR.
Ex Myers.
Hong Kong to Stoneham Mass., 1861. Buff cover with red and blue stencilled Waving Flag Patriotic design, addressed to Mrs. Marcus L. Woodard, Stoneham Mass., sender's directive "Via Marseilles" and pointing hand "Postage paid", "Hong Kong C NO 14 61" backstamp, red manuscript "1/11" rate, red London Paid datestamp (Dec. 30) and "16 Cents" credit handstamp, "N. York Am. Pkt. 5 Jan. 24" 5c due datestamp, sealed tear at top left, otherwise Very Fine, an extremely rare American Civil War patriotic cover from China, same correspondence as lot 6017, which was delivered one week later and has the Hong Kong Paid datestamp
3c Rose (65). Target cancel, "New-York Oct. 3, 1862" double-circle datestamp on May 21, 1862 folded letter from George Heard in Shanghai, China, to his parents in Ipswich Mass., sender's directive "p Mandarin", carried outside the mails, mostly clear red "Forwarded by Weston & Gray New-York" oval handtamp on back, letter mentions a trunk was sent per Mandarin with a second trunk held for the Fairy due to a lack of available space, Very Fine, ex Dr. Spicer, with 1981 P.F. certificate
10c Green (68). Well-centered, tied by clearly struck "N.York Steamship" dateless circle and "Due 10" straightline handstamps on cover with printed address to Mrs. R. L. Law, Terre Haute Ind., trivial gum toning at top left corner of stamp, still Extremely Fine, the Law correspondence includes covers to Lieut. R. L. Law in Hong Kong, but this dates from the Civil War period when he was part of the blockading squadron
PHIL/30/MAR (1817). Red circular datestamp with matching "SHIP" handstamp and red manuscript "20-1/2" rate on folded letter datelined Canton, China, Dec. 9, 1817, from Jonathan Bowers to Brown & Ives, Providence R.I., sender's directive "Ship Clothier, Capt. Philipps", minor splitting along interior folds and small piece out of top right corner, still Very Fine, scarce early ship letter from China, ex Dr. Spicer
Canton, China, to New York via Philadelphia, 1834. Folded letter datelined Canton Apr. 16, 1834 from A. A. Low to his father, Seth Low, in New York City, sender's ship-name directive "Globe", an American merchant ship that took nearly six months to travel around the Cape of Good Hope and reach its destination port at Philadelphia, entered the mails with perfect bold red "PHILA./6/OCT" double-line framed datestamp and equally perfect matching red illustrated Full-Rigged Ship handstamp indicating ship letter status, red manuscript "27" rate (double 12-1/2c rate plus 2c ship fee), three-page letter regarding trade and shipping
extremely fine. a magnificent cover and widely regarded as the finest example of the philadelphia full-rigged ship marking in existence. one of the highlights of the magnolia collection.
This cover is illustrated in the Frajola-Perlman-Scamp book (p. 7), where it is described as one of the "most spectacular" ship letters extant and the only known example of the Philadelphia Full-Rigged Ship marking on a cover originating in China (there are a few others known). Although this illustrated handstamp is found on a fair number of covers, it is rarely struck with clarity. This strike shows every minute detail of the intricate woodcut engraving, including the trucks of the masts, shading and lines of the sails, and most of the portholes.
Ex Risvold.
Whampoa, China, to Salem Mass. via Philadelphia, 1834. Folded letter datelined Whampoa Apr. 5, 1834 from Henry Allen to his father, Capt. William Allen, in Salem Mass., sender's ship-name directive "pr Globe", an American merchant ship that took nearly six months to travel around the Cape of Good Hope and reach its destination port at Philadelphia, entered the mails with red "PHILA./6/OCT" double-line framed datestamp and mostly complete and sharp matching red illustrated Full-Rigged Ship handstamp indicating ship letter status, red manuscript "39-1/2" rate (double 18-3/4c rate plus 2c ship fee), one-page letter from a sailor bound for Hamburg, some wear around edges and folds, Fine, this was carried with the letter in lot 6022 on the same six-month journey of the Globe around the Cape of Good Hope—this illustrated marking is extremely rare on covers from China
Moulmein, Burma, to Whitingham Vt. via Philadelphia, 1834. Folded letter datelined Moulmein (Burma) Jun. 14, 1834 from N. Brown, a missionary in Burma, to his father, Rufus Brown, in Whitingham Vt., lightly struck "Forwarded by J. W. Roberts, General Commission Agent, Calcutta" framed handstamp on back, entered the mails with red "PHILA./8/DEC" double-line framed datestamp and matching illustrated Full-Rigged Ship handstamp indicating ship letter status, red manuscript rate, tape stains and toned, some, Fine, rare use of this marking on a letter from Burma
Shanghai, China, to Philadelphia, 1846. Folded letter datelined Shanghai, Feb. 12, 1846, from Wolcott Bates & Co. to Lippincott, Way & Wolcott, Philadelphia, sender's directive "p. Overland Mail via Marseilles" and "Care of Messrs. M. Hetherington & Co., London", blurry strike of "Hong Kong FE 24 1846" rimless datestamp on back, manuscript "1/10" rate, red London receiving datestamp (Apr. 20, 1846), earlier directives crossed out and redirected "p Boston Steamer" with "Forward by your obt. servt. M. Hetherington & Co. London, May 4, 1846" on back, red London Paid Maltese Cross datestamp (May 4) and manuscript "1/" prepaid packet rate—probably carried on the Cunarder Britannia, departing Liverpool May 5, 1846, arriving Boston May 21—blue "12" in double-line circle handstamp applied at Philadelphia, Very Fine
Hong Kong, China, to San Francisco, 1850. Bluish folded letter datelined "Victoria 21st October 1850" from Charles Weiss in Victoria, Hong Kong, to Rutte, Tissot & Co., San Francisco, sender's directive "pr. Prince" crossed out and redirected to "Oscar", carried outside the mails by the Norwegian ship Oscar, put into the post office as a drop letter and not as a ship letter, perfect strike of vivid orange-red "San Francisco Cal. 6 Jan." (1850) circular datestamp and "2" drop letter rate handstamp, receipt docketing on inside panel, small bleached spot in address
EXTREMELY FINE. A VERY EARLY TRANSPACIFIC LETTER FROM CHINA TO THE UNITED STATES AND EXTREMELY RARE APPLICATION OF 2-CENT DROP LETTER RATE ON SHIP MAIL RECEIVED AT SAN FRANCISCO.
Ex H. J. Baker, Haas and Bolton.
Singapore to San Francisco via Hong Kong, China, 1858. Light pink folded letter, a printed market report datelined "Singapore, 15th April, 1858," from the Borneo Company Ltd. to Daniel Gibb & Co., San Francisco, care of Gibb, Livingston & Co. in Hong Kong, sender's directive "p. Pottinger", mostly clear strike of "Singapore P.O. 15 Apr. 1858" double-circle datestamp on back, manuscript "4d" intercolonial rate, partly clear "Hong-Kong 24 AP 1858" datestamp on back, Hong Kong portion of address crossed out and redirected to go by the "Samuel Hendrikus", "San Francisco Cal. Jul. 9, 1858" circular datestamp and "Ship 6" clamshell handstamp
VERY FINE. AN EXTRAORDINARY AND VERY RARE LETTER FROM SINGAPORE TO SAN FRANCISCO VIA HONG KONG—CARRIED BY BRITISH MAIL BETWEEN POST OFFICES IN SINGAPORE AND HONG KONG, THEN BY A DUTCH SAILING SHIP TO SAN FRANCISCO.
The Borneo Company Limited was a major commercial network with branches in Singapore and Sarawak. This BCL market report was sent through the post offices in Singapore and Hong Kong, then by the Dutch bark Samuel Hendrikus, which arrived in San Francisco July 9, 1858 (Daily Alta California). The 4p intercolonial rate was paid in Hong Kong, and the 6c U.S. postage for a ship letter delivered at the port of arrival was paid at San Francisco.
Hong Kong, China, to San Francisco, 1857. Folded letter datelined Hong Kong, Sep. 26, 1857, from Turner & Co. to Daniel Gibb & Co., San Francisco, sender''s directive "p. Claramont", carried outside the mails by the British ship Claramont, "San Francisco Cal. Dec. 17, 1857" circular datestamp and "Ship 6" clamshell handstamp, interior writing visible, Very Fine, scarce ship letter from China to San Francisco as the final destination, thus subject to the 6c port-of-entry rate, evidenced by the distinctive clamshell handstamp
Hong Kong, China, to Boston, 1862. Bold strike of red "Per Pacific Mail Str." italic straightline handstamp on folded cover to John Heard, Boston, no date indicated except for pencil "1862" which might refer to content no longer with the cover, Very Fine, an unusual private route directive marking
3c Rose (65). Target cancel, matching "New-York Sep. 11, 1862" double-circle datestamp on blue folded letter from Shanghai, China, datelined "Shanghai June 22d 1862" from M. S. Culbertson to his mother in Shippensburg Pa., carried to New York and put into the post office there, receipt docketing at left with Shanghai origin noted, file fold clear of stamp, Fine
Shanghai, China, to San Francisco, 1863. Blue folded letter datelined Shanghai, Jan. 25, 1863, to Albert Dibblee, San Francisco, sender's "Via Hong Kong", carried on Ly-ee-moon to Hong Kong where lightly struck greenish blue "Forwarded by Wetmore, Cryder & Co. Hong Kong" oval handstamp was applied on back, additional directive "per 'Lotus'" and carried by that ship, "San Francisco Cal. Apr. 3, 1863" double-circle datestamp and "SHIP 5" handstamp, slight wrinkling and wax seal mark at center, Fine, scarce ship letter from China to San Francisco
Shanghai, China, to San Francisco, 1864. Partly clear strike of red "Shanghae Paid JY 21 64" circular datestamp and similar datestamp in blue (Jul. 21) on back of folded cover to W. H. Dow, care of Coleman & Co., San Francisco, sender's directive "Via Hong Kong", red crayon "4 4/8" rate—carried by the Dutch ship Cornelia on a 60-day voyage from Hong Kong, arriving October 3, 1864—clear strikes of "San Francisco Cal. Oct. 4, 1864" double-circle datestamp with "10" rate and "FOREIGN" straightline handstamps
very fine. an extremely rare use of the SAN FRANCISCO "foreign" straightline handstamp on a PRIVATE SHIP cover from china.
The markings on this cover reflect the San Francisco postmaster's misinterpretation of the ship letter rates in 1864. Effective July 1, 1864, loose letters carried by ships with a mail contract were subject to the 10c blanket ship letter rate. Letters received from ships without a mail contract were to be rated at double the domestic postage. This cover was carried by the Dutch ship Cornelia, which had no mail contract. Since it was addressed to the port of arrival, San Francisco, it should have been rated 4c due. Instead, the post office applied the 10c rate in error. The Frajola-Perlman-Scamp book (pp. 35-36) illustrates a cover from Japan with the same "FOREIGN" and "10" handstamps and describes it as the only one known from that country. The authors also state that the period in which the San Francisco postmaster applied the incorrect rate was from August 26 through November 6, 1864. The cover from China offered here fits in that time period.
Ex Mizuhara.
Hong Kong, China, to Honolulu, Hawaii, via San Francisco, 1866. Folded letter on blue Melchers & Co. Hong Kong stationery dated Hong Kong, Oct. 30, 1866, to Melchers & Co., Honolulu, Hawaii, "Melchers & Co. Hong Kong" oval handstamp, three 3c Rose (65) tied by target cancels, "San Francisco Cal. Jan. 31" (1867) double-circle datestamp, docketed with mailing date and Feb. 12, 1867 receipt date in Honolulu, file fold thru one 3c stamp, some toning around perfs and on cover, otherwise Fine—based on the Hong Kong Oct. 30 (1866), San Francisco Jan. 31 (1867) and Honolulu Feb. 12 (1867) dates, we surmise that this was carried on the British ship Viscata, departing Hong Kong around November 14, 1866, and arriving San Francisco Jan. 9, 1867, after a 56-day journey (Daily Alta California); it was part of a bundle of letters carried outside the mails until it reached San Francisco, where it was stamped with 9c triple-rate postage and postmarked Jan. 31, then carried by the American bark Cambridge, departing Feb. 2, 1867, and arriving Honolulu Feb. 12—an extraordinary and rare cover that traveled the Pacific eastbound from China to the U.S. and then westbound to Hawaii
Hong Kong, China, to Mazatlan, Mexico, via Wells Fargo & Co. in San Francisco, 1873. Bluish folded cover docketed "1873 Siemssen & Co. Hong Kong 27 Febry/73 Rc 16th April", addressed to J. Kelly & Co., Mazatlan, Mexico, bold blue "Wells, Fargo & Co. Mexican Route" oval handstamp and matching "COLLECT" framed straightline handstamp, blue crayon "2/-" (two bits = 25c) express charge, minor splitting along outer folds
VERY FINE. AN EXTREMELY RARE COVER FROM CHINA TO MEXICO, CARRIED BY WELLS FARGO & CO. FROM SAN FRANCISCO TO MAZATLAN.
Based on the Hong Kong February 27, 1873, origin date in the receipt docketing, this was probably carried by the PMSS China, which arrived in San Francisco on April 3 after a journey of 34 days, 17 hours (February 28 departure). Since it bears no postal markings, it must have been bundled with other letters in a package delivered to the Wells Fargo & Co. office in San Francisco. Wells Fargo carried it on their coastal water route to Mazatlan and collected 25c (two bits, indicated by "2/-" marking). This is an extraordinary routing of mail from China to Mexico through Wells Fargo.