Sale 9053 — U.S. & Hawaii Postal History
Sale Date — Saturday, 9 May, 2026
Category — Naval Covers
U.S.S. President. Folded cover addressed to Lt. Thomas Gamble, U.S. Frigate President, Sandy Hook N.Y., red "New-York 13 Sep." circular datestamp (ca. 1810), Very Fine, the President was one of the original six frigates whose construction the Naval Act of 1794 had authorized and she was the last to be completed, her first duties with the newly formed U.S. Navy were to provide protection for American merchant shipping during the Quasi War with France and to engage in a punitive expedition against the Barbary pirates in the First Barbary War, she was captured by the British during the War of 1812
U.S.S. Washington. Two folded letters, written from and to the U.S.S. Washington, first datelined "U.S. Ship Washington, Gibraltar Bay, July 7th, 1816", to Boston Mass., partly clear strike of red circular datestamp with matching "SHIP" handstamp and "8" cents due, couple small edge tears, otherwise Very Fine, second letter addressed to Midshipman John Kelly aboard the Washington at New York, red "Phil 7 Jul." (1818) circular datestamp and manuscript 12½ rate, Very Fine, for most of her life as a U.S. Navy vessel the Washington operated in the Mediterranean as flagship of the American squadron, providing a display of force to encourage the Barbary states to respect American commerce
U.S.S. Constellation. Folded letter datelined "Septm. 1, 1819 U.S. Ship Constellation", addressed to Hingham Mass., "Norfolk Va. Sep. 2" circular datestamp and manuscript "25" cents rate, overall toning and some minor edge wear, otherwise Fine, U.S.S. Constellation was one of the original six frigates whose construction the Naval Act of 1794 had authorized, she was launched on Sep. 7, 1797 (second of the six), in her early life Constellation convoyed American merchantmen from before sailing under the command of Captain Thomas Truxtun for the West Indies in December 1798, On 9 February 1799, under the command of Truxtun, Constellation fought and captured the French frigate L'Insurgente, reportedly the fastest ship in the French Navy
U.S.S. Constellation. Folded letter datelined "U.S. Frigate Constellation at Sea, 26th October 1831", addressed to Navy Agent Boston, red "Norfk Va. 18 Nov" circular datestamp and matching "SHIP" handstamp, manuscript "27" cents rate for 25c plus 2c ship fee, some dampstaining, otherwise Fine, U.S.S. Constellation was one of the original six frigates whose construction the Naval Act of 1794 had authorized, she was launched on Sep. 7, 1797 (second of the six), in her early life Constellation convoyed American merchantmen from before sailing under the command of Captain Thomas Truxtun for the West Indies in December 1798, On 9 February 1799, under the command of Truxtun, Constellation fought and captured the French frigate L'Insurgente, reportedly the fastest ship in the French Navy
U.S.S. United States. Two folded letters datelined from the U.S.S. United States, mailed eleven years apart, first Aug. 5, 1829 to Philadelphia, without postmarks, slight wear along file fold and soiling, otherwise Fine, second datelined on the ship at Norfolk Va. on Mar. 1, 1840, to Philadelphia, red Norfolk circular datestamp and manuscript rate, Very Fine, United Sates was one of the original six frigates whose construction the Naval Act of 1794 had authorized, she was launched on May 10, 1797 and immediately began duties with the newly formed United States Navy protecting American merchant shipping during the Quasi-War with France, after a long career including the War of 1812, the Second Barbary War, the Mexican War and service onboard by an enlisted seaman named Herman Melville, she was abandoned at Norfolk in 1861 and briefly pressed into service by the Confederacy, before being sunk in the Elizabeth River to form an obstruction to Union vessels
U.S.S. Columbus. Folded letter addressed to "Midshipman John Kelly of the UN States Ship of War Columbus: to the Care of Comod. Tho. Tingey Navy Yard, Washington", red "Phil 12 Jan." (1820) circular datestamp and manuscript "12½" cents due, Very Fine, the Columbus was originally framed in 1814 but was burned by the British during the War of 1812 before completion, it was re-authorized and finally completed in March 1819, it was scuttled in 1861 at the start of the Civil War at the Norfolk Navy Yard by withdrawing Union forces, Thomas Tingey was originally an officer in the British Royal Navy, served in the Continental Navy, distinguished himself during the Quasi-War with France and at this time was Commodore of the Navy Yard
U.S.S. Vincennes. Folded letter datelined "U.S. Ship Vincennes, Lima Peru, July the 4th 1827", addressed to Wilkesboro N.C., manuscript directive "Pr Ship Gulnare", entered mails with red "New-York Dec. ?" circular datestamp and matching "SHIP" handstamp, manuscript 20¾ cents rate for 18¾ cents plus 2c ship fee, minor internal splits, Very Fine Independence Day use from a U.S. Navy ship in Peru and extensive time between writing and arrival in North Carolina, Vincennes saw lengthy service from 1826-65, including the 1839 Antarctic Wilkes Expedition and the Civil War
"USS Java". Manuscript docketing at top of folded letter datelined "Florence-Tuscany June 19th, 1829" to Petersham Mass., red "New-York Sep. 1" circular datestamp and matching "SHIP" handstamp, manuscript "20¾" due for 18¾ rate plus 2c ship fee, very minor edge nicks along fold, Very Fine, Java was built in 1815, was initially commanded by Oliver Hazard Perry and sailed to the Mediterranean, serving in the Second Barbary War
U.S.S. Natchez. Folded letter datelined "Poverty Ridge Feby. 23rd, 1830" and addressed to "Lt. H.H. Hobbs U.S. Ship Natchez, New York", "Athens A 1st March" (1830) manuscript postmark, forwarded back to Athens Ala. with red "New-York May 14" circular datestamp and matching "FORWARDED" boxed handstamp, manuscript "25/25" and "50" cents total rate, minor nick at top, Very Fine, the Natchez was built in 1827 and served in the West Indies Squadron
U.S.S. Peacock. Folded letter datelined "U.S. Ship Peacock, Colombo Ceylon, December 11th, 1835", addressed to sender's father in New York, blurry strike of red New York circular datestamp and "SHIP" handstamp, manuscript rate crossed out and "free" written at top, file folds and minor toning spots at bottom right, otherwise Very Fine, Peacock had an extensive history after launching in 1813, serving the War of 1812 where she captured 20 ships, combating Caribbean piracy and serving in the Pacific Squadron when this letter was mailed, she was wrecked on Columbia Bar in 1841
U.S.S. Boston. Folded letter datelined "U.S.S. Boston Pensacola Bay Sept. 28th, 1837", clear strike of "Pensa F. Oct. 1" Pensacola, Florida Territory circular datestamp and manuscript "25" cents rate, addressed to Princeton N.J., Very Fine and desirable use from Florida territory, U.S.S. Boston cruised on the West Indies (1836–39), East Indies (1841–43), and Brazil (1843–46) Stations, she joined Commodore Conner's Home Squadron blockading the Mexican east coast, while enroute to her new station, Boston was wrecked on Eleuthera Island, Bahamas, during a squall on 15 November 1846, although the ship was a total loss all hands were saved (source Wikipedia)
U.S.S. Vandalia. Folded letter datelined "U.S. Ship Vandalia Bay of Pensacola Dec. 8th, 1837", "Pensa F. Dec. 8" Pensacola, Florida Territory circular datestamp and manuscript "25" cents rate, addressed to Boston, slight wear along file fold at right, otherwise Fine and desirable use from Florida Territory, Vandalia was launched in 1828 and served in the West Indies, Home, Pacific and East Indies Squadrons before being re-commissioned for service in the Civil War in the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron
U.S.S. Boston. Folded letter datelined at Philadelphia on Feb. 20, 1837, addressed to "Lt. John Kelly U.S. Ship Boston, Pensacola Florida", blue "Philada Pa. Mar. 7" circular datestamp and magenta "25" cents rate, minor small waterstain at lower right, Very Fine, U.S.S. Boston cruised on the West Indies (1836–39), East Indies (1841–43), and Brazil (1843–46) Stations, she joined Commodore Conner's Home Squadron blockading the Mexican east coast, while enroute to her new station, Boston was wrecked on Eleuthera Island, Bahamas, during a squall on 15 November 1846, although the ship was a total loss all hands were saved (source Wikipedia)
U.S.S. Concord. Folded letter datelined "U.S. Ship Concord, Pensacola Bay 23d Feby. 1837", "Pensa F. Feb. 27" Pensacola, Florida Territory circular datestamp and manuscript "25" cents rate, addressed to Boston, toned central file fold, otherwise Very Fine and desirable use from Florida Territory, Concord was launched in 1828 and served until 1842, when she ran aground on a sandbar at the mouth of the Ligonha River in Mozambique, three crew members, including the Captain perished
U.S.S. Levant. Folded letter datelined "U.S. Ship Levant, off Navy Yard Pensacola Bay Apl. 2nd, 1840", "Pensacola Flor. Apr. 3" Florida Territory circular datestamp and manuscript "25" cents rate, addressed to Boston, Very Fine and desirable use from Florida Territory from the ill-fated Levant, she was launched in April 1838 and served in the Mediterranean, East India and Pacific Squadrons as well as the Mexican War, she was lost at sea in a hurricane in September 1860 with no survivors
U.S.S. Flirt. Folded letter datelined "U.S. Schr Flirt, Pensacola Harbor Nov. 7th, 1849", "Pensacola Flor. Nov. 7" statehood circular datestamp and manuscript "10" cents rate, addressed to Wall Street in New York, Very Fine, Flirt was commissioned in 1839 and saw service in the Second Seminole War and the Mexican War
Isaac Hull, Commander of the U.S.S. Constitution, "Old Ironsides". Folded letter from former Virginia Statehouse Speaker and Minister to England Andrew Stevenson, datelined at Richmond Va. on Feb. 19, 1842 and addressed to Commodore Hull, U.S. Navy, Boston, blue "Richmond Va. Feb. 19" circular datestamp and manuscript "50" cents rate, forwarded to New Haven Conn. with red "Boston Mass. Feb. 24" circular datestamp and matching "FORWARDED" straightline, manuscript "25" cents rate and "75" total, cover with edge erosion, includes original letter with interesting contents discussing the case of Captain W. C. Bolton, who was court-martialed on charges of disobeying orders from Commodore Hull by prematurely returning his ship, the U.S.S. Brandywine, from the Mediterranean to the U.S., letter includes "one of the House of Representatives from Massachusetts is still harping upon my letters to you about the Mediterranean Squadron", excellent historical content to Isaac Hull, who rose to national fame commanding the U.S.S. Constitution and winning the first major American naval victory against the British in the War of 1812, Constitution battered and captured the H.M.S. Guerriere on August 19, 1812, which earned the ship the nickname "Old Ironsides"
U.S.S. Brandywine. Folded letter datelined at Philadelphia on Nov. 14, 1839, addressed to "Lieut. John Kelly, United States Ship Brandywine, Mediterranean Squadron, Gibraltar", care of forwarder in Marseilles, blue "Philada Pa. Nov. 14" circular datestamp and "PAID" in lozenge, red "New-York Nov. 15" circular datestamp, red French entry datestamp and manuscript "13" decimes due, Paris transit backstamp, the letter is written mostly in diminutive script and is quite lengthy, Very Fine, Brandywine was formerly named Susquehanna and in 1825 conveyed the Marquis de Lafayette back to France after his tour of the U.S., she had a lengthy career and was finally destroyed by fire in 1864
U.S.S. Plymouth. Folded letter datelined "U.S. Ship Plymouth Port Mahone (Menorca, Spain) Nov. 30, 1844", addressed by Samuel Knox to his father Robert Knox, U.S. Navy (reached the rank of Captain), Charlestown Mass., red "Norfolk Va. Jan. 11" circular datestamp and manuscript "25" cents due, Very Fine, Plymouth was a sloop-of-war constructed just prior to the Mexican War, she traveled to Japan as part of Commodore Matthew Perry's effort to open Japanese ports to international trade, she also served in European and Caribbean waters, she was scuttled, raised, scuttled again and raised again during Civil War
U.S.S. Pennsylvania, James Barron. Signature on folded letter with good naval content to Commander (later Admiral) Andrew A. Harwood at Bordentown N.J., datelined from the U.S.S. Pennsylvania on Nov. 21, 1850, entered mails with "Portsmouth Va. Nov. 20" circular datestamp and "10" rate handstamp, couple minor soiling spots at edges, still Very Fine, the Pennsylvania was a large 130-gun ship of the line, at the time of commissioning she was the largest U.S. warship every built, she was authorized in 1816 but not launched until 1837 and by that time some of her gun technology was obsolete, her only cruise was a single trip from Delaware Bay through Chesapeake Bay to the Norfolk Navy Yard, she then became a receiving ship and was destroyed during the Civil War, James Barron was a prominent senior U.S. Navy officer and commanded a number of famous ships, including U.S.S. Warren, Essex, President and Chesapeake, in 1807 he was involved in the Chesapeake–Leopard affair, which resulted in the surrender of his ship to the British (they opened fire while searching for deserters, catching him off-guard) and his subsequent court-martial, the aftermath led Barron to a pistol duel with one of the officers who had presided over his court martial, Commodore Stephen Decatur, resulting in Decatur's death and Barron's wounding, Barron remained in the Navy, becoming senior officer in 1839 and serving until 1851
3c Rose (65). Tied by bold quartered cork, "Brooklyn N.Y. Dec. 30, 1863" double-circle datestamp on cover to Philadelphia, with "U.S. Steamer Union." illustrated corner card design, cover with edge tears, otherwise Fine and scarce design for this Civil War Blockading Squadron ship
Naval Library & Institute U.S. Navy Yard Boston. Mostly clear strike of ship-illustrated circular handstamp on back of 3c Pink entire to naval address at Charlestown Navy Yard Mass., cover with some slight edge toning, Very Fine appearance and rare, only a few of these handstamp markings are known and they are apparently all only fair to poor strikes, this one is identifiable and relatively clear
3c Rose (65). Tied by grid with "Portsmouth N.H. Apr. 7, 1863" double-circle datestamp on cover to Washington D.C. with "Navy Agency Portsmouth N.H. Official Business" oval corner card, reduced at right slightly into address, still Very Fine
1970-88 Bank Note Issues, Name-of-Ship Naval Covers. Nine covers with Large Bank Note stamps or from that era, with name-of-ship designations printed at top left, probably the most interesting is 10c on cover with U.S.S. Wachusett to Italy and forwarded to Switzerland, others include two different U.S. Flagship Hartford, others, mixed condition with some faults to be found but overall an interesting group of U.S. Navy ship-name covers
Stamped Naval Covers. 17 covers from 1851 Issue to Bank Notes, each relates to Naval subjects with name-of-ship designations on most, including 3c 1851 Issue on cover to Steamer Walker, two 3c 1857 to U.S.S. Mohican, few 3c 1861 including State of Rhode Island illustrated corner card to U.S.S. North Carolina, 3c 1861 on U.S. Receiving Ship Ohio corner card cover, 3c 1861 on U.S. Navy Yard Boston corner card (crossed out, stamp faulty), range of Bank Note covers mostly to named ships, mixed condition with some faults to be expected, overall Fine and interesting group
Stampless Naval Covers. Balance of 42 stampless covers, essentially all relate to a U.S. Navy ship, either sent to a ship with name designation or sent from a ship with a name designation in dateline, nice range of destinations and originations and a very wide range of different ships, earliest we note are 1819 Congress (one of the original six authorized by the 1794 Naval Act, faults or we would have made this an individual lot), 1831 Vandalia, 1831 Falmouth, 1832 John Adams, 1833 Warren, two 1830's Porpoise, then goes through 1850's and we note a couple 1860's, also a couple Navy related without ship designations, lots of good content no doubt as well, some faults to be expected but overall a fascinating group of Naval covers
Spanish-American War Era Naval Covers. Approximately 75 covers from late 1890's through early 1900's, nearly all are Naval-related and many contain name-of-ship designations, including a number illustrated, sailor's letter designations, corner cards, etc., stamp issues from 1890's including some Philippines, condition is mixed with faults to be found but there are a great many useful and attractive covers present, a collection that is best appreciated by viewing our website PDF
Spanish-American War Patriotic Cards. More than 50 used Patriotic postcards franked with issues between 1898 Bureau to Pan-American and 1902 issue, wide range of good designs with many on both sides, one huge card depicting Navy ships, others quite elaborate including a great caricature of Theodore Roosevelt, some minor faults but overall a Very Fine and desirable group, ex Diamond
1894-98 Bureau Issues, Spanish-American War Patriotics. 12 covers originally selected from the much larger group in the Diamond collection, each franked with a 1c or 2c stamp with a better Patriotic design, including "Uncle Sam's Roasted High Grade Coffee", Reunion of the States and Nation design, Eagle and Flag, other flags, military leaders, pasted-on designs and others, a couple covers with edge flaws but overall a choice group of better Patriotics
1898 Trans-Mississippi Issue, Spanish-American War Patriotics. Ten covers originally selected from the much larger group in the Diamond collection, bearing 1c-8c values plus some Bureau stamps, better Patriotic designs including flags, overall flag, shield, military leaders, President Grant, Uncle Sam and others, a fresh and very choice group of Patriotics bearing stamps from the Trans-Mississippi issue
U.S.S. Olympia, Hong Kong, May 30, 1899. Dateline on enclosure with fascinating contents, an officer writes of Admiral Dewey's refusal to meet with a U.S. Consul suspected of helping Aguinaldo, and of his spending time with Hobson the war hero and encloses Hobson's signature as a souvenir, with Hong Kong, 1891, 10c Violet on Red (44) also with second enclosure dated June 4, cover with tied by "Hong Kong JU 5 99" circular datestamp and used to Waco Tex., some splitting along folds of enclosure, cover with some insect wear, otherwise Fine, interesting contents, ex Diamond
Spanish-American War Patriotics from U.S.S. Annapolis. Five covers from a sailor aboard the Annapolis as the ship touched various ports, each a Patriotic design with flags in red and blue to Erastus Ga., stamp frankings include 2c Trans-Mississippi and three different foreign frankings from Trinidad, St. Kitts and St. Thomas, a few minor flaws but overall Very Fine and fascinating small group, ex Diamond