Sale 1316 — United States Postal History
Sale Date — Tuesday-Wednesday, 19-20 March, 2024
Category — Clipper Ship Mail from China
"Sea Witch" Clipper's Record-Setting Voyage to China and Back. Sender's manuscript ship-name directive on folded letter datelined "Canton Jany. 2d, 1849" and carried on the return trip of the Sea Witch's record around-the-world voyage to New York via the Cape of Good Hope, arriving at the port of New York on March 25, 1850, red "6" in circle due handstamp applied on arrival
VERY FINE. AN OUTSTANDING CLIPPER SHIP LETTER, CARRIED ON THE SEA WITCH ON ITS RETURN TRIP FROM CHINA IN 1849—THIS AROUND-THE-WORLD TRIP SET THE RECORD FOR A SAILING SHIP.
The Sea Witch was a famous American clipper ship that achieved the around-the-world record for sailing vessels on the voyage that carried this letter from China to the United States.
Illustrated in Frajola-Perlman-Scamp book (p. 9). Ex Risvold.
"Sea Witch" Clipper’s Record-Setting Voyage to China and Back. Blue folded letter datelined Canton January 2, 1849, from Paul S. Forbes to Dr. Ruschenberger (naval surgeon and author), Philadelphia, sender's directive "Sea Witch" and carried on the return trip of the Sea Witch's record around-the-world voyage to New York via the Cape of Good Hope, arriving at the port of New York on March 25, 1850, red "New-York Ship 7cts Mar. 26" (1850) integral-rate circular datestamp, neat receipt docketing, interesting content regarding legal matters with comment "Old Sen is more polite and accommodating to the Americans under the influence of our new policy..."
FINE. CARRIED ON THE SEA WITCH ON ITS RETURN TRIP FROM CHINA IN 1849—THIS AROUND-THE-WORLD TRIP SET THE RECORD FOR A SAILING SHIP.
The Sea Witch was a famous American clipper ship that achieved the around-the-world record for sailing vessels on the voyage that carried this letter from China to the United States.
3c Dull Red, Ty. II (11A). Large margin at left and top sheet margin, other sides slightly in, paying forwarding postage on folded letter from Canton, China, to New York City and forwarded to Newport R.I., datelined "Canton, 21st March 1852", addressed to Benjamin Newton in care of Gordon & Talbot, sender''s directive "pr. Raven" —carried from Canton to New York via Cape of Good Hope on the clipper ship Raven in 108 days—bold "6" in circle ship letter due handstamp applied at New York, 3c stamp tied by perfect strike of "U.S. Express Mail N.Y. N.York 7 Jul." (1852) circular datestamp, red crayon "5" appears to be a postage due charge, but the 3c stamp should have been sufficient, tiny scuff in address area just below "Care of"
VERY FINE. AN EXTREMELY RARE CLIPPER SHIP LETTER, CARRIED ON THE RAVEN ON ITS RETURN TRIP FROM CHINA IN 1852 AND FORWARDED WITH A 3-CENT 1851 ISSUE STAMP.
Clipper ship covers from China are very rare, and even fewer have stamps affixed. This 1851 Issue usage on an inbound letter from China is remarkable.
Ex Bilden and Risvold.
3c Dull Red, Ty. II (11A). Three large to huge margins including part of adjoining stamp below, touched at right, paying forwarding postage on folded letter from Canton, China, to New York City and forwarded to Newport R.I., datelined "Canton, 11 Novr. 1852", addressed to Benjamin Newton in care of Gordon & Talbot, sender's directive "p. Hornet" —carried from Canton to New York via Cape of Good Hope on the clipper ship Hornet's record-setting voyage of 60 days—bold "6" in circle ship letter due handstamp applied at New York, 3c stamp affixed over it and tied by "New-York Mar. 12" (1853) circular datestamp (partly lifted to reveal rate marking)
VERY FINE. AN EXTREMELY RARE CLIPPER SHIP LETTER, CARRIED ON THE HORNET ON ITS RECORD-SETTING RETURN TRIP FROM CHINA IN 1852-53 AND FORWARDED WITH A 3-CENT 1851 ISSUE STAMP.
The clipper ship Hornet was built by Westervelt & Mackay in 1851. During a voyage from New York to San Francisco in 1866, the ship caught fire and sank in the Pacific Ocean on May 3, 1866. The crew left the ship in three lifeboats. The captain's boat reached Hawaii on June 15, 1866, after 43 days at sea, with 14 survivors aboard. The other two boats disappeared. Mark Twain was visiting the islands as a correspondent and reported the survivors' accounts.
Clipper ship covers from China are very rare, and even fewer have stamps affixed. This 1851 Issue usage on an inbound letter carried from China on one of the most famous clipper ships is truly outstanding.
Dr. Chase notes on back (identifying 3c shade as Claret). Illustrated in Frajola-Perlman-Scamp (p. 10). Ex Risvold.
"Atalanta" Clipper's Record-Setting Voyage from China. Sender's manuscript ship-name directive "Atalanta" on cover with original letter datelined "On board Steamer 'Malta' June 23d 1852" from Augustine Heard Jr. to his mother in Ipswich Mass.—carried on the record 84-day voyage of the Atalanta from Canton to New York via the Cape of Good Hope, departing December 16, 1852, and arriving at the port of New York on March 11, 1853—mostly clear strike of "New-York Ship 7cts Mar. 11" integral-rate circular datestamp applied on arrival, pencil note on back "From my beloved son A. Heard Jr."
VERY FINE. AN OUTSTANDING CLIPPER SHIP COVER, CARRIED ON THE ATALANTA ON ITS RECORD-SETTING 84-DAY VOYAGE FROM CHINA TO NEW YORK IN 1852-53.
The Atalanta was an American clipper ship that made a record 84-day passage from China to the United States, arriving at New York on March 11, 1853, the postmark date on this cover. The Atalanta went ashore on the Roamer Shoals on March 10, and was assisted by steam tugs.
Ex White.
Shanghai, China, to Boston via San Francisco, 1852. Folded letter datelined Shanghai, October 23, 1852, from Russell & Co. to Wm. Appleton & Co., Boston, sender's directive "p. Palmetto via California", carried outside the mails by the bark Palmetto, blue "Forwarded by Macondray & Co. San Francisco" oval handstamp clearly struck on back, put into the mails with "San Francisco Cal. 16 Dec." (1852) circular datestamp and "10" due handstamp—carried on PMSS Tennessee to Panama, departing Dec. 16, and USMSC Illinois, departing Jan. 2, arriving New York Jan. 13
VERY FINE. AN EARLY letter from china to san francisco via the transpacific route, THEN BY UNITED STATES MAIL VIA PANAMA.
The Daily Alta California (Dec. 16, 1852) reported the arrival of the bark Palmetto at San Francisco after a 40-day journey from Shanghai. This letter was carried on that sailing and given to Macondray & Co., who immediately placed it into the mails for the Pacific Mail Steamship Co. sailing the next day (Dec. 16). It was sent as an unpaid letter with 10c postage charged to the addressee.
Ex Walske, with his exhibit page describing this as "Earliest known letter from China to San Francisco via the trans-Pacific route." It is not. An earlier letter is offered in this sale as lot 6026.
"Kate Hooper" Clipper's Voyage from China, 1857. Linen-lined cover to Crosby & Dibblee, San Francisco, red "Jas. Stephenson, Commission Merchant, Hong Kong" framed handstamp, sender's directive "Pr Clipper Ship Kate Hooper Capt. Jackson" and carried by the clipper Kate Hooper, arriving at San Francisco on May 5, 1857, clear strike of "San Francisco 5 May" (1857) circular datestamp and "Ship 6" clamshell handstamp, lightened waterstain
VERY FINE. A RARE CLIPPER SHIP COVER FROM CHINA TO SAN FRANCISCO CARRIED BY THE KATE HOOPER AND HANDSTAMPED WITH "SHIP 6" CLAMSHELL MARKING IN SAN FRANCISCO.
The Kate Hooper was a medium clipper ship of 1,488 tons built by Hunt & Wagner at Baltimore for J. J. Hooper in 1852. Captain John J. Jackson was the first commander until about 1862. The following text is from American Clipper Ships (Howe and Matthews, 1926): "Late in 1857, her freight of 600 coolies, bound from China to Havana, mutinied and several times tried to take possession of the ship before Anjer was reached. After leaving Gaspar Straits they had control of the 'tween decks and had fired the ship in three places. The officers restored order after shooting four and hanging one of the Chinamen. Captain Jackson was sick at the time and on Nov. 23rd asked a Dutch man-of-war to tow his ship into Melbourne. On arriving at Havana, the crew mutinied and the vessel was detained 11 days. The ringleaders were sent to the United States to be tried."
Ex Risvold.
"Starr King" Clipper's Voyage from China, 1857. Folded letter datelined Hong Kong, Oct. 6, 1857, from Turner & Co. to Daniel Gibb & Co., San Francisco, red "Jas. Stephenson" framed handstamp, sender's directive "per Starr King", carried outside the mails by the clipper ship Starr King (arrived Dec. 4), "San Francisco Cal. Dec. 5, 1857" circular datestamp and bold "Ship 6" clamshell handstamp, interior writing visible
VERY FINE. A RARE CLIPPER SHIP LETTER FROM CHINA TO SAN FRANCISCO CARRIED BY THE STARR KING AND HANDSTAMPED WITH THE "SHIP 6" CLAMSHELL MARKING.
The medium clipper ship Starr King was built by George W. Jackman at Newburyport, Massachusetts, in 1854 for Bates & Thaxter and Baker & Morrill of Boston. She was named for the popular preacher Thomas Starr King, who was active in Boston and later in San Francisco.
Ex Risvold.
"Starr King" Clipper's Voyage from China, 1857. Light buff cover originating in Hong Kong and addressed to J. Weston Brennan in Nevada Cal., sender's directive "pr. Ship 'Starr King'", carried outside the mails by the clipper ship Starr King on a 52-day journey from Hong Kong (Daily Alta California), "San Francisco Cal. Dec. 5, 1857" circular datestamp and "SHIP 5" handstamp, neat receipt docketing, Very Fine, a rare clipper ship letter from China to the West Coast—the medium clipper ship Starr King, named for the popular preacher Thomas Starr King, was built by George W. Jackman at Newburyport Mass. in 1854 for Bates & Thaxter and Baker & Morrill of Boston—ex Risvold
"Daring" Clipper's Voyage from China, 1858. Folded letter with duplicate datelined Hong Kong, Jan. 2, 1858, from Turner & Co. to Daniel Gibb & Co., San Francisco, sender's directive "p. 'Daring'", carried outside the mails by the clipper ship Daring on a 45-day journey from Hong Kong (Daily Alta California), "San Francisco Cal. Mar. 18, 1858" circular datestamp and "Ship 6" clamshell handstamp, letter with Opium War content, mentions "dull" trade partly due to "warlike operations" and the capture of Canton by British and French forces, interior writing visible, Very Fine, scarce clipper 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 Mazatlan, Mexico, via San Francisco, 1861. Blue folded letter datelined Hong Kong, Sep. 14, 1861, from Siemssen & Co. to Charles Woolrich, Mazatlan, Mexico, care of Lemmen Meyer, San Francisco, sender's directive "pr. N. B. Palmer", carried outside the mails by the clipper ship N. B. Palmer, "San Francisco Cal. Oct. 31, 1861" double-circle datestamp and "SHIP 5" handstamp, neat docketing with Nov. 18 receipt date, scattered bleached spots, otherwise Very Fine, an extremely rare letter from China to Mexico via the U.S. post office in San Francisco, the N. B. Palmer was a famous clipper ship built in 1851 by Westervelt & Mackay for A. A. Low & Bro.—her nickname was "The Yacht"—this letter was rated 5c due as a ship letter, it was evidently sent outside the mails to Mazatlan (there is no rate or markings indicating postal transmission)