Sale 37: The Westpex Sale

Lot 2500    

New York to Bridgetown, Barbados. Entire dated "New Yorke agust ye 26th 1686" and addressed to a merchant in Bridgetown, Endorsed "P Mr. Thurland", presumably the master of the vessel carrying the letter, Very Fine and rare.
Estimate    $1,000 - 1,500.

Realized: $4,500

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Lot 2501    

Boston to Rotterdam 1693. Early transatlantic folded letter by private ship, probably enclosed in a packet of letters as there are no postal markings or ship name. Commercial letter from fur and pelt dealer John Borland to the merchant Andrew Russell at Rotterdam, Very Fine.
Estimate    $750 - 1,000.

Realized: $950

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Lot 2502    

17th Century Private Ship Letter, Boston to Rotterdam, Holland. Entire dated "Boston 16th April 1696" and addressed to Rotterdam merchant, Endorsed "These P Mr. Henry Hill Q.D.G." (being Latin abbreviation for "whom God preserve")., Very Fine.
Estimate    $750 - 1,000.

The pelt and fur merchants Joseph Bridgham and John Borland write "This comes to you pr the Brigantoon Ffriendship, Henry Hill master: whom we have ordered to touch at the Scots firth & take the first opportunity of Convoy to Holland".

Realized: $1,000

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Lot 2503    

Charleston to London 1704/5, Postally Rated. Folded letter detailing the vicissitudes (death and fire) of attempting to build up a plantation. Sent by Elizabeth Hyrne in South Carolina to her brother Burrell Massingberd in London, where a very fine example of that office's bishop mark was struck and the letter was rated "2" (pence collect) for local delivery. The address panel is endorsed (Per) Capt. John Flavel Q.D.G., Very Fine.
Estimate    $600 - 800.

Note that no "Captain's Penny" was added to the postage to be collected, as that gratuity did not become law until 1711 when the Post Office Act of Queen Anne was promulgated.

Realized: $725

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Lot 2504    

Charleston to Dublin via Kinsale. Entire dated "Charles-Town March 25th 1710", Landed at Kinsale on 4th June (early use of KINSALE stamp), Endorsed "By Capt. William Wilson Commander of the Friends Adventure of London Derry Q.D.P." Atlantic transit of 64 days, some light aging, Very Fine.
Estimate    $1,500 - 2,000.

Realized: $2,000

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Lot 2505    

South Carolina to London of 1748. Part letter sheet from the Massingberd plantations arriving London 15th April and charged 4d. to London plus 1d. Masters Penny to receive the manuscript "5" total charge. Endorsed "pr Capt. Pike W.G.P." (Whom God Preserve)., fresh and Very Fine.
Estimate    $200 - 300.

Realized: $210

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Lot 2506    

1756 Early Packet Letter, London to Philadelphia via New York. Folded cover docketed London 3d March 1756, date of arrival not shown (Benjamin Franklin had just been appointed Postmaster for North America and had not yet introduced his version of the Bishop Mark). Prepaid 1/- packet post to New York, where a very fine strike of that city's two line "NEW/YORK" was applied and the cover rated "3" pennyweight internal postage due at Philadelphia; slight toning along file fold, Very Fine.
Estimate    $1,000 - 1,500.

The regular monthly packet from Falmouth to New York was finally established by the General Post Office in 1755.

Realized: $2,000

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Lot 2507    

Private Vessel "Duke of York" 1761, South Carolina to London. Datelined St. John's Parish Oct 2, 1761 and backstamped with London Bishop Mark of 14/JA (1762). All indications are that London was the port of arrival, so the "3" pence charge would be one penny captain's gratuity plus two pence for London delivery. There is a slight chance, however, that the letter was landed within 80 miles of London and rated 3d single sheet rate; light tone spots, otherwise Very Fine.
Estimate    $300 - 400.

Realized: $240

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Lot 2508    

Falmouth Packet "Pitt" 1764 to New York. Folded letter docketed London February 11 : 1764, prepaid five shillings (manuscript P5N) for a weight not exceeding 1¼ ounces. Endorsed by sender "Pr Pitt Paq/Capt. Goddard". Very fine 11/FE London bishopmark on reverse; slight soiling, otherwise Very Fine.
Estimate    $400 - 600.

Realized: $350

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Lot 2509    

London to Norfolk, Virginia via Falmouth and New York. Entire with postscript "Kept till the 10th January 1767". Charged 1 Shilling packet rate (manuscript "1/N" annotation for "1 in all"). A Colonial endorsement of "6" for the inland charge New York to Norfolk was applied at New York. Departed London 10th January to arrive New York 31st March. Atlantic transit of 50 days, cover with large mended tear, otherwise Very Fine.
Estimate    $400 - 600.

Realized: $300

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