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Sale 70: The Skywalk Collection

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Early Postal History - Maritime Mail and Special Rates

Lots 39-44

Lot 39    

1843 (Sep. 5) Halifax N.S. to Yarmouth N.S., datelined folded letter carried by private ship and entered mails with red "Yarmouth / Ship Letter" two-line handstamp and manuscript "5" d.cy. rating (ship letter tariff 1842 4d. stg.); central file fold, fresh and Very Fine.
Estimate    $1,500 - 2,000.

A SCARCE YARMOUTH SHIP LETTER HANDSTAMP USE.

Realized: $1,500

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Lot 40    

1846, 1850 Nova Scotia to Cape Breton, pair of folded letters comprising 1846 (Dec. 10) with "Arichat N.S., Paid" postmark with "Paid" crossed out and replaced by "DE 12" datestamp to Gut of Canso C.B. with manuscript "4½" d.cy. due rating for a ship letter; and 1850 (Sep. 19) Halifax N.S. to Sydney C.B. with manuscript "4½" d.cy. packet rating, endorsed "Per Steamer", F.-V.F. pair of letters.
Estimate    $300 - 400.

Better communications in the province were also achieved by ships linking coastal communities. In 1837, the first attempt was made to encourage the running of regular sailing vessels or steamers between the smaller ports in the province. The Legislative Council granted £100 annually for three years for a steamboat to carry the mail once a week between Windsor and Parrsborough, and Horton and Parrsborough, and £50 for the sailing of a schooner between Guysborough and Arichat touching occasionally at Fox Island and Canso.

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Lot 41    

1850 (May 8) Halifax N.S. to Truro N.S., folded cover with preprinted "On Her Majesty's Service" endorsement and "General Post Office, Halifax, N.S." return address, entered mails with "On-Post-Office-Business / Free" rimless circular postmark, signed by "A. Woodgate" and with his seal on reverse to C. Archibald, original Woodgate ALS datelined "General Post Office Halifax, May 8th 1850" reading in part "I have to acqaint you, that the Mail Service between Truro and Amherst, notice of which I transmitted for some time since and cancelled until further orders. Mr. Caldwell, according to his contract, will continue conveying these mails until the 5th of October…", Very Fine, ex-Argenti, Guggenheim; with 1984 B.P.A. certificate.
Estimate    $300 - 400.

The contents concerned the contract for the Coach Service between Truro and Amherst that was to be run by Caldwell until October 5th 1850 before the new contract would come into effect. Woodgate became Postmaster General in 1851 after previously holding the position under the jurisdiction of London that was limited to Deputy Postmaster General.

Realized: $650

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Lot 42    

1853 (Mar. 31) Halifax, Nova Scotia to Chester, England, cover with red "Halifax, Paid, Mar 31, 1853, Nova-Scotia" tombstone postmark and matching red "1" pence rating handstamp for the 1d soldier's letter rate, carried by Cunard Line Canada to Liverpool arriving Apr. 9th, red "America, Paid, AP 10 53, Liverpool" transit cds, blue Chester (4.10) arrival backstamp; cover wear and some paper loss, Fine and rare 1d soldier's letter use.
Estimate    $500 - 750.

This is the earliest recorded use of this Halifax "1" rating handstamp. The tombstone postmark is known used from July 9th 1839 to late 1866.

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Lot 43    

1861 (Mar. 11) Halifax N.S. to Yarmouth N.S., blue printed circular with rimless"Halifax, MR 11" origin cds and matching "1" cent due rating handstamp, clear strike of "Yarmouth N.S., MR14 1861" arrival backstamp, Very Fine.
Estimate    $300 - 400.

The Halifax "1" handstamp was originally introduced in 1854 used as one pence due, and continued into the cents era used as one cent due.

Realized: $260

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Lot 44    

1863-64, Registered Letter Wrappers, three comprising 1863 (Dec. 7) Shelburne to Yarmouth enclosing letter "From Calais", 1864 (Jan. 12) Shelburne to NE Harbour Way Office, and 1864 (Jan. 28) Halifax to Shelburne with different "Registered Letter." text, Very Fine trio with two different types.
Estimate    $500 - 750.

Realized: $625

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Lots 39-44

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