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Sale 92: The Summer Sale

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Transatlantic Mail by R.B. Forbes & Co. & American Steamship Lines

Lots 940-944

Lot 940    

(TransA - R.B. Forbes & Co.) 1845 (Dec. 18) London, England to New York N.Y., folded letter with London red "Paid, 18 DE 18, 1845" framed postmark and rimless "Paid Ship Letter, London, 18 DE 18, 1845" oval with red manuscript "8" pence prepaid rating, late fee marking on reverse, carried by R.B. Forbes & Co. Massachusetts from Liverpool Jan. 21st 1846 to New York arriving Mar. 4th, entered U.S. mails with New York manuscript "6" cents due rating for incoming ship fee to port of arrival, Very Fine use on the final return voyage of the Massachusetts.
Estimate    $300 - 400.

The "Massachusetts" ran only two round voyages before she was sold to the U.S. Navy in 1847. This letter was carried on the final return voyage. A mistaken London Times advertisement of 18 Dece. 1845 reported the next day sailing of Massachusetts, that prompted the posting of this letter, presumably at the last moment as there is a boxed London late fee marking on the reverse. The steamship was enroute to Liverpool at the time, a week and a half out. London held letter for the next sailing.

Realized: $325

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Lot 941    

(TransA - R.B. Forbes & Co.) 1846 (Jan. 17) London, England to New York N.Y., folded letter with red "Paid Ship Letter, London, 17 JA 17, 1846" rimless crowned oval and London red Paid (1.17) Maltese cross postmark with manuscript "8" pence prepaid for outgoing ship fee, carried as endorsed on Massachusetts from London Jan. 21st to New York Mar. 4th, New York manuscript "6" cent due rating for ship letter fee, Very Fine, This was the Final Return Voyage.
Estimate    $300 - 400.

Although "Massachusetts" made only two round voyages, all but one of the covers recorded were carried on the second return voyage to the U.S., as was this one.

Realized: $260

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Lot 942    

(TransA - Black Ball) (Freight Money) 1848 (Apr. 4) New York, N.Y. to Leghorn, Tuscany, blue folded letter with pencil "25" cent prepaid rating for freight money fee, carried by Black Ball Line United States from New York Apr. 8th to Liverpool arriving Apr. 22nd, "Liverpool Ship, 22 AP 1848" and London (4.23) backstamps, red "Detained for Postage" framed handstamp and letter held until foreign fees paid, prepaid red manuscript "2/1" rating upon payment and forwarded to Sardinia, Boulogne (5.13) transit cds, "12" crazie due rating, Very Fine, ex-Winter.
Estimate    $750 - 1,000.

CARRIED ON THE MAIDEN VOYAGE OF THE BLACK BALL LINE "UNITED STATES" FROM NEW YORK TO LIVERPOOL.

Freight money fee (pencil on left side) paid when letter taken to steamship agent office and put directly in mail bag without going to post office. Rare freight money cover from New York showing fee payment and rare steamship voyage.

Realized: $675

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Lot 943    

(TransA - Black Ball) (Discriminatory Rate) 1848 (May 16) London, England to Petersburg Va., folded letter with partial "Fenchurch St" straightline handstamp and red manuscript "1/-" shilling prepaid discriminatory rating, London (5.16) red cds and Liverpool (5.17) diamond datestamp, carried by Black Ball Line United States from Liverpool May 17th to New York arriving May 31st, red "New-York
'Ship 12cts' May 31" cds, F.-V.F., Letter carried on maiden return voyage of Black Ball Line United States. One of three recorded covers carried on this voyage., ex-Winter.
Estimate    $750 - 1,000.

THE ONLY RECORDED AMERICAN NON-CONTRACT STEAMSHIP COVER RECORDED SHOWING THE DISCRIMINATORY PACKET RATE.

Realized: $800

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Lot 944    

(TransA - Black Ball) (Freight Money) 1848 (Jun. 9) New York N.Y. to Francomont, Belgium, folded letter endorsed per "United States", showing pencil "25" cent prepaid rating for freight money fee, carried by Black Ball Line United States from New York Jun. 10th to Havre arriving Jun. 24th, red Havre (6.24) entry cds and manuscript "16" décimes debit rating, Verviers (6.26) backstamp, light horizontal fold, Very Fine, Scarce non-contract steamship letter to Belgium showing seldom seen freight money accounting at New York, ex-Winter.
Estimate    $500 - 750.

Letter taken to Black Ball Line agent and 25¢ freight money fee paid (marked in pencil, upper left corner). Letter did not enter U.S. mail, so no inland fee paid. French marked letter for 16 décimes postage due (10 décimes to France and 6 décimes to Belgium).

Realized: $650

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Lots 940-944

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