Lot
346 
1840 (May 16) London, England to Digby, N.S., G.B. 1d Mulready lettersheet to Henry Stewart, Postmaster at Digby, with two strikes of red London "G, Paid, 16 MY 1840" tombstone and matching "PUT IN: AFTER / 7 o'CLOCK AT NIGHT" double-framed handstamp, endorsed "pr. Unicorn Steamer - Via Liverpool" and "If too late per first steamer" at left, bearing G.B. 1840, 1d black, plate 1a (1), 13 singles, each tied by red Maltese cross and additional strike cancels Mulready, prepaid 1s4d as a double ship letter (two Penny Blacks fell off from opening the Mulready), missed the Unicorn and carried by Black Ball Line North America departing Liverpool May 24th to New York arriving Jun. 26th, red "New York 'Ship' Jun 26" cds and manuscript "102" rating ($1.02) as 1oz. quadruple letter over 400 miles to Robbinston plus 2¢ ship fee, blue "St. Andrews, N.B." star cds and manuscript "AP 5/½" American Postage cy. conversion rating plus "BP 3N - " British postage to N.S. totalled to "8N½" due rating; some stamp flaws including one torn from opening, some light staining and reinforced faults, Very Fine appearance, ex-Yates, Meroni, Wellburn, Hahn and Grunin.; with 1998 B.P.A. certificate. Estimate $75,000 - 100,000.
A REMARKABLE MULREADY - PENNY BLACK USE, THE EARLIEST RECORDED USE OF GREAT BRITAIN'S FIRST ISSUE TO BRITISH NORTH AMERICA.
The sender hoped this letter would make the maiden voyage of the "Unicorn", which departed May 16th on the First Transatlantic Voyage of the Cunard Line in anticipation of a feeder service she would perform between Pictou, Nova Scotia and Quebec and to insure facilities were ready at Boston for the inaugural mail voyage of the line in July 1840. It was posted too late and was sent by the Black Line sailing ship "North America" instead.
Realized: $60,000