Terms of SaleBid IncrementsGradingLinksContact

Sale 83: Gems of Philately

Table of Contents

United States Postal History

Lot 47    

1860 (Sep. 15) Jaffa, Syria to West Chester Pa., orange buff cover with "Jaffa, Syrie, 15 Sept. 60" origin cds and blue French Post Office Jerusalem cross circular handstamp, endorsed "Via French & British Mails / Jerusalem, Sepr. 13th 1860." at top left, reverse with number of French transits including "Alexandrie, Egypte" (9.30) and Paris a Calais (10.11) cds, red framed "Am Serv." handstamp, bold strike of "Boston '60' Oct 29" integral-due cds, original letter datelined "Mount Lion 9 Mo. 13th 1860" from Warder Cresson, accompanied by long bio and commentary on him, fresh and Very Fine.
Estimate    $2,000 - 3,000.

THE ONLY TRANSATLANTIC COVER THAT WE HAVE SEEN BEARING THE JERUSALEM CROSS.

Warder Cresson was the first U.S. Consul to Jerusalem, appointed in 1844, but was almost immediately recalled. He would become the subject of intense notoriety throughout the United States when, in 1852, his family would lodge a charge of lunacy against him, resulting in a Sheriff's Jury rendering a verdict of insanity. The charge was that Warder, a Christian, had voluntarily converted to Judaism and been circumcised. The verdict would be appealed, contesting the idea that determining one's religious preference was not a right of free choice in America. The accompanying letter was sent less than two months prior to his death, replying to a friend concerning a variety of mutually shared religious interests.

Email Sale 83 - Lot 47 to a friend

Required fields are marked *

A link back to Sale 83 - Lot 47, along with its description, will be appended to your message.