Lot 3029
1774 (Sep. 3) Philadelphia Pa. to Poole, England, datelined folded letter with red clear strike of red "PHILA/DELPHIA" two-line backstamp on flap and matching red "6 SE" Franklin mark, endorsed "p Packet via New York" at bottom left, "NEW-YORK" straightline on other flap with light strike of "7 SE" Franklin mark over Philadelphia straightline, red manuscript "To pay 1/" rating for double-rate debit to London for colonial inland postage, carried by packet Mercury from New York Sep. 8th to Falmouth arriving Oct. 8th, London "11/OC" bishop mark backstamp and matching "INLAND AND/PACKET POSTAGE" two-line handstamp on front with manuscript "3N" postage due for inland plus two-times packet postage, re-rated "3N8" 3sh8d due for 8d inland to Poole, beautifully written letter concerns contains a draft of "Durham Lands" divisions and sales; wear and small paper loss on one flap which does not affect any markings, splitting along folds, Very Fine and rare colonial packet letter, ex-Hahn.Estimate $4,000 - 6,000.
AN EXCEPTIONAL PACKET LETTER WITH MARKINGS OF THREE CITIES, INCLUDING ONE OF ONLY EIGHT RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THE LONDON "INLAND AND PACKET POSTAGE" HANDSTAMP.
Six types of London postmarks denote unpaid American and packet postage. All are rare.
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Realized: $5,000