Lot
3069 
1820 (Dec. 14) London, England to Philadelphia Pa., datelined folded letter being an invoice for books shipped from Liverpool, endorsed via forwarder and sent unpaid, exceptional bold strike of olive green "Ship. Atlantic * W. Matlock * Sailed Decem. 17" purser name-of-boat handstamp, carried by Ship Atlantic from London Dec. 17th to New York arriving Feb. 19th, red "New-York, Feb 19" cds and "Ship" handstamp with red manuscript "14½" for 12½¢ inland postage plus 2¢ ship fee; expertly restored cover tear through front, otherwise F.-V.F. Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.
ONE OF ONLY THREE RECORDED "SHIP ATLANTIC, W. MATLOCK" PURSER NAME-OF-BOAT HANDSTAMPS STRUCK IN OLIVE GREEN, ALL USED ON THIS SAILING ONLY.
By the 1820s American lines sailing regular schedules sprung up in many eastern U.S. ports. Intense competition for cargo and passengers was evident in newspaper advertisements. Name-of-ship markings provided additional advertising.
Letter to the publisher and bookseller Matthew Carey, a revolutionary, close friend of Benjamin Franklin and John Adams, and early advocate of strong naval power as a necessary role of federalism.