Terms of SaleBid IncrementsGradingLinksContact

Sale 108: The Westpex Sale

Previous ChapterTable of ContentsNext Chapter

Colonial Postal History

Lots 1117-1126

Lot 1117    

1741 London to Philadelphia via Boston, folded letter addressed to John Kinsey Esq., Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Province of Philadelphia, rated "B.Sh 7.16 dwt. gr.", endorsed "via Boston pr. Capt. Shepherdon" at bottom left, from "Richard Partridge, London, 2 missing only. 1st" agent of the Pennsylvania Assembly of Quakers and a close associate of Benjamin Franklin, Very Fine.
Estimate    $400 - 600.

Realized: $290

email this lot to a friend

Lot 1118    

1766 From Falmouth, England to New York, packet boat folded letter sheet from Dungannon, Ireland via London to Falmouth, England and New York for John Reynell, merchant in Philadelphia from Thomas Green, with manuscript "post-paid 1s10d" & "2" above black straight line "Dungannon", red "Post Paid" in circle applied as a Philadelphia receiving marking, reverse with "New York" two line handstamp with "29 Ja" Bishop mark and "26 Ap" Franklin mark; some edge wear, F.-V.F.
Estimate    $500 - 750.

Realized: $800

email this lot to a friend

Lot 1119    

1767 London to Philadelphia, folded letter sheet to Israel Pemberton "per Packet", London bishop mark "4 Mr" and Franklin mark "12 Ma" with matching two line New York handstamp, manuscript rating on front, from "David Barclay & Sons, London 3 March, 1767"; some allover toning, otherwise Very Fine.
Estimate    $200 - 300.

Realized: $180

email this lot to a friend

Lot 1120    

1768 Philadelphia, Pa. to Westover, Md., folded letter sheet to "Joseph Pemberton, at Philip Thomas's" with red two line "Phila, Delphia" handstamp and rated "2/6" in manuscript, docketed "From My Father I. Pemberton, received June the 6th 1768"; some light toning, F.-V.F.
Estimate    $500 - 750.

email this lot to a friend

Lot 1121    

1769 Talbot, Md. to Philadelphia, folded letter sheet with red manuscript Talbot & 2.16 rating, sent to John Cadwalador in Philadelphia, Postmaster in Philadelphia took exception with the rating as one sheet and doubled rate by adding another 2.16 totaling 5.8, from Edwd. Lloyd Esq., Apr 9th, 1769; some edge nicks, Fine.
Estimate    $400 - 600.

Realized: $250

email this lot to a friend

Lot 1122    

1770 Boston to Philadelphia, folded letter sheet from Martha Petett to Israel Pemberton, red straight line "Boston" and matching "23 Fe" Franklin mark, rated "4 dwt" and docketed "21st 2nd mo. 1770", Very Fine.
Estimate    $200 - 300.

Realized: $160

email this lot to a friend

Lot 1123    

1774 Penzance, England to Philadelphia, Pa., folded letter sheet addressed to John Pemberton with manuscript "1/-" rating "25 Ap" London bishop mark, straight line "New York" transit handstamp and "6 Jy" Franklin mark with manuscript "2" rate, red Philadelphia "Post Paid" in circle handstamp and manuscript "Post Paid 1N4", docketed "Penzance 4th Mo. 1774, From Charles Gwaway", Very Fine.
Estimate    $750 - 1,000.

Realized: $500

email this lot to a friend

Lot 1124    

1774 Philadelphia, Pa. to Newport, R.I., folded letter sheet addressed to John Pemberton "at Joseph Jacob's", with red two line "Phila, Delphia" handstamp and matching "22 Oc" Franklin mark, docketed "from my brother Israel, rec'd at Fivertown, 11 Mo. 9th"; some missing and flap separations, F.-V.F.
Estimate    $500 - 750.

Realized: $700

email this lot to a friend

Lot 1125    

1775 American War of Independence, folded letter datelined "Boston 1st, October, 1775" from British Col. Samuel Cleaveland to Leigh, England, with manuscript "5" rating and straight line "Portsmouth, Ship Lre" handstamp, letter with interest content regarding the ongoing American RevolutionFrom the various accounts you must have received of the situation of our Army, I dare say you are anxious for the safety of your old acquaintance, indeed though things are not so agreeable as we could wish, yet we are not in such a plight but to command some respect from the Rebel Enemy, they surround us it is true and excepting by sea we have no way to get out of this town but attacking them behind their strong works, and to gain them at present would not be of great advantage unless we has a sufficient number to pursue to blow, therefore we must be satisfied to remain here this Winter not very peaceable for I fancy but a few days will pass without exchanging a few shot but at too great distance to do much execution. Possibly the inclemency of the weather may force them to retire, great uneasiness is among them and nothing but the most palpable falsehoods can at present keep them together, we are deprived of fresh provisions, yet we found means to get a good supply for the hospitals, and your friend is in no want, wood we have but little but I hope we will receive a good supply of coals from England otherwise this good town will be half demolished, in short Great Britain has not a foot of ground in these provinces that she can command nor do I see when will end. I am certain not without we have a powerful supply and they meet with a most severe check.; some small cover edge tears at top, Very Fine.
Estimate    $2,000 - 3,000.

Boston itself was besieged for almost a year during the siege of Boston, which began on April 19, 1775. The New England militia impeded the movement of the British Army. Sir William Howe, then the commander-in-chief of the British forces in North America, led the British army in the siege. On June 17, the British captured the Charlestown peninsula in Boston, during the Battle of Bunker Hill. The British army outnumbered the militia stationed there, but it was a pyrrhic victory for the British because their army suffered irreplaceable casualties.

Complete images:
View gallery or Download PDF (1.7MB).

Realized: $3,250

email this lot to a friend

Lot 1126    

Colonial Cover Group, 1748-74, three folded letters; 1748 Philadelphia, Pa. to London, England (Pemberton correspondence.) with "1N5" rating, 1770 New Town to Philadelphia, pa. with conversion "1/7" local currency rating, and 1774 Philadelphia to New York forwarded to Rhode Island with red two-line "Phila, Delphia" handstamp on reverse; some usual toning and ageing, F.-V.F.
Estimate    $400 - 600.

Realized: $525

email this lot to a friend

Lots 1117-1126

Previous ChapterTable of ContentsNext Chapter