Lot
762 
U.S. Despatch Agt, N.Y. (Care of), directive on reverse of cover addressed on same side to "His Excellency, James Buchanan, U.S. Minister at London", likely enclosed in another envelope and sent to the Despatch Agent in New York to be forwarded to London, front side initially addressed to Mrs. Henry D. Landis (Catherine, sister of General John F. Reynolds) in Philadelphia, franked with 1851, 3¢ dull red, two singles (11) tied by "San Francisco, Cal., Sep 13" cds; cover edge wear and missing top flap, F.-V.F., an early and unusual forwarded U.S. Despatch Agent usage from the west coast.Estimate $300 - 400.
This cover was likely sent by General John F. Reynold during his travels to or during his engagement in the Rogue River Wars in Southern Oregon and was forwarded on to James Buchanan in 1855-56.
Current Opening Bid: $150
Lot
763
United States Despatch Agent, B.F. Stevens, London, Au 4, 1866, clear strike of oval date stamp in black (type I) on reverse of "United States Consulate, Queenstown, Cork" imprint cover, addressed to Illinois C.R.R. Office in New York, Very Fine, this being the earliest known B.F. Stevens Despatch Agent marking and one of only two known in black.Estimate $500 - 750.
This marking was struck only 42 days after Benjamin Stevens was appointed as agent while living in London. The other oval in black was used two days later on the reverse of a mourning cover.
Current Opening Bid: $250
Lot
764
United States Despatch Agent, B.F. Stevens, London, Oct 22 1866, red type I oval date stamp on reverse of cover to Consul of the United States in Leipzig, Germany, franked with G.B. 1865, 6d violet (45) tied by "Charing Cross W.C., Oc 22, 66" duplex postmark, blue "England Per Aachen" transit date stamp; stamp with tear and edge toning, F.-V.F., an early use of the Stevens type I date stamp.Estimate $150 - 200.
The addressee, Timothy Y. Dickerson, was the founder of the "Waterloo Press" in Waterloo, Ind. was commissioned Consul at Leipzig by Abraham Lincoln on April 13, 1865 (the day before his assassination), a position he held for two years.
Current Opening Bid: $80
Lot
765
United States Despatch Agent, B.F. Stevens, London, Nov 12, 1866, red type I oval handstamp on cover addressed to "Hiram Sibley, Vice President of the Western Union Telegraph Company" in Rochester, N.Y., letter sent from St. Petersbugh, Russia by diplomatic pouch from U.S. Ambassador to Russia, General Cassius M. Clay to Stevens in London, posted through the mails with G.B. 1sh (since fallen off) tied by "London, No 12, 66" duplex postmark, red N.Y. exchange cds and "21 Cents" credit handstamp, pencil "Genl Clay" docketing at left; cover soiling and edge nicks at top, F.-V.F. appearance, a rare Despatch Agent usage from Russia, accompanied by photocopy of the original enclosure.Estimate $200 - 300.
The contents of this cover are located in the Hiram Sibley Family papers housed at the University of Rochester Library. The contents concerns Sibley's project to build a Trans Siberian Telegraph Line to connect Europe to America. That project became irrelevant by the successful completion of the Trans-Atlantic Cable in 1868.
Current Opening Bid: $100
Lot
766
United States Despatch Agent, B.F. Stevens, London, Jan 11 1870, red oval type II date stamp on cover addressed to the U.S. Frigate "Franklin" in care of Stevens in London, franked with 1869, 12¢ green (117) tied by "Evansville, Ind., Dec 27" cds and cork duplex, red "New York, Dec 30" exchange cds and London entry postmark, Very Fine, this cover left New York on January 3, 1870 after the rate had dropped to 6¢.Estimate $200 - 300.
Current Opening Bid: $110
Lot
767
United States Despatch Agent, B.F. Stevens, London, Mar 14 1870, perfect strike red oval type II date stamp on cover addressed to the U.S. Ship "Richmond" in the European Squadron, franked with 1869, 6¢ ultramarine (116) tied by "Washington D.C., Feb 28" cds and quartered cork duplex, red "New York, Mar 2" exchange cds and London entry cds' cover slightly reduced at right, Very Fine, a very attractive usage.Estimate $200 - 300.
Current Opening Bid: $110
Lot
768
United States Despatch Agent, B.F. Stevens, London, May 30, 1871, red oval type II date stamp on "Legation of the United States, Florence" corner card cover to Greenfield, Mass., sent under diplomatic pouch to Washington D.C., forwarded with blue "Department of State U.S.A." handstamp and "R.S. Chew" chief clerk free frank signature below, bold "Washington D.C., Free, Jun 14" cds, with original enclosure from envoy George P. Marsh providing exchange rates for Italian Lira, French Francs, British Pound Sterling and the U.S. dollar; cover tear at top and most of backflap missing, otherwise Very Fine.Estimate $150 - 200.
Current Opening Bid: $80
Lot
769
United States Despatch Agent, B.F. Stevens, London, May 30 1871, red oval type II date stamp on cover to the U.S. Consul in Piraeus, Greece, franked with Great Britain 1865, 4p vermilion, horizontal pair (43) tied by "London W.C., My 30, 71" duplex postmarks, transit and receiving backstamps, with two original enclosures; cover opening nick at lower right, Very Fine.Estimate $150 - 200.
Current Opening Bid: $80
Lot
770
United States Despatch Agent, B.F. Stevens, London, Oct 5, 1871, choice strike of red type II date stamp on oversized cover to the editor of The St. Cloud Journal in St. Cloud, Minn., sent by United States Minister at Stockholm Gen. C.C. Andrews with manuscript "Legation of the United States, Stockholm" endorsement at top, blue "Department of State U.S.A." handstamp with "R.S. Chew C.C." Chief Clerk free frank signature below, entered the mails with "Washington D.C., Free, Oct 18" cds; some cover edge wear and small tear at left, still Very Fine, a scarce diplomatic pouch usage from Sweden.Estimate $300 - 400.
Current Opening Bid: $150
Lot
771
United States Despatch Agent, B.F. Stevens, London, Dec 13 1871, red oval type II date stamp on "Consulate, United States of America, Dublin, Ireland" corner card cover addressed to Edward D. Neill in West Philadelphia, Pa., sent by diplomatic pouch to Washington D.C. and forwarded with blue straight line "Secretary of State U.S.A." handstamp and "R.S. Chew" free frank signature, partial "Washington D.C., Jan 2" cds, cover forwarded again to St. Anthony, Minn. with forwarding postmark at top; small sealed cover tear at top, Very Fine.Estimate $200 - 300.
Edward Neill was the assistant secretary to President Lincoln from 1864 to 1865 and remained at the White House as an aide to President Andrew Johnson. He later served as a diplomat in Dublin and educator at Minnesota's Macalester College.
Current Opening Bid: $100