Lot
2540 
New York - Bordeaux - Morges. Two covers; Entire dated "New York 19th June 1812" and sent as a Ship Letter via Bordeaux to Morges, Switzerland, located 8 miles west of Lausanne on Lake Geneva. A file note on reverse gives the date of receipt as the 9th August 1812, total time in transit being 50 days.Duplicate letter also dated 19th June 1812 but in a different hand The arrival date of this is given as the 21st September 1812, this would indicate that the vessel carrying this letter did not leave New York until some time later than the original letter. The probable reason being the need to avoid the British naval blockade of New York., Very Fine.
Estimate $400 - 600.
Realized: $500
Lot
2541
War of 1812 - The Declaration of War. Folded letter (in English) from Bordeaux to Paris, dated 28 July 1812 and enclosing a transcript of the New York Morning Post June 20 story that Congress had that day passed a declaration of war. Letter from the master of "a fine brig" (not otherwise identified) declaring that he and three other vessels were loading and awaiting further news from America; light wax seal stain at center, Very Fine. Estimate $400 - 600.
Realized: $400
Lot
2542
Military Letter Written at Ceuta Bay, Spanish Morocco, 1812, carried to Gibraltar to connect with the Gibraltar-Falmouth. Packet to England, nice strike of the scarce "GIBRALTAR" in arc, charged 1/11d packet post plus 9d. inland postage (less 1d. rebate), a very interesting letter from a naval officer to his relative regarding the War of 1812; slight fold splitting at top and small tear at bottom, otherwise Very Fine. Estimate $400 - 600.
Realized: $550
Lot
2543
Liverpool to Bath, Maine via Wiscassett 3rd August 1812. Entire dated "Liverpool 3d August 1812" to Bath and endorsed "Pr Brig Romulus Via Wiscassett" and carried as a Ship Letter arriving Wiscassett 30th September.Charged 10 cents being 2 cents ship letter plus 8 cents inland. Letter states "In my last dated 31t July per Ceres Capt. Webber via Boston I informed you I expected to follow in about a fortnight - and on the same evening an express arrived in town from London with the official news that the American Government had declared war against this country, and that an embargo was laid on all American vessels in port, and orders given to British cruisers to capture bring in and detain all American vessels. Total transit of 58 days; some light toning, F.-V.F. Estimate $300 - 400.
Realized: $675
Lot
2544
Liverpool to Bath, Maine via Boston - 12th August 1812. Entire dated "Liverpool 12th August 1812" endorsed "Pr Roxana Capt. Blake Boston" arriving Boston 29th September. Charged 19 cents being 2 cents Ship Letter plus 17 cents Inland. Letter states "Since writing you last which was by the Romulus to Wiscassett dated 3d inst informing you of our being embargoed and that we were again released and permitted to take in cargo and proceed home and, so barely have I been engaged in accomplishing that part that I have scarcely had time to eat or sleep, much less to write…" Total transit of 48 days; light toning and wear on left edge, F.-V.F. Estimate $300 - 400.
Realized: $800
Lot
2545
Ship Letter Dublin - Boston - Utica, N.Y. of June 1812. Entire dated "June 8th 1812" carried as a ship letter by the Sally to Boston arriving there to receive that offices "SHIP" and "BOSTON - MS / AUG / 4" datestamp. This being 18 days after war was declared. Addressed to Utica, New York and charged 2 cents ship letter plus 17 cents inland giving "19" cents., Very Fine. Estimate $150 - 200.
Realized: $475
Lot
2546
New York - Kirkwell, Orkney Islands of February 1813. Entire dated "New York February 10th 1813" carried privately to enter the British posts at Liverpool receiving the "LIVERPOOL / 14 MY 14 / 1813 / 206" datestamp. Charged 1/3d. being 4d. ship letter plus 11d. inland to Kirkwell. Part of the content of the letter: "Dear Uncle I Received your letter of the 28 of June last which gives me great pleasure in finding you were well. I have not had any opportunity to write you since I received your letter until now this goes in a flag of truce to Liverpool", Very Fine. Estimate $750 - 1,000.
Realized: $1,350
Lot
2547
Ship Letter London - Portsmouth, N.H. - Philadelphia of May 1813. Entire dated "London 17 May 1813" carried by the St. Lawrence as a ship letter landed at Portsmouth, New Hampshire to receive that offices "SHIP" and "PORTSMOUTH N.H. / JUN 27" stamps. The letter includes the following: "…. By the Pacific Cartel arrived at Lisbon from New York, we have received you esteemed favor of the 8th February…." Charged "22" cents being 2 cents ship letter plus 20 cents inland Portsmouth to Philadelphia; corner wear at top, F.-V.F. Estimate $150 - 200.
Realized: $1,050
Lot
2548
Ship Letter England - Newport, Rhode Island - New York of May 1813. Part entire dated "Barton House Febry 11th 1813" and landed at Newport, R.I. to receive that offices "SHIP" and "NEWPT R.I. / MAY / 15". Text of letter includes "I hope we shall be more in the way of knowing when vessels are going. We only heard of this opportunity yesterday which has hurried us much". At Newport the letter was rated at "36" cents being 2 cents ship letter plus 2 x 17 cents inland., Very Fine. Estimate $150 - 200.
Realized: $850
Lot
2549
War of 1812 and Aftermath. 1814 folded letter from Stromness, Orkney Islands, to Portsmouth, New Hampshire from stranded sea captain who had been bound for Surinam, but "by stress of weather in sailing into this port the pilot got me on the rocks" and "uncertain whether this will come to hand as all the ports in the US are in blockade.". In fact, an entire year passed before it finally reached America, the War was over, but postage rates had been increased 50% to replenish the U.S. treasury. Landed at "N L" (New London, Connecticut) and rated "Sh27½" for 2 cent ship fee plus 17 cents postage plus 8½ cents surcharge on postage only; some cover faults and minor separation, but rare and evocative, Fine. Estimate $500 - 750.
Realized: $525