Lot
2550 
Ship Letter Havana - New Providence - Portsmouth, N.H. - Philadelphia of May 1813. Entire dated "Havana 8th April 1814" to Boston where it received that offices "SHIP" but no arrival date stamp as the letter was for delivery in port of entry. Charged 6 cents being 2 cents ship letter plus 4 cents delivery in town of landing. Writer states of his arrival at Havana "I am happy to inform you of our safe arrival here yesterday - after detaining us ten weeks in New Providence. They released ship and cargo, ship paying costs - about $1200 Dollars.", Very Fine. Estimate $75 - 100.
Realized: $350
Lot
2551
"Per D?Prins Van Orange Capt Ysis" Norfolk, Virginia - Deal 1814. The Prins Van Orange took the Minister (Ambassador) for the Netherlands from Amsterdam to Boston in the summer of 1814 under a Flag of Truce as a neutral vessel. On the Prins Van Orange?s return to Amsterdam the vessel, again under a Flag of Truce, made land fall at Deal, Kent to drop letters and probably passengers and freight. The entire shown is dated "Norfolk Aug 11th 1814" and was sent under separate outer to Boston to be endorsed "Boston Aug 30. 1814. Recd & forwarded by Yost Plimpton, Marett & Dorr" to be put onto the Prins Van Orange. Addressed to Ayr, Scotland and struck with the "Ship Letter / Crown / DEAL" (Tabeart S7 last recorded use). Weak London transit on reverse and routed through Glasgow arriving there 22nd October 1814.; cover tear at top, F.-V.F. Estimate $2,000 - 3,000.
Total Postage due on delivery shown as "4/6½", actual treble letter rate charge being:-
Ship Letter 4d.
Deal - London - Glasgow - Ayr 545 miles (1/3d. x 3) 3/9d.
Scottish border wheel tax ½d.
Total actually due should have been 4/1½d.
Realized: $4,250
Lot
2552
Norfolk, Virginia - Jamaica - Ayr, October 1813 to March 1814. Entire dated "Norfolk Oct 5th 1813" but not able to leave America until February 1814 where it arrived in Jamaica to receive the fleuron stamp for 11 February 1814. Carried by the Falmouth Packet from Kings Town and routed directly to Ayr via Glasgow to receive the "GLASGOW / 20 MARCH 1814 / 405 - G" stamp. Charged on delivery 2/6½d. being: Jamaica Falmouth Packet 1/3d. Inland (excluding 1d. rebate) 1/4d. Wheel tax ½d; slight edge wear at top, otherwise Very Fine. Estimate $400 - 600.
Realized: $400
Lot
2553
War of 1812, Three Page Letter from the Admiralty Praising Sailors and Marines. , and Discussing Plans to Downsize the British Navy, letter dated April 1814, offers a different and somewhat surprising point of view regarding that little-studied conflict, light toning and wear, F.-V.F. Estimate $400 - 600.
Realized: $290
Lot
2554
Naval Vessel to Portsmouth. Entire dated "HMS Asia Jany 27th. 1815 Near New Orleans" from Capt. (Royal Marines) John R. Mascall who had participated at the ill fated British attack on New Orleans on the 8th January. This was 2 weeks after the Treaty of Ghent had been signed and therefore an unnecessary battle. Britain lost 2,000 soldiers including the two Generals leading the attack against a total US loss of 14. Letter landed at Portsmouth to receive the "SHIP LETTER / Crown / PORTSMOUTH". Addressed to the Government Paymasters at Hatton Garden, London and charged 1/2d. being 6d. ship letter plus 8d. to London. A portion of the text is transcribed: "I have the pleasure to acquaint you of my safety after the attack on the City of New Orleans, the particulars and disaster I shall not to presume to enumerate, the public accounts will sufficiently evince the event.", Very Fine.
Estimate $600 - 800.
Realized: $2,200
Lot
2555
War of 1812 Surcharge Rate, Ship Letter from Amsterdam to Providence via New York. 1815 wrapper landed at New York and rated 78½ cents to collect as a triple sheet: three times 17 cents inland postage (51 cents) plus 50% surcharge (25½ cents) plus ship fee (2 cents), Very Fine. Estimate $400 - 600.
Note that the 2 cent ship fee was not surcharged. However, in the case of ship letters delivered at the port of arrival the entire 6 cent charge was uprated to 9 cents. By law only the postage was to be surcharged, but this was not well understood and exceptions are often seen.
Realized: $325
Lot
2556
War of 1812 Postal Surcharge, Ship Letter Demerara to Alexandria, Virginia August 1815. Folded cover file noted "Demerara, 4th July 1815" addressed to Philadelphia and landed at Alexandria, Virginia August 18th to receive that offices "SHIP" stamp. Carried from British Guiana "via Barbados". Charged "39½" cents being double sheet of 2 x 12½ plus 50% (12½) plus 2 cents ship letter., Very Fine. Estimate $400 - 600.
Realized: $500