Lot
899 
"Great Western" Bristol Jun. 2nd - New York Jun. 17th 1838, folded May 31st letter from Birmingham to New York, docketed "from Store, pd 1/-" and "May 31st, pr Gr. Western", letter says "Be sure to send word by return of the Great Western", otherwise Very Fine, this was carried on the second voyage of the Great Western. Estimate $100 - 150.
Realized: $220
Lot
900
"Royal William" Maiden Voyage, Liverpool July 5th - New York July 24th 1838, folded July 4th letter from London to Washington, D.C., endorsed "Royal William Steam Boat 5 July", green "Forwarded by Coates & Co. London" oval backstamp, red "New York 'Ship' July 25" cds and manuscript "20¾" rating for 18¾¢ inland postage plus 2¢ ship fee, Fine and rare maiden voyage. Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.
Letter given to forwarding agent, Coates & Co. of London (green oval handstamp on reverse), who placed it directly in ship letter bags, avoiding post office ship letter charge. Letter carried on maiden voyage of Royal William, which made only three round voyages.
Realized: $625
Lot
901
"Great Western" Bristol May 18th - New York May 31st 1839, folded May 11th letter from London, England to Philadelphia, red "New-York 'Ship' Jun 3" cds with matching "2nd Delivery" straightline handstamp and manuscript "14½" ship rating, Very Fine, the scarce 2nd Delivery handstamp indicates 2nd delivery from the ship. Estimate $100 - 150.
Realized: $70
Lot
902
"British Queen" Maiden Return Voyage, New York Aug. 1st - Portsmouth Aug. 15th 1839, folded Aug. 1st cover from New York to London, letter taken directly to ship's letter bag, London (8.16) arrival backstamp with manuscript "1/4" 1s4d due rating for 8d incoming ship fee plus 8d inland postage, Extremely Fine and choice use. Estimate $300 - 400.
The "British Queen" was a vessel of the British & American Steam Navigation Company, which also owned the "Sirius" and the "President".
Realized: $200
Lot
903
"British Queen" Liverpool Apr. 29 - New York 1840, folded letter with brown Liverpool cds, Apr 29, manuscript endorsement "p British Queen, via Portsmouth" (Pioneer Steamship) with handstamped "8" & manuscript 6" rates, Very Fine. Estimate $100 - 150.
Realized: $75
Lot
904
"Great Western" New York May 9th - Bristol May 23rd 1840, folded Apr. 29th letter from New Orleans to Rheims, France put directly in ship's letter bag bypassing the post, red "Bristol/Ship Letter" two-line handstamp with manuscript ratings including "1/6" 1s 6d debit to France, red London (5.25), Paris (5.27) and Rheims (5.28) backstamps, Very Fine. Estimate $100 - 150.
Realized: $105
Lot
905
"British Queen" New York June 1st - London June 17th 1840, folded June 30 letter from New York to Cologne, Germany on the fifth of nine round voyages by "British Queen" before the steamer was sold to the Belgian Government, letter sent out of mails to London, posted by agent to Germany via Belgium with red manuscript 1s8d prepaid rating, Ostend sent letter to Prussia debiting 20 Dutch cents, Prussia marked red manuscript "7" silbergroschen due; Very Fine, a scarce pioneer steamship letter to Germany. Estimate $100 - 150.
Realized: $65
Lot
906
"British Queen" New York Jun. 1st - Portsmouth Jun. 16th 1840, folded May 15 letter from New Orleans, La. to London, partial blue "New Orleans La. May 15" cds and red manuscript "25" rating, endorsed in care of Mess. Travers & Alexander with their manuscript forwarder's endorsement on reverse, red "Ship Letter/Portsmouth" framed backstamp and London (6.17) arrival backstamp, manuscript "8" pence due rating; fold toning, Fine, This was carried on the last voyage before the Cunard contract., ex-Robertson. Estimate $75 - 100.
Lot
907
"Massachusetts" Liverpool Jan. 21 - New York Mar. 4 1846, blue folded Jan. 13th letter from Sheffield to Philadelphia with blue Sheffield (1.17) datestamp, flap with "Ship-Letter, Liverpool, JA 19 '46" datestamp and red manuscript "8" prepaid rating, endorsed "P. Steamer Massachusetts", red "New-York 'Ship 7cts' Mar 5" manuscript check mark indicating carrier service in Philadelphia (see Lowell Newman in "Carrier Check Marks", Penny Post, Vol. 4 No. 4); fresh and Very Fine, a scarce Transatlantic carrier use carried on the 2nd and final voyage of the Massachusetts. Estimate $200 - 300.
Realized: $180