Lot
1188 
1861 (May 21) Boston Mass. to Hong Kong, China, blue folded letter from the Heard correspondence bearing 3¢ dull red (26), 12¢ black (36B) and 24¢ gray lilac (37), all tied by two strikes "Paid" circular grid cancels, partial "Boston Br. Pkt. May 21" exchange backstamp with red crayon "34" cent credit rating, carried by Cunard Line Africa from New York May 22nd to Queenstown arriving Jun. 2nd, bold red "1" pence colonial credit rating, Hong Kong (7.22) arrival backstamp; slight address erosion, Very Fine. Estimate $1,500 - 2,000.
A SCARCE THREE-COLOR 1857 ISSUE FRANKING PREPAYING THE 39¢ BRITISH MAIL RATE VIA MARSEILLES.
Realized: $1,800
Lot
1189
1862 (Feb. 1) New York N.Y. to Hong Kong, China, cover to Cornelius B. Gold on the Bark Oriental, care of the U.S. Consul, bearing 5¢ buff (67), 10¢ green (68) and 30¢ orange (71), all tied by NYFM circular open grid cancels, partial red New York 'Paid' (2.1) backstamp and magenta "24" cent credit rating, endorsed "Via Southampton", carried by Inman Line City of New York from New York to Liverpool arriving Feb. 15th, red London Paid (2.15) transit cds and matching red "1d" colonial credit handstamp, Hong Kong (4.11) arrival backstamp; cover tear and edge nick at top left, couple trivial short perfs, Very Fine. Estimate $5,000 - 7,500.
A REMARKABLE THREE-COLOR FRANKING OF 1861 ISSUES IN EARLY SHADES USED TO PAY THE 45¢ BRITISH MAIL RATE VIA SOUTHAMPTON TO HONG KONG, CHINA.
Cornelius B. Gold sailed for Hong Kong aboard the ship "Oriental" with a cargo of coal in December 1861. In Hong Kong, he found passage on the "Jabez Snow" to Liverpool with a load of hemp and sugar. From Liverpool he made his way to Cork and then sailed home on the "City of Manchester" arriving in March 1863. In August of 1863 he was enrolled in Company B of the 6th Connecticut Volunteer Infantry. Gold joined his regiment in Hilton Head, S.C. in October of 1863 and was soon assigned to be secretary in court martial proceedings. In the spring of 1864, the Connecticut 6th Infantry moved to Bermuda Hundred, Va. and then participated in the Petersburg Campaign. During this time he spent some time in Balfour Hospital in Portsmouth, Va. and was considered for a medical discharge due to his frailty, but was ultimately returned to his company. In November, 1864 Gold received a transfer to the U.S. Navy where he served as a paymaster. He signed letters through the spring and summer of 1865 from the USS Vincennes, Stockdale, Circassian, and Anderson in Mobile Bay, and from Mobile, Ala. and Pensacola, Fla. By the beginning of 1866 he was back home in Connecticut.
The 45¢ British mail rate via Southampton to China was effective September 1, 1861 to December 31, 1867. The 24¢ credit to Great Britain was for 24¢ British transit, with New York retaining 21¢ for 5¢ U.S. postage plus 16¢ transatlantic packet.
Realized: $10,500
Lot
1190
1862 (Feb. 12) New York N.Y. to Hong Kong, China, cover to Cornelius B. Gold, Bark Oriental in care of U.S. Consul, bearing 3¢ rose (65) and 24¢ red lilac (70) pair, each cancelled by red NYFM circular open grid cancel, red "New-York 'Paid' Feb 12" backstamp and magenta "46" credit rating, endorsed "Via Marseilles", red London Paid (2.24) transit cds and matching "1d" colonial credit handstamp, Hong Kong (4.11) arrival backstamp; 3¢ minute tear, right 24¢ defective, F.-V.F.; with 1990 P.F. certificate. Estimate $500 - 750.
The 51¢ British mail rate via Marseilles was effective December 1, 1861 to May 30, 1863. The 46¢ credit to Great Britain was for 16¢ transatlantic packet, 6¢ French transit and 24¢ British transit, with New York retaining 5¢ for U.S. postage.
Realized: $1,450
Lot
1191
1863 (Jan. 24) Boston Mass. to Shanghai, China, blue folded letter from Heard correspondence bearing 3¢ rose (65), 24¢ lilac (78) and 30¢ orange (71), all tied by two strikes of "Paid" circular grid cancel, red "Boston Am. Pkt. 'Paid' Jan 24" exchange backstamp, red crayon "36" credit rating, endorsed "pr steamer via Marseilles", carried by Inman Line City of Baltimore from New York Jan. 24th to Liverpool arriving Feb. 4th, red London Paid (9.4) and matching red "1d" colonial credit handstamp; minor edge splitting, Very Fine. Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.
Cover prepaid for the 57¢ British mail rate via Marseilles for over 7.5 grams but less than ½ oz. effective December 1, 1861 to May 30, 1863. Boston credited 36¢ to G.B. (12¢ French transit, 24¢ British transit) with the United States retaining 5¢ U.S. postage plus 16¢ transatlantic packet fee.
Realized: $3,500
Lot
1192
1863 (Feb. 21) Boston Mass. to Shanghai, China, folded letter from the Heard correspondence bearing 3¢ rose (65) and two 24¢ grayish lilac (78a) singles, one nat. s.e. at right, tied by two strikes of "Paid" circular grid cancels, red "Boston Am. Pkt. 'Paid' Feb 21" exchange backstamp with red crayon "30" cent credit rating, carried by Allan Line North America from Portland Feb. 22nd to Liverpool arriving Mar. 7th, red London (3.7) transit cds and red "1d" pence colonial credit handstamp, Hong Kong (4.24) transit backstamp; couple insignificant stamp flaws, Very Fine. Estimate $750 - 1,000.
Cover prepaid for the 51¢ British mail rate via Marseilles for up to 7.5 grams effective December 1, 1861 to May 30, 1863. Boston credited 30¢ to G.B. (6¢ French transit, 24¢ British transit) with the United States retaining 5¢ U.S. postage plus 16¢ transatlantic packet fee.
Realized: $2,400
Lot
1193
1863 (Jun. 2) Boston Mass. to Shanghai, China, blue folded letter bearing 5¢ red brown (75) and four 10¢ green (68) singles, all tied by three strikes of "Paid" circular grid cancels, red "Boston Br. Pkt. '40' Jun 2" credit exchange cds, carried by Cunard Line China from New York Jun. 3rd to Queenstown arriving Jun. 12th, red London Paid (6.13) transit cds and red crayon "1" pence Colonial credit, Hong Kong (8.5) arrival backstamp; stamp flaws, some horizontal file fold wear, F.-V.F.; with 1983 P.F. certificate. Estimate $500 - 750.
This cover was prepaid for the 45¢ per ½ oz. British mail rate via Southampton effective September 1, 1861 to December 31, 1867. The proper credit of 40¢ to Great Britain was given with the United States retaining 5¢ only.
Realized: $1,800
Lot
1194
1863 (Jun. 23) New York N.Y. to Shanghai, China, blue folded letter from Heard correspondence bearing 24¢ lilac (78), nat. s.e. at right, and 30¢ orange (71) tied together by NYFM circle of Vs cancel, magenta "48" cent credit rating, carried as endorsed by Cunard Line Africa from Boston Jun. 24th to Liverpool arriving Jul. 4th, red London Paid (7.5) transit cds and matching "1d" colonial credit handstamp, Hong Kong (8.17) transit backstamp; some minor gum soak, F.-V.F. Estimate $500 - 750.
Letter is prepaid 54¢ with a 1¢ convenience overpayment for the 53¢ British mail rate via Marseilles effective June 1, 1863 to December 31, 1867.
Realized: $525