Lot
3086 
1836 (Dec. 20) Matanzas, Cuba to New York via Lewes Del., datelined folded letter from Drake & Coit sugar and molasses merchants endorsed "via Philadelphia", carried by private ship to Lewes, entered mails with manuscript "Lewes Del, Jany 23" postmark with matching "Ship" and "39½" rating for 37½¢ inland postage plus 2¢ ship fee; horizontal file fold, Very Fine and scarce use redirected due to Delaware Estuary Blocked by Ice during Winter of 1834-35. Estimate $200 - 300.
Although this letter was directed "Via Philadelphia", but ice on the Delaware River prevented navigation above Lewes, Delaware.
Realized: $160
Lot
3087
1838 (Sep. 15) Birmingham, England to Philadelphia, consignee's letter and invoice sent privately to Liverpool by W&I Brown Co., carried by Pioneer Steamship Royal William from Liverpool Sep. 20th to New York arriving Oct. 10th, entered mails with sharp red "New-York, Ship, Oct 10" cds and manuscript "14½" due rating for 12½¢ inland postage plus 2¢ ship fee; file folds, Very Fine, The second of only three recorded voyages of the Pioneer Steamship Royal William. Estimate $200 - 300.
Realized: $325
Lot
3088
(Freight Money) 1839 (Feb. 12) Philadelphia Pa. to London, England, folded letter with blue "Philadelphia Pa Feb 12" cds and matching framed "Paid" handstamp, pencil "50" and black manuscript "50" adjacent, red "New York, Feb 13" transit cds, endorsed "pr U. States packet of the 13th", red London (3.16) arrival backstamp and manuscript "4/9" due rating; file fold, Very Fine, ex-Carlin. Estimate $200 - 300.
The 50¢ rate represents 12½¢ per sheet of paper for 2 sheets in the 80-150 miles zone and 12½¢ per sheet for freight money via sailing ship, the total postage paid for both U.S. and G.B. was $1.68, a whopping sum in 1839.
Realized: $160
Lot
3089
1839 (Feb. 23) Philadelphia Pa. to London, England via Bristol, folded letter with blue "Philadelphia Pa., Feb 23" cds and matching framed "Paid" handstamp with manuscript "37½" for 12½¢ to New York plus 25¢ steamship freight money, carried as endorsed by Great Western Steamship Co. Great Western from New York Feb. 25th to Bristol arriving Mar. 13th, "Bristol, Ship-Letter" framed handstamp and manuscript "1/5" due rating for 9d inland plus 8d ship fee, Very Fine. Estimate $200 - 300.
Freight money was a fee charged by shipping companies for carrying letters from New York to Great Britain. In May 1838, private steamships began charging 25 cents per sheet; sailing ships responded by charging only 12½ cents. The Postmaster General allowed postmasters to collect these fees and forward them to the New York Postmaster for delivery to the appropriate shipping companies.
The ship's revenue for this letter was collected by the Philadelphia post office on behalf of the company, and the amount added to postage to denote the total prepayment.
Realized: $170
Lot
3090
1839 (Nov. 30) Philadelphia Pa. to London, England, folded letter with blue "Philada Pa. Nov 30" cds with matching "Paid" framed handstamp and manuscript "37½" combined freight money rating of 25¢ freight money fee for a steamship plus 12½¢ inland fee to N.Y., carried by British & American Steam Navigation Co. British Queen from New York Dec. 2nd to Gravesend arriving Dec. 25th, framed "Ship Letter/Gravesend" handstamp and London (12.26) backstamps, manuscript "1/" shilling due rating for 8d ship fee plus 4d uniform inland postage, Very Fine, ex-Winter. Estimate $200 - 300.
The British Queen was the only steamship to arrive in the U.K. during the 35 day period (December 5, 1839-January 9, 1840) when a uniform 4d inland fee was in effect.
Realized: $300
Lot
3091
1839 (Dec. 13) Philadelphia Pa. to London, England, datelined folded letter sent privately to New York, carried by Transatlantic Steamship Company Liverpool from New York Dec. 14th to Liverpool arriving Jan. 13, "Liverpool, Ship Letter" two-line backstamp and manuscript "8" pence due rating for uniform ship fee; file folds, F.-V.F., Carried on the last of seven voyage by the Liverpool., ex-Boetger, Feldman, Booth. Estimate $300 - 400.
The Transatlantic Steamship Company, 1838-1840, had only two ships, which together made ten voyages.