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Sale 89: The John Barwis Collection of Philadelphia Postal History

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Philadelphia Domestic Mail: Domestic Uses including Balances

Lots 3247-3256

Lot 3247    

1774 (c.) Allentown Pa. to Philadelphia Pa., folded cover from a correspondence to merchant John Mitchell endorsed "p Stag" at lower left, origin and dating based on evidence from other examples of this correspondence; some minor edge wear, Very Fine.
Estimate    $150 - 200.

Joseph Borden operated a stage coach route that stopped in, and ran through, Allentown. "The stages were wagons with low sides and benches on the floor of the wagon. A crude canvas cover with canvas or leather side curtain protected the passengers from the weather. The wagons were unsprung… and…passengers suffered broken arms and legs due to being tossed about or out of the wagon. Stages overturned occasionally.

It is interesting to note that in September of 1777, the British defeated George Washington's troops at Brandywine Creek, Pennsylvania, prompting panic among the people of Philadelphia who now found themselves defenseless against British occupation.

Facing this threat, the state government ordered that several of the more important bells in Philadelphia be removed from the city to prevent the British from melting them down to forge weaponry. This included the bell from the Pennsylvania State House, the now famous Liberty Bell.

The Liberty Bell was secreted away from Philadelphia and taken to present-day Allentown, escorted by heavy guard and hidden on a hay wagon. It was taken to Zion Reformed Church, where soldiers hid it, along with several other prominent bells, under the church floor. The bell remained hidden in the church throughout the British occupation of Philadelphia, until June of 1778, when the bell was returned to the State House.

Realized: $350

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Lot 3248    

"Phila/Delphia", red two-line postmark on flap, magenta "29/IY" Franklin mark and matching "4" pence due rating port-to-port rate to Providence R.I., 1769 docketing; some reinforced fold splitting, Very Fine and scarce use with postmark not across flaps, ex-Hugh Feldman.
Estimate    $400 - 600.

Letter was prepaid 4 pence for port-to-port rate per Act 5 Cap 25 of 1765.

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Lot 3249    

"Phila/Delphia", red two-line postmark on flap of 1771 folded letter to Lancaster Pa., reddish "28/FE" Franklin mark backstamp and magenta "2" dwt (6 pence) rating for 60-100 miles, matching magenta "/10" local currency rating, Very Fine and scarce use with postmark not across flaps, ex-Carson, Siskin.
Estimate    $500 - 750.

The recipient Jasper Yeates, was a Philadelphia jurist latter appointed by President Washington as a commissioner to confer with western Pennsylvania residents during the Whiskey Rebellion. The writer Will Mitchell writes regartding legal matters, and ends with "Do you think you could recommend a Tolerably handsome Dutch lass with some money to a Young Irish Friend of yours. Finally began to think of Matrimony seriously.".

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Lot 3250    

"Phila/Delphia", red two-line postmark struck across flaps of 1771 folded letter to Salem Mass., magenta "18 MA" Franklin mark and red manuscript "4" pence prepaid rating for port to port rate, endorsed "p Post", Very Fine.
Estimate    $300 - 400.

Realized: $300

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Lot 3251    

Philadelphia Pa., Sep 11, blue cds ties 3¢ orange brown (10A), large to touched margins, deep rich color, on 1851 sealed printed circular to Hampton Ill., attractive and Very Fine.
Estimate    $150 - 200.

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Lot 3252    

Philada. Pa. Jun 4, blue cds and matching rare italicized "20" rating handstamp on folded cover to Charleston S.c., endorsed "Care of Thomas Middleton Factor"; folds reinforced, F.-V.F. and scarce rating handstamp, Stets rarity 7.
Estimate    $100 - 150.

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Lot 3253    

Philadelphia Pa., Jan 31, blue cds with red "PAID" and "6" in double-ocatagon rating handstamps on 1852 folded letter to Millwell N.J. at double the 3¢ letter rate, Extremely Fine gem strikes.
Estimate    $200 - 300.

This is an unusual use of the "6" double-octagon rating handstamp that was previously used only for incoming ship letters.

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Lot 3254    

Philadelphia Domestic Mails Collection, 1771-1800s, album of 32 usages, wide range of material including 1771 "Phila./Delphia" red two-line backstamp and ms. "4" rating on letters to Salem Mass., 1771 "Phila./Delphia" red two-line backstamp and red ms. "2.16" rating on letter to Annapolis Md.; 1772 Jun. 16th Allentown Pa. to Philadelphia "p Stage"; two "Hale & Co. Philadelphia" red oval usages with "Collect" handstamp, LO2 cancelled by red star on locally addressed letter; 15L15 tied by cds on local cover; 1859 "N.Y. & Boston Stmb. R.R." cds use to Philadelphia, red "Philada. Railroad" straightline use to New York, Philadelphia blue cds with "1" octagon local use; 1847 Philadelphia blue cds with attached "2" circular rate use to Albany; "Philadelphia Pa. '1 Paid' Feb 13" integral-rate cds for circular rate to Providence, some Free usages including "P.O. Business, Free" half-circle handstamp; etc., also includes 1711 Philadelphia letter only from John M. Williams to Liverpool, F.-V.F., an excellent group of better usages from Philadelphia.
Estimate    $2,000 - 3,000.

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Lot 3255    

Philadelphia Rate Collection, 1792-1844, album of 53 stampless usages in the 1792, 1799, 1816 and 1825 rate periods, variety of postmarks and ratings, inbound and outbound uses, note 1792 Philadelphia Franklin mark with manuscript. "10" rating to New York, 1798 Philadelphia Franklin mark and manuscript. "12½" cent rating for 101-150 miles to Shippensburgh Pa., 1798 Philadelphia Franklin mark and "Free" handstamp free franked to Keene N.H., 1802 New Orleans to Philadelphia with "Wimn. D. Jul 22" cds and matching small "Ship" handstamp, 1800 "Phi, 5 De" cds and "60" cent rating to Boston with "Boston" receiving straightline; 1817 "Phil., 6 Jan" cds to Dover N.H. and forwarded with red Portsmouth N.H." rimless oval; 1816 "Phil" cds and "Ship" arc handstamp with manuscript. "1¼ oz" and "$1.02" quadruple rating; 1829 Philadelphia to Baltimore with "Steamboat" straightline, 1844 Philadelphia red cds and black "Collect" fancy box, 1834 "Phila." red octagon datestamp to Thibodauxville forwarded without red double-circle postmark; and 1834 Philadelphia to St. Johns, New Brunswick via Robbinstown Me., etc., some flaws.
Estimate    $1,000 - 1,500.

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Lot 3256    

Philadelphia War Rates, 1815-16, group of 10 covers mostly from Philadelphia but also a couple inbound uses, including 2nd Day of Rate: Feb. 2nd use at 15¢ rate for 40-90 miles to Columbia, 1815 Philadelphia to New London Ct. at 25½¢ rate for 150-300 miles forwarded with manuscript "N London Ct, March 15 } Forwd" postmark and "18¾" rating totalled to 44¼¢ to Boston; 1815 double the 30¢ rate to Boston (only 4 recorded from Philadelphia), Philadelphia to New Germantown N.J. at 15¢ rate, two 1815 Easton Pa. uses to Philadelphia at double the 15¢ rate; 1815 Philadelphia to Baltimore at 18¾¢ rate for 90-150 miles, Philadelphia to Bethany Pa. at 25½¢ rate for 150-300 miles, etc.; some fold toning, F.-V.F. and scarce war surcharge rate group.
Estimate    $500 - 750.

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Realized: $950

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Lots 3247-3256

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