Lot
4023 
1856 (Mar. 8) Greensburgh, Ind. to Melbourne, Victoria, U.S. 3¢ red (U10) buff Nesbitt entire entire uprated for 10¢ double rate with 1¢ blue (9) four margins, and 3¢ dull red (11A) three margins, tied by "Greensburgh Ind. Mar 8" cds, forwarded to Kerang and Kingower in search of addressee, scarce strike of Melbourne red oval "LC, AU 19, 1856" Letter Carrier oval datestamp, reverse with Melbourne (9.10), Kerang (9.21) and Kingower (9.24) backstamps plus red "Ship Letter, Melbourne, AU 1" crown oval, F.-V.F. Estimate $1,500 - 2,000.
A REMARKABLE 1851 ISSUE USE TO AUSTRALIA AT DOUBLE THE 5¢ PRIVATE SHIP RATE.
The few direct private ship sailings resulted in long transit times. If sent via England, single rate postage would have been 33¢, double rate 66¢., but transit time would have been just over two months rather than over five months.
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Realized: $3,250
Lot
4024
1857 (Apr. 3) Fayetteville Vt. to Melbourne, Australia, folded cover without side flap bearing 3¢ dull red (11) vertical pair, large margins except in at top left, tied by "Fayetteville Vt. Apr 3" cds, "Boston Br. Pkt., 8 Apr" exchange backstamp, sent by private ship via Cape of Good Hope, scarce strike of Melbourne red "LC, AU 6, 1857" Letter Carrier oval datestamp, "Melbourne, Victoria, AU 6" rimless backstamp, forwarded to Beechworth with rimless Aug. 9 arrival backstamp; some edge wear, Fine and rare 1851 issue use to Australia. Estimate $500 - 750.
A 5¢ rate applied for letters sent direct on private ships from Boston or New York. This use is convenience overpaid by 1¢. Ship captains received 2¢ per letter. During this period there were no Australian arrival charges. The red Letter Carrier datestamp was applied at the G.P.O. Melbourne to indicate that the letter had been passed on to the carriers in an attempt to deliver unclaimed mail.
Realized: $575