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Sale 93: The Dale Forster Collection of Australian - United States Mails

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Two Capes - Adams Express

Lots 4028-4030

Lot 4028    

Australian States: Victoria, 1852 (Sep. 8) Bendigo, Victoria to Concord N.H., buff cover endorsed "Per Adams Express" with original letter datelined "Bendigo Australia Sept, 8 1852" with some interesting gold rush content from miner back home to his wife "…I am making my grub as the saying goes here - there are some making piles and plenty not making anything…", carried by Adams Express agent out of mails from Bendigo to Melbourne, then privately by Adams agent on Chowringee via Cape Horn, and transatlantic privately by Adams' agent on transatlantic steamship, Very Fine.
Estimate    $500 - 750.

ONE OF THE EARLIEST ADAMS EXPRESS USES FROM AUSTRALIA.

Adams Express, an American company operating expresses in the east and California, opened offices in Melbourne and Sydney during the Australian gold rush. They carried mail on the Two Capes Route, also direct via San Francisco and via Panama. They advertised in Melbourne newspapers in 1853 and the letter offered here proves Australian presence in 1852.


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Realized: $525

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Lot 4029    

Australian States: Victoria, 1853 (c., May) Melbourne, Australia to Canaan Me., orange cover with embossed "Adams & Co., American and European Express, Melbourne, N.S.W." flap cameo and red "Adams & Co.'s Express, Melbourne N.S.W." framed handstamp, carried by General Screw Steamship Co. Harbinger via Mauritius and Cape of Good Hope to Southampton arriving Aug. 18th, "Forwarded by Edwards Sanford & Co., Liverpool" illustrated forwarders oval showing steamship, entered mails with Liverpool (8.19.53) backstamp and red "5/Cents" credit to U.S. handstamp, originally posted with G.B. 1s green embossed issue that is now missing, carried as endorsed by Cunard Line Europa from Liverpool Aug. 20th to Boston arriving Aug. 31st, red "Boston Br. Pkt. 'Paid 24' Aug 31" credit exchange cds, Very Fine appearance.
Estimate    $750 - 1,000.

ONE OF ONLY FOUR RECORDED EMBOSSED ADAMS MELBOURNE ENVELOPES, AND THE FINEST OF ONLY THREE RECORDED ADAMS MELBOURNE HANDSTAMPS.

The Adams Melbourne envelope and handstamp were probably produced in the United States. This sailing of the General Screw Steamship Co. "Harbinger" via Mauritius and Cape of Good Hope to Southampton arriving Aug. 18th was the first direct sailing from Australia to Southampton..


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Realized: $1,200

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Lot 4030    

Australian States: Victoria, 1854 (c.) United States to Melbourne, Australia, light buff cover endorsed "Per Express Adams & Co." at bottom left and rated "Collect" to miner endorsed at left: "He is now at or near Ballarat & information can be got to him there - it may be three or four months before he will call for this.", carried out of mails by Adams Express on private ship to Melbourne; reduced at right, F.-V.F.
Estimate    $300 - 400.

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Lots 4028-4030

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