Lot
4067 
Australian States: New South Wales, 1864 (Jun. 13) Clarencetown, New South Wales to El Monte Cal. via San Francisco, cover bearing 1d red (47), 2d blue (48) and three 6d violet (40) singles, all tied by radial "56" numeral cancels prepaying the 21d rate west-coast rate via Southampton, matching "Clarencetown N.S.W., JU 13, 1864" rimless postmark, sent by ship Uruguay across Pacific Ocean, "San Francisco, Cal. Oct 16, 1864" cds and matching "FOREIGN" and "10" rating handstamps, stagecoach to El Monte; stamp flaws, some aging and soiling, reduced at left, Fine. Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.
ONE OF ONLY THREE RECORDED SAN FRANCISCO "FOREIGN" HANDSTAMPED COVERS ORIGINATING FROM THE AUSTRALIAN COLONIES.
For a two month period in 1864, the San Francisco postmaster misinterpreted the 1863 blanket rate for arriving ship letters, applying a FOREIGN handstamp and charging 10¢ postage. See "San Francisco's Foreign Handstamp of 1864", D. Forster and F. Gregory, Collectors Club Philatelist, May-June 2006. The Forster-Gregory census records a total of eighteen covers with the "FOREIGN" handstamp - only three of which originate from Australian colonies.
This cover was properly franked for the Southampton rate to west coast, but the Sydney postmaster sent on an opportunity sailing of the "Uruguay" via the Pacific Ocean.
Lot
4068
Australian States: New South Wales, 1864 (Jul. 13) Sydney, New South Wales to San Francisco Cal., cover bearing New South Wales, 2d blue, strip of three, tied by two bold strikes of "N.S.W." oval duplex with "Sydney, JY13 '64" cds, carried by Bark Australind via Pacific Ocean, sharp "San Francisco Cal., Oct 1, 1864" cds with matching bold "FOREIGN" and "10" rating handstamps, Extremely Fine and choice. Estimate $2,000 - 3,000.
A REMARKABLE USE OF THE SAN FRANCISCO "FOREIGN" HANDSTAMP ON AUSTRALIAN MAILS, ONE OF ONLY THREE RECORDED.
The Forster-Gregory census records a total of eighteen covers with the "FOREIGN" handstamp - only three of which originate from Australian colonies.
Realized: $2,400
Lot
4069
Australian States: South Australia, 1864 (Jul. 27) Port Adelaide, South Australia to West Port Conn., blue cover bearing South Australia, 2d vermilion (16), 1s lake brown (25) tied by barred numeral ovals prepaying 14d for the prepaid rate via England, matching "Port-Adelaide, JY 27 '64" cds, endorsement "Via England" crossed out and updated to "Via Sydney", private ship via Pacific Ocean to San Francisco, entered mails with "San Francisco Cal., Nov 5, 1864" cds with "SHIP" straightline and "8" in circle due handstamp, overland stage to Westport; reduced at right, some edge wear and small tears, Very Fine. Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.
Cover was correctly prepaid for the 14d rate via Southampton but sent via the Pacific. It should have been rated "6" cents due in San Francisco for a single-rate or "12" cents due for a double rate.
Realized: $900
Lot
4070
Australian States: New South Wales, 1864 (Aug. 23) Sydney, New South Wales to San Francisco Cal., blue cover bearing New South Wales, 2d blue, strip of three, tied by two strikes of "N.S.W." oval duplex with "Sydney, AU 23 '64" cds, carried as endorsed by ship Amateur via Pacific Ocean to San Francisco, entered mails with sharp "San Francisco Cal., Jan 25, 1865" cds and matching "Ship4" due handstamp; tone spot, couple edge tears, right stamp small flaws, Very Fine. Estimate $500 - 750.
Correctly rated "4" for cover to port-of-entry as specified by blanket rate of July 1864. The 2¢ local letter rate plus 2¢ ship fee.
Realized: $425