Lot
4128 
Australian States: Victoria, 1868 (Mar. 2) Echuca, Victoria to McMinnville, Tenn., blue registered cover bearing Victoria, 1d green (74), 4d rose (76) and 1s blue (80) vertical pair, all tied by two strikes of numeral "40" barred circle, matching "Echuca, Victoria, MR 2 68" rimless backstamp and "Registered" framed handstamp, blue Melbourne (3.3) transit cds and manuscript "8" pence credit to G.B., carried by P&O Bombay via Southampton, no London markings, carried by Cunard Line China from Liverpool Apr. 25th to New York arriving May 7th, partial New York "Br. Transit" exchange cds and blue crayon registry numbers; 4d small tear, otherwise Very Fine. Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.
A RARE AND ATTRACTIVE VICTORIA REGISTERED USE WITH A THREE-COLOR FRANKING TO THE UNITED STATES.
References: Illustrated and Discussed in Milgrams "Foreign Registered Mail: 1855-1875, Part Two: British" in the Chronicle May 2019, p. 185-86, fig. 26.
Realized: $600
Lot
4129
1868 (May 11) Washington D.C. to Sydney, New South Wales, Hogan correspondence cover bearing United States, 10¢ green (68) and 12¢ black (69), each cancelled by cork cancel duplexed with "Washington D.C., May 11" cds, red "New York Paid All, Br. Transit, May 12" exchange backstamp and "12" cent handstamp credit to G.B., carried by HAPAG Line Allemannia from New York May 12th to Southampton arriving May 23rd, red London Paid (5.25) transit cds, large red "5" pence credit handstamp to N.S.W., carried by P&O steamers from Southampton via Suez and Galle, Sydney (7.28) arrival backstamp; some edge wear, 10¢ corner flaw, otherwise Very Fine. Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.
The 22¢ rate from the United States to Australia is the equivalent of the 11 pence rate from the Australian Colonies.
Realized: $600
Lot
4130
Australian States: Victoria, 1868 (Jun. 20) Carlton, Victoria to New York N.Y. via London, cover bearing Victoria, 1s blue (80) tied by "538" grid duplexed with "Carlton, Victoria, JN-20, 68" rimless cds, blue Melbourne (6.20) transit backstamp, magenta "5" pence credit to G.b., carried by P&O Geelong via Southampton, red London Paid (8.14) transit cds and matching "3/Cents" handstamp credit to U.S., carried by Cunard Line Cuba from Liverpool Aug. 15th to New York arriving Aug. 26th, red "New York, Paid All, Aug 26" exchange cds, Very Fine. Estimate $300 - 400.
This cover was 1d overpaid for the 11d paid to destination rate.
Realized: $525
Lot
4131
1869 (Jul. 27) Sonoma Cal. to Sydney, New South Wales, cover bearing United States, 10¢ green (68) and 12¢ black (69), both with s.e., each cancelled by four-ring target, matching "Sonoma Cal., Jul 27" cds, sent overland to New York, red "New York, Paid All, Aug 5" exchange backstamp, carried by NGL Line Donau from New York Aug. 5th to Southampton arriving Aug. 15th, red London Paid (8.15) transit cds, P&O steamers from Southampton via Suez to Sydney, Oct. 29th arrival backstamp; 12¢ nick at top, otherwise Very Fine. Estimate $750 - 1,000.
Long way around from California to Sydney - sent during one year period between collapse of New Zealand's Panama Line and beginning of 1870 contract mails via San Francisco.
Realized: $550
Lot
4132
Australian States: Western Australia, 1869 (Dec. 20) Albany, Western Australia to Winchendon, Mass. via London, orange cover bearing Western Australia, 1d bister (29), 4d carmine (32) and 6d violet (33), each tied by numeral "6" barred oval, matching sharp "Albany, Western-Australia, DE20, 1869" rimless cds, red crayon "5d" credit to G.B. at top right, carried by P&O Malta via Southampton, red London Paid (2.26) transit cds and red "2" handstamp credit, carried by Cunard Line Russia from Liverpool Feb. 27th to New York arriving Mar. 11th, indistinct New York exchange cds; 6d corner crease, Very Fine and rare use, ex-Gallagher. Estimate $3,000 - 4,000.
A BEAUTIFUL WESTERN AUSTRALIA THREE-COLOR FRANKING PREPAYING THE 11D RATE TO THE UNITED STATES.
The January 1869 postal act reduced the credit to the United States from 3¢ to 2¢.
Realized: $5,750
Lot
4133
Australian States: South Australia, 1871 (May 22) Adelaide, South Australia to Marysville Kans., legal-size blue cover bearing South Australia, 1d yellow green, 2d orange red, 4d dull violet, 3d on 4d sky blue, and 6d Prussian blue, all tied by strikes of "G.P.O. Adelaide, S.S., MY 22, 71" rimless cds, strike adjacent with red crayon "4" pence credit to G.B., carried by A.S.N. Co. Rangatira from Adelaide May 22nd to Ling George's Sound, then P&O Avoca May 27th to Galle, P&O Hindostan to Suez, P&O Poonah Alaexandria to Southampton, red London Paid (7.17) transit cds and matching "4/Cents" handstamp credit to U.S., carried by Allan Line Austrian from Liverpool Jul. 20th to Quebec arriving Jul. 31st, red "Chicago Am. Pkt." exchange cds; some edge wear and small flaws, 3d small flaws and 1d s.e. at bottom, Very Fine. Estimate $1,500 - 2,000.
A REMARKABLE FIVE-COLOR FRANKING PREPAYING THE 16D DOUBLE-WEIGHT RATE TO THE UNITED STATES.
From August 1870 the rate to the United States was 8d per½ oz. being 6d to Britain plus 2d transatlantic. This cover was prepaid 16d for double rate up to 1 oz. The P&O contract provided for a monthly service, but without a call at South Australia - mails were generally forwarded to King Georges Sound, via Royal Mail or the Australasian Steamship Navigation Co. steamers.
Realized: $1,700
Lot
4134
1873 (Dec. 18) San Francisco Cal. to Melbourne, Victoria, cover bearing United States, 6¢ dull pink (159), 10¢ brown (161), tied by circle of wedges duplexed with "San Francisco Cal. Dec 18" cds, red "New York '12' Dec 25" credit exchange cds, carried by Inman Line City of Chester from New York Dec. 27th to Queenstown arriving Jan. 4th, red London Paid (1.5) transit cds, then P&O steamers via Suez and Galle to Melbourne, reverse with "Melbourne, MR 12, 74" arrival cds, docketed received across face, Very Fine. Estimate $300 - 400.
The 16¢ rate (1870-75) was equivalent to the 8d rate in the other direction - used during the 1872-73 period when no shipping company could be found for the direct mail from San Francisco.
Realized: $450
Lot
4135
Australian States: South Australia, 1874 (Jul. 16) Adelaide, South Australia to Philadelphia, Pa., cover with "Government House, Adelaide S.A." flap seal and bearing South Australia, Official 4d dull violet, pair overprinted "P.S." for Private Secretary, each stamp tied by "Adelaide, S.A., JY 16, 74" cds, additional strike adjacent, red crayon "2", carried by P&O via Southampton, red London Paid (9.7) transit cds and matching "2/Cents" credit handstamp, carried by Cunard Line Calabria from Liverpool Sep. 8th to New York arriving Sep. 20th, Very Fine and exceptionally rare departmental use. Estimate $4,000 - 6,000.
ONE OF ONLY THREE RECORDED SOUTH AUSTRALIA DEPARTMENTAL OVERPRINT COVERS TO THE UNITED STATES.
Reduction of the transatlantic rate to 3d in January 1870 reduced the via Southampton rate to 8d.
Realized: $5,500
Lot
4136
1877 (May 19) New York N.Y. to Adelaide, South Australia, cover bearing United States, 5¢ blue (179) and 10¢ brown (161), tied by bold "New-York, May 19" duplexes, red "New York '50' May 19" exchange credit cds for 50 centimes (10¢) to G.B., bold strike of orange red London Paid (5.30) transit cds, sent via P&O steamers via Southampton, Suez and Galle, Adelaide (7.20) arrival cds, Very Fine. Estimate $300 - 400.
The 15¢ GPU rate of July 1875 specified credits and debits be expressed in French centimes. Rate lasted until January 1880 when mails were no longer sent via Southampton (see "Via Brindisi" and "Long Sea Route" sections).
Realized: $650
Lot
4137
1877 (Dec. 13) Poughkeepsie N.Y. to Dunolly, Victoria, registered cover bearing United States, 10¢ brown (161), pair and two singles, each tied by cork cancel, matching "Poughkeepsie N.Y. Dec 13" cds, New York Registered (12.13, 12.15) backstamps, sent via London with red "Registered" crown handstamp, carried by P&O steamers via Southampton, Suez and Galle, Melbourne (2.27) arrival backstamp, eventually sent to Dead Letter Office, green "D.L.B. Victoria, NO 6 '80" backstamp and marked "Dead / R" in pink ms. across face, "Officially Sealed in the Returned Letter Office, London" label affixed at right edge, United States "Dead Letter Office, Feb 5 -81" triangular backstamp, returned to sender in "Postal Service" official envelope to Poughkeepsie, docketed received Feb. 11th at left; some cover wear, Very Fine. Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.
A REMARKABLE REGISTERED LETTER TO HOSPITAL PATIENT WHO HAD DIED AND RETURNED TO SENDER AFTER MORE THAN THREE YEARS.
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Realized: $2,600