Lot
5122 
(Russia) 1858 (Sep. 13) Portland Ct. to St. Petersburg, Russia, cover bearing 1¢ blue, type III (21) and three 12¢ black (36) singles, each with manuscript cancels and "Portland Conn., Sep 13" cds, additional strike at lower left, red "New-York, Br. Pkt, Sep 15" exchange cds backstamp and magenta "14" cent credit, carried by Cunard Line Africa from New York Sep. 15th to Liverpool arriving Sep. 26th, red "Aachen, Franco 28/3" framed transit and blue ms. "f 3" credit, Russian arrival backstamp; 12¢ stamp faults, Fine and scarce 1857 Issue use to Russia. Estimate $500 - 750.
The magenta "13" at upper left is not for accounting, but marks letter #13. Each mail bag was accompanied by a Letter Bill showing the numbers of letters of various rates. A clerk used the back of this envelope for calculations. The PCM rate to Russia was 37¢ for prepaid mail.
Realized: $450
Lot
5123
(Russia) 1860 (Aug. 7) Portland Me. to St. Petersburg, Russia, Pierce correspondence cover bearing 1¢ blue (24), 12¢ black (36) and 24¢ gray lilac (37), tied together by three strikes of circular grid cancel, matching "Portland Me., Paid, Aug 7" cds, partial "Boston, Br. Pkt, Aug 8" exchange backstamp and red crayon "14" cent credit, carried by Cunard Line Canada from Boston Aug. 8th to Queenstown arriving Aug. 20th, red boxed "Aachen, Franco 23/8" transit and blue ms. "f3" sgr credit rating; barely reduced at top, 24¢ slightly discolored, Very Fine appearance, Very Fine appearance, ex-Gibson, Grunin and "J & J". Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.
AN ATTRACTIVE AND SCARCE THREE-COLOR FRANKING PAYING THE 37¢ PRUSSIAN CLOSED MAIL RATE TO RUSSIA.
Josiah Pierce was Secretary of the U.S. Legation to Russia at St. Petersburg.
Realized: $1,700
Lot
5124
(Russia) 1861 (c., Jun. 28) Boston Mass. to St. Petersburg, Russia, Pierce correspondence cover bearing 30¢ orange (38), rich color, tied by large Boston "Paid" grid and red "N. York, Br. Pkt. '7 Paid' Jun 29" cds, carried by Inman Line City of Baltimore from New York Jun. 29th to Queenstown arriving Jul. 11th, red "Aachen, Franco 13/7" framed transit and matching red "Franco, Preuss.Resp.Vereins., Aus Gangs-Grenze" framed handstamp; some minor cosmetic improvements along edges, 30¢ small tear, Very Fine appearance, ex-Gibson, DuPuy; with clear 1988 P.F. certificate. Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.
A RARE SINGLE USE OF THE 30C 1860 TO RUSSIA, FROM THE PIERCE CORRESPONDENCE.
Realized: $3,750
Lot
5125 ()
(Russia) 1863 (Mar. 25) New York, N.Y. to Goldingen, Russia, red and blue "The Star Spangled Banner must be Upheld" Eagle patriotic rebacked cover front with "New-York, Br. Pkt '23' Mar 25" debit exchange cds and manuscript "37" rating, carried by Cunard Line Australasian from New York Mar. 26th to Queenstown arriving Apr. 4th, Prussia "12/2" due rating; small edge flaws, Very Fine Civil War patriotic front to Russia. Estimate $300 - 400.
Cunard Line Australasian was delayed one day due to fog representing the one-day differential in exchange office date and sailing date.
Realized: $1,000
Lot
5126
(Russia) 1865 (Nov. 6) Portland Me. to St. Petersburg, Russia, Pierce correspondence cover bearing 5¢ brown (76) and 30¢ orange (71), tied by "Portland Me., Nov 6 '65" duplex, red "Boston Br. Pkt., Paid, 8 Nov" exchange cds and red crayon "14" cent credit, carried by Cunard Line Africa from Boston Nov. 8th to Queenstown arriving Nov. 19th, blue "Aachen, Franco 21/11" framed transit and blue crayon "f3" sgr credit rating, Very Fine and attractive use; with 2014 P.F. certificate. Estimate $750 - 1,000.
Realized: $700