|
Malta/F. 1830 Entire letter written from the Palace, Corfu, to Edinburgh backstamped by a fine dated "MALTA / F" handstamp in green. Photo on Page 195. £250-300
|
|
|
Malta/F. 1835 Entire letter from Malta to Edinburgh with a fine undated "MALTA / F" backstamp in green. Photo on Page 195. £250-300
| Ship and India Letters | |
Falmouth | |
|
| |
1786 Entire letter from Savannah to London with two line "FALMOUTH / SHIP-LRE" (S.1a), and 1800 entire from Jamaica to London "p. Prince via L'pool" but landed at Falmouth because of bad weather, with horse-shoe type "FALMOUTH / SHIP / LRE" (S.2), both fine. (2). £110-140
|
|
| |
1804 Entire letter from an ensign in the 86 Regt on his way to India, written on the ship "David Scott" off the coast of Madeira, to "Ulva, Isle of Mull, to the care of Sandy MacCallum, Postmaster", with oval "crown" ship letter type S3a in black; and 1814 entire letter from Corunna with similar oval ship letter type S4 in red, light file fold, otherwise both fine, the red ship letter handstamp scarce. (2). £120-140
|
|
| |
1809 Entire letters from the USA both endorsed via the "Pacific" with 15 April arrival datestamps of London, carried on the same voyage but with differing oval ship letter handstamps of Falmouth, type S3a or S4 ("Ship Lre"), an unusual pair. (2). £100-120
|
|
| |
1812 Entire from Curacao to London "p. Helmsley" and 1847 entire from Pernambuco to London "p. Mary Housell to Falmouth", both with red "FALMOUTH / SHIP LETTER" type S5, only recorded used 1810-14 by Robertson and Tabeart, but known to have been reused in March to August 1847. An interesting pair, the first sent during the second British Occupation of Curacao. (2). £120-150
|
|
|
1815 (Mar 22) Entire letter from London to Madeira "p. Warrior", prepaid 7d as a withdrawn ship letter, the reverse bearing two strikes of the red "POST PAID WITHDRAWN SHIP LETTER / (crown) / 25 MR 25 / 1815 / FALMOUTH". H.M.S "Warrior" was detained in Falmouth with the West India fleet by contrary winds until April 4th. Probably the finest of just four recorded examples of this Falmouth Post Paid Withdrawn Ship Letter, one of the other three recorded examples also sent on this sailing of the "Warrior". A fine and rare item. Photo on Page 197. £600-800
|
|
|
1815 (June 30) Entire letter from Surat, India, to Ireland headed "From Richard T. Adams, Private, H.M 1st Battn 47th Regt" countersigned by an Officer, with a red "FALMOUTH / SHIP LETTER" (S.6) and a Dublin backstamp. Charged 2/- in Falmouth, increased to 2/10 at Dublin; disallowed at the 1d rate as there was no packet service at this time from India and it was therefore carried by private ship. A scarce and unusual soldiers letter. Photo on Page 197. £200-250
|
|
| |
1827 and 1838 Entire letters with "SHIP LETTER / FALMOUTH" type S7, the 1827 entire letter with oval "HOBART TOWN / V.D.L, boxed "MISSENT TO / LONDON" and the Ship Letter in black; the 1838 entire letter to Huth in London and forwarded to Belgium with the Ship Letter in red. The 1827 entire letter treated as an India letter with the ship letter mark applied in error, also very scarce in black (only recorded by Robertson in black in 1834). (2). £120-150
|
|
| |
1836-48 Entire letters and entires with red Ship Letter handstamps, type S6 (4, one with superb oval "FORWARDED THROUGH / GILPIN'S EXCHANGE / READING ROOM AND / FOREIGN LETTER OFFICE / N-YORK"), or the scarce unframed type S8 on an 1840 entire from Canton "pr. A. Baring" (lower flap severed and rejoined to upper flap to display the handstamp; only recorded 1840). (5). £150-180
|
|
| |
1850 Printed Prices Current from Bahia to London with fine "FALMOUTH / SHIP LETTER" (S.6) in blue, scarce in this colour. £100-120
|
|
|
1858 Entire letter to Whitehaven bearing Victoria 3d pair (faults, one crossed by file fold) backstamped at Williams Town, with the scarce "FALMOUTH-SHIP-LETTER" double arc datestamp (S.9) on both the front and reverse, backstamped at Whitehaven and with two Hensingham undated circles. Photo on Page 197. £240-300
|
|
| |
1862 (Apr 16) Stampless mourning cover to London with enclosed letter written from "Ship Reunion off the Lizard", the cover endorsed "Ship Letter unpaid", but despite this it has been treated as an inland letter and charged 2d, with a Falmouth c.d.s on the front and London backstamp. Opening tear at upper corner, otherwise fine and very unusual. £80-100
|
|
|
1871 Stampless entire letter from Barranquilla to London endorsed "pr Kronprinz Friedrich Wilhelm" with very scarce "FALMOUTH / SHIP LETTER" c.d.s (S.10) on the front and a "6d" charge mark, backstamped with red "SHIP LETTER / LONDON" c.d.s. Small repaired hole in the address and two file folds, otherwise fine and attractive, a scarce late ship letter c.d.s only recorded for 1871-73. Photo on Page 197. £150-200
|
|
| |
India Letters. 1826-32 Entire letters (3) and an entire from India, and 1843 entire letter from Mauritius to France, all with boxed India letter handstamps, type In1 in black (2) or red (2), or In2 in red, all fine. (5). £120-150
|
|
|
India Letter / Ship Letter Error. 1827 Entire letter from Manila to London, the reverse handstamped by red step type "FALMOUTH / SHIP LETTER" (S.6) deleted by a manuscript cross and replaced by red boxed "INDIA LETTER / FALMOUTH" (In.1), both marks then obliterated by black "SHIP LETTER / FALMOUTH" (S.7 variant with round "O" and smaller lettering) with a third strike on the address panel. A rare alteration from an India letter to a ship letter and a remarkable item with three differing Falmouth India or Ship Letter handstamps. Photo on Page 197. £700-900
|
|
| |
1840 Entire letter from Calcutta to London "p. Zenobia" and entire from Mauritius to Marseille "per Planet via London" both with the scarce unframed type In3 "INDIA LETTER / FALMOUTH", the letter from India with the handstamp in red (recorded 1839-40) and the Mauritius letter with the India letter handstamp in black, previously unrecorded in this colour. (2). £140-160
|
|
|
India Letter / Ship Letter Error. 1847 Entire from Rio Grante, Brazil, to France with red boxed "INDIA LETTER / FALMOUTH" (In.1) struck in error and overstruck with boxed "FALMOUTH / SHIP LETTER" (S.6) also in red, other handstamps include boxed "COLONIES / &c. ART. 13". An unusual and attractive error, seven years after the special India Letter rates had creased. Photo on Page 197. £200-250
|
|
| |
1849 Entire backstamped "INDIA LETTER / FALMOUTH" (In.1) in blue, scarce in this colour (recorded 1849-50). £90-120
| Other Ports | |
|
| |
Fowey. 1785 Entire letter from Spanish Town, Jamaica, to Edinburgh backstamped with straight line "FOWEY" and charged 1/7 as a ship letter - 1d Captain's gratuity + 1/6 inland postage. A scarce early ship letter; Fowey did not have a ship letter handstamp until 1831 although a manuscript ship letter endorsement is recorded from 1813. £150-180
|
|
|
Fowey. 1813 Entire letter from Demerara to London "p. Ship Spectator", endorsed "Ship letter to" alongside a "FOWEY" straight line handstamp with oval "SHIP / (crown) / LETTER" applied in London (Rob S.10). Marked "2oz" and charged 10/8, backstamped in London. The only recorded manuscript ship letter of Fowey, 18 years before the first recorded ship letter handstamp. An exceptional and unique item. Photo on Page 200. £1,000-1,200
|
|
|
Fowey. 1820 Entire letter from St. Michael, Azores, to Scotland "p the Emilia. Capt. Collins" with "FOWEY / SHIP LETTER" (S.3) in magenta, the only example recorded in this colour. Photo on Page 197. £500-600
|
|
|
Fowey. 1849 Entire letter to New York written at sea on the Ship "Panama", the writer's next port of call being Conception, Chile. Landed at Fowey and taken to London where it was detained for 36 days awaiting 1/4 postage, handstamped "FOWEY / SHIP LETTER" (S.3), boxed "No. / Detained for Postage" and "Returned for / Postage, "PAID", "5 / CENTS", a Fowey c.d.s, London c.d.s and Paid datestamp, all in red. An exceptional transatlantic cover landed at Fowey. Photo on Page 197. £500-600
|
|
|
Fowey - India Letter. 1832 Entire letter from Madras to London Per "Alberton" backstamped with a Madras ship letter datestamp and black boxed "INDIA LETTER / FOWEY" (In.1), fine and scarce. Photo on Page 200. £500-600
|
|
|
Fowey - India Letter. 1838 Entire letter from Madras to Scotland "p. Carnatic" backstamped with Madras Ship Letter Post Paid datestamp and red boxed "INDIA LETTER / FOWEY" (In.1), not recorded in red by Robertson or Tabeart though two examples are now known, both landed from the "Carnatic" on the same day. Very scarce. Photo on Page 202. £500-600
|
|
|
Looe. 1831 Entire letter from Nevis to London "p. Brig Manly", backstamped with "LOOE / 246" mileage mark and handstamped "SHIP LETTER" (S.35) in London with a red London c.d.s. An exceptional ship letter from Looe, strangely without the 'Looe ship letter' handstamp which was in use in 1830, very scarce from Nevis. Photo on Page 200. £400-500
|
|
|
Looe/Polperro. 1830 Monthly return of the Cane Grove Estate in St. Vincent listing negroes, mules & horses, cattle, sheep & goats, sugar, rum, fish and crops, to London handstamped "POLPERRO" fleuron mark with manuscript "Ship Letter" alongside, backstamped "SHIP LETTER / LOOE" (S.1) with a London c.d.s, possibly disinfected with signs of light overall vinegar splashing. A remarkable letter, the only recorded manuscript ship letter of Polperro (which did not have a ship letter handstamp until 1836) and the only recorded Looe Ship Letter handstamp. Photo on Page 200. £1,800-2,200
|
|
|
Marazion. 1814 Entire letter from Coruna to London with manuscript "ship letter" alongside a "MARAZION / 289" mileage mark and a "SHIP-LRE" handstamp, recorded by Robertson as type S1 handstamp of Marazion based on this single example but almost certainly applied in London, the reverse endorsed "forwarded by y.v.o.s Oliver Gluyas, Marazion 7 June 1814" with a London c.d.s. A unique and remarkable manuscript ship letter with the rare London Ship Lre handstamp added (possibly London type S34b with the "S" removed), 16 years before the first recorded ship letter handstamp of Marazion. Photo on Page 200. £1,200-1,400
|
|
|
Marazion. 1820 Entire letter from New York to London "pr Centerion Avery" with "MARAZION / SHIP LETTER" (S.2) and a London backstamp, scarce. Photo on Page 202. £250-300
|
|
|
Marazion - India Letter. 1839 Entire letter from Malacca to London backstamped "MARAZION / SHIP LETTER" (S.2) overstruck in London by two boxed "INDIA" handstamps in red, with a matching London c.d.s. An exceptional ship letter from this small port corrected to an India Letter in London. The upper flap severed and rejoined to the lower flap to display the complete handstamps, otherwise fine. Very attractive and unique. Photo on Page 202. £600-700
|
|
|
Mevagissey. 1848 Entire from Port Louis to Bordeaux "p. Coromandel via Londres" backstamped with "MAURITIUS / POST OFFICE", London and Bordeaux datestamps and a fine "MEVAGISSEY / SHIP LETTER" (S.1), red boxed "COLONIES / &c. ART. 13" on the front. Small edge tear, otherwise fine and scarce. Photo on Page 202. £300-350
|
|
|
Mevagissey. 1848 Entire letter from Port Louis to Bordeaux carried on the same voyage of the "Coromandel", the postal markings identical to the previous letter, very fine and scarce. Photo on Page 202. £400-500
|
|
|
Padstow. c.1810 Outer wrapper to St. Ives handstamped "PADSTOW" (CO215, recorded 1802-22) with manuscript "ship" alongside, charged 8d. The upper and right flaps removed, the wrapper without any datestamps or indication of origin, apparently a genuine manuscript ship letter of Padstow (which did not have a ship letter handstamp until 1827) but offered "as-is". An intriguing item. Photo on Page 202. £120-150
|
|
|
Padstow. 1842 Entire letter from "Gaboon River, West Africa" to USA with rare oval "Ship Letter / (crown) / PADSTOW" (S.2) on the front and a Bodmin backstamp, charged 8d. Received in London on the following day, Oct. 26, and detained there for over five months until 1/8 postage was received from the addressee (the 8d ship letter charge + 1/- packet rate to the USA), with red boxed "No. / Detained for Postage", a red London Paid datestamp (3 AP 1843) and red Boston Ship arrival c.d.s. Written by a missionary, Rev. John Wilson, the letter includes "The Gaboon is a noble river, fourteen miles wide at its mouth and navigable for large sized vessels to the distance of thirty miles .... We have located on the north side of the river about eight miles from its mouth. The river is frequented on the south side by Portuguese, Spanish and French vessels, the most of which, especially the two first are engaged in the slave trade.". A fine strike of this rare ship letter on a remarkable transatlantic entire letter from West Africa detained in London. Photo on Back Cover. £2,000-2,500
|
|
| |
Penzance. 1815-33 Entire letters (4) and an entire with Ship Letter handstamps S3 or S4, or boxed India Letter type In1 in black (2) or red, one entire letter from Cape Town with oval "POST OFFICE / CAPE OF GOOD HOPE" datestamp. (5). £180-220
|
|
| |
Penzance - India Letter. 1831 Entire letter from Cape Town to London "per Morning Star" with a Cape Town datestamp, the reverse with "PENZANCE / SHIP LETTER" (S.4) applied in error and overstruck by boxed "INDIA LETTER / PENZANCE" (In.1), two vertical file folds, an unusual error. £100-120
|
|
| |
Penzance- India Letter. 1839 Entire letter with a Hobart Town datestamp and 1840 entire with red "PAID SHIP LETTER / SYDNEY" datestamp, both with the scarce unframed "INDIA LETTER / PENZANCE" (In.2, recorded 1839-40) in red, one a little smudged, the other fine. Both backstamped in London, the India letter handstamps possibly applied in London. (2). £140-160
|
|
|
St. Ives. Entire letter written on the "Swallow" en route to India, just prior to calling at Madeira, to Carlisle, with a fine "ST. IVES / SHIP LETTER" (S.1), very scarce. Photo on Page 202. £500-600
|
|
|
St Mawes. 1841 Entire letter from Jamaica to Surrey per "Barque Sophia" with a superb "SHIP LETTER / ST. MAWES" (S.1) and a London backstamp, charged 8d. Photo on Page 202. £300-400
|
|
|
St Mawes. 1841 Entire to London endorsed "Consignees p. Florist" handstamped "SHIP LETTER / ST. MAWES" (S.1) with red "(crown) / EXEMPT. SHIP LR" (Ex.2), charged 3d (2d inland postage + 1d Captain's gratuity), backstamped in London. The reverse endorsed "Enclosing further B. of Lading 35 Bales Cotton p. Florist. Captain of the Florist compelled to break out a portion of his cargo as p certificate herewith". An exceptional exempt ship letter from St. Mawes. Photo on Page 205. £500-600
| KENT | (Also see lots 142, 143, 147, 172, 176, 514-516, 611, 802, 1139, 1140)
Early Letters | |
|
|
Margate. 1574 (Oct 10) Entire letter written in French by Cornille Sohide, from "Margate near Sandwich" to Philipe Corsyni in London. Cornille informs Corsini of the arrival of a boat from Rye cast on the shore by bad weather with a cargo damaged by water, which includes some of Corsini's goods. Also a 1553 woodcut of Britain. The Corsini correspondence only contained two letters from Margate. A fine Elizabethan letter. Photo on Page 205. £300-400
|
|
| |
Dover. 1637 (June 28) Entire letter from Capt. Coningesbye "To his worthy and much respected friend Collins, Captain of Motes Bulwark". Coningesbye has received a letter from Master Gunner William Elldreade who complains he has been told to keep watch; he states "I do not think a Master Gunner is to pass upon the duty of a common soldier". A fine early letter sent between army Officers within Dover, written from the Tower. Also a 1661 Hermannides plan of Dover. £180-220
|
|
| |
Walmer Castle. 1640 (Sep 21) Entire letter from Lt. Lisle at Walmer Castle "To his noble friend Capt. Collins, Deputy Lieutenant of Dover Castle, these present". Richard Staddin (Mr Hugason's farmer) was forbidden from ploughing and sowing near the castle, but has continued to do so, pretending he has a warrant and license from Capt. Collins. A fine early letter. £180-220
|
|
| |
Deal Castle. 1641 (July 31) Entire letter from William Byng at Deal Castle "To his honerd friend Captain Collins at Moates Bullwark Dover these". The letter includes "The Queen Mother takes her journey into these parts upon Tuesday next, the first night comes to Dartford, the second to Cobham, whither the King and Queen bring her, the next to Sittingbourne, and eight nights she stays at Canterbury". He also reports Lt. Ambrose for having been absent from the castle for a week. A fine early letter. £200-240
|
|
| |
Dover. 1641 Entire letters sent locally within Dover, both from James Wilsford "To his much respected friend Captaine Collinze, these"; the first letter (Mar 15) inviting Collins to a dog fight at St. Margarets, the second (Dec 21) written "from the George" requests a warrant to course in the warren. Two interesting and fine early letters. (2). £300-350
|
|
| |
Dover. 1642 (Aug 6) Entire letter written in Dutch, from Christiaan van Basserode to his uncle Juan van der Bequen in Antwerp, endorsed "Pto" with a "1s" charge. The letter includes "we had news yesterday that the Governor of Portsmouth has handed over the town to His Majesty, and fallen away from the Parliament, so that we fear what strange things we shall shortly hear. Business is now being carried on in much danger". A fine Civil War period letter. £180-220
|
|
| |
Dover. 1642 (Sep 17/27) Similar entire letter to Antwerp with a "2s" charge. The letter refers to the danger of travelling to Spain, "the voyage is subject to many risks, the more because of the numerous pirates that are now at sea, such as Turks, and Dunkirkers and French go under the name of Irish. On the other hand there are the troubles here, as well as what can originate from them, and other reasons as well". A fine Civil War period letter. £180-220
|
|
| |
Dover. 1642 (Oct 1/10) Similar entire letter to Antwerp with a "1s" charge. The letter, mentioning shipping and trade, includes "Two barques from Dunkirk arrived here today with about 80 bundles. They passed without interferance by the States ships, so you can send your goods. I consider you will do well not to have them loaded for Dunkirk, despite their assembling together. They have let them pass 2 or 3 times now and then so far, and you should not risk too much yet, even in a convoy, for the Hollanders are on the watch to catch them early". A fine Civil War period letter. £180-220
|
|
| |
Dover. 1642 (Nov 19/29) Similar entire letter to Antwerp with a "1s" charge. The interesting letter includes "7 and 8 days ago there was great hope of an accomodation. Now, God amend it, we stand in worse case than ever before. So, last Saturday both houses were in conference about the King's answer. The King has come with all his strength before Brentford, and fallen upon the Parliament forces and slain eight or nine hundred, and after that his men were forced to retire. The Commons is very embittered, and wants to hear no more about peace. Fear of a bloody war grows very much stronger everywhere". A fine Civil War period letter. £180-220
|
|
| |
Deal. 1660 (Feb 12) Entire letter from Henry Carpenter "To Mr Rich. Southwell, near Billiter Lane in Fenchurch Street, these in London" with a 3d charge. Southwell reports the arrival at Deal of the "Allexander" from Barbadoes. A fine letter with postal charge from final year of the Commonwealth. Also 1660 Pierre du Val map of England. £150-180
|
|
