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1838 Entire letter from Mazatlan to Morrison Cryder & Co in London per "Kelpie", landed at Margate and taken in a sealed bag to the London Ship Letter Office where it was handstamped "SHIP LETTER / MARGATE" (S.5) and oval "PAID SHIP LETTER / LONDON" datestamp (S.51, Dec 3) both in the same red ink and was treated as a Post Paid incoming ship letter with 1/4 marked in red, the postage being charged to the account of Morrison Cryder. Exceptionally fine and rare, only one other incoming ship letter treated as a paid letter in this manner has been recorded. Photo on Page 223. £500-600
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1822 Entire letter from Poonah to Dublin "per Swallow" with fine boxed "INDIA LETTER / MARGATE" (In.1), readdressed to France, the 3/- postage to Dublin and the postage to France all paid at Dublin; and 1830 entire letter from Lima to Plymouth carried on the "Lucy", delayed in the Channel by bad weather, with "MARGATE / SHIP-LRE" (S.4). (2). £150-200
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1819 (May 26) Soldiers letter from Barrelly to London, headed "From Serjeant Major C. Gale, 2nd Battn, 24 Reg. N.I, Soldiers letter", countersigned and marked "P. Vittoria", with Calcutta G.P.O and London datestamps and boxed "INDIA LETTER / MARGATE", charged 1/-. The letter refers to the end of the wars - "The Rajah of Nagpoor has not been taken ..... I am in hopes of being promoted to a higher rank, Conductor of Ordinance". Between July 1819 and August 1823 soldiers letters from India had to be sent by packet to qualify for the soldiers concession rate, and if sent by private ship were charged standard India packet rates. A very scarce soldiers letter. Photo on Page 223. £300-350
| Queenborough | |
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1831 Entire letter from Hamburg to London backstamped "SHIP LETTER / QUEENBORO" (S.5) and a London c.d.s with Hamburg Schiffsbrief datestamp (June 17) on the front, disinfected at Stangate Creek with scorching and two chisel slits, a large black scorch mark across the front where the letter was held in the disinfection tongs. Initially charged 3/9 but endorsed "Only double, Fred Huth & Co", the charge reduced to 2/6. Light file folds, otherwise a fine letter disinfected at Stangate Creek and landed at Queenborough, the only recorded rebate charge from this port. £200-250
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1831 Entire letters from Hamburg to London with Hamburg Schiffsbrief datestamps (Nov 4), backstamped "SHIP LETTER / QUEENBORO" (S.5) and in London, both disinfected in Hamburg with rastel holes, and again at Stangate Creek with chisel slits and scorching, charged 1/3. Two fine Queenborough ship letters disinfected at Stangate Creek, both sent on the same sailing of the "Thetis". (2). Photo on Page 225. £400-500
| Ramsgate | |
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1791 Entire letter from Barbados to London "p. Capt Goodwin" with "RAMSGATE / SHIP-LRE" (S.1) and London backstamp (July 23), charged 9d, small seal stain, otherwise fine, a scarce ship letter. Photo on Page 225. £250-300
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1801 Entire letter from Quebec to Greenock "p. the Denault, Capt Demeule" with the unique "RAMSGATE / SHIP LETTER" (S.2). The "Denault" was conducted into Ramsgate by a Dover cutter having lost her Bowsprit, and in a leaky state. The only recorded example of this ship letter, ex Robertson, illustrated by him (page E.254). Photo on Page 225. £800-1,000
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1814 Entire letter from La Guayra to London with fine single oval "SHIP LETTER / (crown) / RAMSGATE" (S.5), used a remarkable 33 years earlier than recorded by Robertson or Tabeart, backstamped in London (June 20), charged 1/-. Light horizontal fold, otherwise fine and rare. Photo on Page 225. £350-400
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1859 (Sep 30) Cover from Sydney to London "p. Caldera" franked NSW 6d tied by "NSW" on triple oval, the rare single oval "SHIP LETTER / (crown) / RAMSGATE" (S.5) alongside and a red London Paid c.d.s (Jan 16), backstamped at Sydney and Ramsgate. An exceptional late use of this rare type ship letter, the cover landed at Ramsgate because of bad weather in the channel. Photo on Page 225. £600-750
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1830 Entire letter from Rio de Janeiro to London handstamped "RAMSGATE / SHIP LETTER" (S.3) overstruck by boxed "INDIA LETTER / RAMSGATE" (In.1) with a second strike below, charged the India Letter rate of 1/-. An unusual incorrect alteration as mail from Brazil was not eligible for the India Letter rate, probably collected with mail en route from Australia to England. Very fine and scarce. Photo on Page 225. £250-300
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1831 (Apr 20) Entire letter from Hobart to London, carried on the "Resource", Capt. smith, redirected to Plymouth. Handstamped oval "HOBART TOWN / V.D.L" and backstamped boxed "INDIA LETTER / RAMSGATE" (In.3). Repaired seal hole, otherwise very fine. £200-250
| Rochester | |
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1791 (Feb 19) Entire letter from Smyrna to London carried on the "Amazon" (Capt. Waring) to Rochester, the letter referring to a consignment of watches on the same ship. Landed at Rochester and disinfected with vinegar at Stangate Creek, handstamped "ROCHESTER" (KT 897) with a London backstamp, treated as a consignees letter and charged 6d inland postage only. A fine early disinfected ship letter landed at Rochester twelve years before the first recorded Rochester Ship Letter handstamp. Ex Robertson. Photo on Page 225. £400-500
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1792 (Jan 28) Entire letter from Smyrna to London "pr Acorn Cap. Levi Preston W.G.D", the letter referring to bales of silk carried on the ship. Landed at Rochester and disinfected with vinegar at Stangate Creek, handstamped "ROCHESTER" (KT 897) with a London backstamp, treated as a consignees letter and charged 6d inland postage only. Vertical file fold, otherwise a fine early disinfected ship letter landed at Rochester eleven years before the first recorded Rochester Ship Letter handstamp. Photo on Page 225. £400-500
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1802 (Nov 16) Entire letter from Smyrna to London "p. Weymouth, Cap. W. Weldon" with a "ROCHESTER / 29" mileage mark, London c.d.s (22 Feb 1803), and oval "SHIP / (crown) / LETTER" (S.10 applied in London), disinfected with vinegar at Stangate Creek, charged 1/4. A rare disinfected ship letter landed at Rochester, which did not get is own ship letter handstamp until later in 1803. The only recorded London Ship Letter in combination with a Rochester handstamp. Photo on Page 227. £600-750
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1812 (June 2) Entire letter from Smyrna to London, carried on the "Gallant Schemer", Capt. Worts, landed at Rochester and disinfected at Stangate Creek with vinegar and chisel slits. Handstamped oval "SHIP-LETTER / (crown) / ROCHESTER" (S.2), charged 1/8 (reduced from 2/6). A fine disinfected letter with a rare Ship Letter handstamp. Photo on Page 227. £400-500
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1812 (June 27) Entire letter from Salonica to London disinfected at Stangate Creek with vinegar and chisel slits, with single oval "SHIP LETTER / (crown) / ROCHESTER" (S.3), backstamped in London (Oct 14). A fine disinfected letter with a very rare Ship Letter handstamp. Photo on Back Cover. £800-1,000
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1823 Entire letter from Bilbao to London, the reverse endorsed "Gibraltar 3 April 1823, Recd & forwarded by ymos Archbold & Johnston", disinfected at Stangate Creek with vinegar and chisel slits, backstamped with rare "ROCHESTER / SHIP LETTER" (S.4) and a London c.d.s, charged 1/2. An exceptional disinfected letter forwarded via Gibraltar with a rare Ship Letter handstamp. Photo on Page 227. £500-600
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1823 Entire from Spain to London, the reverse endorsed "Forwarded by ymos J.L.W.D & Co, Gibraltar 1st July 1823", disinfected at Stangate Creek with vinegar and chisel slits, backstamped with rare "ROCHESTER / SHIP LETTER" (S.4) and a London c.d.s, charged 1/2. An exceptional disinfected letter forwarded via Gibraltar with a rare Ship Letter handstamp. Photo on Page 227. £400-500
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1831 Entire letter to London with a Crefeld c.d.s (Oct 24) and "FRANCO" handstamp, endorsed "franco Rotterdam 6½", backstamped with the very rare "SHIP LETTER / ROCHESTER" (S.5), disinfected at Stangate Creek with vinegar and chisel slits. A fine disinfected letter with a very rare Ship Letter handstamp, only recorded in 1831. Photo on Page 227. £600-800
| Romney | |
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1803 Entire letter from Alexandria, USA, to London, carried on the "George & Mary" with fine oval "Ship Lre / (crown) / NEW RUMNEY" (S.2), charged 1/10. Rare, one of four recorded examples. Photo on Page 227. £400-500
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1839 (Sep 2) Entire letter from Macao to London per "Eucles" with a superb boxed "NEW ROMNEY / SHIP LETTER" (S.5), charged 1/4, the letter concerning a cargo of tea from Canton bound for London Docks. Probably the finest example of this very scarce Ship Letter handstamp, unusual from Macao. Photo on Page 227. £500-600
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1825 Entire letter from Cape Town to London paid 2d inland postage with a Cape of Good Hope datestamp, carried on the "Sir George Osborne". Backstamped "ROMNEY / SHIP LETTER" (S.3) with boxed "INDIA" (In.8 of London) applied below, charged 1/1. Horizontal file fold, otherwise fine and very scarce, just one other similar India handstamp recorded from Romney. Photo on Page 229. £500-600
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1829 (Jan 6) Entire letter from Kandy to Wilson & Co in Bannockburn ordering regimental plaid, marked "PP9d" and "pr the Ceylon" with a "COLOMBO / POST PAID" datestamp (Feb 23), backstamped "ROMNEY / SHIP LETTER" (S.3) then overstruck with boxed "INDIA LETTER / ROMNEY" (In.1). Charged 2/10 as an India Letter, "STIRLING / PENNY POST" applied upon arrival. A scarce Ship Letter applied in error and corrected to an India Letter. Photo on Page 229. £300-350
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1834 Entire letter from Agra to Edinburgh carried on the "Anne Baldwin", Capt. Crawford, backstamped "ROMNEY / SHIP LETTER" (S.3), corrected in the London Ship Letter Office with a boxed "INDIA LETTER" (In.9), very unusual and scarce. Photo on Page 229. £300-350
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1836 Entire letter from India to Edinburgh with boxed "KURNAUL / POST PAID" and a Calcutta G.P.O Ship Letter datestamp, carried on the "Hector", Capt. Smith, handstamped "ROMNEY / SHIP LETTER" (S.3). The incorrect Ship Letter handstamp obliterated with a red "crutched cross" (M3) in the London Ship Letter Office, where a red boxed "INDIA LETTER / ROMNEY" (In.1) was applied on the reverse, with matching London datestamps (Dec 2), charged the India Letter rate of 1/6. An unusual and scarce Ship Letter applied in error and altered to an India Letter. Photo on Page 229. £300-350
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1839 Entire letter from Port Louis to London per "Brankenmoor", with a red Mauritius Post Office backstamp, handstamped boxed "India / LETTER" (Robertson In.10 of London) apparently applied at Romney, backstamped with red "INDIA LETTER / ROMNEY" (In.1) probably applied at the London Ship Letter Office as the Romney India Letter mark did not name the port. Backstamped with a red London c.d.s (May 20), marked "102" and charged 3/-. Very fine and scarce. Photo on Page 229. £500-600
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1841 (Aug 22) Entire letter from Perth, Western Australia, to England backstamped with superb boxed "NEW ROMNEY / INDIA LETTER" (In.1), charged 8d, London c.d.s (Mar 19). Exhibition quality, a very early letter from Western Australia, ex Robson Lowe collection. Photo on Page 232. £300-350
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1843 Entire letter from Adelaide to London prepaid 6d to Port Philip, carried on the "Tuscan", Capt. Rapson, backstamped superb boxed "NEW ROMNEY / INDIA LETTER" (In.1) and a London c.d.s, charged 8d. Exhibition quality. £200-250
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1849 Entire letter from Mauritius to Bordeaux with a Mauritius c.d.s and red boxed "COLONIES / &c ART 13", backstamped by superb blue "NEW ROMNEY / INDIA LETTER" (In.1, across the join), London, Calais and Bordeaux datestamps. A fine letter, carried on the "Thomas Blyth" barque, the India letter only recorded in blue in 1849 and rare in this colour. Photo on Page 232. £250-300
| OTHER COUNTY & TOWN POSTAL HISTORY | |
Berkshire | |
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Reading. 1719 Entire letter to a Coffee House in London backstamped by a light but readable strike of the rare double ring "READING" and a "21/DE" Bishop mark; and 1791 entire letter to London with "READING" and scarce handstruck "4". (BR 301, 340). (2). £150-180
| Bristol | (Also see lots 265, 276)
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1706-72 Entire letters, the 1706 entire letter with a light strike of the very early and scarce straight line "BRISTOL", the eight others all with "B" handstamps containing "ris / tol" or "RIS / TOL" (types BS 12, 16, 18), three addressed to public houses, one endorsed "By the Chester Bag to Northop". (9). £280-320
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1780-1840 Prestamp letters with Bristol handstamps including straight line and curved types, datestamps with two examples of the scarce dotted type of 1822 (BS 83) and Penny Posts (2), also "PAID / AT / BRISTOL" and "TOO LATE" handstamps. (33). £350-450
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1799-1808 Entire letters (2) and a printed letter concerning the Kennet & Avon Canal with circular framed "7/PP/P", "10/PP/P" or "1/PP/U", fine and scarce. (3). £150-200
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c.1845-1910 Covers and cards (103) and pieces (100s) with "134" numeral or duplex cancels, various types including duplexs of North St., Clifton or Redcliff, also various notes and some picture postcards. (100s). £100-120
| Channel Islands | (Also see lots 340, 963, 1004, 1079, 1084, 1439)
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1797-1841 Prestamp entire letters and covers from or to the Channel Islands, various handstamps include concave "JERSEY" and scroll handstamps of "JERSEY" (3) or "GUERNSEY" (7, one to Lisbon, another on an 1822 entire letter from Buenos Ayres), one entire letter endorsed "only double" with 1/- refunded, an 1833 entire letter from Guernsey with boxed "SHIP LETTER / SOUTHAMPTON", etc. An interesting collection all written up on pages, some faults. (15). £280-320
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Alderney. 1823 Entire letter from Alderney to Nantes, with "Recommandes aux soins de Messrs Blaize et Fils, St. Malo" forwarding agents endorsement and "GRANDE BRETAGNE / PAR ST MALO" handstamp, charged 15 decimes. A scarce and unusual early letter from Alderney. £350-400
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1840 (July 27) Entire letter from Jersey to the Captain of the Schooner "Sultana" at Newport, Isle of Wight, bearing a 1d black PI plate 4, cut into at right and just touched at lower left, tied by a red Maltese Cross and backstamped "JERSEY" datestamp. A scarce use of a 1d black in Jersey, very few recorded. £250-300
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1841 1d Red brown plate 33 CJ used with a fine strike of the rare and very distinctive Channel Islands Maltese Cross, the stamp cut into at both sides, margins at top and base. With David Brandon Certificate (2005). S.G. £10,000. Photo on Page 145. £1,000-1,200
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World War Two/Isle of Man. 1943 Red Cross message form from the Isle of Man to a lady at Grouville, Jersey, with two British censor cachets and five other cachets including "RED CROSS MESSAGE BUREAU / 206 / 27 Athol Street, Douglas, I.O.M". A rare origin, just one other Channel Islands Red Cross message form recorded from the Isle of Man. £250-300
| Devon | (Also see lots 278, 844, 995, 1003, 1006)
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c.1700 Entire letter to Taunton, charged 2d, backstamped with a superb "E" Exeter Bishop Mark of "FE/18", the folds repaired, a rare mark. With B.P.A Certificate (1958). Photo on Page 239. £250-300
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1764-1902 Entire letters, covers and cards in two postcard albums, various postmarks including penny posts (22), undated circles (10), 1885 cover from Torquay to India franked 5d green, etc; also some items from other counties addressed to Devon. (110). £200-250
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c. 1820-75 Entire letters and covers addressed to Devon (mostly to Exeter), many sent within the county, various postmarks including 1842 Exeter skeleton datestamp and Otterton Penny Post, etc., also a few later covers. (137). £100-150
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1824-37 Entire letters with boxed "Okehampton / 5" Clause Post", two also with boxed "No. 1" of Stratton, the other two also with a "HATHERLEY / 204" mileage mark (one also having a boxed "No. 3"). (4). £100-120
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Budleigh Salterton. 1840-1974 Covers and cards (88), parcel post labels (3), a C.O.P, stamps and pieces (21) all in an S.G. Plymouth album, including 1840 entire letter bearing a 1d black (3 margins) with Exmouth Penny Post, 1d pink envelopes unusually cancelled by the "BUDLEIGH SALTERTON" undated circle and the "756" numeral (2), other undated circles (3), "756" vertical and horizontal numerals, duplexs, squared circles, skeletons (24 cards + 5 pieces), 1929 Knowle rubber on C.O.P, 1907 cover with undated cancel on blank type registration label, also Budleigh undated circles (3) and East Budleigh datestamps (6). (113). £280-320
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Exmouth. 1743-1976 Covers and cards (249), parcel post labels (11), C.O.Ps (3), stamps and pieces (58) all in two S.G. Plymouth albums including Penny Posts (7), 1743 entire letter privately carried from Exmouth to Cockwood, 1786-91 straight line marks, 1796-1807 circular marks (2), mileage and mileage removed types, Maltese Crosses, 1857 missent entire letter, numerals, 1850 traveller datestamp in blue, duplexs, squared circles, 1885 "2" charge mark, skeletons (37), postage dues, sub-offices, 1881 registered cover to Panama bearing 1d strip of six, etc. (321). £500-600
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Exmouth Area. 1806-1983 Covers and cards (59), stamps and pieces (8) and a parcel post label from villages near Exmouth, comprising Exton (5) with rubbers (2) and a real photo card of the post office; Littleham (4); Lympstone (23) with 1806-11 curved handstamps (3), Exmouth Penny Post (2), Lympstone Penny Post (2), undated circle, 1879 "B69" vertical numeral in blue on 2½d to France (2); Otterton (10) with Penny Posts (5, three types); Starcross (26) with Exeter Penny Post (2), Starcross Penny Post, skeletons (2). (68) £220-250
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Woodbury. 1854-1914 Covers and cards (18) and a piece including undated circle, 1913 Woodbury Common skeleton used at the temporary army camp (6 cards + piece), 1914 rubber skeletons of Woodbury Camp (3) or Woodbury Common Camp. (19). £100-120
| Dorset | |
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1764-1790 Entire letters with 1764 "DORCHES / TER" (DT 203), 1790 "120 SHER / BORNE" (DT 507) or 1782 circular "SHERBORNE / Post / Office" (DT 505), last with light file fold, otherwise all superb. (3). £100-150
| Hampshire | (Also see lot 273)
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Odiam. 1766 Entire letter backstamped superb "ODIAM" between bars (HA 816) and a Bishop Mark, the rate altered with a red inspectors crown, a scarce mark. £100-120
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Alresford. 1836 Entire letter with "Paid" handstamp and matching circular "ALRESFORD", unrecorded in the British County Catalogue. £80-100
| Herefordshire | |
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