Early Postal History - Stamp Auctions

Lot 1001 - 1: Palestine During the Turkish Period Early Postal History -  Daniel F. Kelleher Auctions Sale 749 Leo Malz Specialized Collections of Israel and Palestine

Lot 1001 - 1: Palestine During the Turkish Period Early Postal History - Daniel F. Kelleher Auctions Sale 749 Leo Malz Specialized Collections of Israel and Palestine

1768 (July 27), document with heading "F[rater]. Luigi di Bastia", of the Corsican Branch of the Order of St. Francis, Lecturer in Theology of Mount Zion and President of the Monastery of the Sepulchre and Superior in the Holy Land, acknowledging receipt of alms from three members of the Order coming from Vienna; signed by Fra. Luigi di Bastia and four others, dated "Gerusalemme 17 Luglio 1768", lovely embossed seal with central Jerusalem Cross representing the subdivision of the Holy Land during the Crusades, this being Mount Sion of the Kingdom of Jerusalem, Very Fine state of conservation.
Estimate $350 - 500.

Daniel F. Kelleher Auctions Sale 749 The Leo Malz Specialized Collections of Israel and Palestine

1: Palestine During the Turkish Period Early Postal History
Lot 1002 - 1: Palestine During the Turkish Period Early Postal History -  Daniel F. Kelleher Auctions Sale 749 Leo Malz Specialized Collections of Israel and Palestine

Lot 1002 - 1: Palestine During the Turkish Period Early Postal History - Daniel F. Kelleher Auctions Sale 749 Leo Malz Specialized Collections of Israel and Palestine

1852 (Jan. 7), folded letter from the Spanish Vice Consulate in Jaffa to Madrid, showing on reverse Spanish Consulate cachet applied as seal, with two disinfection slits, Fine to Very Fine.
Estimate $300 - 400.

Daniel F. Kelleher Auctions Sale 749 The Leo Malz Specialized Collections of Israel and Palestine

1: Palestine During the Turkish Period Early Postal History
Lot 5 - The

Lot 5 - The "Skywalk" Collection of Nova Scotia Stamps and Postal History Early Postal History - Schuyler J. Rumsey Auctions, Inc. Auction # 70 - The “Skywalk” Collection of Nova Scotia Stamps and Postal History

1757 (Jul. 15) Halifax, N.S. via New York to London, England. Datelined folded letter carried as endorsed from New York by packet Harriott to Great Britain, manuscript "1N" shilling packet due rating, the letter was written by Captain James Campbell of the Squadron of Sir Charles Hardy, Governor of New York, he mentions "Admiral Holbourne with his Fleet and Transports are all arrived and we make a formidable appearance", some staining and fold splitting, Fine, Illustrated in Jephcott, Green and Young., ex-Maritimus.
Estimate; $3,000 - 4,000.

AN IMPORTANT LETTER WRITTEN BY CAPTAIN JAMES CAMPBELL DURING THE 1757 BRITISH EXPEDITION AGAINST LOUISBOURG, WHICH RESULTED IN THE 1858 FINAL BRITISH SIEGE AT LOUISBOURG.

A regular packet service to North America was established in October 1755. The first packet left Falmouth for New York on November 15th and from then on every 2nd Saturday of the month. The rate was 1 shilling and had to be prepaid from London. Mail between Halifax and New York was despatched as opportunity offered.

British preparations for the expedition against Louisbourg began March 18 to 27, with Loudon preparing 90 transport vessels in Boston, New York and Philadelphia with Sir Charles Hardy, Governor of New York commissioned as Rear-Admiral. They sailed via Sandy Hook to Halifax arriving June 30th without opposition. This letter was written while encamped at Halifax awaiting word from vessels sent to reconnoitre the harbor of Louisbourg. Holbourne's fleet arrived at Halifax on July 7th. As a result of the report, an attempt to attack Louisbourg was abandoned on August 4th 1757 as it was believed the French forces in Louisbourg were too strong. The following year, the British bombarded Louisbourg for two months and the city fell on July 27th 1758. 13,000 soldiers and the British Fleet under Admiral Boscawen had fought against the French.

Schuyler J. Rumsey Auctions, Inc. Auction # 70 - The “Skywalk” Collection of Nova Scotia Stamps and Postal History

The "Skywalk" Collection of Nova Scotia Stamps and Postal History Early Postal History
Lot 21 - The

Lot 21 - The "Skywalk" Collection of Nova Scotia Stamps and Postal History Early Postal History - Schuyler J. Rumsey Auctions, Inc. Auction # 70 - The “Skywalk” Collection of Nova Scotia Stamps and Postal History

1813 (Sep. 29) Halifax, Nova Scotia to Kendal, England. Datelined folded letter written by John Corruthers, endorsed "p Schooner Mary, Capt. Snell", mailed privately by Capt., red "Liverpool, 2 NO 2" rimless cds and manuscript "8" pence due rating, Very Fine.
Estimate; $300 - 600.

John Carruthers was a Prisoner of War from Savannah, now working for an agent Mr. D selling prize property.

Schuyler J. Rumsey Auctions, Inc. Auction # 70 - The “Skywalk” Collection of Nova Scotia Stamps and Postal History

The "Skywalk" Collection of Nova Scotia Stamps and Postal History Early Postal History
Lot 16 - The

Lot 16 - The "Skywalk" Collection of Nova Scotia Stamps and Postal History Early Postal History - Schuyler J. Rumsey Auctions, Inc. Auction # 70 - The “Skywalk” Collection of Nova Scotia Stamps and Postal History

1811 (Jan. 21) Halifax, N.S. to Dublin, Ireland. Folded letter "Halifax / Jan 21" two-line backstamp and bold "POST / PAID" in circle handstamp, London red "Paid, 5 MA" tombstone and manuscript "2/4" due rating for 1s1d packet plus 1s3d to Ireland (2d for the Holyhead-Dublin packet), May 8th arrival backstamp; edge faults and wear, Fine.
Estimate; $150 - 300.

Schuyler J. Rumsey Auctions, Inc. Auction # 70 - The “Skywalk” Collection of Nova Scotia Stamps and Postal History

The "Skywalk" Collection of Nova Scotia Stamps and Postal History Early Postal History
Lot 11 - The

Lot 11 - The "Skywalk" Collection of Nova Scotia Stamps and Postal History Early Postal History - Schuyler J. Rumsey Auctions, Inc. Auction # 70 - The “Skywalk” Collection of Nova Scotia Stamps and Postal History

1790 (May 11) Sydney N.B. to Orkney, North Britain. Datelined folded letter with "Halifax, N. Scotia, Jun 10 '90" split double circle, carried by Queen Charlotte from Halifax Jun. 16th to Falmouth arriving Jul. 2nd, flap with red London (7.6) Bishop mark and manuscript "1/-" rating on front, Edinburgh (7.6) cds transit backstamp with "1/7" 1s7d rating and finally "6" pence to Orkney Island for over 150 miles, accompanied by J. Gibson Map published in London 1792, Very Fine.
Estimate; $600 - 800.

New Brunswick was founded on August 1st 1784 to allow better administration of Loyalists that had settled there. We are not aware of any mail surviving in private hands from New Brunswick under Nova Scotia Legislation. Cape Breton became independent but was again incorporated into Nova Scotia in 1820.

A post office was opened in Sydney sometime in 1784. Thomas Uncle was made Postmaster General on June 22nd 1785. Until the re-annexation in 1820, mail was transported by coastal vessels in summer and by Indian courier in winter. A post office at Arichat operated from the early 1800s.

Halifax was added to the Falmouth packet route from September 1787. In the winter months (November to February) Halifax could not be used due to prevailing winds.

Schuyler J. Rumsey Auctions, Inc. Auction # 70 - The “Skywalk” Collection of Nova Scotia Stamps and Postal History

The "Skywalk" Collection of Nova Scotia Stamps and Postal History Early Postal History
Lot 6 - The

Lot 6 - The "Skywalk" Collection of Nova Scotia Stamps and Postal History Early Postal History - Schuyler J. Rumsey Auctions, Inc. Auction # 70 - The “Skywalk” Collection of Nova Scotia Stamps and Postal History

1763 (Aug. 18) Groton Mass. to Annapolis Royal N.S. Datelined folded letter carried privately by ship, Oliver Prescott writes: "I should have wrote to you much oftener if I could have found a conveyance", some toning and significant edge splitting, Fine, ex-MacDonald.
Estimate; $1,500 - 2,000.

POSSIBLY THE EARLIEST CORRESPONDENCE TO THE COLONY IN PRIVATE HANDS.

Oliver Prescott (1731-1804) was a colonial-era physician, soldier and judge. The letter is addressed to Henry Evans who had led a group of 47 people from Massachusetts to settle on land in the Annapolis Valley that was vacant after the Acadians were expelled in 1755.

Schuyler J. Rumsey Auctions, Inc. Auction # 70 - The “Skywalk” Collection of Nova Scotia Stamps and Postal History

The "Skywalk" Collection of Nova Scotia Stamps and Postal History Early Postal History
Lot 22 - The

Lot 22 - The "Skywalk" Collection of Nova Scotia Stamps and Postal History Early Postal History - Schuyler J. Rumsey Auctions, Inc. Auction # 70 - The “Skywalk” Collection of Nova Scotia Stamps and Postal History

1814 (Nov. 5) London, England to St. John N.B. via Halifax. Datelined folded letter with London (11.5) backstamp and manuscript "2/2" 2s2d rating, carried by Packet Osborne to Halifax, manuscript "Packet 2N5" 2s5d cy. rating plus "9" pence cy. totalled to "3N19", pencil "3/2" 3s2d notation at top left, F.-V.F.
Estimate; $400 - 600.

Schuyler J. Rumsey Auctions, Inc. Auction # 70 - The “Skywalk” Collection of Nova Scotia Stamps and Postal History

The "Skywalk" Collection of Nova Scotia Stamps and Postal History Early Postal History
Lot 1 - The

Lot 1 - The "Skywalk" Collection of Nova Scotia Stamps and Postal History Early Postal History - Schuyler J. Rumsey Auctions, Inc. Auction # 70 - The “Skywalk” Collection of Nova Scotia Stamps and Postal History

1735 (Oct. 29) Louisbourg, French Nova Scotia to Rochefort, France. Folded letter datelined "louis bourg, le 29 octobre 1735" carried by French ship to France, entered mails with "ROCHEFORT" straightline and manuscript "6" sols due rating, Very Fine and choice.
Estimate; $15,000 - 20,000.

THE EARLIEST RECORDED LETTER FROM FRENCH NOVA SCOTIA, AND THE EARLIEST RECORDED FROM ALL OF NEW FRANCE.

Steinhart notes the earliest letter from French Nova Scotia for 1755 and the earliest cover with a postmark from all of New France as 1749. This usage is by far the earliest.

In 1745, New Englanders attacked Louisbourg and with the help of the British Fleet and four warships under the command of Commodore Warren Louisbourg surrendered on 17th June 1745. It was again given back to France in the peace of Aachen on October 18th 1748.

Schuyler J. Rumsey Auctions, Inc. Auction # 70 - The “Skywalk” Collection of Nova Scotia Stamps and Postal History

The "Skywalk" Collection of Nova Scotia Stamps and Postal History Early Postal History
Lot 17 - The

Lot 17 - The "Skywalk" Collection of Nova Scotia Stamps and Postal History Early Postal History - Schuyler J. Rumsey Auctions, Inc. Auction # 70 - The “Skywalk” Collection of Nova Scotia Stamps and Postal History

1812 (May) London, England to Quebec, Canada. Docketed folded cover carried as endorsed by Ralph Nicholson and probably taken by a privateer off Nova Scotia via New York with red "New-York 2 Aug" entry cds, held over until after the war and forwarded at pre-war rates showing "Ship" handstamp with "1oz" and "82" ratings for four-times the 20¢ rate plus 2¢ ship fee, reverse with "Montreal / 22 APR 15" two-line postmark and red "8N2" rating for 4s4d cy plus 4x Canada inland 11½d cy postage for 201-300 miles; small edge tear, Very Fine.
Estimate; $3,000 - 4,000.

A REMARKABLE WAR OF 1812 USE FROM GREAT BRITAIN VIA THE UNITED STATES TO CANADA.

Towards the end of the Napoleonic Wars, the United States declared war on the United Kingdom June 18th 1812 mostly due to the British interception of American vessels to France. Halifax was then an important military and naval base. The Treaty of Ghent was signed on December 24th 1814 ending this war.

Schuyler J. Rumsey Auctions, Inc. Auction # 70 - The “Skywalk” Collection of Nova Scotia Stamps and Postal History

The "Skywalk" Collection of Nova Scotia Stamps and Postal History Early Postal History