The "Erivan" Collection of United and Confederate States Part V

28L5, Brooklyn City Express Post, Brooklyn, NY, 1855-65 2c Black on dark blue, large margins to just touching at right, indistinct black cancel with "Brooklyn Jan 27 N-Y." cds alongside, on cover to Hanover, Germany, endorsed "per U.S.M. Steamer 'Washington' via Bremerhaven," black "N. York U.S. Pkt. 9 Jan. 28" debit datestamp and "30" in circle, red "3?ggr America Über Bremen" two-line handstamp, additional red crayon rate markings, small multicolored "Liberty" patriotic deal on backflap, Very Fine, an extraordinary local stamp use and almost certainly the only example of the Brooklyn City Express stamp on an Ocean Line cover to EuropernThe Ocean Steam Navigation company was founded in 1847, and was the first company awarded a contract by the US government for the oceanic transportation of mail. This cover was carried on the January 28, 1854 sailing of the paddle steamer Washington, and arrived in Bremen on February 13. More information on the fascinating and historic Ocean Line can be found in Hubbard and Winter's North Atlantic Mail Sailings 1840-75.rnProvenance: David Golden ( R.A. Siegel Sale 817, 1999) United States Carriers and Locals