Sale 1218 — The "Dubois" Collection of Important Prestamp Covers and Postal Markings of British North America, 1694-1861
Sale Date — Tuesday, 24 March, 2020
Category — Nova Scotia Ship Letter Markings
The only recorded example of “Shp Letter Annapolis” crown oval handstamp(Digby to Halifax, Jun. 7, 1841). Folded letter datelined Digby Jun. 7, 1841 and addressed to Halifax, bold strike of “Shp Letter Annapolis” crown oval handstamp (MacDonald 242), manuscript “Service of the Revenue” and rated “1N8-1/2” at top right, mild file fold thru handstamp of little consequence
FINE. THIS IS THE ONLY RECORDED EXAMPLE OF THE “SHP LETTER ANNAPOLIS” CROWN OVAL HANDSTAMP. AN IMMENSE NOVA SCOTIA AND SHIP LETTER RARITY.
MacDonald theorizes that the lettering “SHP” was done in error and was created locally. Understandably, this has been missing from most major Nova Scotia collections, but it is a key cover for any award-winning exhibit or collection.
Ex “Maritimus”
One of the finest of the four recorded examples of the “ANNAPOLIS N.S./SHIP LETTER” handstamp(St. John, New Brunswick to Annapolis, Nova Scotia, Mar. 13, 1850). Blue folded letter datelined St. John Mar. 13, 1850 and addressed to Annapolis, Nova Scotia, bold red “ANNAPOLIS N.S./SHIP LETTER” two-line handstamp (Jephcott 151, MacDonald 243) with matching May 10 arrival backstamp, manuscript “by Capt Brown, March 13/50” directive at bottom left and rated “4-1/2”
VERY FINE. A CHOICE STRIKE OF THE “ANNAPOLIS N.S./SHIP LETTER” HANDSTAMP ON INCOMING FOLDED LETTER. ONLY FOUR EXAMPLES ARE RECORDED--THIS IS ONE OF THE FINEST. A MAJOR SHIP LETTER AND NOVA SCOTIA RARITY.
The four recorded include a new find (Apr. 7, 1849), which replaced the example offered here as the earliest known example. The one strike in black, dated Jan. 4, 1857, is offered in lot 2254.
Ex Dr. Clark, Rathbun and “Skywalk”
The only recorded “ANNAPOLIS N.S./SHIP LETTER” handstamp in black(St. John, New Brunswick to Granville, Nova Scotia, Jan. 4, 1857). Folded letter datelined St. John Jan. 4, 1857 and addressed to Granville, Nova Scotia, black “ANNAPOLIS N.S./SHIP LETTER” two-line handstamp (Jephcott 151, MacDonald 243) and fancy “3” handstamp (likely carried privately from New Brunswick), cover with soiling and stain, splitting along folds, Fine strike of this rare marking--of the four recorded Annapolis Ship Letter covers, only this strike is in black, ex Dr. Clark
The only recorded example of the “ARICHAT C.B./SHIP LETTER” marking--applied to a cover from St. Pierre & Miquelon to France(St. Pierre & Miquelon to Granville, France, Apr. 17, 1855). Folded letter datelined “St. Pierre Miquelon le 17 avril 1855” and addressed to Granville, France, carried privately and entered mails with faint but clear strike of “ARICHAT C.B./SHIP LETTER” two-line handstamp (MacDonald 244), matching “Arichat N.S. JA 27, 1855” (should read “AP”) circular datestamp on back, red “CANADA/&c. ART 12” boxed Anglo-French accountancy handstamp, Halifax, London, Calais and Paris transit and Granville arrival backstamps, “3” handstamp applied in Halifax and “14” decimes due handstamp in France
FINE. THIS IS THE ONLY RECORDED “ARICHAT C.B./SHIP LETTER” MARKING, REMARKABLY SENT FROM ST. PIERRE & MIQUELON ON A COVER TO FRANCE. A MAJOR NOVA SCOTIA, SHIP LETTER AND TRANSATLANTIC RARITY.
Illustrated in BNA Topics (Mar.-Apr. 1980, No. 376, p. 31). Ex Dr. Clark
Exceptionally rare “DIGBY N.S./SHIP LETTER” marking(Digby to Port Medway, Jun. 20, 1857. Clearly struck “DIGBY N.S./SHIP LETTER” two-line handstamp (MacDonald 245) with “Digby N.S. JU 20 1857” circular datestamp on back of small cover to Port Medway, manuscript “p Alexander via St. John NB” ship-name directive, red Yarmouth transit and rated “4-1/2” for 3p postage and 1-1/2p ship fee, slight overall soiling
VERY FINE STRIKE OF THIS EXCEPTIONALLY RARE “DIGBY N.S./SHIP LETTER” HANDSTAMP.
Jephcott gives a rarity rating of “R.F. 10” (highest possible). Ex “Maritimus”
The rare “LIVERPOOL N.S./SHIP LETTER”(Demerara, British Guiana to St. John, New Brunswick, Dec. 6, 1841). Printed folded letter datelined “Demerary, 6th December, 1841” and addressed to St. John, New Brunswick, “LIVERPOOL N.S./SHIP LETTER” two-line handstamp (MacDonald 246) and “Shelburne N.S.” circular handstamp with star (MacDonald 65), rated “7 (+) 9 (=) 1N4” collect
VERY FINE STRIKE OF THE RARE “LIVERPOOL N.S./SHIP LETTER” MARKING. ONLY FOUR EXAMPLES ARE RECORCED.
Ex “Maritimus”
Without question the finest of the four recorded examples of the “LIVERPOOL N.S./SHIP LETTER” handstamp--applied to a cover from British Guiana(Demerara, British Guiana to Yarmouth, Jul. 7, 1843). Folded letter datelined “Demerary 7th July 1843” and addressed to Yarmouth, carried privately to Nova Scotia with exceptional strike of “LIVERPOOL N.S./SHIP LETTER” (MacDonald 246) and matching Aug. 9 circular datestamp on back, rated “1/8-1/2 (+) 1 (=) 1/9-1/2”, minor internal splitting along folds and vertical file fold not affecting markings
EXTREMELY FINE. CERTAINLY THE FINEST RECORDED EXAMPLE OF THE RARE “LIVERPOOL N.S./ SHIP LETTER” MARKING, STRUCK ON A COVER FROM BRITISH GUIANA. ONE OF THE KEY SHIP LETTER ITEMS FOR ANY MAJOR NOVA SCOTIA COLLECTION.
The “1/9-1/2” paid 9p for the -1/2oz to 1oz sea postage, 2-1/2p ship fee, 9p rate to Yarmouth plus 1p for local delivery.
Illustrated in The Postal History of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, 1754-1867 by Jephcott, Greene and Young (p. 190). Ex Jephcott, Greene and Steinhart
This cover bears the only recorded examples of both the “LUNENBURG N.S./SHIP LETTER” and Halifax “Detained for Postage” markings(St. Bartholomew to Philadelphia Pa., Apr. 28, 1849). Folded letter datelined St. Bartholomew Apr. 28, 1849 and addressed to Philadelphia Pa., “Lunenburg N.S. MY 21 1849” circular datestamp and “LUNENBURG N.S./SHIP LETTER” two-line handstamp (MacDonald 247), Halifax May 24 transit backstamp and red “No. 541 Detained for Postage” handstamp (Jephcott 369, MacDonald 276), rated “1/1-1/2” (crossed out) and re-rated “1/4”, evidently paid with red Halifax Jun. 11 tombstone, “5” in circle handstamp, couple file folds, one thru the Detained marking
FINE. THIS IS THE ONLY RECORDED EXAMPLE OF BOTH THE LUNENBURG SHIP LETTER AND DETAINED FOR POSTAGE HANDSTAMPS OF HALIFAX. A MAJOR NOVA SCOTIA RARITY.
These two handstamps are each listed in Jephcott and MacDonald, but neither author recorded an example on cover. They were previously only known in proof books.
Bold strike of the scarce “SYDNEY C.B./SHIP LETTER” marking on cover to France(Sydney, Cape Breton to Morlaix, France, Jul. 28, 1852). Wonderful strike of “SYDNEY C.B./SHIP LETTER” two-line handstamp (Jephcott 153, MacDonald 250) with matching “Sydney C.B. JY 28 1852” circular datestamp on back of folded cover to Morlaix, France, manuscript “par Halifax & Liverpool” directive at top right, Halifax, London and Paris transit and Morlaix arrival backstamps, “96” decimes handstamp, Extremely Fine strike of this scarce marking
Early St. Pierre & Miquelon cover with the rare “SYDNEY C.B./SHIP LETTER” handstamp(St. Pierre & Miquelon to St. Servian, France, Sep. 7, 1853). Bold strike of “SYDNEY C.B./SHIP LETTER” handstamp (Jephcott 153, MacDonald 250) with matching “Sydney C.B. SP 7, 1853” circular datestamp on back of cover from St. Pierre & Miquelon to St. Servian, France, carried privately to Sydney with manuscript “voie a Halifax & Liverpool” directive, red “CANADA/&c. ART 12” boxed Anglo-French accountancy handstamp, Halifax and Calais transit datestamps, variously rated, light edgewear
FINE EARLY COVER FROM ST. PIERRE & MIQUELON WITH THE RARE “SYDNEY C.B./SHIP LETTER” MARKING. SELDOM SEEN WITH THE ANGLO-FRENCH ACCOUNTANCY MARKING.
St. Pierre & Miquelon did not have a post office until March 1854. Any mail prior to that, such as this cover, would have been privately carried directly or thru Nova Scotia.
Ex Smith
Very rare “WINDSOR N.S./SHIP LETTER” marking on a Gold Rush letter from passenger on his way to California while anchored off the coast of Brazil(Santa Catarina Island, Brazil to Windsor, Feb. 21, 1850). Folded letter datelined “Island of St. Catherine’s, 28 South Latitude, Coast of Brazil” on Feb. 21, 1850 and addressed to Windsor, carried privately with clear red “WINDSOR N.S./SHIP LETTER” two-line handstamp (MacDonald 251), red “SHIP” handstamp (unrecorded in Jephcott and MacDonald from Windsor) and “Windsor N.S. JY 25 1850” circular datestamp on back, rated “4-1/2”, cover with some internal splitting and tear at bottom, fascinating contents regarding trip via Chagres, other ships calling at Santa Catarina Island, incoming shipment of slaves, his journey and seasickness
FINE. CLEAR STRIKE OF THE “WINDSOR N.S./SHIP LETTER” HANDSTAMP ON A FASCINATING GOLD RUSH LETTER WRITTEN BY AN ARGONAUT WHILE ANCHORED OFF THE COAST OF BRAZIL, PICKING UP SUPPLIES FOR THE REMAINING PART OF HIS JOURNEY AROUND CAPE HORN.
Ex “Maritimus”
Rare and clearly struck example of the red “YARMOUTH N.S./SHIP LETTER” marking(Boston Mass. to Yarmouth, Jun. 7, 1854). Red “Yarmouth N.S. JU 7, 1854” circular datestamp on back and well-struck “YARMOUTH N.S./SHIP LETTER” two-line handstamp (MacDonald 252) on small mourning cover addressed to Yarmouth, manuscript “Politely favored by Messrs. Ladd & Hale, Boston” at bottom left, rated “3”, some pencil docketing erased and small tear to cover at top right, still Very Fine strike of this rare Yarmouth Ship Letter marking, only a small number are thought to exist, ex Steinhart