Sale 1242 — The Gordon Eubanks Collection: United States 1851 to 1856 Imperforate Issue
Sale Date — Tuesday-Wednesday, 12-13 October, 2021
Category — One-Cent: Plate One Late (Scott 7, 9)
1c Blue, Types II/IV (7/9). Positions 4/14R1L, vertical combination pair, the top stamp without recut lines--the only Type II on Plate 1 Late--full margins all around, rich color, circular datestamp cancels and trace of orange transit marking, Very Fine, a very choice pair with the scarce non-recut Type II from Plate 1 Late, with 2010 P.F. certificate, Scott value $650.00
1c Blue, Types II-IV (7-9). Positions 4-9R1L, horizontal combination strip of six, the left stamp (4R) without recut lines--the only Type II on Plate 1 Late--the other stamps are Type IV, including the the recut versions of the previous Types I (7R) and Ib (5, 6, 8 and 9R), Positions 5-7R and 9R with one line recut at bottom (only eight such recuts on plate), full even margins, intense shade and proof-like impression from a very early printing from the reconstituted plate, the former Type I has much of the bottom design complete and the double transfers show clearly, neat San Francisco circular datestamps, slight creases and tiny margin tears affect a few stamps, still Very Fine, an extremely rare strip, ex Stevenson and Zoellner
1c Blue, Types II-IV (7-9). Positions 3-10R1L, horizontal combination strip of eight, the second stamp from left (4R) without recut lines--the only Type II on Plate 1 Late--the other stamps are Type IV, including the the recut versions of the previous Types I (7R) and Ib (5, 6, 8 and 9R), Positions 5-7R and 9R with one line recut at bottom (only eight such recuts on plate), huge margins to just touched including part of sheet margin at top and right, cancelled by penstrokes on oversize wrapper to Enfield Conn., reduced and refolded, stamps with a few small flaws, otherwise Fine-Very Fine and rare, this probably paid a circular or printed matter rate, ex Cipolla
1c Blue, Type IV (9). Unused block of 82 from the left pane of Plate 1 Late, no gum, nearly full top and left sheet margins, single Position 1 at top left corner with huge margins has been reattached but appears to originate from the same sheet, showing complete left "Toppan, Carpenter, Casilear & Co. BANK NOTE ENGRAVERS. Phila. New York, Boston & Cincinnati" imprint and "No. 1" plate number, numerous double transfers (see our diagram for locations of double transfers and plate cracks) and Positions 71 and 81 with triple transfer, one inverted, deep rich color, a few light creases between rows, Positions 10, 30 and 50 have creases ending in tears, three stamps have trivial surface scuffs and there is a small margin thin affecting Position 81, the stamps in the plate block are soundTHE LARGEST EXISTING MULTIPLE FROM THE LEFT PANE OF PLATE ONE LATE, WITH A SUPERB PLATE BLOCK OF EIGHT. A SPECTACULAR ONE-CENT 1851 ISSUE ARTIFACT.
In its early state, before 199 of the 200 subjects were recut, there was no imprint on Plate 1. At the time of reworking the plate, the Toppan, Carpenter, Casilear & Co. imprint with the plate number ("No. 1”) was added at the sides, which makes this the first plate number in United States stamp production. This is the largest recorded multiple from the left pane of Plate 1 Late and contains probably the finest plate block of the issue as well. The only 1c 1851 multiple that exceeds this in size is the unique complete pane of 100 from the right pane of Plate 1 Late (ex Richey, Neinken, Ishikawa, Cipolla, Gross and Middendorf). The complete pane of 100 from Plate 2 (including the Position 99R2 Type III) was broken up after the 1980 Ishikawa sale.
Ex Hind, Michaels, Neinken, Ishikawa and Cunliffe, and from our 1990 Rarities sale.
1c Blue, Type IV (9). Position 50R1L with part imprint and plate no. "1" at right, large margins to just in on other sides, pretty shade, circular datestamp cancel, vertical crease at right, corner creases at top left, slightly toned, still Very Fine appearance, an exceedingly rare 1c Type IV position showing the plate number, which was not present on the early state of Plate 1, ex Hollowbush
1c Blue, Type IV (9). Position 41R1L with plate crack on collar, recut once at top and bottom, left interpane margin and centerline, other margins large to huge including part of adjoining stamp at bottom, bright color, light strike of 1857 circular datestamp, tiny thin speck at edge of sheet margin, still an Extremely Fine Gem, the plate crack is clearly visible, ex Newbury and Vogel
1c Blue, Type IV (9). Position 89R1L, recut once at top and with clear break in outer line at bottom, massive Jumbo margins with large portions of all adjoining stamps, grid cancelsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A MASSIVE ONE-CENT 1851 TYPE IV FROM THE LATE STATE OF PLATE ONE LATE--SHOWING A BREAK IN THE BOTTOM LINE--A TYPE IIIa CHARACTERISTIC.
Only a few positions on Plate 1 Late show a break in the bottom line on late impressions. Position 89R1L is the original one recognized and described by Ashbrook (see Neinken book, page 129). This example with Jumbo margins is very desirable.
Ex Ishikawa. With 1978 P.F. certificate. Accompanied by another 1c from Position 89R1L showing complete outer lines (earlier state of the plate)
1c Blue, Type IV (9). Position 91L1L, recut once at top, huge margins including large portions of adjoining stamps at sides, neat numeral "1" in octagon carrier cancel of Philadelphia Pa., Extremely Fine Gem, ex Cipolla, with 2004 P.F. certificate
1c Blue, Type IV (9). Position 7R1L, recut once at bottom, large margins to full including portions of adjoining stamps at bottom and right, dark shade and early impression showing details which are not present in later impressions, pre-printing paper fold, grid cancel, horizontal creases, Very Fine appearing example of Position 7R on Plate One Late, which in its early state produced the only imperforate Type I, Scott No. 5, with 2006 P.F. certificate for a pair
1c Blue, Type IV (9). Position 88R1L, recut once at top and bottom, full to large margins, bold strike of red numeral '20" cancel, small corner crease at top right, still Very Fine and striking, with 2013 P.F. certificate
1c Blue, Type IV (9). Positions 88-90L1L, horizontal strip of three, left two stamps recut once at top and bottom, right stamp recut once at top and twice at bottom, extra large right straddle-pane margin with centerline, capturing an unusually large portion of stamp from right pane, large to full margins other sides showing bits of two adjoining stamps, left two stamps also showing double transfers, rich color, town circular datestamp, Extremely Fine, ex Cohen and Koppersmith, with 1986 P.F. certificate
1c Blue, Type IV (9). Positions 71-73/81-83/91-93L1L, block of nine, the left three stamps each triple transfer, one inverted, huge margins all around including bottom sheet margin, neat strikes of "Boscawen N.H. Apr. 13" circular datestamp, brilliant color, right stamps with vertical crease, which appears to be where the block was folded over edge of a coverEXTREMELY FINE APPEARANCE. A BEAUTIFUL USED BLOCK OF NINE OF THE 1851 ONE-CENT TYPE IV IMPERFORATE WITH THE THREE TRIPLE TRANSFER/ONE INVERTED POSITIONS.
Ex Stephen D. Brown and Frelinghuysen. With 2014 P.F. certificate
1c Blue, Type IV, Printed on Both Sides (9a). The back has an impression of the top part of the design printed inverted relative to the normal impression on the other side, normal side with large margins to just touched with part of adjoining stamps at top and left, rich color, neat strike of large Boston "Paid" grid cancel, light corner crease at top rightVERY FINE. THE ONLY RECORDED EXAMPLE OF THE ONE-CENT 1851 ISSUE PRINTED ON BOTH SIDES. A PHENOMENAL RARITY.
Engraved stamps printed on both sides usually have a poor impression on one side and a second, complete impression on the other. They probably occurred when a sheet was printed without proper moistening, which prevented the paper from picking up the ink in the recessed lines of the engraved plate. If the sheet was turned 180 degrees before being put on the press a second time, the two impressions will be inverted in relation to each other. The variety is known on the three denominations issued in 1851--1c, 3c and 12c--but not on the imperforate stamps issued in 1855 (10c) and 1856 (5c). This is the only recorded example of the 1c 1851 design printed on both sides.
Ex Wagshal and "Natalee Grace". With 1977 P.F. certificate.
1c Blue, Type II (7). Large margins to clear, used with 3c Dull Red, Type II (11A), margins to in, 1c tied by "West Cambridge Ms. Feb. 11" circular datestamp on bluish gray cover addressed to John A. Pattee, in care of Pattee & Macfarlane in New York City, stamps used to create an elaborate hand-drawn illustration of Washington driving a horse and wagon with Franklin on back thumbing his nose at a dog, 3c light creases and few toned spotsVERY FINE. THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST FAMOUS AND EXTRAORDINARY OF ALL AMERICAN HAND-DRAWN COVERS, ORIGINATING FROM THE FAMOUS PATTEE CORRESPONDENCE. ONE OF ONLY TWO PATTEE COVERS EXECUTED IN COLOR, BOTH OF WHICH DEPICT WASHINGTON AND FRANKLIN IN HUMOROUS CARTOONS.
The partnership of Pattee & Macfarlane, dealers in hardware and cutlery, was announced on February 1, 1855, in the New York Evening Post. The partnership announcement allows us to narrow the date range in which this cover was mailed to February 1855-57. We are aware of approximately eight to ten covers from the Pattee correspondence. Five of these were offered in the Matthies sale (Siegel Sale 353, May 20-21, 1969), at the same time as the majority of covers from the famous Angell correspondence of Union Patriotics to Europe. Of the Pattee covers, two stand out from the rest--the cover offered here, and one of Washington and Franklin seated at a table (ex Grunin). These are the only two drawn in color.
Ex Matthies and Vogel
1c Blue, Type IV (9). Position 80L1, recut once at top and bottom, large even margins, tied by "New York Feb. 14" circular datestamp on Barnabas Bates illustrated propaganda cover with elaborate design for Cheap Inland and Ocean Postage, wonderful depiction of steamship and railroad train, imprint on back, our 1978 Baker sale description noted a "closed tear" in the bottom of stamp but this might be nothing more than a slight crease, and is not mentioned on new P.F. certificateEXTREMELY FINE. A MAGNIFICENT BARNABAS BATES "CHEAP INLAND AND OCEAN POSTAGE" PROPAGANDA COVER AND BELIEVED TO THE ONLY EXAMPLE KNOWN WITH THE ONE-CENT 1851 ISSUE.
Barnabas Bates (1785-1853) was born in England and came to the United States as a child. He became a Baptist preacher in Rhode Island, where he was also for some time collector of the port of Bristol under President Adams. Bates became a Unitarian and established in New York in 1825 a weekly paper called the Christian Inquirer. During the administration of Andrew Jackson he received an appointment in the New York post office and was for some time acting postmaster. He became a reform advocate for cheap land and ocean postage, founding the New York Cheap Postage Association, which published this envelope in 1851.
Ex Knapp, Fleckenstein, Baker and Vogel. With 2021 P.F. certificate
1c Blue, Type II (7). Three large margins to in at top, tied by "San Francisco Cal. Sep. 3?" circular datestamp on Aug. 20, 1857 "The San Francisco News Letter" illustrated newspaper depicting eagle, steamship, train etc., addressed to New Orleans, printed "P.M.S.S. Per California Sept. 5" at upper left, complete contents with headline "Summary of Events from the 20th of August to the 5th September, 1857", includes a short notice that the commencement of the Nicaragua steamship route is imminent, stamp with slight crease and tiny margin nick at top from placement near edgeVERY FINE. ONE OF FIVE RECORDED ILLUSTRATED SAN FRANCISCO NEWSLETTERS WITH THE ONE-CENT 1851 ISSUE.
The San Francisco News Letter was published by Frederick Marriott and served to advance his intertwining financial and political interests, to level attacks against his foes, and to extort money from public figures who he threatened with the prospect of scandalous news reports. Each publication date was tied to an outbound Pacific Mail Steam Ship Company sailing to Panama and was sold by all Wells, Fargo & Co. agents throughout California.
If the printed circular had a written message, the 10c transcontinental rate applied; if not, 1c was sufficient for the printed matter rate. Five examples of the illustrated lettersheet have 1c 1851 stamps (see Scott R. Trepel, "The San Francisco News Letter 1856-1858,” Western Express 266, December 2017).
Ex Beals
1c Blue, Type IV (9). Position 27L1L, recut once at top and bottom, double transfer, large margins to barely in, tied by light strike of Detroit Mich. circular datestamp on locally addressed cover with blue "Bush, Barnes & Co., Paper Warehouse, Printing Materials, Detroit Mich." stamp collar, second clear strike of "Detroit Mich. 5cts. Jan. 11" integral-rate circular datestamp with rate obliterated by square grid cancelVERY FINE. A PHENOMENAL COVER WITH THE IMPERFORATE ONE-CENT TYPE IV 1851 ISSUE PLACED PERFECTLY INSIDE A BLUE STAMP COLLAR ADVERTISEMENT FOR PRINTING MATERIALS AND PAPER. THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL DROP-RATE COVERS WE HAVE EVER ENCOUNTERED.
Ex Grunin, Gabriel, Rogers, Hackmey, Gross and Kramer. With 1968 and 2002 P.F. certificates.
1c Blue, Type IV (9). Recut once at top and bottom, full even margins, deep rich color, tied by light face-free "New-York Jun. 23" circular datestamp on remarkably fresh cover with red Barnum's American Museum, New York cameo corner card, addressed to famous Hudson River School artist Asher B. Durand at 91 Amity St. New York, Extremely Fine, a spectacular cover, with 1991 and 2004 P.F. certificates
1c Blue, Type II (7). Large margins to in at top, unplated but could be a Type IV recut at top (Scott 9), tied by blue "Charleston S.C. 1" 1c drop-rate circular handstamp on lady's small embossed-border envelope to local addressee, manuscript "Friends" at top, Very Fine, a lovely cover and scarce Charleston drop-rate marking
1c Blue, Type IV (9). Recut once at bottom (at least), large margins to cut in at top, tied by red "New York" in circle carrier department handstamp on Nov. 8, 1853 blue folded letter to New York street address, Very Fine strike of this rare carrier marking, which was used by the New York carrier department after removing the "U.S. City Mail" from the center, ex Wagshal
1c Blue, Type IV (9). Position 12R1L, recut once at top and bottom, double transfer, large margins to clear at left, tied by beautifully clear strike of "Paid/U.S. Mail/City Delivery/1/May 5" New York City carrier department circular datestamp on buff cover to local address, "U.S. Mail/4 P. M./Delivery" boxed handstamp, fresh and Very Fine, ex Brown, Newman, Cipolla and Grunin, with 2005 P.F. certificate
Westtown School, Westtown Pa., (2c) Gold (145L1). Affixed to top right corner of cover with 1c Blue, Type IV (9), recut once at bottom, 1c stamp tied by faint strike of Westchester Pa. circular datestamp, addressed locally, 1c stamp with faint edge toning not mentioned on certificate, still Very Fine and very scarce use of this local with the 1c 1851 Issue, these locals were never cancelled unless they happened to be placed within the strike radius for a cancel on a U.S. stamp, notation on back indicates this was sold in a 1925 Scott Stamp & Coin sale, with 1999 P.F. certificate
1c Blue, Type IV, Printed "Paid" Precancel (9 var). Horizontal pair, precancel on left stamp in all capital letters, right stamp in all lower case letters, font matches "Sent Free" line in newspaper, large margins to just in, used on brown newspaper wrapper addressed to Southington Conn., accompanied by original enclosure of The American Eagle newspaper of Cleveland O. dated Feb. 2, 1857, left stamp small corner crease at bottom left, few small toned spots, wrapper aged and brittle but de-acidified by a paper conservator to prevent further deteriorationVERY FINE APPEARANCE. THIS WRAPPER WITH A PAIR OF THE "PAID" PRECANCEL AND ENCLOSURE SOLVED THE MYSTERY OF WHERE THIS RARE PRECANCEL ORIGINATED. THIS IS THE ONLY RECORDED EXAMPLE OF THIS CLEVELAND PRECANCEL ON A WRAPPER.
Little is known about the "Paid" precancels on the 1c 1851 Issue. The Ashbrook 1c book illustrates several varieties of actual and supposed precancels, including a pair similar to that offered here. Ashbrook surmises that "the markings...were printed from newspaper type. In all probability the overprinting was done in a newspaper printing plant..." In fact, the same font is used for the precancel and in the newspaper.
From our 2004 Rarities sale, where it was first offered publicly after its discovery. With 2004 P.F. certificate.
1c Blue, Type IV (9). Recut once at top and bottom, large margins to slightly in at top, tied by light strike of blue "Evansville Ind. Jan. 24" circular datestamp on blue folded printed New Orleans Prices Current to Indianapolis Ind., well-struck red "Steamer Reindeer" with fleuron name-of-boat oval handstamp, red "Forwarded by O'Riley & Mitchell, Evansville Ind." handstamp at leftVERY FINE EXAMPLE OF A CIRCULAR SENT BY STEAMBOAT FROM NEW ORLEANS TO INDIANAPOLIS ON THE MISSISSIPPI AND OHIO RIVERS VIA EVANSVILLE, INDIANA.
There were two steamers named Reindeer that were destroyed in catastrophic incidents in the early 1850s, each of which involved considerable loss of life. The first operated on the Albany-New York Hudson River route and exploded in September 1852. The second, which carried this cover, was a Mississippi and Ohio River steamer that was destroyed when its boiler exploded on the Ohio River between Cannelton, Indiana, and Hawesville, on March 13, 1854, resulting in 38 deaths.
Ex Newbury, Grunin and Bailar.
1c Blue, Type II (7). Position 91L2, three large margins, slightly in at top, deep shade, tied by "St. Louis & Keokuk Steam. Aug. 28" contract steamboat route agent's circular datestamp on 1856 folded printed market report to Macomb Ill. via Quincy Ill., fresh and Very Fine, an extremely rare marking, especially on the 1c 1851
1c Blue, Type IV (9). Positions 73-75R1L and 48-50R1L, two horizontal strips of three, large to huge margins including part of adjoining stamps at bottom of one strip, stamps creased prior to use, left strip small tear at bottom left not mentioned on certificate, tied by blue "Baltimore Md. Jun. 27” circular datestamps on inbound ship cover, carried by vessel to Baltimore where it entered post office, stamps cancelled on arrival, manuscript "Due 2” ship captain’s fee, addressed to a member of the U.S. Coast Survey at Jacksonville Fla., sender’s manuscript directive "Per Steamer Hugh Jenkins” under stamps (Eastern Steamboat Co. vessel), additional manuscript "Schr. Guthrie, U.S. Coast Survey” at bottom leftVERY FINE. A MOST UNUSUAL 1851 ISSUE COVER CARRIED BY NON-CONTRACT VESSEL INTO BALTIMORE AND THEN TO U.S. COAST SURVEY MEMBER AT JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA.
The origin of this intriguing cover is unknown, but it might have originated at Annapolis, which was on the Eastern Steamboat Co. route. It was received from the Hugh Jenkins as a non-contract ship letter at the Baltimore post office, with 6c postage for a double-weight letter. The 2c ship fee was collected from the addressee.
Ex Krug, Ishikawa and Cipolla, and from our 2006 Rarities sale. Described in Ashbrook’s Special Service (No. 276) and with his notes on back. With 2002 P.F. certificate.
1c Blue, Type IV (9). Horizontal strip of three, tied by clear strike of "Cram, Rogers & Co/Express/Shasta" oval handstamp (Thomas CRA-101), conjunctive use with "Adams & Co/Express/Petaluma" oval on cover to Weatherville Cal., "PAID" boxed handstamp, manuscript "Enclosing Draft for /47 Gold", "2.50" express charge notation, slight overall soilingVERY FINE AND RARE USE OF THE ONE-CENT 1851 ISSUE ON A CONJUNCTIVE CALIFORNIA EXPRESS COVER WITH SERVICE BY ADAMS & CO. AND CRAM, ROGERS & CO.
Adams & Co. picked up this cover in Petaluma and applied their oval handstamp and the "Paid" marking. Adams carried it to Shasta and passed it to Cram, Rogers & Co. for carriage to Weatherville. Cram, Rogers cancelled the stamps with their oval, but the cover never entered the U.S. mails.
Ex Kutz. With 1996 P.F. certificate
1c Blue, Type IV (9). Positions 28/38/48L1L, vertical strip of three, full to large margins except clear at top left, tied by two clear strikes of "San Francisco Cal. 5 Jun." circular datestamp on blue cloth-lined cover to "Lieut. F. G. Dallas, U.S.N., U.S. Steamer John Hancock, Puget Sound W.T.", bottom stamp in strip creased before use, otherwise Extremely Fine, a rare use of the 1c 1851 Issue and a fascinating cover, the U.S.S. John Hancock sailed from San Francisco on Mar. 20, 1856, for Puget Sound to help suppress Indian uprisings which threatened to wipe out white settlements and Army outposts established in the early 1850s, she arrived in Seattle on Mar. 28 and operated from that port as a base until Aug. 4--this was mailed to Lieut. Dallas on board the ship--ex Haas and Vogel
1c Blue, Type IV (9). Vertical strip of three and pair, strip Positions 71/81/91L1L, comprising each of the three triple transfer, one inverted positions on Plate 1 Late, pair Positions 83/93L1L, cancelled and tied by grids, pair also tied by partly clear strike of "Newport R.I. Jul. 21 3 Paid" (1856) integral-rate circular datestamp on blue folded letter to Paris, France, the "3 Paid" is crossed out and red "Paid 5" struck below strip, red "New-York Br. Pkt. Jul. 23" circular datestamp, "26" decimes due handstamp for double weight, transit and receiving backstamps, carried on the Cunarder Africa which arrived at Liverpool Aug. 3, pair with slightly rough edge from placement near edge of cover and bottom stamp in strip light corner creaseVERY FINE. AN OUTSTANDING COMBINATION OF A SCARCE USE OF FIVE ONE-CENT 1851 STAMPS FOR THE SHORE-TO-SHIP RATE ON TRANSATLANTIC MAIL, AS WELL AS A STRIP OF THREE SHOWING ALL THREE TRIPLE TRANSFER/ONE INVERTED POSITIONS ON PLATE ONE LATE.
The inverted transfers on Positions 71L, 81L and 91L were made after the top row of the right pane of Plate 1 Early was entered from the Type I single-relief transfer roll. According to Richard Celler's theory, the three inverted transfers were made from a Type I design 3-relief transfer roll as a sort of trial after the top row entries had been made and the plate was turned around 180 degrees. When another plate ("Plate 0") had to be discarded, the siderographer returned to Plate 1 and erased the three inverted transfers before completing the plate with entries surrounding 3R to 10R. On Plate 1 Early, Positions 71L and 81L are double transfers. Position 91L was entered a total of three times, so it is a triple transfer, one inverted. When the plate was reworked in 1852, 71L and 81L were re-entered (but not 91L), making them all triple transfers, one inverted.
Ex Emerson, Cipolla and Cunliffe
1c Blue, Type IV (9). Positions 5/15/25/35/45R1L, vertical strip of five, mostly ample margins, slightly in at top and bottom, deep rich color and clear impression, tied by bold strikes of grid cancel, red "New Orleans La. Apr. 30" (1855) circular datestamp on folded letter to Turin, Italy, red "New-York Br. Pkt. May 8" transit datestamp, carried on Cunarder Africa, arriving at Liverpool on May 20, 1855, faint red French transit datestamp also ties strip, manuscript "17" decimes rate, transit and receiving backstamps, small hole at bottom left, Very Fine, a very scarce use of the 1c 1851 to pay the 5c shore-to-ship rate on mail to Italy--the few other strips known to us are used on covers to France
1c Blue, Type IV (9). Recut once at top and bottom, ample margins to just in, used with 3c Brownish Carmine, Type II (11A), tied together by blue "Charleston S.C. Paid Oct. 2" (1852) circular datestamp on prices current to Ghent, Belgium manuscript "p. Steamer Africa" and carried on that Cunarder, departing New York Oct. 6 and arriving Liverpool Oct. 17, manuscript "1" applied in England for 1p due, manuscript "15" decimes due from recipient, red boxed Belgian accounting handstamp clearly struck but not annotated with ratesVERY FINE. A RARE 4-CENT NEWSPAPER RATE CIRCULAR TO BELGIUM. THERE ARE FEWER THAN FIVE RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THIS RATE TO BELGIUM.
The 4c newspaper rate applied until April 1853. This is the only example located with Power Search, and we estimate no more than five 1851 Issue covers are known to Belgium with this 4c rate.
Ex Piller
1c Blue, Type IV (9). Horizontal pair, margins to in at bottom, used with 3c Dull Red, Type II (11A) and tied by grid cancels, red "New-York Br. Pkt. Nov. 2" (1853) circular datestamp on folded printed notice from Charleston S.C. to Stockholm, Sweden, red "Per Steamship James Badger between New York and Charleston" backstamp, manuscript rates including "13-3/4" silbergroschen for British and Belgian transit, "1R 8Sbc" Swedish postage due (56 skilling banco), also "18-3/4" silbergroschen debit to Sweden, transit and receiving backstampsVERY FINE. A RARE 1851 ISSUE COVER TO SWEDEN, CARRIED ON THE WINTER ROUTE AT THE END OF 1853.
Prior to the catastrophic crop failures and famine of 1867-1869, which drove Swedish farming families to leave their country, there was only a small population of Swedes living in the United States. Consequently, mail volume was low, and covers from the 1840s and 1850s are rare. This cover, franked for the 5c shore-to-ship rate, was carried from New York on the Cunarder Asia, arriving Liverpool Nov. 13. From there it traveled along the winter route via Aachen to Cologne, Hamburg, Kiel, Kosor, Copenhagen, Helsingborg, Gothenburg and Stockholm.
Ex Neinken and Wagshal. Accompanied by a letter from Richard Winter discussing the rates and routing and also by Winter's Chronicle article (No. 189, pp. 39-65) on U.S.-Sweden mail--which sheds additional light on this use
1c Blue, Type IV (9). Two, pre-use creases, large margins except one just touched at top, used with 3c Dull Red, Type I (11), small corner crease, large margins to just in, tied by "Philadelphia Pa. Dec. 19" (1853) circular datestamps on blue folded letter to St. Petersburg, Russia, from the William L. Winans correspondence, red "New York Br. Pkt. Dec. 20" circular datestamp, carried on the Cunarder Niagara, departing Boston Dec. 21, 1853, and arriving Liverpool Jan. 3, 1854, red London transit backstamp (Jan. 4), red "Seebrief per England & Aachen 1/5" (Jan. 5) backstamp, manuscript "1/-" shilling due marking, blue manuscript "11/3" silbergroschen marking, vertical file fold does not affect stampsVERY FINE APPEARANCE. A RARE EARLY USE OF UNITED STATES STAMPS FOR BRITISH OPEN MAIL TO RUSSIA.
William Winans arrived in Russia with his brother in 1843, as part of a $3 million contract to supply railroad locomotives and cars for the new railroad between St. Petersburg and Moscow, which was completed in 1851. From 1852, William was the chief manager of the Russian operation, which had a lucrative contract for making and maintaining running stock for the growing Russian railroad network--it was reported their contracted fees were 17 times higher than in any other country in Europe. During the Crimean War the firm's operations expanded, and Winans acted as the U.S. vice-consul in St. Petersburg. The contract expired in 1862, and Winans left Russia a millionaire.
Ex Piller, Giamporcaro ("Tito"), Hackmey and Gross. With 1993 P.F. certificate.