Sale 1287 — Worldwide Stamps and Postal History
Sale Date — Tuesday-Wednesday, 23-24 May, 2023
Category — International Mails & Group Lots
Lot
Symbol
Photo/Description
Cat./Est. Value
Realized
1421
1840, Anvers, Belgium, to Batavia (Java) and Lampong District (Sumatra). Folded letter addressed to Major Simon in Batavia, red "Anvers 8 Oct. 1840" datestamp, magenta manuscript "franco Le heldre", manuscript "30" Belgian rate on back, forwarded to Lampong, red "LAMPONGSCHE/DISTRIKTEN" framed handstamp--De Beer 175c is recorded 1853-61, but this is a much earlier and different marking--the blank side of address leaf was used to write a reply to the original sender, Capt. Dendon, datelined "Tarabanjie (Isle de Sumatra) le 13 Avril 1841", sealed tear at bottom clear of markings and overall toning, some bleed-thru and ink erosion from writing, still Fine, this is a very rare early letter from Belgium to the Dutch East Indies, and the Lampong handstamp is also a great rarity, with 2009 Van der Vlist certificate
E. 750-1,000
500
1422
1845-68, Dutch East Indies to and from Belgium. 7 covers to Belgium and one folded letter from Belgium, earliest is Jan 14, 1845 folded letter from Anvers to H. Zollinger (famous botanist) in Batavia and redirected to Sourabaya with blue "Zeebrief Ongefrankee" oval handstamp and red Kreglinger Dummler & Co. forwarder's backstamp, manuscript "60" due; others are outbound to Belgium including 1853 folded letter with blue "Franco Fort Willem I Ambarawa" oval handstamp and array of transit markings and rates for route via Singapore and Trieste; 1864 with blue "Bagelen Franco" oval handstamp and transit markings for route via Marseilles; last five are all dated 1868 with red Samarang datestamps and have markings related to 1866 France-Belgium Postal Convention including "F/26" (two) and "F/27" (three), different due handstamps in decimes, these are carefully annotated and highly valued--except for faults in one of the "F/26" covers, the condition is excellent, overall Very Fine, a rare group of early Belgian stampless covers to and from the Dutch East Indies
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E. 1,500-2,000
1,300
Back to Top1423
1817, Batavia to Salvador, Bahia, Brazil via Cape of Good Hope. Folded letter in English datelined "Batavia 20 of July 1817" from the brother of Baron Van der Capellen to John Cunningham, "Consul to His Britanic Majesty at St. Salvador, Bahia, Brazil", perfect bold strike of "General Post Office - Capetown" crown-circle handstamp applied in transit from Java to Brazil, faint red manuscript "2" to the left of marking, receipt docketing on the inside flap, very minor toningEXTREMELY FINE. A VERY EARLY POSTMARKED LETTER FROM THE DUTCH EAST INDIES TO SOUTH AMERICA--SENT FROM JAVA DURING THE FIRST YEAR OF RESTORED RULE BY THE NETHERLANDS AND DURING THE PERIOD WHEN KING JOAO VI OF PORTUGAL REIGNED AS RULER OF THE KINGDOM OF BRAZIL.
This letter was penned by the brother of Baron Van der Capellen, one of three Commissioners-General of the Dutch East Indies, which had been returned by the British to the Netherlands one year earlier. He begins, "His Excellency the Governor General regrets very much of having too much to do that he cannot answer your friendly letter." In this letter he refers to the recipient's daughter as his cousin and congratulates Cunningham on her recent marriage, adding "It is not likely at all that I shall follow very soon her example. I cannot say that the Java Ladies, till yet, are very pleasing or entertaining." He also mentions the recent visit to the island by Lord Amherst who had "the misfortune to be wrecked, but all were happily saved."
This letter was sent via the British post office in Cape Town, and the crown-circle marking indicates it was prepaid or sent free of postage (the latter in this case). It arrived in Brazil during the period from 1816 to 1822 when King Joao VI ruled the country as King of the United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and the Algarves.
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E. 3,000-4,000
2,500
Back to Top1424
1854, Folded Letter from Whaler Maria at Sea to Sourabaya, Java, via Cape of Good Hope. Bluish folded letter with dateline "Ship Maria at Sea, 17th May 1854" (cut out to allow for display on a page), addressed to David Trail at "Kebannen" (?) care of Fraser Eaton & Co., Sourabaya, Java, red "Cape Town - Cape of Good Hope - JU 19 1854" rimless datestamp on back, matching "SHIP LETTER" boxed handstamp on front, manuscript directive "via Singapore", red "Batavia 5/8" (Aug. 5) circular datestamp, manuscript Dutch rates, ink erosion in line thru forwarder's name has split the paper, otherwise Fine, very unusual use of CGH ship-letter marking
E. 300-400
150
Back to Top1425
1847-48, Batavia to Canton, China. Two folded covers to Augustine Heard & Co., Canton, China: first with lightly struck "Zeebrief Franco" oval handstamp, manuscript "1/" rate, faint red Singapore boxed datestamp and Hong Kong Mar. 13, 1847 British P.O. datestamp on back, carried on P&O Braganza, Singapore to Hong Kong, Fine condition; second with "INDIA PAID/BY BATAVIA" boxed handstamp, manuscript "1/" rate, readable red Singapore boxed datestamp and Hong Kong Feb. 22, 1848 British P.O. datestamp on back, considerable ink erosion in address with pieces missing; early covers from Dutch East Indies to China are scarce
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E. 500-750
250
Back to Top1426
1856-60, Dutch East Indies to and from Hong Kong. Three folded letters: 1856 Hong Kong to Batavia with red "Paid at Hong-Kong" crown-circle and Nov. 15 backstamp, red "Zeebrief Ongefrankeerd" boxed handstamp, manuscript "8" and "72" double rates, slightly toned and split along file fold; 1857 Padang to Hong Kong with red Padang oval handstamp, red Singapore backstamp (Oct. 17), red "INDIA PAID" boxed handstamp, blue "INDIA PAID/BY BATAVIA" handstamp, Hong Kong receiving backstamp (Oct. 26), manuscript "4d" and "55" rates, the red markings have leached oil which has whitened the bluish paper; last to Hong Kong with Batavia Franco Oct. 29 (1860) half-circle datestamp, manuscript "4d" rate, Singapore (Nov. 2) and Hong Kong (Nov. 4) backstamps, slight toning along fold; a Fine-Very Fine and scarce group with all different markings and rates
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E. 750-1,000
850
Back to Top1427
1847-56, Dutch East Indies to Copenhagen, Denmark. Three folded letters, includes two with "Purifie au Lazaret/Malte" disinfection handstamp: the first is Dec. 28, 1846 from Batavia with Alexandria, Strasbourg and Hamburg transits, manuscript rates; second disinfected cover is a folded cover with letter datelined "Bally Badong 9th June 1849" (Bali) from Mads Lange, the so-called "White Raja of Bali," written shortly before a treaty was signed in July 1849, ending the conflict between the Dutch and the Balinese (pages of historical background are included); and the last is without any disinfection markings, Batavia Franco May 10, 1856 half-circle datestamp on letter with Trieste "6-1/4" boxed handstamp (scarce); all are Very Fine, while covers from the Dutch East Indies are not particularly scarce, these three stand out in the crowd
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E. 750-1,000
650
Back to Top1428
1811, Important French Occupation Letter from Java. Folded letter datelined "Sourabaya le 29 Mai 1811" from C. J. Maguin to his parents in Pont-a-Mousson, France, "BORDEAUX" straightline handstamp and manuscript "10" decimes interim rate for mail to and from the new French colony of Batavia, introduced Dec. 31, 1810, a few notations "En Espagne" which could be non-contemporary and are of no significance, in excellent conditionVERY FINE. AN EXTREMELY RARE AND IMPORTANT PRIVATELY HELD POSTAL HISTORY ARTIFACT FROM A MEMBER OF THE FRENCH MILITARY FORCE IN JAVA DURING THE BRIEF PERIOD OF FRENCH OCCUPATION OF THE DUTCH EAST INDIES DURING THE NAPOLEONIC WARS.
The writer, C. J. Manguin, wrote this letter in French (translation accompanies) on May 29, 1811, after arriving five weeks earlier. He provides much useful information about the occupation, his duties and local customs. The content includes the following: Sourabaya is a small town on the east coast of Java, with 5,000 to 6,000 inhabitants; 15 days after their arrival, they received orders from Governor General Janssens to inspect the nitrate and powder factories at Samarang; Batavia is the biggest town with 160,000 to 200,000 inhabitants; some anti-Semitic and racist remarks, including "The people say one needs 7 Jews to make a Chinese" and "they [the Chinese] are the greatest cowards on earth. 3 Europeans can make 12 to dozens of Chinese run away"; he observes "The people here don't have employees. They use slaves."; and he even comments on the price of wine, "The wine of Bordeaux costs 8 to 10 francs a bottle." Maguin instructs his parents to send letters with postage paid to the "Commissioner of the Powders & Nitrates in Nantes."
The French occupation of Java during the Napoleonic Wars ended in September 1811 when the British took control of the islands. Covers from this period are extremely rare, and this informative letter from a member of the occupying force, with a Bordeaux arrival postmark, is outstanding.
With 2009 Van der Vlist certificate.
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E. 2,000-3,000
4,000
Back to Top1429
1824-64, Dutch East Indies to and from France. Group of 20 folded letters or covers, one to Batavia with red Bordeaux Mar. 26, 1836 datestamp and "P.P." handstamp, red "Batavia Ongefrankeerd" red oval handstamp applied on arrival and manuscript "2" on back for internal postage collected; other 19 from Dutch East Indies to France, includes 6 via Rotterdam (1824-45), one via Le Havre (1838), and 12 via Marseilles (1845-64), diverse markings including "L.P.B.4.R." (four) and "L.P.B.3.R." (one) straightlines, four with "Purifie au Lazaret/Malte" disinfection handstamp, a few with "Zeebrief" ovals, one "INDIA/PAID" boxed handstamp, one "Soerabaya Franco" in circle, one Singapore transit backstamp, one beautiful red Samarang forwarder's oval, a couple of later covers with "Franco" handstamps, all of Very Fine quality, a carefully selected group of scarce covers
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E. 1,000-1,500
1,200
Back to Top1430
1820, Folded Letter from Fort Marlborough, Sumatra, to England. Remarkable folded letter datelined "Fort Marlbro' July 26th 1820" from Edward Presgrave to his aunt in Cambridge, England, his directive "To the care of Messrs. Skelton & Co., Batavia" who arranged to put it on board an outbound vessel, partly clear "COWES/SHIP LRE" handstamp struck on arrival, manuscript "1/5" rate crossed out and re-rated "3/" due, manuscript rate calculations on back, indistinct red receiving backstamp, intact red wax seal with "La Liberte", the letter is lengthy and mostly of a personal nature, but includes interesting comments about local population ("they are creatures one or two removed above the brutes without any sort of principle whose object is to plunder us in every direction...") and mentions the high postage charged on letters except "India" mail, sewn into the fold of the letter are locks of blonde hair from two children (noted at the end), excellent conditionVERY FINE. AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE LETTER SENT TO ENGLAND IN 1820 FROM A BRITISH REPRESENTATIVE AT FORT MARLBOROUGH ON THE ISLAND OF SUMATRA.
Edward Presgrave, member of a prominent British family, served in succession as Resident, Magistrate and Judge for the East India Company at Fort Marlborough, Sumatra, between 1815 and 1825.
E. 1,500-2,000
750
Back to Top1431
1823, Ship Letter from Batavia to London, England. Folded letter datelined Batavia Jun. 11, 1823 from Addison & Co. to Robert Bousfield, London, England, sender's directive "p. Countess of Harcourt, Capt. Bunn", clearly struck "DEAL/SHIP LETTER" boxed handstamp and manuscript "1/4" due, red London Oct. 11, 1823 arrival backstamp, extraordinarily bold and sharp strike of Goodwin Curling & Co. forwarder's double-circle handstamp, Extremely Fine, the Goodwin Curling & Co. marking is struck almost entirely on the flap which can be displayed open, the size, wording and mix of capital and cursive type make this one of the most distinctive of all forwarders' markings--especially desirable on a letter originating in the Dutch East East Indies
E. 500-750
700
Back to Top1432
1834, Ship Letter from Batavia to London, England, via Rio de Janeiro. Folded cover docketed with origin "J. E. Vidal & Co. Batavia 2 July" (1834) to Frederick Huth & Co., London, England, original directive on back "in case of need with Messrs. Thormann & Co. Rotterdam" and on front "pr Maria Therese" and carried on that American whaling vessel during its four-year voyage out of New Bedford (departing Oct. 29, 1831)--records of her return trip show she was in Tahiti Jan. 4, 1834, and Talcahuana, Chile, on Dec. 11, 1834--this was picked up in Batavia and brought to Rio de Janeiro, as indicated by forwarder's notation on back "Received pr Maria Theresa from Batavia & forwarded by Your Obd Servt Wm. Thormann & Co., Rio de Jano. 30 Oct. 1834" (previous directive crossed out), Thormann wrote a new ship-name directive "p. Edwin" and it was carried across the Atlantic to England, "Gravesend/Ship Letter" handstamp and red London Jan. 19, 1835 circular datestamp on back, manuscript "2/2" rate, very slight wear along file fold and edges, still Very Fine, a remarkable cover from the Dutch East Indies to England via Brazil that was carried on a 6-1/2 month journey across the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans
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E. 500-750
1,200
Back to Top1433
1838, Ship Letter from Batavia to Glasgow, Scotland, via Rotterdam. Folded cover docketed with origin at Batavia, July 4, 1838, to Glasgow, Scotland, sender's directive "p. Diana" on front and on back "In case of need" to forwarders, mostly clear strike of "Forwarded by/Your Most Obed. Servants/Macpherson, Campbell & Co./Rotterdam" four-line handstamp on back, red "Zee-Brief Hellevoetsluis 30 Oct." (1838) oval and "Na Postijd" (After Post Time) handstamps, Rotterdam circular datestamps in red on back (Oct. 31) and black on front (Nov. 3), red "HULL/SHIP LETTER" backstamp, Glasgow Nov. 6 receiving backstamp, manuscript rates including "1/8" due, Very Fine, a very unusual sequence of markings for a ship letter from the Dutch East Indies to Scotland via Rotterdam and Hull
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E. 400-500
550
Back to Top1434
1800-66, Dutch East Indies to and from Great Britain. Diverse group of 16 folded letters or covers, includes 6 with Ship Letter arrival handstamps and 6 with "India" or "India Letter" handstamps, highlights include 1800 Amboyna to Surry via Cape of Good Hope with "Ship Letter London" crown oval; 1842 Batavia to London and forwarded with Great Britain, 1p Red on Bluish (3; SG 8); several with forwarder markings, Singapore transit, "Franco" ovals applied at originating post offices; overall Fine-Very Fine condition with the usual file folds and wear, specialists will find much to desire in this lot
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E. 1,000-1,500
2,000
Back to Top1435
1867, Batavia to Germany via Singapore, Alexandria and Trieste. Blue cover with printed red banner "Per Overland Via Triest" route directive, to Giessen, Germany, lightly struck Mar. 23, 1867 half-circle datestamp and clear "FRANCO" boxed handstamp, "INDIA PAID/BY BATAVIA" boxed handstamp, red "INDIA PAID" boxed handstamp on front and corresponding "Singapore P.O. 3 Apr." double-circle datestamp on back, Vienna backstamp (May 11), various manuscript rates on front and back, Very Fine, an attractive cover with an array of markings for the route via Singapore, Alexandria and Trieste
E. 400-500
600
Back to Top1436
1839-67, Dutch East Indies to and from Germany. Small but significant group of 11 folded letters or covers, includes 6 from Germany to Dutch East Indies and 5 in opposite direction, diverse routes and rates including 1858 cover with red "Keboeman Res. Bagalen Zee Brief Franco" oval to Germany via France with "F. / 39" accountancy handstamp (Salles 3178) applied Jul. 14, 1858 in Paris (very early use of 1858-65 Convention marking); 1840 from Singapore to Hamburg via Batavia with forwarder's handstamp; 1847 Indramayoe to Marienloh with "Purifie au Lazaret/Malte" disinfection handstamp; 1860 Bremen to Samarang via Trieste (on exhibit page and described as "quite scarce"); all in excellent condition, Very Fine and a highly desirable group of Dutch East Indies-Germany covers
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E. 750-1,000
2,300
Back to Top1437
1834-48, India to Batavia, Java. Three folded letters to Batavia, 1834 with Madras Ship Letter datestamp on back and "Zee Brief Ongefrankeerd" red oval on front, 1840 from Port Louis (Mauritius) with Calcutta Ship Letter and Kedgeree Ship Letter backstamps, and 1848 with Madras Steam Letter datestamp, minor toning, otherwise Fine, scarce group
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E. 750-1,000
1,700
Back to Top1438
1844, Pondicherry (French India) to Batavia via Padang (Sumatra). Folded letter in French datelined Pondicherry, Mar. 1, 1844, to French Consul in Batavia, underinked strike of red "PADANG ONGEFRANKEERD" negative Posthorn oval handstamp (WdB 206) and manuscript "60" rate, the writer is asking for information about his brother and the pencil docketing note indicates he died in the hospital in Sempang, Fine, scarce origin-destination, with 2011 Van der Vlist certificate
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E. 400-500
550
Back to Top1439
1845, Pondicherry (French India) to Batavia. Bluish folded letter datelined Pondicherry, Mar. 4, 1845 to Batavia with De Colon & Co. blue oval handstamp clearly showing origin, blue "Zeebrief Ongefankeerd" oval handstamp and red manuscript "60" rate, Fine, scarce origin-destination letter
E. 300-400
500
Back to Top1440
1866, Batavia to Yokohama, Japan. Clearly struck "Batavia 14/6 1866 Franco" (Jun. 14, 1866) half-circle datestamp and "INDIA PAID/BY BATAVIA" boxed handstamp on bluish folded cover to Kniffler & Co., Yokohama, Japan, sender's blue oval handstamp and directive "per Steamer via Singapore & Shanghai", red "Singapore P.O." double-circle and Hong Kong (Jul. 4) datestamps on back, red crayon "4" rate, Very Fine, covers from the Dutch East Indies to Japan are extremely rare, with 2000 BKD certificate
E. 500-750
700
Back to Top1441
"Zee Brieven/Franco" Negative Oval Handstamp (WdB 62b). Readable but slightly muddled strike with additional red "ZEE BRIEF/FRANCO" oval handstamp on folded cover to Lord Chevalier, Amsterdam, manuscript "X" across address panel and "60" cents, backstamped with red "VLISSINGEN" and "Ziebrief" straightlines, manuscript "12" rate, part of red wax seal, file fold thru oval, Fine, an extremely rare Dutch West Indies "Ship Letter Paid" marking, rated 500 in De Beer, with 2011 Van der Vlist certificate
E. 500-750
475
Back to Top1442
1866, Rotterdam to Batavia via Singapore. Folded cover addressed to Morgan Melbourn & Co., Batavia, care of Middleton Harrison & Co., Singapore, sender's directive via Marseilles", red "Rotterdam 9/4 5-10 66" (Apr. 9, 1866) circular datestamp, red French transit datestamp, perfect strike of "FR./2F16C" accountancy handstamp, Marseilles backstamp (Apr. 12), part strike of Singapore circular datestamp with May date, Very Fine, scarce
E. 400-500
425
Back to Top1443
1834-67, Important Collection of Dutch East Indies Covers to the Netherlands. An outstanding group of 64 stampless folded letters or covers with wide array of markings, routes and rates for mail to the Netherlands, includes large number of "ZeeBrief" oval handstamps (Paid and Unpaid) applied at various post offices on Java and Sumatra (one from Makassar), later covers with circle and half-circle datestamps and "Franco" markings, a couple printed matter rates with "1-1/2c Rotterdam" triangle handstamp, various arrival markings including Netherlands "Zee-Brief" ovals and a scarce straightline possibly applied in Rotterdam, "INDIE/OVER SOUTHAMPTON" boxed handstamp (Van der Linden 1764), "INDIE OVER MARSEILLE" boxed handstamp, two with "Purifie au Lazaret/Malte" disinfection handstamp--among the 64 covers are three with the rare "Batavia" large-circle datestamp in blue (WdB 119b), one of which has a clean Van der Vlist certificate (2011) while the other two have "vervalsing" certificates (forgery) because he thought the markings were "retouched" -- these two Van der Vlist certificates and two other negative certificates in the group are, with all due respect, incorrect in our opinion, reflecting the late Mr. Van der Vlist's tendency to see alterations and mischief in many markings which simply show natural ink irregularities, an attitude no doubt shaped by his work in uncovering the fakes and alterations perpetuated by Maier -- we leave it to today's Dutch East Indies specialists to decide for themselves and value the covers accordingly -- condition is uniformly Very Fine and many are spectacular with clearly struck markings, an extraordinary opportunity to acquire a mass of scarce to rare Netherlands Indies-to-Netherlands stampless covers, forming the nucleus of an award-winning exhibit
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E. 5,000-7,500
5,250
Back to Top1444
1846, Batavia to Philippines via Hong Kong. Blue folded letter datelined Batavia, Dec. 22, 1846 from Francis Brown to Capt. William Graves, American Ship Thomas Perkins, care of Peele Hubbel & Co., Manila, Philippines, sender's directive "Via Singapore", faint red Singapore and "Hong Kong 22 JA 1847" datestamps on back, manuscript "1/" and "4" rates, Manila receiving datestamp (Mar. 7, 1847), Very Fine, with 1991 Holcombe certificate, notes the Braganza departing Singapore Jan. 11-12, arriving Hong Kong January 23 (delayed for next leg to Manila), accompanied by info re Thomas Perkins
E. 300-400
600
Back to Top1445
1841, France to Java via Reunion and Mauritius. Remarkable folded cover to Java (no other place name) with red lightly struck Paris Bureau Centrale Oct. 6, 1841 double-circle datestamp, matching "P.P." boxed handstamp, manuscript "60" decimes rate, "Bureau Maritime (Havre) 9 Oct. 1841" double-circle datestamp on back, carried by ship to the island of Reunion with "St. Denis Ile Bourbon 24 Mars 1842" double-circle datestamp struck on arrival, then to Mauritius with "Mauritius Post Office AP04 1842" double-circle datestamp struck on back, last leg of trip to Java completed without any additional handstamped markings, manuscript rates on front and back, Very Fine, extremely unusual route for mail from France to the Dutch East Indies
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E. 500-750
1,000
Back to Top1446
1836, Batavia to St. Helena and Forwarded to Ireland. Folded letter datelined Batavia Nov. 28, 1836 to Murdoch Maclaine, 91st Regiment, St. Helena, letter written by his brother with directive "p 'Emanuel'", forwarded to Glasgow, Scotland, then marked "Reserve" and redirected to Drogheda, Ireland, and finally to Paisley, "INDIA LETTER/HASTINGS" backstamp, backstamped at London (Jun. 12 and 14, 1837), Belfast (Jun. 15), Glasgow (Jun. 16), manuscript "Redirected at" above "DROGHEDA" straightline handstamp, Paisley receiving datestamp on back (Jun. 16), manuscript rate crossed out and re-rated "1/8" due, Very Fine--the 91st Regiment (Princess Louise's Argyllshire Highlanders) spent the post-Napoleonic War period garrisoning England and the West Indies, a detachment of the regiment escorted Napoleon's body on its return to France from St. Helena in 1840--presumably this was sent to Maclaine on the assumption he was still in St. Helena--to describe the journey taken by this letter between two brothers as arduous would be an understatement, receipt docketing indicates it finally reach Murdoch Maclaine
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E. 1,000-1,500
1,700
Back to Top1447
1836, Singapore to France via Batavia. Folded cover with part letter in English from A. L. Johnstone, docketed with Singapore Sep. 13, 1836 origin, to Nantes, France, bold red "Forwarded by Thompson Roberts & Co. Batavia" oval handstamp on back, clearly struck "COLONIES PAR/ST. MARTIN-ISLE-DE-RE" two-line handstamp and Saint Martin-De-Re Jan. 25, 1837 double-circle datestamp, manuscript rate, slight bleed-thru from writing, Very Fine, scarce
E. 400-500
700
Back to Top1448
ca. 1845, Singapore to Sourabaya via Batavia. Undated blue folded cover to Max W. Sand in Sourabaya, care of Payne Stricker & Co. in Batavia, sender's directive "p Panama for Canton" indicates this was carried on the famous American China packet ship Panama, built by William Webb for the Griswolds of Connecticut, partly clear strike of Singapore Ship Letter datestamp on back, blue "Zeebrief Ongefrankee" Posthorn oval handstamp applied at Batavia (WdB 68, recorded used in 1845), manuscript "60" rate, Very Fine
E. 500-750
600
Back to Top1449
1847-49, Batavia to England via Sweden. Two, blue folded cover and letter to Frederick Huth & Co., London, England, each has sender's blue oval handstamp clearly identifying Batavia origin, first without contents but docketed with Apr. 14, 1847 origin date, sender's directive "p. Louise" and "Care of Mr. A. Giesecke", additional manuscript "fr. Hamburg", manuscript "p Victor Kjeuberg & Co." forwarder's notation on back (listed in Rose under Gothenburg), backstamped "Gotheborg 13/8 1847" in Sweden (Aug. 13, 1847), red "T/17 Aug" oval, red London backstamp (Aug. 20) and manuscript "1/8" rate; second is Jan. 9, 1849 folded letter with manuscript "Care of Mr. Augt. Giesecke at Stockholm" on back and Jun. 23 receipt docketing, no postal markings; both have toned file folds, still Fine, covers from the Dutch East Indies to Europe via Sweden are very rare since most mail was carried on the regular routes via Rotterdam, Marseilles or Trieste
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E. 750-1,000
375
Back to Top1450
1850, Tasmania to Borneo and Labuan via Singapore and Hong Kong. Small cover addressed to "Lieutenant Crawford Pasco, H.M.S. 'Royalist', Borneo or Elsewhere" (one of our all-time favorite addresses), red "General Post office Hobart Town 18 JY 18 VDL 1850" red crown circular datestamp (Van Dieman's Land), manuscript "4" pence rate, the word "Borneo" was crossed out and "try Singapore & Hong Kong" added below, Singapore Ship Letter handstamp on back without a date, the words "try Singapore" crossed out, leaving Hong Kong, "Hong-Kong 14 JU 1851" British P.O. backstamp, the words "Hong Kong" crossed out and finally addressed to Labuan, first rate crossed out and re-rated "4", receipt docketing "Date 17th July /50, Recd. 13th Sept. 51", lightly cleanedVERY FINE. AN EXTRAORDINARY COVER THAT TOOK A 14-MONTH JOURNEY FROM TASMANIA TO LABUAN IN SEARCH OF A BRITISH NAVAL OFFICER.
Lieutenant Crawford Pasco was the youngest son of Rear Admiral John Pasco. He entered the British navy at age 12 and traveled around the world, including Peru, Chile, Australia and the Far East. In 1843 he sailed on the Vestal through South Africa, Tasmania (Van Dieman's Land) and Canton, carrying $2m in reparations from the Opium War. He participated in subduing a rebellious rajah in Borneo and in 1851 returned to England (shortly after received this letter).
This cover with its vague initial address may or may not have traveled to Borneo--there is no way to document its arrival there since there was no post office or regular mail route to that location. The Singapore and Hong Kong backstamps confirm its arrival at those post offices. The docketing indicates it was received three months after the Hong Kong postmark date, so it seems likely the post office sent the letter by a ship bound for the island of Labuan. The British acquired Labuan in the treaty of Dec. 18, 1846, with the Sultan of Brunei. It became a Crown Colony in 1848, and in 1890 it became part of British North Borneo.
E. 1,500-2,000
2,700
Back to Top1451
Massive and Important Collection of Netherlands Indies Postal Markings on Stampless Covers. A staggering holding of 290 folded letters or covers selected for postal markings with a wide range of post offices represented, we can only provide a brief overview of the contents of this collection: the first section is devoted to town markings arranged alphabetically from A to T (179 covers), all identified by DeBeer number with scarcity rating, includes Banjoewangie (WdB 105c, 100pt), Joana (WdB 163c, 80pt), Ngawie (WdB 204, 85pt), Sumedang (WdB 306a, 100pt) and Toelongagong (WdB 330, 100pt); next are "Dienst" markings (7), including Malang (WdB 196c, 100pt) and Majelang (WdB 186a, 100pt) and "Islands" (38), including Borneo, Celebes, Molukken, Timor; followed by a small group of 18 various covers on original album pages, including earlier dates; ending with separate groups of town markings (22), including some scarcer towns, "ZeeBrief" markings (9) and "Franco/Ongefrankeerd" markings (17)--overall condition is Fine-Very Fine, with some showing climatic toning endemic to this subject area, but all are presentable and exhibit-worthy, this lot is of inestimable value for the specialist who wants to leap ahead with a major acquisition, and for the dealer who wants to sell covers with an average value of $75-100 (plus a substantial number in the $300-400 range), there is tremendous potential profit in this lot
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E. 10,000-15,000
9,000
Back to Top1452
1847-73, Route, Paid and Rate Markings on Dutch East Indies Covers. 26 folded letters or covers to and from the Dutch East Indies, selected for handstamped international mail markings including "INDIE/OVER TRIEST" (one), "INDIE/OVER SOUTHAMPTON" (one), "INDIE/OVER MARSEILLE" (5), "INDI PAID/BY BATAVIA" (13), "INDIA PAID" handstamps used alone or in combination with others, "12-1/2" and "1.1-1/2" rate handstamps, one with red Singapore P.O. transit on front of cover, mainly 1850s-60s but a few earlier and a few later, overall Fine-Very Fine quality, some mounted on exhibit pages, a desirable group with average $100-150 value
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E. 1,500-2,000
2,100
Back to Top1452A
1846-50, "LANDMAIL/PORT" Markings on Covers to Dutch East Indies. 12 folded letters or covers with boxed "LANDMAIL/PORT." handstamped markings, all but one in blue with rates noted, one in red without rate, origins include Netherlands, France and Germany, wide array of route markings and rates, some have typical ink erosion in parts of address, otherwise a Fine-Very Fine group, the scarce and distinctive "Landmail" markings indicated postage due and form an interesting byway of postal history
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E. 1,000-1,500
1,300
Back to Top1452B
1835-72, International Mail to and from Dutch East Indies. Five folded letters or covers, different origins/destinations and of special value but do not fit into other groups and do not make individual lots: 1835 Batavia to Switzerland via Rotterdam with blue "Franco/Grenzen" handstamp; 1850 Cape of Good Hope to Batavia with Gape Town crown oval handstamp; 1867 Batavia to Austria with Hamburg transit datestamp; 1868 Soerbaija to Portugal via Marseilles; and 1872 printed matter rate from Rembang to Bloemfontein, Orange Free State; Very Fine group, each cover a worthy addition to any number of specialized collections
E. 750-1,000
325
Back to Top1452C
1840s-60s, Dutch East Indies Military-Related Covers. Four folded covers addressed to members of the military in the Dutch East Indies, includes 1863 to 8th Battalion in Kedong-Kebo (location of a famous fort) with "LAMPONGSCHE/DISTRIKTEN" red boxed handstamp; red Palembang oval on undated cover to 8th Battalion at Ngawie; Banda and Djocjokarta ovals on other two covers to same addressee in different locations; minor wear, overall Very Fine, scarce
E. 750-1,000
400
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