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 to Great Britain
One of only two known strikes of the rare “AMERICAN INLAND/POSTAGE” handstamp, struck on a letter to London via the United States(Quebec to London, England, Nov. 15, 1794). Clear strike of “AMERICAN INLAND/POSTAGE” two-line boxed handstamp (Jephcott 323; MacDonald 288) on folded letter to Adam Lymburner in London, originated in Quebec with “Quebec 15th Nov. 1794” dateline, sender’s ship-name directive “p Bridget”, “Halifax N. Scotia, Mar. 6 95” split-circle datestamp (Jephcott 10; MacDonald 4b) struck in transit, manuscript “1/6” rate crossed out with “Packet Postage 1/” added and totaled to “2/6”, London “AP/20/95” arrival backstamp, slightly worn vertical file fold
VERY FINE. AN IMPRESSIVE AND RARE LETTER FROM QUEBEC TO LONDON VIA HALIFAX AND THE UNITED STATES WITH THE “AMERICAN INLAND/POSTAGE” HANDSTAMP. A KEY INSTRUCTIONAL MARKING, OF WHICH ONLY ONE OTHER EXAMPLE IS KNOWN TO US.
For some reason this did not make the January 11, 1795, packet sailing from New York. Based on the London GPO April 20, 1795, receiving datestamp, it must have been carried on the Falmouth Packet Princess Royal, which sailed from Halifax on April 2, 1795 (sailing information from John S. Olenkiewicz, Frajola website). The recipient, Adam Lymburner (ca. 1745-1836), was a British militia officer, colonial agent, businessman and politician. This letter is likely from John Crawford, his nephew, who was brought over to assist with his businesses in Canada. The 2sh6p rate covered the 1sh6p postage and 1sh packet rate. We are aware of one other example, with the same Halifax date and also addressed to London (illustrated in Jephcott p. 293).
Ex Glassco, Greene and Dr. Clark. Illustrated in The Encyclopedia of British Empire Postage Stamps (Volume V) by Robson Lowe (p. 356).
