Sale 122: The Dr. James Milgram Collection Steamboat Mail

Lot 1033    

Via San Francisco, Per China, 2-line handstamp on 1867 folded letter from Boston to "Mr. J. Howard Nichols" (China), otherwise unaddressed, cover with blue company handstamp of "G.A. Gardner & Co." on reverse, repaired upper left, Very Fine appearance, the only recorded example, Illustrated in Milgram.
Milgram No. 220    Estimate $200 - 300.

John Howard Nichols was born in 1838, in Kingston, New Hampshire, and grew up in Exeter, New Hampshire, where he attended Phillips Academy. After graduation, he taught at a school in Stratham, New Hampshire for a year, before moving to Boston to work as a clerk for a tea importing house on Central Wharf. It was there that Nichols was noticed by John L. Gardner, who hired him as a supercargo on the bark "Arthur", which was bound for China in 1858. Once he arrived in China, Gardner requested that Nichols remain in China to act as an agent. He accepted the position and remained in China for ten years, returning to America once during this time.

Realized: $325

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Lot 1034    

Vapor City of Alexandria (Atlantic Coast and Gulf of Mexico), magenta saw toothed illustrated oval handstamp on folded letter to Mexico, franked with pair 10¢ Banknotes (irregular perfs at right), tied by "New York Nov. 18 80" #4 duplex, small cover stain affecting steamer oval, still Very Fine, Illustrated in Milgram.
Milgram No. 223    Estimate $200 - 300.

Realized: $260

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Lot 1035    

Vapor City of Alexandria, blue serrated oval handstamp on 1882 legal size cover from New York to Mexico, franked with 1¢ + 3¢ strip of 3 Bank Notes tied by New York duplex cancels, addressed to Capt. of Bark Nellie Brett with B.F. Metcalf & Co., Ship Brokers & Commission Merchants corner card, vert. file fold, F.-V.F., Unlisted in Milgram.
Milgram No. 223A    Estimate $150 - 200.

Realized: $210

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Lot 1036    

City of Alexandria, Campeche (Gulf of Mexico), two folded cover to Mexico each franked with 5¢ Taylor Bank Note tied by New York duplex cancel and with different violet handstamp directives for the Str. City of Alexandria, Very Fine.
Milgram No. 224-224A    Estimate $200 - 300.

Realized: $240

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Lot 1037    

City of Brussels (Atlantic Ocean), bold blue straight line handstamp with matching "Voie de Queenstown" straight line on 1878 French cover to Rhode Island, franked with 40c Ceres tied by Paris double circle postmark, included is second cover with similar franking to New York with "Voie de Queenstown" straight line, but without the "City of Brussels" handstamp, Very Fine, ex-R. Winter, Unlisted in Milgram.
Milgram No. 226B    Estimate $150 - 200.

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Lot 1038    

City of Hartford (Atlantic Coast), shield type illustrated corner card with steamers schedule on stampless cover to Conn., flap torn, Very Fine, the only recorded example, Illustrated in Milgram.
Milgram No. 230A    Estimate $150 - 200.

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Lot 1039    

S.S. City of Havana (Atlantic Coast - Cuba), purple straightline handstamp on blue cover cut to form homemade wrapper to Jalapa, purple "Via Vera Cruz" handstamp below steamship handstamp, franked with 2¢ Vermilion Banknote tied by cork cancel paying "circular" rate, the wrapper is unopened with its original contents, Very Fine and rare.
Milgram No. 231    Estimate $300 - 400.

This very unusual cover consists of an envelope with its corners cut off. The 2¢ stamp is tied to the contents of this printed circular. The two separate magenta straight lines were applied in New York. It is presumed that the corners of the envelope were cut to reveal that the contents of the envelope justified the two cent rate.

Realized: $160

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Lot 1040    

Per City of Merida (Atlantic Coast and Gulf of Mexico), "per" in manuscript, two folded covers to Mexico, each with purple straightline handstamp directive, one franked with 30¢ Banknote tied by "New York Dec 7" cds and indistinct New York Foreign Mail cancel, "50cs" handstamp with additional "50" in blue crayon, second franked with with 10¢ Bank Note tied by similar New York cds, plus third folded cover used from New Orleans with different type magenta handstamp, "Vapor City of Mexico", Very Fine, Unlisted in Milgram.
Milgram No. 238A-B    Estimate $300 - 400.

Realized: $425

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Lot 1041    

City of Mexico (Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico), magenta straightline handstamp on 1875 folded letter to Vera Cruz, franked with 10¢ Banknote (nat. straight edge) tied by fancy New York Foreign Mail geometric cancel (Kirke 74-11-25-IGEO) with "New York Feb 16" cds alongside, Extremely Fine.
Milgram No. 239    Estimate $300 - 400.

AN OUTSTANDING STRIKE OF THIS RARE NEW YORK FOREIGN MAIL CANCEL.

Realized: $650

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Lot 1042    

City of Mexico (Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico), magenta straightline handstamp on 1877 folded letter to Vera Cruz, franked with 10¢ Banknote tied by "New York Nov 17" #3 duplex, plus second folded cover to Mexico with manuscript directive, "per City of Mexico" with straight line handstamp "Via Progreso" below, franked with 10¢ Bank Note and tied by New York Foreign Mail cancel and used in 1873, Very Fine.
Milgram No. 239    Estimate $100 - 150.

Realized: $170

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