Lot
550 
N(orthern) L(iberties) News Rooms, Via Sub Post Office. Type I impression at lower left of folded letter to Honesdale, Pa., letter Quaker datelined "Philadelphia 3d Mo. 10th, 1836", red "Phila. Mar 11" octagon date stamp struck on front and reverse, manuscript "12½" rate; minor cover edge tear at top center, Very Fine and rare, one of 14 known examples of the first type Northern Liberties News Rooms handstamp known. Estimate $2,000 - 3,000.
The Northern Liberties Sub Post Office was established by Alexander McMackin in late 1835 and operated for a short time until early 1836 in the Northern Liberties News Room. News editorial in the October 10, 1835 edition of the Satuday Courier mentioned the business of a Sub Post Office and "a new and appropriate stamp…now imprinted upon all letters deposited at his office.". There is evidence that this stamp was preprinted on lettersheets, however many of the known covers, including the one offered here, where impressed after being folded showing circular rim indentations of the device in underlying sheets.
Realized: $3,250
Lot
551
(Philadelphia, 30 Sept 1749). Manuscript docketing on inside of folded letter sheet to London, England and addressed "To be left at the Pennsylvania Coffee-House in Birchin Lane", manuscript "1/" rate and "pr the Dolphin, Capt LeGros, QDC" ship endorsement, "2 DE" Bishop mark on reverse; tone spots and some splitting at folds, Fine. Estimate $500 - 750.
Realized: $575
Lot
552
(Philadelphia) Phi. Red manuscript postmark and "7 dwt" rate on 1756 folded letter to Boston, Very Fine, a choice colonial usage. Estimate $750 - 1,000.
Realized: $600
Lot
553
PHILA/DELPHIA. Red two-line postmark on reverse of 1769 folded letter to New York, red "12 SE" and brown "13 SE" Franklin marks alongside, front with manuscript "2" dwt rate, letter with postscript regarding ship arrivals including a possible "Ship of War", F.-V.F. Estimate $500 - 750.
Realized: $300
Lot
554
Philadelphia "Post Paid" in Circle. Red handstamp on incoming 1770 folded letter sheet from England, manuscript "P 2N" ship rate notation and "4" pence port to port rate, reverse with "7/FE" Bishop mark and partial "New York" straight line entry postmark and matching "18 AP" Franklin mark; file fold, Very Fine. Estimate $300 - 400.
Realized: $180
Lot
555
PHILA/DELPHIA. Red two-line handstamp on reverse of a 1771 folded letter sheet to "Salem, New England", with manuscript "10/-" and red "4" rate marks, red "18 MA" Franklin mark on reverse; some reinforced splitting at folds, otherwise Very Fine. Estimate $500 - 750.
Realized: $300
Lot
556
PHILA/DELPHIA. Red 2-line handstamp on reverse of a 1771 folded letter sheet to "Salem, New England", with black "10/-" and red "4" rate marks, red "14 MA" Franklin mark on reverse, Very Fine, A beautiful and well-preserved item. Estimate $300 - 400.
Realized: $210
Lot
557
PHILA/DELPHIA. Red two-line handstamp on reverse of a 1771 folded letter sheet to Annapolis, Md., "18 JU" Franklin mark and front with manuscript "2.16" rate; fold separations silked on inside, Fine. Estimate $300 - 400.
Realized: $180
Lot
558
Philadelphia "Post Paid" in Circle. Red handstamp on 1773 folded letter sheet from England, manuscript "P 1N4" ship rate, reverse with straight line "New York" entry postmark and bold "Bristol" straight line origin postmark with matching "5/JY" Bishop mark; some toning along file fold, F.-V.F. Estimate $300 - 400.
Realized: $200
Lot
559
Philadelphia June 25, 1776. Docketing on inside flap of folded letter sheet to Fredricksburg, Va., manuscript "P Post" endorsement, sent by prominent Jewish merchant Michael Gratz 10 days before the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Very Fine. Estimate $150 - 200.
Realized: $290