Lot
47 
Apalachicola, Florida/May 11. Bold fancy arched date stamp (type II) on 1833 folded letter sheet to Tallahassee, manuscript "37½" rate; reinforced file fold, Very Fine, a great Florida territorial rarity, this being one of only two known examples of the first Apalachicola handstamp postmark, ex-Meroni. Estimate $2,000 - 3,000.
Realized: $4,000
Lot
33
1812 Patriot Invasion of Spanish Florida. Folded letter to Philadelphia, Pa. with rare "Robertsville Blk Swamp. S.C." manuscript postmark and "25" rate, letter from David Ewing - a recently released patriot soldier held prisoner at St. Augustine, letter with content regarding his imprisonment…Mrs. Ewing informs me that she wrote you respecting my being captured but thank heaven I returned safe to my family and found them all in health after suffering a severe confinment of five months and four days as I almost ever heard of. I was in a dungeon in the Fort of Augustine without anything to sleep on but a board six feet long & 9½ inches wide the floor muddy and the driping wet and owning to some error of judgement of Genl. Matthews or of his too great zeal, I was deceived by him and led to believe that I should with the other volunteers be supported by the U.S. nor did I ever know to the contrary until I was liberated by the humanity of the Spanish Governor. During the time above mentioned myself and one more was fed on parsley & beares. lights boild together and a Raisor never come to our faces nor did we ever see the light of the sun in the time except when the door was oppen'd to hand in a piggin of vitrials…I am quite at my ease since I returned home and the manner more my friends sent a petition for my relief but I met it on my way home being liberated by the Governor for reasons unknown while other prisoners were retained but I can inform you that there was some tokens (masonic) passed from me and answered by his Excellency and my liberation followed without one word ever being exchanged on the subject. No Mason is about to hold office in the Spanish Government but you may rest assured there are many who do, F.-V.F., a fascinating and unique letter from one of few soldiers captured during the 1812 Occupation of Spanish East Florida, ex Frajola. Estimate $2,000 - 3,000.
Realized: $1,900
Lot
32
1812 East Florida Rebellion. Folded letter written by Georia Congressman George M. Troup and addressed to "Col. Th. A. Smith, Comd U.S. Troops, St. Marys", Savannah, Ga. origin cds and manuscript "12½" rate, letter with fascinating content…On or about the 17th of July I saw the Secy of War at Washington - among other things connected with the military service in Georgia he said that he had ordered the liberation of Maj. Laval both because he could not be brought to trial at St. Marys for want of officers & because the public service demanded his presence elsewhere. He distinctly stated that the measure had been taken with reluctance - that no disrespect was intended toward you - that on the contrary your services were highly valued by him & moreover requested that if I saw you I would make known to you those assurances. It will give me pleasure if these sentiments of the Secty will remove any unpleasant impression which the liberation of Maj. Laval may have on your mind.; minor edge wear and a few tone spots, Very Fine, a wonderful historial letter regarding the imprisonment and release of Major Jacint Laval, ex Meroni. Estimate $2,000 - 3,000.
Major Laval had been placed under arrest at St. Marys by Col. Smith when the major had refused to support the rebels in E. Florida. The refusal of Major Laval to help unless ordered from Washington directly, was one of the major factors in the collapse of the patriot rebellion.
Realized: $2,100
Lot
6
Little Rock, Ark./1831/May 5. Sharp bold strike of fancy shield in semi-circle postmark on folded letter sheet to New York City, manuscript "25" rate, Extremely Fine and choice, a marvelous strike of this rare Little Rock, Arkansas fancy territorial date stamp. Estimate $2,000 - 3,000.
Realized: $5,250
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
568
(Pittsburg). Folded letter datelined "Pittsburgh 9th June 1789" and addressed to the Assistant Postmaster General James Bryson in Philadelphia, Pa., with "Free Wm Tilton" postmaster free frank at lower left, Very Fine, a very early statehood period usage from postmaster William Tilton. Estimate $2,000 - 3,000.
Bryson is said to have established the first postal route between Philadelphia and Pittsburg. Tilton evidently had charge at the Pittsburgh end.
Realized: $3,750
Lot
2
Correspondence to Commodore Perry's East India Squadron, 1851-1854. Group of 4 stampless covers, all addressed to John Smyth Sewall, ship's clerk on board the U.S.S. Saratoga, at Canton (2 covers), Shanghai & Macao, several with interesting contents including one discussing the whereabouts of other ships in the squadron: USS Susquehana, USS Mississippi, etc; postal markings include Hong Kong transits, etc; some collateral material accompanies regarding Commodore Perry's mission to Japan to open trade and provide security for U.S. naval interests. Estimate $1,500 - 2,000.
Realized: $6,000
Lot
345
(Newburyport) NP 4.16. Manuscript postmark with dwt/gr rate alongside on 1776 folded letter to Philadelphia, Pa., with additional "2/2" sterling conversion rate at left, Extremely Fine, ex Haas, Jarrett. Estimate $1,500 - 2,000.
Realized: $1,700
Lot
139
Port Leon.FLA/April 6th. Bold strike of straight line date stamp with matching small "Paid" handstamp (type Ia) and manuscript "25" rate on 1841 folded letter to Castle Douglas, Scotland, red "New York, Apl 22" cds and "8" pence due handstamp, reverse with "Liverpool, Ship Letter" straight line handstamp; minor cover tone spots, Very Fine and choice, a wonderful strike of the first Port Leon postmark and the only example bearing the small "Paid" handstamp. Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.
Realized: $2,000
Lot
373
Stockbridge, Oct. 18, 1792. Superb bold strike of straight line date stamp on folded letter sheet to Suffield, Conn., manuscript "8 Cents" rate at upper right, with directive at bottom…The postmaster is requested to deliver this to the Stagedriver, that Mr. Phelps may obtain it in favor, Extremely Fine and choice, a magnificent example of this extremely rare postmark, with only two examples known, ex Jarrett, Lounsbery. Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.
Realized: $2,400