Lot
4001 
1717 (Mar. 27) Charleston S.C. to London, England, folded letter with "So. Carolina, Charles Town, March the 27th 1717" addressed to the Secretary of the Society for Propagation of the Gospel, directed "pr Capt. Bell Q.D.G.", carried by private ship from Charleston to London, placed in the Parliamentary post with "24 / IV" Bishop mark on flap, manuscript "8d" rating and additional "paid 6" on flap, docketed "recd the 19th of July 1717"; couple file folds, F.-V.F., rated 7 pence British inland postage. Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.
A RARE EARLY CHARLESTON S.C. TRANSATLANTIC LETTER TO LONDON BY PRIVATE SHIP.
Realized: $2,300
Lot
4002
1757 (Feb. 27) Charleston S.C. to Edinburgh, Scotland, folded letter datelined "Chas Town Febry 20 1757" and endorsed "p The Industry, Capt. Cowan } Q.D.C." at lower left, carried by private ship to Great Britain, manuscript "5" pence rating, Very Fine. Estimate $300 - 400.
Realized: $425
Lot
4003
1771 (Apr. 11) Great Britain to Charleston S.C., datelined folded letter to Toby Cambridge endorsed "per Capt Lundberry", "Bris/tol" two-line postmark and "25 / AP" Bishop mark, manuscript rating crossed out and updated to "In all 1N4" rating; faults and soiling, Fine. Estimate $300 - 400.
Realized: $200
Lot
4004
1772 (Sep. 20) Georgetown S.C. to Coupar Angus, Scotland via Charles Town, datelined folded letter with manuscript "George town" postmark on reverse and "1N9" one shilling nine pence rating, additional "post payed to Charles town" and "/4" ratings, reverse with "Charles / Town" two-line handstamp, London "NO / 25" Bishop mark and "1N" shilling packet rating crossed out and "In all 1N6" rating including inland postage to Scotland; some flaws and light soiling, F.-V.F., This is early ASCC listing example for Georgetown. Estimate $2,000 - 3,000.
AN EXTRAORDINARY COVER SHOWING BRITISH COLONIAL POSTMARKS FROM THE ONLY TWO SOUTH CAROLINA TOWNS.
During the British Colonial period, there were only two South Carolina towns that had postmarks: Charles Town and George Town.
Realized: $4,250
Lot
4005
1775 (Mar. 20) Charles Town S.C. to Savannah Ga., folded letter carried privately to Charlestown and forwarded with "recd. Charles Town March 8th - forwarded 13th." notation on reverse, entered mails with remarkable bold strikes of "Charles / Town" two-line postmark and matching "MR 20" Franklin mark on flap, manuscript "1N4" rating, local currency rating of "17/" shillings, Very Fine and choice. Estimate $3,000 - 4,000.
A REMARKABLE COMPLETE STRIKE OF THE BRITISH COLONIAL "CHARLES TOWN" POSTMARK.
Realized: $5,500
Lot
4006
1775 (Oct. 24) Charleston S.C. to Savannah Ga., remarkably bold strike of two-line postmark with matching "OC 24" Franklin mark on flap of folded cover to Savannah Ga., manuscript "8d" rating, 1775 docketing; couple small mended tears, Very Fine. Estimate $2,000 - 3,000.
A CHOICE COMPLETE STRIKE OF THE BRITISH COLONIAL "CHARLES TOWN" POSTMARK.
Realized: $2,900
Lot
4007
1781 (Jun. 27) Charles Town S.C. to London, England, datelined folded letter with "Charles / Town" two-line postmark, endorsed "p packet", London "10 / AV" Bishop mark and manuscript "1N" shilling packet rating; some fold splitting and cover staining, taped tear, Fine. Estimate $2,000 - 3,000.
A SCARCE USE DURING THE BRITISH OCCUPATION OF CHARLESTON WITH SOME INTERESTING WAR CONTENT.
In 1776, the British sent a fleet against the city, but were repulsed. They tried again in February 1780, with a siege that lasted 40 days and resulted in the capture of the city on May 12. The British occupation lasted until December 14, 1782. In August of the following year, the city was chartered and took the name Charleston.
Business letter ends with some war content, "A few days ago General Greens Army stormed the works of Ninety Six but was repulsed with a loss of near 300 men he continued before the place until Lord Rawdon near within 15 miles and then retreated into So. Carolina… The prince Wm. Packet Arrived here this day…"
The letter refers to the Siege of Ninety-Six in western South Carolina late in the American Revolutionary War. From May 22 to June 18, 1781, Continental Army Major General Nathaniel Greene led 1,000 troops in a siege against the 550 Loyalists in the fortified village of Ninety Six, South Carolina. The 28-day siege centered on an earthen fortification known as Star Fort. Despite having more troops, Greene was unsuccessful in taking the town, and was forced to lift the siege when Lord Rawdon approached from Charleston with British troops. Greene's losses actually amounted to 150 men.
Realized: $2,500