Lot
4101 
1860 (Feb. 15) Charleston S.C. to Mexico City, Mexico, blue datelined folded letter bearing 3¢ dull red (26) strip of three and single, tied by two strikes of sharp "Charleston S.C. Feb 15 1860" cds, addressed to John S. Cripps in care of the Legation of the U.S., flap with "Forwarded by You obt. svt., J.T. Pickett, Vera Cruz, April 13th" manuscript forwarder's notation of the U.S. consul; left 3¢ rounded corner, Very Fine and interesting U.S. consul forwarded use. Estimate $400 - 600.
Gen John Thomas Pickett was U.S. Consul from 1853 to 1861, and held many officer commissions on missions and engagements in both the U.S. and C.S.A. When the "Southern War of Rebellion" broke out he was appointed the Confederate Commissioner to Mexico. He served as Asst. Adjt. General C.S.A. army on General John Breckenridge's staff. In 1863 as Secretary of First Confederate Peace mission and 1864 - 1865 as Special envoy extraordinary to Mexico arranging escape of CSA officials.
Realized: $375
Lot
4102
1860 (Jun. 11) Charleston S.C. to Nantes, France, blue folded letter bearing 24¢ gray lilac (37), straddle-pane margin at right, tied by "Charleston S.C. Jul 11" cds, red "New York 'Paid 3' Jun 14" credit exchange cds ("Jun" used in error), carried on North Atlantic S.S. Co. Adriatic from New York Jul. 14th to Havre arriving Jul. 24th, blue Havre (7.24) arrival datestamp that is an unusual color for this marking, Le Havre a Paris (7.24) and Nantes (7.25) arrival backstamps, Very Fine; with 1999 P.F. certificate. Estimate $750 - 1,000.
A RARE PREPAID EXAMPLE CARRIED ON THE 3RD OF ONLY 7 VOYAGES OF THE NORTH ATLANTIC STEAMSHIP COMPANY.
Formed in 1859 for the New York to San Francisco route the North Atlantic Steamship Company purchased three of the steamships of the defunct Collins Line. Unable to gain the San Francisco contract, they used the best of the vessels, the "Adriatic" to run the Atlantic to Havre via Southampton.
The Post Office agreed to contract the company for the value of the sea and inland revenue of mails carried. The line however only operated six round trip contract voyages in 1860 and ceased at the outbreak of the Civil War after one further eastbound voyage.
Realized: $1,200
Lot
4103
1860 (Nov. 30) Charleston S.C. to London, England, cover bearing 24¢ gray lilac (37), tied by black circular grid cancel, matching "Charleston S.C. Nov 30 1860" cds, New York red "19" cent credit rating also ties stamp, carried by Cunard Line Africa from New York Dec. 5th to Liverpool arriving Dec. 16th, red London Paid (12.17) arrival cds, Very Fine. Estimate $400 - 600.
Realized: $230
Lot
4104
1866 (Oct. 17) London, England to Charleston S.C., datelined folded letter with London (10.27) cds and matching "38 / Cents" double-weight debit handstamp to U.S., manuscript rating crossed out, carried by Cunard Line Java from Queenstown Oct. 28th to Boston Nov. 7th, partial "Boston Br. Pkt. '48' Nov 7" exchange debit cds, matching bold "In U.S. Notes / 67" circular depreciated currency marking; minor tape staining, Very Fine. Estimate $300 - 400.
Letter was double rate and required 2x 24¢ = 48¢ postage due if paid in coin, or 67¢ in depreciated currency.
Lot
4105
1870 (Jul. 5) Charleston S.C. to Berlin, Germany, 3¢ pink entire bearing 3¢ ultramarine (114) and 10¢ yellow (116), tied by circle of wedges cancels duplexed with "Charleston S.C. Jul 5" cds, partial red "New York Paid All Br. Transit" exchange cds, carried by Cunard Line to Liverpool, red Verviers entry cds and Jul. 21st arrival backstamp; reduced slightly at right, Very Fine, a colorful franking, Ex-Hessel. Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.
Realized: $625