Lot
308 
1798 (Jul. 16) Birmingham, England to Philadelphia Pa., datelined folded letter with "Birmingham" rimless postmark and manuscript "6" pence rating to care of Mrs. Mary Barlow of Bristol for forwarding, carried transatlantic by private ship, entered mails with manuscript "Chester 17 Aug" postmark and "Sh 10" rating for 6¢ inland postage under 30 miles plus 4¢ ship fee; light central fold, Very Fine. Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.
AN EXCEPTIONALLY RARE AND EARLY CHESTER MD. SHIP LETTER USE.
Chester Pa. is located in Delaware County situated along the Delaware River only 15 miles down river from Philadelphia. This is a very early statehood postmark use from Chester and unlisted as a ship use.
Lot
309
(Privateering) 1800 (Feb. 6) Nassau, Bahamas to Philadelphia Pa., datelined folded letter written and signed by Jacob Weiser to merchant Manuel Tyer with interesting content, "Bought the Schooner Weymouth which is now called the Eliza. She was captured on her passage from Cape Francois to Baltimore by a French Privateer and afterwards recaptured by the United States Frigates General Green and Boston put into this Port in Distress and Condemned on this Principle, that her repairs to make her sea worthy would cost more then she was really worth - I have had her thoroughly overhauled and is now in Compleat Order. Nearly loaded and will sail on or about the 10th Instant in Company with the Sloop Escape for Philadelphia to your address…", entered U.S. mails with clamshell "New-York, Mar 14" postmark with red manuscript "Sh 14½" rating for 12½¢ inland plus 2¢ ship fee, Very Fine and interesting privateering content. Estimate $500 - 750.
Lot
310
1803 (May 20) Glasgow, Scotland to Charleston S.C., datelined folded letter with "Glasgow / 20 May 1803" two-line postmark and matching "Post Paid" circular handstamp and red manuscript "p 2/2" 2s2s prepaid packet rating, London Paid (6.1) tombstone datestamp, manuscript "25" cent due rating, Very Fine. Estimate $150 - 200.
Realized: $110
Lot
311
(1807 Embargo Act) 1808 (Jan. 12) Amsterdam to New Orleans La. via London, datelined folded letter carried by private ship to England, docketed as handled by "p. Greffulhe Brothers, London 10 Mar 1808" on reverse, red "Paid Ship Letter, London, Mar 10 1808" crown cds and manuscript "1/" shilling rating, endorsed "p Carolina Ann, or first ship" at top, red "Baltimore Md. May 3" ds and matching "Ship" handstamp with manuscript "27" cent rating (25¢ inland plus 2¢ ship fee), docketed "Rec'd 29 May 1808" left, Very Fine and attractive, This letter was delayed due to the embargo order. Estimate $200 - 300.
Realized: $550
Lot
312
(1807 Embargo Act) 1808 (Jan. 28) Stonehouse, England to Boston, Mass., folded letter endorsed "Pr. Packet" and manuscript "2/8" 2s8d rating, additional manuscript "1d" rating at top left; some soiling, Fine, This is reported as the last mail delivery by Packet before the imposition of the embargo. Estimate $200 - 300.
The Embargo Act of 1807 was a general Embargo that made illegal any and all exports from the United States. It was sponsored by President Thomas Jefferson and enacted by Congress. The goal was to force Britain and France to respect American rights during the Napoleonic Wars. The U.S. wanted to remain neutral and trade with both sides, but neither side wanted the other to have the American supplies. The American goal was to use economic coercion to avoid war, and punish Britain due to the thousands of impressed American seamen. The policy was highly unpopular with shipping interests, and historians have judged it a failure. It was repealed as Jefferson left office in 1809.
Lot
313
1809 (Jun. 3) Rotterdam, Holland to Philadelphia Pa. via London, datelined folded cover carried privately to London, entered mails with red London "Paid, Jul 8, 1809" cds and red manuscript "4/-" rating for double the 2s packet eff. Dec. 3rd 1805, carried by Falmouth packet Lady Pellew from Falmouth Jul. 11th to New York arriving Aug. 24th, New York "25" cent rating for double the 12½¢ inland rate, docketed as received Aug. 25th, F.-V.F. Estimate $75 - 100.
Lot
314
1809 (Jun. 7) London, England to Philadelphia Pa., datelined folded letter with red London Paid (6.7) cds and red manuscript "2/-" rating for the 2s packet rate eff. Dec. 3rd 1805, carried by Falmouth packet Windsor Castle from Falmouth Jun. 15th to New York, New York "12½" cent due rating. Estimate $75 - 100.
Lot
315
1810 (Mar. 30) London, England to Philadelphia Pa., datelined folded letter with red London "Paid, 30 MA 1810" cds and red manuscript "2/-" prepaid packet rating, carried as endorsed by Falmouth packet Princess Amelia from Falmouth Apr. 1st to New York arriving May 15th, New York manuscript "12½" cent inland rating, fresh and Very Fine. Estimate $75 - 100.
Lot
316
1812 (Feb. 10) Liverpool, England to Philadelphia Pa., datelined folded letter carried as endorsed by private ship Anna Maria from Liverpool Mar. 8th to Philadelphia arriving Apr. 5th, red "6" in circle rate handstamp for 6¢ ship fee at port of arrival, Very Fine. Estimate $100 - 150.
Realized: $50
Lot
317
(War of 1812) 1812 (Apr. 4) New York N.Y. to Ship Symmetry, datelined letter addressed to "Capt. Thomas T. Morton, Ship Symmetry, from Portsmouth, Engd" with content regarding the embargo on British goods and the status of Amelia Island…"As an Embargo is certainly laid at Washington, we expect it here tomorrow morning, it will therefore by very important to come in with the ship. I will therefore recommend you going to Amelia & put yourself under the direction of Mr. Stewart & Mr. Welsh, who will either load you for the South Yards, or you perhaps may get a freight for Liverpool, but you must take care to keep out of the waters of the United States…A report is in circulation that Amelia Island has shook off the Spanish Authority & declared themselves Independent"; light cover soiling and toning, F.-V.F., ex-Thompson. Estimate $500 - 750.
In the period before the War of 1812 there were a number of United States Acts that blocked international trade and disrupted mails with Canada and the Maritime Provinces. This letter was carried privately to Captain Morton giving warning of the embargo in place in northern ports.
Realized: $250