Lot
2737 
Worldwide, (United States) 1841 New Orleans, La. to Cadiz, Spain, folded letter datelined "27th May, 1841" regarding the shipment of tobacco bound for Gibraltar aboard the ship Hermitage (which likely transmitted this letter), with receiving docketing of August 11th on sideflap, red "Islas De Barlovento" two line handstamp and matching "9Q" rerated over with "5R" handstamp, two vertical disinfection slits, Very Fine, an early disinfection usage during the outbreak of yellow fever in New Orleans in 1841. Estimate $750 - 1,000.
Although health authorities in New Orleans required the disinfection of outgoing mail during times when yellow fever was prevalent, this letter was sent several weeks before the first official case was reported in 1841. The epidemic began on July 27th that year and Charity Hospital recorded a total of 1,113 patients as having "yellow jack" before the siege was over in the fall of that year.
Realized: $900
Lot
2738
Worldwide, (United States) 1879 Boston, Mass. to Northfield, Vt., cover with "Quarantine Station., Deer Island" official corner card bearing city badge, franked with 3¢ Banknote tied by negative "10" in circle handstamp, matching "Boston, Mass., Aug 6" cds alongside, with second similar cover (stamp missing) with matching letterhead enclosure dated "13 Aug, 1879" and content…"I have boarded six vessels this morning", Very Fine. Estimate $200 - 300.
By the 1870's, the health officers based on Deer Island frequently held ships carrying immigrants for examination off tiny Galloupe's Island.
Realized: $190
Lot
2739
Worldwide, (United States) 1897 London, England to New York, N.Y., incoming cover with label affixed to reverse reading "Post Office, New York, N.Y., Nov 27, 1898, This piece of mail matter was contained in a sack which fell overboard while being transferred at Quarantine., Cornelius Van Cott, Postmaster", front addressed to New York with partial London date stamp and stamp missing (fell off after being overboard), Very Fine, an extremely rare quarantine related label. Estimate $300 - 400.
Realized: $550
Lot
2740
Worldwide, (United States) 2002-05 Anthrax Sanitized Mail, group of five items; includes a December 2001 Hickory Farms catalog USPS bagged informing customer item has been irradiated at a facility on Bridgeport, N.Y., two 2002 covers to departments at the Department of Energy in Washington D.C. with "Mail Sanitized" handstamps and a energy brochure to same with "Mail Inspected" handstamp, and a 2005 cover to Dept of Energy with boxed "Received, Mail Sanitized" date stamp; includes numerous article and some correspondence, Very Fine. Estimate $150 - 200.
Realized: $160