Lot
1817 
Confederacy, (Prize Court Mail) 1861 (Sep. 7) Steamer Han Kow, Hong Kong to Savannah Ga. via New York and Nassau, yellow cover bearing 1¢ blue (63) and three 3¢ rose (65) singles, all tied by four strikes of New York foreign mail circular grids (Skinner NYFM 60-2) to Nassau, Bahamas at double the 5¢ treaty rate, addressed to Charles Gordon in care of H.R. Sonder and Son (sic), blue crayon "8" pence inland due rating, red oval "Forwarded by Saunders & Son, Nassau" handstamp, docketed by the Philadelphia Prize Court with red "84" at right and "No. 18. H.F. The within is marked 18. H.F.", photocopy of original letter datelined "Steamer Han Kow, Harbour of Hong Kong, Sept 7th 1861"; small cover tear, and couple small stamp flaws, F.-V.F. Estimate $5,000 - 7,500.
A SPECTACULAR COVER CAPTURED DURING AN ATTEMPTED BLOCKADE RUN AND USED AS EVIDENCE IN THE PRIZE COURT AT PHILADELPHIA.
The letter's writer, Engineer W. H. Shannon, a merchant mariner for 12 years, left New York on the "Han Kow" on April 13, 1861, three days before Lincoln ordered the blockade of Southern ports. The "Han Kow" arrived in Hong Kong Aug. 31st 1861 and stayed there to become a transport vessel between Hong Kong and Canton. This cover was carried privately from Hong Kong to New York, arriving almost one year later. This was carried from New York on the Cunarder "British Queen" departing Aug. 16, 1862 to Nassau arriving Aug. 20. It was forwarded by Saunders & Son with goods on the Schooner "Defiance" to Savannah, but she was captured by the barque U.S.S. "Braziliera" on Sep. 7, 1862. The "Defiance" was made a prize, and this cover was used as evidence in the Philadelphia Prize Court. The initials "H.F." at right belong to Henry Flanders, a well-respected scholar on maritime law who served as commissioner of the Philadelphia Prize Court.
Realized: $17,000