Auction Detail

red ornamental datestamp and manuscript "20" restored rate on folded letter to Canandaigua, New York, filefolds, very fine and attractive, the 1799 rates were restored after the 1815-16 war rate for just 31 days before new rates went into effect May 1, 1816, after that date this latter would have cost only 18½c rather than 20c, ex-Frajola

25 folded letters with a wide variety of handstamps and markings including various "Free" and "Paid", 1823 use of the pointing hand "Paid", postmaster free franks, double and triple weight covers, 1817 incoming cover to Somers, Connecticut "to be left at Hartford office" (Somers would not have an office until 1821), generally fine to very fine, a wonderful selection with contents from many of the city's prominent early residents, worth a close inspection

manuscript notation on incoming folded letter to Hartford postmarked "New Orleans La. Dec 21", matching straightline "Paid" and manuscript "150" express mail rate, light toning along filefold, very fine and scarce, express mail postage was triple the normal letter rate, so this double letter (usually 50c) was rated $1.50, Smith & Co. was a well-regarded tanner specializing in saddles and harnesses

red datestamp with matching "Paid" pointing hand and manuscript "25" rate on folded letter to "Dr. Ashbel Smith, Surgeon General of the Texan Army, City of Houston, Texas", endorsed "Care of Smith, Hubbard & Co, New Orleans", black "Sam. Ricker Jr., New Orleans, Agent of the Texian Post Office" oval handstamp and two-line "Steam Packet Columbia", very fine, no Texas postage necessary as army officers had franking privilege, Smith was born in Hartford in 1805, ex-Arnold

red datestamp with matching pointing hand "Paid" on folded letter to Lyon, France, manuscript "12½" rate, red "New-York May 25" transit, carried via Union Line's Charles Carroll, June 25 Havre entry, very fine