Auction Detail

manuscript notation on incoming folded letter postmarked "Cincinnati O Mar 31" with matching "Paid 75" rate, vertical filefold, very fine, carried on the express mail route from Cincinnati to Washington, DC, very fine, this route from Cincinnati is much scarcer than the route which ran from New Orleans, express mail was charged triple the normal (25c) rate

manuscript notation on folded letter to Hartford postmarked "Mobila Ala Mar 30", matching blue "Paid" with manuscript "75" rate, fine, express mail was charged triple the normal (25c) postage

approximately 47 folded letters, wide variety of rates and markings, we note (in no particular order) 1836 incoming ship letter from Funchal, 1828 1c drop letter, 1841 Gideon Welles postmaster free frank (later Lincoln's Secretary of the Navy), forwarded mail, 1844 red "Steam" handstamp, and 1845 "Hartford Co." postmark (rather than "Ct."), generally fine to very fine, much of interest for the dedicated researcher, a wonderful and fascinating group that deserves a close inspection

single cut to shape with magenta "H" precancel of Hartford, on July 15, 1844 folded letter to Hartford from New Orleans, part of blue datestamp visible under stamp and "25" rate alongside, upon arrival in Hartford July 25 the letter was readdressed to New York and the adhesive was added, light toning, fine and scarce

single cut to shape with magenta "H" precancel of Hartford, on folded letter datelined July 23, 1844 to New York City, very fine and fresh, precedes the earliest previously recorded Hartford cover by two days