Americana Stamps

Fall 2024 Sales 3-6

Found 837 Results
US Stampless, Mail Route Anomaly

Lot #: 3078

Clear Strike of Semi-Circle "MAIL ROUTE"
Red semi-circle "MAIL ROUTE" handstamp on folded printed prices current for perfumery and soaps, datelined March 12 1828, to Providence R.I. Manuscript "18¾" rate, light vertical file fold and some slight overall soiling, Very Fine strike of this scarce marking used at Providence R.I. on incoming ship mail.
Opening: Make an Offer
Estimate: $500
Category: US Stampless, Mail Route Anomaly
Provenance: Ex David W. Gorham

Lot #: 3080

Black "SHIP 14 1/2" straightline handstamp on May 29, 1827 Boston folded letter to New Orleans with manuscript "P. Illinois"

This cover was carried from Boston to New Orleans by a non-contract ship. The mail was taken off the vessel at the
Balize, and turned into the post office, at the entrance to the Mississippi River. It was thereupon marked SHIP and
rated 14 1/2 cents [121/2 cents for the distance 80 -150 miles + 2 cents hip fee), and placed in a closed bag for the trip up the River.

The Mail Route fiction only applied to ships sailing from New Orleans to Boston, Philadelphia or Providence, not to
Vessels sailing from these ports to New Orleans.
Opening: Make an Offer
Estimate: $500
Category: US Stampless, Mail Route Anomaly
Registered Mail, STAMPLESS

Lot #: 3081

The Oldest Known Receipt for a Valuable Letter

Preceding Official Registered Mail
Noted by Cal Hahn as earliest reported receipt for a valuable letter is this one which reads:

"Marshall Post Office Dec. 1 1840
I do hereby Certify that Messrs. Gorham & Brown have this day deposited in this Office to Mail a letter addressed Higginson & Clapp of New York Containing Two hundred dollars in bills of different banks.

Chas. D Smith P.M."
Opening: Make an Offer
Estimate: $2,500
Category: Registered Mail, STAMPLESS
Provenance: Ex Cal Hahn

Lot #: 3089

New Orleans

Red New Orleans Sep 24 cds to Mobile, Alabama on folded cover with red straightline "REGISTERED" and "20"
handstamp. Manuscript "8" and "Received Sept 25 1852"


Postmaster Michel Musson established a register of valuable mail, numbered each item when it was entered and provided the addressee a printed notice requiring their signature in order to take delivery of a valuable letter.
Opening: Make an Offer
Estimate: $500
Category: Registered Mail, STAMPLESS
Provenance: Ex Cal Hahn

Lot #: 3100

Very Fine "R" use from Lancaster prior to official registration
Lancaster Pa. Jul. 13 (1851) red circular datestamp struck partly off cover at top, matching "5" rate handstamp and manuscript "R" for registered, manuscript "7" control no. at left, small piece of backflap missing.
Opening: Make an Offer
Estimate: $500
Category: Registered Mail, STAMPLESS
Provenance: Ex Cal Hahn