1817 Cover from the Black Ball Line's 'Courier,' addressed to Messrs. Bogle, Haly & Co., London. Marked 'Liverpool SHIP LETTER' (during the first year of use) and rated 1/7d (single rate) consisting of 6d ship letter rate, 11d inland postage from Liverpool to London, and 2d captain's fee.

This letter is almost certainly from the "Courier's" maiden voyage and as it is dated early May, 1817.

The Black Ball line was the first of the great American packet lines, late in 1817 the line advertised in both English & American papers that they would commence operations January, 1818. However, Isaac Wright & Son, Francis Thompson had operated "Pacific", "Courier" and "Amity" on a succession basis but with no fixed schedule, since April 1817: the "James Monroe" was added in October, 1817 and two new proprietors also came in.

39 cents charged on this letter (double) made up of twice 18-1/2 c U.S. Postage to the lines plus two cents ship fee, making 39 cents, this was equivalent to 2/- Canadian. 1/6d Canadian due as twice 9d Canadian postage from the lines to Montreal, making 3 N 6 (3/6d) due on arrival.

The "James Monroe" left New York on January 5th, 1818 – The first ever sailing of the legendary Black Ball line; she arrived in Scotland on January 28th, 1818.

This cover was written at Liverpool on March 1st, 1818, it was on the ship when she set sail from Liverpool on March 3rd, however, she took a terrible beating in the Irish channel and was forced to limp back to port for repairs. On March 26 the vessel once more set out for New York, this time she crossed without mishap, taking some 34 days in doing so -- this ties in with the Apr 29 receipt mark on this letter in New York.

1837 Cover carried by the Black Ball Line ship South America, written in New York on October 14, 1837, and received in the U.K. at Liverpool. Marked with 'LIVERPOOL/SHIP LETTER' (Type S.13, in use 1834–38). Addressed to Mr. Fallow, Esq., M.P., 5 Peel St., Manchester.

Rated at 1/3d, comprising 6d for the ship letter rate, 7d for inland postage (30–50 miles), and 2d for the ship's gratuity. The South America, a 616-ton vessel, was in service with the Black Ball Line from 1832 to 1843, under the command of Robert H. Waterman by 1836. The ship was later used as a whaler from 1843 to 1860.

The cover has a strike of the scarce "5"

Numbers 3,4,5, and 6 are the only ones known. This strike of '5' is the earliest for this numberm previously 1839 was earliest and 1840 latest. All examples (save one from Manchester to Blackburn 1839) are addressed to Manchester from Liverpoo. So far none are known from Manchester to Liverpool - the use of the stamp is obscure, it was at first thought to be connected with the Manchester-Liverpool railway but this seems now to be unlikely.

1843 Columbia wreck cover addressed to London, bearing a red arrival datestamp of '24th July 1843,' which serves as the confirmation of its association with the Columbia wreck, as no salvage marks were applied. The "Columbia" wreck occurred on 2 July 1843. All 168 passengers and crew arrived safely on Seal Island.

Manuscript routing notation 'Pr Columbia via Boston' at lower left. A single-letter charge of 1 shilling was applied in New York.

1845 Cover from the United Kingdom to Boston, U.S.A., carried 'per Cambria,' initially struck with an incorrect '24' single-letter rate, corrected to '48' cents. Liverpool circular datestamp 'JU 8 1850' applied alongside '48 Cents' marking.
2 × 16 cents due to Britain for Ocean Postage
2 × 3 cents due to Britain for Inland Postage
2 x 5 cents due to United States for Inland Postage
48 cents due of which 38 cents allowed to the British Post Office

1848 cover from the United Kingdom to Boston, U.S.A., marked 'per America' with manuscript '96' indicating total postage of 96 cents. Circular 'Liverpool AP 1 1850' datestamp alongside handstamped '76 Cents' exchange rate mark.

This cover reflects a quadruple rate charge: 4 x 24 cents, totaling 96 cents, covering U.S. inland postage (4 x 5 cents) and the remaining 76 cents for U.K. ocean postage and inland fees.

The high rate exchange marks are often difficult to find. They were used infrequently - this is evidence by the fact that the '96* here was endorsed by hand.

1848 (Dec. 29) folded letter from Baltimore to London, carried on the first Cunard Line service from New York to Liverpool by the Hibernia. Blue 'BALTIMORE MD DEC 29' datestamp and matching circled '5' handstamp for U.S. inland postage prepaid. Manuscript '1/' indicating 1 shilling due upon arrival in the U.K.

Via "Africa", Maiden Voyage 26 October, 1850

October 26, 1850, folded letter to New York City with "Liverpool Oc 25 1850" origin postmark, endorsed "p Africa Steamer" departing Liverpool October 26 and arriving New York November 8, black "19 cents" rocking horse debit and "24" handstamp, very fine maiden voyage cover. Clear strikes.

New York Am Packet MAR 29 Black cds on front with manuscript "18", "50" and "71" on front. Black Alexandria 1853 cds and orange GB cds on reverse.

BOLD STRIKE New York AM Packet APR 6 Black cds on front. MAR 14 1854 cds orange GB cds on reverse.

New York AM Packet APR 6 Black cds on front with Alexandria Blue CDS MR24 1855 on reverse.

New York AM Packet 6 cds on front with Alexandria 24 1854 CDS on reverse.