New York, NY printed circular to Bourton-on-the-Water, Gloucester, England 10 Nov 1830. Superb & scarce "Office of the American & Foreign Agency" fancy forwarding agent cachet used as an advertising handstamp. Recorded by Rowe 1830-1840. "Bristol Ship Letter" transit & rated 1N5.

1839 Stampless cover carried by the ship Montreal, bearing a clear strike of 'GILPIN'S EXCHANGE/READING ROOM AND/FORWARD LETTER OFFICE/N. YORK' agent's stamp, used between 1838 and 1840. Addressed to London, the cover also features a bold strike of the black framed 'PORTSMOUTH/SHIP LETTER' marking upon arrival in the United Kingdom.

The Montreal served the Black X/London Swallowtail Line from 1833 to 1844 under Captain Henry L. Champlin. This cover is an early example of Gilpin's forwarding service, used to expedite correspondence during this period.

Red "Forwarded by Gilpin's Exchange Reading Room" handstamp with black "Liverpool Ship Letter" handstamp on folded letter.

The original letter was written on the 11th March and was sent on the "President" on her last and fatal voyage, when she disappeared with all hands in March 1841.

This letter is a duplicate copy sent on the "Virginian". In this case the letter never entered the U.S. postal system but was given to Gilpin's Exchange and Reading Room. It struck the reverse with a cachet in red and paid for the ocean passage on the "Virginian", but there is no indication as to whether Freight Money was paid. Presumably it was, and probably would have amounted to 12 ½ cents. There is no indication of departure or arrival dates, but the Market Report enclosed is dated the 12th and the cover arrived in Leeds on 3rd April, so that the actual sailing time was probably 20 days, not much slower than the steamers. In Liverpool it was struck with a Ship Letter hand stamp (Tabeart S 14) and charged 1/4d.

Red "Forwarded by Gilpin's Exchange Reading Room" handstamp with black "Liverpool Ship Letter" handstamp on folded letter, from New York. Datelined 18th March 1839. It was given to Gilpin's Reading Room who put it on the "Orpheus" with no involvement of the New York Post Office. The ship left on the 23rd under the command of Captain Barley and arrived in Liverpool on 14th April, a fast passage of 22 days. On arrival it was back stamped with Tabeart S14 and charged 1/5d for the transfer to Sheffield - 8d Ship Letter and 9d Inland (80- 120miles).

Great Britain Penny Red on transatlantic front Boston to Wales via Liverpool Harnden's Express forwarded Willmer & Smiths. Red "FORWARDED FROM HARNDEN'S PACKAGE EXPRESS & FOREIGN LETTER OFFICE NO 8 COURT ST BOSTON" and black," FORWARDED THROUGH WILLMER & SMITHS PACKAGE EXPRESS OFFICE BRITISH & AMERICAN LIVERPOOL". Per Acadia.

1841 Stampless cover forwarded by Harnden's Express, with red 'FORWARDED BY HARNDEN & CO./FOREIGN EXPRESS OFFICE' oval handstamp, Carried on the Caledonia, in its second year of service. The cover originated in New York and traveled via Boston and Liverpool, addressed to Bordeaux, France. It bears a red boxed 'PACKET LETTER' marking applied at the London Foreign Branch.

1841 stampless folded letter Harnden's Express Boston to London via Columbia Steamer. Red FORWARDED FROM HARNDEN'S PACKAGE EXPRESS & FOREIGN LETTER OFFICE NO 2. WALL ST NEW YORK.

Letter datelined at Boston. At this time the U.S . and Great Britain had no treaty and postage had to be paid at both sides of the Atlantic. To avoid this duplicate cost, the forwarding agents Harnden' s Express made arrangements to accept mail for Europe to be prepaid at their Boston office as "Paid to the Frontier'' of France.

1843 Stampless cover originating from Havana, Cuba, and forwarded to New York by Collomb & Iselin, with black oval forwarding handstamp 'FORWARDED BY COLLOMB & ISELIN NEW YORK.' After reaching New York, it was further forwarded by Harnden & Co., indicated by the red oval 'FORWARDED BY HARNDEN & CO. FOREIGN LETTER OFFICE.'

Manuscript "per Acadia" and "H and Co."

"FORWARDED BY HARNDEN & CO. NO. 20. WATER ST LIVERPOOL" with ship in center (1844-48, oval 40 x 29, black) on front, Boston to London Via Liverpool. "PAID 1844" tombstone mark at London.
Red "LIVERPOOL 1844." Addressed to Thomas Aspinwall, American Consul at London.