"Albanie 19th July 1682".
Dateline on folded autograph letter signed by Robert Livingston to his
family in Rotterdam, Holland, "QDC" notation, interesting letter to his
mother, brother and sister, touching on some aspects of trade noting
"...the arrival of 7 or so ships yearly from Europe", some toning
and faint wear but in excellent condition for a Colonial letterVERY FINE. AN EXTREMELY RARE EARLY LETTER FROM ONE OF THE WEALTHIEST AND MOST INFLUENTIAL MEN OF 17TH CENTURY COLONIAL AMERICA.
Fort Orange was established by the Dutch in 1624. In 1664 the Dutch relinquished Albany to British control. In 1686, largely due to the influence of Robert Livingston, Albany was granted the "Dongan Charter", recognizing it as a city. Early letters from Albany are extremely rare, and this one from Robert Livingston, an iconic figure in New York history and in Colonial America as a whole, is outstanding. (Image)
"NEW/YORK". Two-line
handstamp on folded cover from Ireland to Samuel and Robert Purviance of
Baltimore, well-struck "LARNE" straightline handstamp, docketing
indicates sender was Samuel Montgomery and letter date was Dec. 13, 1771,
side flap with "15/IA" (Jan. 15, 1772) and "23/IA" (Jan. 23) Bishop's
Marks, "24/AP" Franklin Mark indicating arrival date in New York, several
rate markings incl. "4" crossed out, "In all 1N10" and "10.16", slight
toning along vertical file fold, still Very Fine, a very rare Colonial
transatlantic cover from Ireland (Image) 
1772 Ship Letter. Folded
cover with sender's directive "pr. the (ship name?), Capt.
Richardson" at bottom left and addressed to Williamsburgh Va., ms.
"(port name?) Sh. 2" rate, Very Fine, judging by the rate, this may be the
same Capt. Richardson referred to at: http://www
.british-history.ac.uk/report.asp?compid=38788, who carried cargo from
London to America, worthy of further research to identify the post of entry
and the ship (Image)
BOSTON. Clear strike of
deep red large straightline handstamp with matching "12/FE" and "15/FE"
Franklin Marks on large part of folded cover to Newport R.I., ms. rate,
Very Fine strikes (Image) 
PHILA/DELPHIA. Two-line
handstamp struck in red on back of Jan. 10, 1775 folded letter to
Annapolis, ms. rate and "10/IA" Franklin Mark, Very Fine example of this
Colonial handstamp (Image) 
Diplomatic Mission to
France. Seven covers, five addressed to Arthur Lee in Paris, one
addressed to Benjamin Franklin and Silas Deane in Paris, one sent by Arthur
Lee to Paris in June 1777 (before trip), few small faults, most Fine-Very
Fine, Silas Dean, Benjamin Franklin and Arthur Lee were sent on a three-man
diplomatic mission to France, to obtain arms and an alliance with the
French against the British (Image) 
"Wmsburg 4.16". Ms.
postmark on 1778 folded cover to Fredericksburg, May 23 docketing, light
file folds, Very Fine, ASCC value $600.00
(Image) 
"Wmsburg 4 16". Magenta
ms. postmark on 1779 folded cover to Fredericksburg, docketing reads
"1779 Philippe de Bowdoin Norfolk 3 Feby.", Very Fine, ASCC value
$600.00 (Image) 
"Allens Township, to be
forwarded by Mr. Johnston, Inn Keeper in Bethlehem". Address
instructions on 1779 folded cover to Allens Township, ms. "6" at upper
right and "2/6" at upper left, some age spotting, Very Fine and rare
Revolutionary War period cover, Allentown was where the Liberty Bell was
stored during the British Occupation of Philadelphia, it was in June 1779
that Martha Washington passed thru Bethlehem
(Image) 
"Retreat Jersey Octo.
15". Docketing with 1779 date on folded cover to Fredericksburg Va.,
ms. "14" rate, vertical file folds, Very Fine, the meaning of this
docketing is unclear (Image) 
"26:16" 20x Rate. Ms.
rate (26dwt 16gr, or 80p) on folded cover to Fredericksburg Va., docketing
reads "1780 Andrew Crawford 30 April", vertical file fold and some
toning, otherwise Very Fine, rare example from the 20-times rate period
(12/28/1779 to 5/5/1780), Siskin noted only four covers from this period,
we doubt he was aware of the example offered here
(Image)