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Postal History from the Archives of The Historical Society of Pennsylvania continued...

Prices realized...
Foreign Covers
Lot Sym. Lot Description Est/Cat Realized
2990 c GREAT BRITAIN, 1840, 1p Black (1 SG 2).> Two tied by Maltese Cross cancels on separate folded covers, one with Calne JA 20 datestamp and docketed <<Marquis of Lansdown>> to Peirce Butler in London, other on bright orange cover, small faults, FinGREAT BRITAIN, 1840, 1p Black (1, SG 2). Two tied by Maltese Cross cancels on separate folded covers, one with "Calne JA 20" datestamp and docketed "Marquis of Lansdown" to Peirce Butler in London, other on bright orange cover, small faults, Fine (Image Magnifier) E. 200-300 250.00
2991 c PAID AT HAVANA.> Clear strike of British P.O. crown-circle handstamp and light red manuscript 1- rate on folded cover to John G. McCall at Tampico, Mexico, Extremely Fine, McCall was the U.S. Consul in Tampico from 1837 to 1840PAID AT HAVANA. Clear strike of British P.O. crown-circle handstamp and light red manuscript "1/-" rate on folded cover to John G. McCall at Tampico, Mexico, Extremely Fine, McCall was the U.S. Consul in Tampico from 1837 to 1840 (Image Magnifier) E. 400-500 750.00
2992 c ROMAN STATES, 1852, 6b Black on Gray Blue, 8b Black (7, 9).> Four 8b and single 6b, varying margins and small faults, tied by multiple strikes of Roma 23 Mag. 54 double-circle datestamp on May 1854 small mourning cover addressed in blue <to PhiladeROMAN STATES, 1852, 6b Black on Gray Blue, 8b Black (7, 9). Four 8b and single 6b, varying margins and small faults, tied by multiple strikes of "Roma 23 Mag. 54" double-circle datestamp on May 1854 small mourning cover addressed in blue to Philadelphia Pa., red French transit datestamp, "P.D." framed handstamp, New York 5c debit datestamp, Fine and colorful usage (Image Magnifier) E. 300-400 350.00
2993 c ITALY, 1866, 40c Carmine, 2l Vermilion (31, 33).> Both stamps tied by 12 in dotted grid cancel on cover to Philadelphia Pa., Firenze 7 Set. 66 circular datestamp and P.D., red transits and 18 credit handstamp, Very Fine, scarce 2-lire frankinITALY, 1866, 40c Carmine, 2l Vermilion (31, 33). Both stamps tied by "12" in dotted grid cancel on cover to Philadelphia Pa., "Firenze 7 Set. 66" circular datestamp and "P.D.", red transits and "18" credit handstamp, Very Fine, scarce 2-lire franking, Sassone T22 on cover E3,500 (Image Magnifier) E. 750-1,000 1,500.00
2994 c BAVARIA, 1862, 6kr Blue, 18kr Red (11, 14).> Two 18kr used with single 6kr, mostly ample margins except one 18kr just touched at top, tied by 325 ring cancel, Munchen 30 Aug. 1866 IX framed datestamp on cover <to Philadelphia Pa.,> red Aachen PaBAVARIA, 1862, 6kr Blue, 18kr Red (11, 14). Two 18kr used with single 6kr, mostly ample margins except one 18kr just touched at top, tied by "325" ring cancel, "Munchen 30 Aug. 1866 IX" framed datestamp on cover to Philadelphia Pa., red "Aachen Paid 23 Cts. 31/8" and "Boston Br. Pkt. Paid 11 Sep." circular datestamps, red crayon "35" credit, faint stain at upper left corner, otherwise Very Fine, an attractive franking and cover (Image Magnifier) E. 500-750 750.00
2995 c NEW BRUNSWICK, The Miramichi Fire of 1825.> Legal-size folded cover addressed <<To Messrs. Robert Ralston, Roberts Vaux, John Goodman, S. Humphreys, John Sargeant & others. Citizens of Philadelphia>> with senders endorsement at lower left <<MajorNEW BRUNSWICK, The Miramichi Fire of 1825. Legal-size folded cover addressed "To Messrs. Robert Ralston, Roberts Vaux, John Goodman, S. Humphreys, John Sargeant & others. Citizens of Philadelphia" with sender's endorsement at lower left "Major General Sir Howard Douglas, Baronet" and lengthy plea for assistance at top "This Letter being on the Subject of the late Conflagration in New Brunswick, the different Postmasters are solicited to forward it free of Postage", manuscript postmark applied at origin "H.M.P. P.M." and "Free" at upper right, upon arrival at the Robbinston Me. cross-border exchange office, the plea evidently fell on deaf ears for the letter was marked in red manuscript "Robbinston Jany. 20", "1-1/4 oz." and "$1.25" postage due (5x 25c rate), the word "Free" was crossed out for good measure, receipt docketing "recd. 2 Feby 1826", pencil docketing on back "Fire at New Brunswick Gov. Douglas", a few wrinkles around edges

VERY FINE. A TRULY REMARKABLE POSTAL HISTORY ARTIFACT, BEING THE OFFICIAL PLEA FOR ASSISTANCE FROM THE GOVERNOR OF NEW BRUNSWICK TO THE CITIZENS OF PHILADELPHIA AFTER THE GREAT MIRAMICHI FIRE OF 1825.

The three-line plea penned on this cover on behalf of Governor Douglas barely touches the surface of the desperation he and his countrymen felt in the aftermath of the calamitous Miramichi fire of 1825. Although the exact loss of life and property has been debated by scholars, the devastation has been documented in numerous eyewitness accounts. Hundreds of homes burned to the ground. At least 150 and as many as 300 lives were lost. Cattle, livestock, forest and other essential components of the economy were destroyed. (For more information, go to http://www3.bc.sympatico.ca/charlotte_taylor/Folder1/Miramichi_Fire_of_1825.htm).

The solicitations for assistance sent out by Governor Douglas generated £40,000 for the relief of the Miramichi fire. The Robbinston Maine post office's uncharitable refusal to mark this letter free is somewhat ironic. Less than one year later, the Great Fire of 1825 in Brunswick, Maine, destroyed much of the town's buildings and property. (Image Magnifier)

 E. 1,500-2,000 4,500.00

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