Lot 2
18th Century Transatlantic U.S. Way Cover from Cape of Good Hope
Lot 2 will be offered as Lot 279 in this catalogue listed under Cape of Good Hope, Date-lined "Cape Francis January the 21 1786 Atoorboik at knight" folded stampless letter, museum quality backing with acid free Japanese paper, bearing on front at top right manuscript "P - - - (probably Ports) Way 2" annotated by a post man on receipt, probably at the Portsmouth N.H. docks.
Estimate $1,000 - 1,500
This cover is extremely significant as it is the earliest known stampless cover from the Dutch Cape, with a postal marking, other than a few "Cleft Stick"" (Hottentot Runner) local covers, and is probably unique as a transatlantic usage, pre-British Occupation. As a side note, Cape Francis was made famous in the iconic surfing movie, "The Endless Summer".
The letter is from Joseph Gerrish, to his wife in Kittery Maine via Portsmouth N.H. It details his trip and stops on the way, and is written the morning after he arrived, because the ship was leaving the next day to go home. Joseph Gerrish (1732-1812) graduated Harvard in 1752, head of his class and was buried on Gerrish Island Maine.
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| Opening Bid $475 |
