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Auction: 17025 - Bermuda, Crossroads of the Atlantic: A Postal History from 1617 to 1877 - The David Pitts Collection
Lot: 83

(x) Packet Letters
G.P.O./Admiralty Period, 1806-1840
The G.P.O. continued its Falmouth Packet service to North America, extending it to Bermuda in 1806 in response to military needs. At first the G.P.O. had a virtual monopoly on the North America route though by 1823 competition from American companies rendered the service unprofitable and the Admiralty assumed responsibility for it since military needs remained unchanged
The service went underwent a number of route changes before it was finally abandoned in 1840 and contracted to Cunard. There are seven different routes
Route 5 with three sub-routes, January-September 1827
In response to competition from American Packets the Admiralty ceased its run to New York from Halifax after December 1826. There were three routes used during this period as the Admiralty sought to find the best way to accommodate the competing needs of Her Majesty's Government and the mercantile communities of both Bermuda and the United States. Sub-routes a, direct from and to Bermuda, b, the Mexico Packet and c, the Annapolis Packet
Sub-route 5c: 1827 (20 Aug.) double rate entire letter from Bermuda per "Susan Packet/Capt. Steers" to Philadelphia, rated "Sea 8d" (double 4d. rate with no packet carriage) and "39½" (double 18¾c. plus 2c. ship fee) and showing "ship" handstamp and Annapolis datestamp (8.9), small panel stain and filing crease crossing the datestamp. The only cover originating in Bermuda by this route and a must for serious Bermuda and trans-oceanic collectors. Photo

Illustrated on page 5 of "Bermuda Mails to 1865" by Forand and Freeland

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Estimate
£1,000 to £1,200