Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 17025 - Bermuda, Crossroads of the Atlantic: A Postal History from 1617 to 1877 - The David Pitts Collection
Lot: 196

(x) Packet Letters
Other Carriers In Conjunction With Cunard
Cunard operated throughout the period from 1827-1877 and beyond. There were two major changes in Cunard's relationship with other carriers. The first was the RMSP's abandonment of her British stops after 1850. The other was Cunard's loss of her transatlantic contract to Inman in 1868. These changes made the Cunard Bermuda-Halifax connection more important
The following section illustrates the inter-relationships between Cunard, RMSP and other lines
Cunard and Contract or Crop Vessels, 1868-73
When Cunard's route to New York ended in 1854, there was no direct service from Bermuda to the United States until 1868 when she contracted directly with a number of steamers and small crop vessels. Cunard carried some mail from New York to Great Britain under contract to an American packet. Inman carried most of the mail to Great Britain at that time. The rate to Great Britain via New York was 7d., rather than 6d., the extra 1d. credited to the United States as a transfer fee
Two steamers operated this route, the Fah-kee between 1868 and 1870 and the San Francisco from late 1870 until 1873. When needed, other steamers and crop vessels were used between 1871 and 1873, the latter for only nine trips
1869 (4 Jan.) envelope (monogram of H.M.S. Doris on flap) from Ireland Island to Kent, originally routed via St. Thomas and marked "Officers Letter" (both deleted), re-routed "Via New York" per contract vessel Fah-kee to New York and per HAPAG Allemania to Southampton, rated "6d" in red crayon and bearing 1865 1d. rose-red and 6d. dull purple sharing superb "3" (K1) and with equally fine despatch datestamp (P5) at left, London Paid datestamp (25.1) below the adhesives; small tear at top, otherwise fine and a highly unusual carriage by a German ship. Photo

Note: Illustrated on page 112 of the Ludington handbook

provenance:
Morris H. Ludington, June 1999

Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.

Sold for
£1,100