384. Auction

1888 (May 25), cover franked with 6d. brown-lake, perforated 12x11.5, tied to cover to London by  Apia c.d.s. (Type 2) in blue, United States Garfield 5c. alongside, cancelled by black segmented cork applied in Samoa, reverse with “San Francisco / St. Shp” (Jun 12) and hooded London E.C. (Jun 28) c.d.s., variously toned, but a rare franking from the early rate period of 6d per ½ oz.; just 3 such combinations have been recorded. (Odenweller Census #283)

1889 (April 23), cover to London franked with 1d. yellow-green and 2d. yellow, perforated 12x11.5, tied by Apia c.d.s. in blue, United States 5c. indigo affixed alongside and cancelled in Samoa by black segmented cork, reverse with dual San Francisco c.d.s. (May 12/13), name in address panel cut-out and crudely replaced, repaired opening tear at top, which had also torn 5c. stamp, still a scarce franking; ex Wilson (1923), Odenweller (1978). (Odenweller Census #26)

1891 (December 10), cover franked with 1/2d, 1d., and 4d. singles, tied to cover from the Consulate General of the United States of America by Apia c.d.s. (Type 3, date inverted), to A. Albrecht in Cleveland, Ohio, with San Francisco (Dec 25) and Cleveland (Dec 29) c.d.s. backstamps, the odd trivial toned perf and small tear to back mentioned for strict accuracy, else an attractive and scarce three-colour franking; ex Guy Hamilton. (Odenweller Census #326).  

1892 (July 20), cover to London franked with 1/2d. purple-brown and 2d. yellow, perf 12x11.5, United States 1890-3 5c. chocolate affixed below and tied by segmented cork cancel applied in Samoa, endorsed “via San Francisco” in manuscript, with San Francisco c.d.s. transit (Aug 4) and Margate c.d.s. arrival (Aug 19) backstamps, vertical fold, cover toned and Samoan adhesives with various faults, yet an uncommon mixed franking; ex Odenweller (1978). (Odenweller Census #56)

1894 (January 3), cover franked with 5d. on 4d. surcharge, thin bar over thick bar, tied to Sellschopp & Co printed cover by Apia c.d.s. in blotchy purple-black ink, reverse with San Francisco Paid All c.d.s. (Jan 19), a fresh and clean cover. (Odenweller Census #380)

1894 (February 28), 5d. on 4d. blue, Type III, tied to cover to Sellschopp & Co by Apia c.d.s. in blotchy purplish-black, backstamped with crisp San Francisco / Paid All entry c.d.s. (Mar 15), piece torn from back flap, else fine.

1894 (August 15), 1/2d. purple-brown, perforated 12x11.5, 5d. dull vermilion, perf 11.5x12, tied to Hawkins registered cover to London by Apia c.d.s., United States 1890-3 3d. purple and 10c green affixed alongside, each cancelled with San Francisco oval transit,  New York registration etiquette affixed above, reverse with New York Reg’y Div (Sep 6), multiple London backstamps on receipt and upon redirection to Richmond, with further strikes on front, cover opened on three sides, a striking franking.

1894 (September 12), 5d. dull vermilion, perf 11.5x12, tied to cover to Chicago by choice strike of Apia c.d.s. (Type 4) in purplish-black, San Francisco machine transit backstamp (Sep 29), fine and most attractive.

1895, 2s.6d. reddish lilac, single franking on Sellschopp & Co cover to Molfette, South Italy, adhesive tied by neat Apia c.d.s. in blue, reverse with London transit (May 24) and Molfetta (May 26) c.d.s. receiver, small stain at upper left, else fine.

1895 (January 30), cover franked with 1/2d purple-brown, horizontal pair, and “Surcharged 1-1/2d.” on 2d. orange, tied by crisp Apia c.d.s. (Type 4) in black, to W.A. Cooper, U.S. Despatch Agency, San Francisco, with c.d.s. arrival backstamp (Feb 15), three hinge remnants on reverse, else a remarkably fresh cover. (Odenweller Census #459)

1895 (January 30), cover to W.A. Cooper, San Francisco, franked with 1d. and “Surcharged 1-1/2d.” on 2d, perf 12x11.5, tied by Apia c.d.s. (Type 4), date slugs reversed and inverted, with San Francisco Paid All c.d.s. arrival backstamp (Feb 15), two small adhesive remnants on reverse, else fine.

1896 (December 2), cover franked with two 1d. green, strip of three 2d. yellow, perforated 11, tied to cover to Lyon, France by Apia double-circle c.d.s. (Odenweller Type 5), reverse with N.Z. Marine P.O. c.d.s. (Nov 28) and Lyon c.d.s. receiver, back flap removed, small stain at left edge of cover, an attractive franking.

1899 (December 1), 5d. dull vermilion, vertical pair, overprinted “Provisional / Govt” in blue, tied to registered cover to London by Apia c.d.s., reverse with “N.Z. Marine P.O. / R.M.S. Mariposa” scalloped c.d.s. in blue, Registered/London transit (30 Dec) on front, some edge creasing, yet a scarce franking.

1900 (February 28), covers franked with 1d. pair and single 1/2d, perforated 11, to W.A. Cooper in San Francisco, cancelled with Apia c.d.s. (Type 5),  with March 9 c.d.s. arrival backstamp, a few small stains, else a fine example cancelled on the final day of operation of the John Davis Post Office.

1900 (February 28), cover franked with 1d. red brown pair and single 1/2d dull blue-green overprinted “Provisional Government”, perforated 11, to W.A. Cooper in San Francisco, cancelled with Apia c.d.s. (Type 5),  with March 9 c.d.s. arrival backstamp, a scarce cover, cancelled on the final day of operation of the John Davis Post Office.