[Fairfield County] 1789/1855, mostly mounted collection includes handstamped straight line Stamford on 1802 folded letter arriving from St. Petersburg, Russia by British Falmouth packet and re-mailed at Stamford for onward carriage to Boston, the 1789 use is a Stratford postmaster free frank, the 1855 use is a nice 3c 1851 use from Stepney Depot. Link to 13 page pdf file is here
 

[Hartford] 1796/1856, mostly mounted collection includes 1796 straight line postmark and 1810 way use. Link to 9 page pdf file is here

[Hartford County] 1791/1855, mounted collection includes straight line postmarks of Farmington and South Glastonbury (2 different types, one listed by Duffney as unique) and an 1802 way use. Link to 23 page pdf file is here
 

[Jewett City] 1833/1869, mostly mounted collection of 27 covers with most of the value in "PAID" canceled stamps of the 1851 / 1861 issues but includes a few stampless and a pair of 1c 1869 issue stamps on local use "dove band" cover. Link to pdf file is here
 

[Litchfield County] 1801/1853, mostly mounted collection includes unique style Washington straight line postmark, several colored cancels with nice Harwinton and Plymouth Hollow.  Link to 40 page pdf file is here

[Lyme] 1798/1870s, mostly mounted collection of 31 letters or covers, includes a 1798 folded letter from New London that entered the mails at Lyme with manuscript postmark and "Way 7" rate, later uses include postmaster's free frank as well as several unusual style postmarks with the only recorded two line postmark not in truncated box as well as the boxed datestamp in both red and in blue (a 1842 use by British Packet ship Westminster, later marks include a green postmarkand a few stamped covers. Link to pdf file is here
 

[Middlesex County] 1796/1857, mostly mounted collection includes hand drawn Durham postmaster Free frank, Haddam ornate boxed arc (5 covers), early Killingworth manuscript postmarks from 1796 and 1797. Link to 19 page pdf file is here
 

price
$1,600

(sold)
 

[Mystic, Mystic Bridge and Mystic River] 1812/1911, the mostly mounted collection of 82 letters, includes 8 uses from Portersville that became Mystic, covers or postal cards, stampless covers include "attached rate" style with "Free," four used to GB or Ireland and two way uses (1831 and 1832), stamped covers include red waffle grid of Mystic Bridge on 3c 1851 issue and a very nice 3c Pink (#64), later issues with particular interest in unusual cancels with several regular and negative "M" cancels of Mystic and "MB" cancels of Mystic Bridge, also includes a 3c 1861 issue used to Hawaii with "Due 7" of San Francisco and red crayon "14c" due upon arrival (cover repair at top), mixed condition but a scarce group. Link to 47 page pdf file is here
 

[New Haven] 1769/1869, mostly mounted collection includes straight line postmarks and ship uses. Link to 13 page pdf file is here

[New Haven County] 1799/1862, mostly mounted collection includes two Derby straight line postmarks and Stony Creek fancy negative on cover with 3c 1861 issue. Link to 16 page pdf file is here

[New London County] 1810/1906, the mostly mounted collection of 260 letters or covers, does not include the post office that are represented here as separate lots but does include several small and scarcer offices, Bozrah with 1821 re-rated letter to reflect the longer distance to Greenport going around the Sound; Chesterfield 1849 PM free frank; East Lyme with 1850 scalloped-edged pie-slice postmark in green; Franklin with several various styles of their two line datestamp (1862/1879) including one with county designation on a postal card; Ledyard section includes three stamped cover to California (1851 and 1857 issue stamps); Yantic includes "Paid" in cancel on 3 1851 issue cover and as a mute rate handstamp on three stampless covers; rare manuscript postmarks include Gardners Lake (1837), Goshen Hill (1840) and Laysville (1853, PM free frank), collection ends with 11 eleven various RFD postmarked covers from 1902/1906 period, a very comprehensive collection. Link to 173 page pdf file is here
 

[New London, 1750/1799], Part 1 of the important mounted collection formed over 40+ years, Colonial period includes a 1750 manuscript "NL" used to Piscataqua and three other "NL" manuscripts of this era include a 1769 example used to Philadelphia endorsed "The Postmaster is desired to send it as soon as it gets there", and a inbound ship use; the several Congress and Confederation period uses include "NL" postmark on May 1776 use to Providence, a 1779 use from Boston to Norwich with "Way 4" (dwt) rate plus "2" (dwt) subscription post rate for carriage to Norwich, Statehood period uses (1788 to 1799) include way and ship uses, examples of the 1793 double circle postmark as well as 19 straight line postmarks of various styles. Link to 29 page pdf file is here
 

[New London Stampless, 1800/1860s] Part 2 of the collection, 139 stampless letters or covers, primarily a collection of postmark types and rates that begins with 7 straight line postmarks including 1801 inbound ship uses from Guyana and from Cowes, Isle of Wight; the later periods are very comprehensive in terms of the known markings and uses with 1815 War Surcharge and 1816, Restored rates; the post 1845 rates include colored postmarks with numerous examples in green, fancy rate handstamps and "40" California rate handstamp, also numerous inbound ship uses, a very comprehensive collection select condition. Link to 89 page pdf file is here
 

[New London Stamped Covers, 1850/1888] Part 3 of the collection, 53 stamped letters or covers, includes an attractive 5c 1847 issue used in 1850 with red 7 bar grid cancel, also a 3c Orange Brown July 1851 use with matching cancel, the 3c 1851 uses include green cancels, 1857 issues uses with 1c strip, and a steamer illustrated embossed ad cover, 1861 issue with fancy cancels and a Grant campaign cover, collection includes a small group of RR covers and ends with two 1880s ad covers. Link to 42 page pdf file is here
 

Norwich (1) - Post Office operated 1781-1836
     name change to Norwichtown: 1836-1907
 
Norwich (2) (current Norwich was originally Chelsea Landing)
     Chelsea Landing - P.O. operated 1802-1827
     name change to Norwich City: 1827-1836
     name change to Norwich: 1836-current
 

[Norwich (1), 1779/1798] The highly important collection of letters and post office documents regarding the establishment and operations of the post office from 1779 until to 1795, includes a listing of mail carried on a precursor route in 1779 (images and article here) with a letter from Woodbridge to Boston Postmaster seeing the office of Norwich Postmaster, also extensive correspondence between Ebenezar Hazard or Peter Baynton and Dudley Woodbridge (the first postmaster) regarding the establishment of the Norwich post office and the earliest operations (link to 20 page PDF file here) , additional documentation of the postal service is a 78 page, leather-bound book of the partially printed record of Letters & Newspapers sent from the Norwich office under Dudley Woodbridge, William Leffingwell and Christopher Leffingwell (January 9, 1783 to March 15, 1795, sample images here). An additional document is an 1802 official copy of Woodbridge's partially printed quarterly report for the Norwich Post Office for the quarter ending 5 October 1781 that shows a total credit to the General Post Office of 4£ 19s 8d (cropped imaged above, ex George Turner collection). The postmarked letters include manuscript and straight line postmarks (27 including examples in black, magenta and the the only known example in red).

An exceptional archive of materials that probably represents the largest holding in private hands relative to the founding of an 18th Century United States Post Office, certainly worthy of a museum.
 

[Norwich (1), 1755/1798] mostly mounted collection of 35 folded letters, includes three letters (1755/1785) pre post office establishment, two of these were sent via New London and New york to catch the Falmouth Packets to England, the post office period material includes manuscript and straight line postmarks (27 with examples in black, magenta and the the only known example in red). Link to 27 page pdf file is here
 

[Norwich (1), 1799/1836] mostly mounted collection of 69 folded letters, includes nine 1799 to 1803 period straight lines, an inbound 1799 use from New York City with added private carrier delivery fee of 2c marked on the front, several way uses as well as excellent range of markings and uses. Link to 53 page pdf file is here
 

[Norwichtown (Norwich 1), 1836/1898] mostly mounted collection of 64 letters or covers, stampless include the full range of markings into the 1850s, the stamped covers include two 5c 1847 uses (an 1848 use with red postmark, manuscript cancel and an 1850 use with blue postmark and grid cancel), several 1851 uses including on a Seminary ad cover, 1861 issues with fancy cancels, two uses to USS Dakotah at Panama (one with 10c green and one with pair 5c brown), the few later uses, very fine group. Link to 48 page pdf file is here
 

[Norwich (2), Chelsea Landing & Norwich City, 1804/1836] mostly mounted collection of 83 letters, includes Chelsea landing (62 letters, 1804/1827) with 4 1815 War rate uses, 19 No outer ring datestamps (different spacing, red and black, 3 line postmark in red (one of three known) and inverted "G" postmarks; Norwich City (21 letters, 1829/1836) including way rate. Link to 59 page pdf file is here
 

[Norwich (2) Stampless, 1837/1871] mostly mounted collection of 94 letters or covers, wide range of rates including drop rates, ship rates from Lanman Kemp correspondence from Puerto Rico, California 6c rate; markings include various auxiliary marking with Missent, Forwarded, and Washington Dead Letter Office, uses include to Canada, Telegraph covers, free franks (1871, from Senator) and advertising covers. Link to 69 page pdf file is here
 

[Norwich (2) Stamped Covers, 1850/1899 ] the extensive and comprehensive, mostly mounted, collection of 200 covers or entires (150+ are pre 1870), ranging from three 5c 1847 issue covers to an advertising section from the last decade of the century, absolutely loaded with unusual and/or fancy cancel types with a study section of the 3c 1851 issue "Paid" in bars cancels (10 covers including with 2 with reversed lettering), extremely interesting group of of 1861 cancels collected by earliest and latest date of use, other better uses include patriotics, foreign uses to New Brunswick, Canada, England and France as well as a good range of the various stamps in use at Norwich. Link to 156 page pdf file is here
 

[Norwich Falls, 1829] pair of folded letters from the short-lived office in existence 1828 and 1829, a manuscript postmark and rate on letter to Hanover, NH and forwarded as well as a ultramarine handstamped postmark also to Hanover, these are two of the five known letters from Norwich Falls. Link to 2 page pdf file is here
 

[Tolland County] 1820/1884, mostly mounted collection includes Columbia 1833 way use, green Ellington PM free frank, several manuscript postmarks, a Willington "PAID III three line postmark and an 1884 Spring Hill / Tolland County fancy postmark.  Link to 27 page pdf file is here
 

[Windham County] 1796/1869, includes 1858 Campbell's Mills balloon style postmark with "Windham County" at top of device on cover with 3c 1857 issue, straight line postmarks of Central Village (1847), Fisherville (1846), Pomfret (1831), Thompson (1841 with PM free frank, Windham (1796 and 1798); manuscripts postmarks include Howard's Valley (1846) and Sterling Hill (3c 1869 issue); arcs with Pomfret (1841) and Windham (1810, unlisted in ASCC and 1828), a very attractive collection. Link to 81 page pdf file is here
 

[Balance of Collection, 1751/1801] diverse group of 22 early folded letters, most are mounted and described and are either to or from Connecticut, the group includes: 1751 from Boston rated "2/6" in Mass. Old Tenor, 1757 use with Salem manuscript ship rate postmark and 3.16 (dwt., gr.) rate to New London, a ca. 1860 "BoSh" postmark and ship rate to Norwich, 1785 "W2" way postmark on letter from Providence to Hartford,  straight line postmarks include Boston (1786, 1787 with 2 types), New York (1786,1787 different types) and Stockbridge (1800, way use); manuscript postmarks include Fairfield Way (1793), Bristol, RI (1801), New Hartford Way (1799), Providence (1793) and Stockbridge (1799), also include a couple New York clamshell postmarks including an 1799 use to Norwich with added 2c due rate for carrier delivery in Norwich. Link to 22 page pdf file is here
 

[Colonial Era East Way / West Way Uses, 1763/1766] two folded double rate covers, 1763 folded cover with manuscript "EW" (East Way) postmark and 16:16 (dwt, gr) double rate for use from Portsmouth, New Hampshire to Philadelphia, the other, a 1766 folded cover with magenta manuscript "WW" (West Way) postmark and 2.16 (dwt. gr) for double rate for use from New Haven, Connecticut to Lebanon, Connecticut.

Each is an only known double rate use. There is one other "WW" use known in private hands (sold RA Siegel auction #1090 for $9,500 hammer price). There are fewer than 10 known "EW" uses.  See the John Olenkiewicz presentation on these interesting uses reproduced here as a pdf file
 

[Long Island Sound Steamboat Mail, 1821/1852] the partially mounted collection of 53 covers or letters, an important group that includes private mails as well as steamboat entry markings, the earliest is an 1821 New Haven "Ship" entry from a steamer, the private mail uses include  Adams Express agent markings of Turner (3 different), hale agent marks of Stonington and New London as well as Hanford's Pony Express on letter to New York and a Kenyon's Letter Office on a letter from New York; other rate uses include two "Way" covers that entered the mails at Norwich, a "RR" use that entered at Stonington for carriage to New York; stamped covers include a 5c 1847 letter that entered at New London with red "Steam Boat" postmark and cancel as well as a 3c 1851 letter that entered a Norwich with rate "Steamer" italic handstamp in black; the Steam and Steamboat entry markings include manuscript and handstamped entries as well as "Steamer Oregon" trio. Link to 33 page pdf file is here
 

[American Letter Mail Company] 1844/1845, the mounted collection that includes uses from Connecticut (5 with adhesives) as well as stampless from Connecticut, Boston and Philadelphia.  Link to 8 page pdf file is here

[Hale & Company] 1844/1845, the mounted collection that includes uses from Connecticut (5 with adhesives) as well as inbound stampless to Connecticut.  Link to 10 page pdf file is here
 

[Patriotic Covers, 1861/1865] group of 17 patriotic covers used from various New London County post offices, condition very mixed by some rare caricature designs, two with "Paid" cancels, and a 10c green (#68) used to Canada, faults. Link to 14 page pdf file is here
 

[1710 Queen Anne Post Office Act] an original of the 1710 Queen Ann Act, complete (numbered pages 287 to 309 plus front page), pages have been trimmed somewhat at right (this affects the marginal text on some interior pages but not the title page or first page with illustrated frontispiece, a very reasonably priced example as a result of the trimming
 

[1768, Private Post Charge, New York to Norwich via New London] folded cover, docketed Sept 15 1768, entered the Parliamentary Post mails at New York with their two line backstamp, "16 SE" datestamp, and manuscript "2.16" rate (dwt, gr) addressed to Rev Wheelock, in Lebanon, by the way of New London, Connecticut" and also endorsed at left, "With the utmost Speed as it is a letter of importance," the 2dwt 16gr rate was equivalent to 11d in Connecticut currency which was marked on the cover upon arrival at New London office, a further 6d was added for delivery from New London to the addressee and the total due of "1/5" (17d.) was marked on the cover, a rare use
 

[1772, Private carriage from Norwich to the Mails at New London and from the Mails at Providence] letter dated Norwich County Court term 1772 addressed to Brown and Company in Providence, this was carried out of the mails from Norwich which did not yet have a post office and entered the mails at New London with their "NL" Parliamentary Post postmark and "4.16" (dwt, gr) rate, later an addition 16g was added to the correct distance rate for carrier delivery service from Providence office

 

[1774, Private Post Charge, Boston to Norwich via New London] folded 25 July 1774 letter from Boston to Norwich, entered the Parliamentary Post mails at Boston with their magenta postmark, datestamp and manuscript "2.16" rate (dwt, gr), addressed to Samuel Huntington in Norwich, sent to the New London post office where equivalent Connecticut currency 11d rate was noted on the reverse plus a further 6d for delivery from New London to Norwich making a total due of "1/5" (17d.), edges restored, a rare use

[1774, Private Post Charge, New York to Norwich via New London] folded 12 October 1774 letter from New York to Norwich, entered the Parliamentary Post mails at New York with their two line backstamp and manuscript "2.16" rate (dwt, gr), addressed to Dudley Woodbridge in Norwich, sent to the New London post office where equivalent Connecticut currency 11d rate was noted on the reverse plus a further 6d for delivery from New London to Norwich making a total due of "1/5" (17d.), a rare use

[1778, Lisbon, CT to Norwich regarding Rum Shipments] letter dated Lisbon, June 26th 1778 from Capt. Asa Waterman, Assistant Commissary of Purchases (for the Army) to Dudley & Samuel Woodbridge, Merchants at Norwich, very interesting contents that mentions, "I have sent you pr Elijah Dyar and Jos. Farnum five casks Rum" and itemizes the numbered casks (one notes as "5 1/2 inches out) and with payment instructions for the two carriers, image of letter here, age stains

The contents of this letter may be related to a newspaper report of a recently captured rum shipment. A 17 June 1778 Connecticut Journal notice dated from New London, CT on 12 June 1778 reported: "Last Sabbath, a schooner taken near Block Island by two Whaleboats from the Connecticut River as sent in. She was from Jamaica, laden with Sugar and Coffee, and its' said belongs to Mr. Lopez, late of Newport; the Schooner four days before her Arrival parted with a large Jamaica Fleet, bound to England, under Convoy of a 40 and a 20 Gun Ship."
 

[ca. 1780, Samuel Huntington Free Frank] folded wrapper franked "S. Huntington" at lower left and addressed to "Colonel Jeremiah Wadsworth, late Commy. Genl, Connecticut" (he resigned this position 1 January 1780 making this a post January 1780 use) and endorsed "Public Service" at top, at this date Samuel Huntington was still President of the 2nd Continental Congress (a post he held from 28 September 1779 until 10 July 1781), with Huntington's "swan" red wax seal still affixed to the remaining top half only of reverse, lower half is missing, small ink erosion hole the word "Connecticut" of address, a scarce frank
 

[Chain of Expresses] circa 24 June 1781 undated letter from George Washington's Aide de Camp, Colonel David Humphrys to Col. Jeremiah Wadsworth at Hartford, pr Chain of Expresses endorsement at bottom left of address leaf, letter dated "Head Quarters, N. Windsor" reads: Dear Wadsworth, I hope, before a great while to see you in Camp - in the Mean time can you inform us by what route the Count de Rochambeau comes, and when he may be expected at the North River without putting the Question pointedly to him - The General would wish some of us to meet and attend upon him, into the Camp -, I am yours Sincerely, D. Humprys / ("please turn over") - Col. Wadsworth Should you be able to obtain a horse of the description proposed, I should be glad to have him forwarded by the Dragoons or otherwise as convenient"

The only known example of a letter with the "Chain of Expresses" endorsement and a highly important use. See the John Olenkiewicz article that appeared in the  Collector's Club Philatelist, May-June 2000 issue. The article is reproduced here as a pdf file
 

[1785, By Mr Brown of the Stage] manuscript directive on October 10, 1785 folded letter of Thomas Seymour from Hartford, CT to New York City, Jacob Brown of Hartford was the stage driver on the Hartford to New York route (see notice regarding the stage service here)

 

[1787, Trenton, New Jersey] dateline on March 17, 1787 folded letter of (Colonel) Robert L. Hooper to Robert Morris (Signer of the Declaration of Independence) at New York, endorsed "Post paid" by sender and entered the mails with "Paid 2 (dwt)"  postal rating, letter regards a legal case involving a defaulting debtor
 

[Post Days at New York for the Year, 1789] broadside (13.25" by 8.25") signed in type by William Bedlow, Post-Master, apparently survived by being re-purposed as a wrapper with manuscript "Paymts. to .... on my note" in period hand on reverse. Suitable for framing

Minor edge faults, a rare postal artifact
 

[1829, Mail Route Marking] folded 21 September 1829 folded letter dated at Madisonville (LA) addressed to Oyster Bay South, Long Island, New York, after carriage from New Orleans by steamer it entered the mails at New York with "Nov 1" postmark and matching "Mail Route" arc handstamp

[1837, Express Mail from Baltimore] folded letter from William Frost sent to a ship Captain Thomas Oliver in New Castle, NH near Portsmouth, cover endorsed "Express" regarding the sale of a ship, endorsed "Express" and triple "75" express rate collect, Baltimore May 9" postmark, cover minor edge fault at crease, very scarce use on the route north from Baltimore
 

[1839, Express Mail from Alabama] folded cover endorsed "Express" used in  February 1839 from Tuscaloosa, Alabama to East Haven, CT, red "Paid" handstamp and "75" rate, 1838 docket, missing bottom back flap, a much scarcer route and a rather late use for this period of service, with 1948 letter from Stanley Ashbrook
 

[1842, RMSP Steamer Solway Maiden Trip Carrying Mail] 7 February 1842 folded Huth correspondence letter from Mazatlan, Mexico to London, orange "Tampico AP 7 1842" split ring backstamp and London 1 May 1842 arrival, carried on first trip as a packet steamers as the outbound trip carried no letters or passengers, vertical folds, fine use
 

[1842, RMSP Steamer Tweed Maiden Trip Carrying Mail] 18 June 1842 folded Vasquez correspondence letter from Santa Martha, Colombia to London, orange "Santa Martha JU 18 1842" split ring backstamp and London 27 JY 1842 arrival, carried on first trip as a packet steamer as the outbound trip carried no letters, fine
 

[1849, Letter from Whaler William & Eliza] folded 1 January 1849 letter datelined "Ship Wm & Eliza" addressed to N. Rochester, MA, letter was carried by another whaler, bark North America into New London where it entered on 23 March as a ship letter with "7" cents due, see PDF files here for contents of letter (no real content of merit) and here for newspaper arrival notice that indicate the William & Eliza was in South Atlantic Ocean off Rio de Janeiro when it met the bark North America, very fine
 

[1853, By Thompson & Co Express] manuscript directive on May 17, 1853 money letter that enclosed an insurance payment, dated from North Chester, Mass to Connecticut Mutual Life Ins. Co at Hartford, CT, also endorsed "Paid" and "$57 35/100 Dollars Enclosed" by the express agent
 

[ca. 1859, Tubac, New Mexico Territory (now Arizona)] Dec 31 manuscript postmark while New Mexico Territory on cover addressed to L. Ballou, Colt's Armory at Hartford, 3c dull red 1857 issue with manuscript cancel, prepaid short route rate with "Via St. Louis" endorsement for carriage on the Butterfield Southern Route, the Tubac Post Office was established in February 1858 and the site of a military engagement in 1861 between the town's male citizens and the Confederate forces and Apache warriors, town became part of Arizona Territory in 1863
 

[ca. 1860, Breech Loading Rifle Advertising] all over design, breech-loading carbine illustrated, advertising cover of Merrill, Thomas & Co. Company manufacturers and agents for Colt Fire Arms (in December 1861 the Secretary of War ordered 5,000 of these carbines), cover is addressed to Loren Ballou in Hartford, CT, Ballou was chief engineer for Colt Fire Arms plants in Hartford, 3c dull red (#26) tied by blue "Aug 31 Baltimore Md." postmark, slightest discoloration at right edge of cover, a very attractive and rare design
 

[1864, Postmark Illustrated Circular] 2c Black Jack (#73) tied by Hartford, Conn. negative star cancel to printed circular of Justin Snow, used locally the illustrated circular illustrates specimens of "Holt's Patent Ribbon Hand Stamp" markings and the device, the marks illustrated do include at least two of a postal type (Milford, NH and U.S. Military Rail Road), actual strikes from the device also appear on the reverse, PDF file of interior and reverse is here

[1863/1866, President Pro Tem of Senate after Lincoln Assassination] two covers free franked by L. F. Foster, an 1863 use from Norwich, CT while a US Senator from Connecticut and another May 1866 use from Washington, DC on "Vice President's Chamber, U.S. Senate" imprint cover used while President Pro Tem of the Senate (the person next in line to the Presidency), the 1866 use without backflap

[ca. 1865, Washoe City, Nevada] double circle postmark on cover to New Hampshire, 3c Red (#65, faulty) tied by matching target cancel, fine strike