Worldwide Stamps and Postal History

Wreck Mail. 1880 (Apr 8) Front from London to Algoa Bay, South Africa, with a Cape Town arrival c.d.s (Sep 7), glued onto a part album page inscribed below "Per U.R.M.S American foundered, Posted 8th April 1880 arrived in P.E Sept. 9th 1880". The front with a large piece torn out and replaced, the upper right corner (and part of the stamp) torn away. The S.S "American" sank in the Atlantic Ocean, the passengers and mails being put into boats. The smallest boat was at sea for 85 days before being rescued and taken to Loanda; the Sept. arrival c.d.s proves this cover was amongst the five mailbags on this boat. Just two other covers recorded from this wreck (See Argyll Etkin Auction of 28 Feb. 2014, lot 109).
Suggested price: £ 80-100