Closed Auction

By:
H. R. Harmer Inc

lot # 272 - United States of America UNITED STATES COLLECTIONS

Tuesday Apr 30, 2024 10:00 America/New_York

Harnden Express postal history collection, 1840s/60s, neatly-written up on pages, over twenty items beginning with a letter from William F. Harnden to the President of the Norwich and Worcester Railroad (ex Burrus), followed by a range of desirable pieces, including a rare 1847 entire to Russia (Wibourg) showing framed “POSTAGE PAID / TO DESTINATION / BY / HARNDEN & CO / OF / LIVERPOOL”, circular “PAID / H. & Co”, and reverse with “FORWARDED BY / HARNDEN & CO / BOSTON”, 1840 folded letter with “FORWARDED FROM / HARNDEN’S / PACKAGE EXPRESS & FOREIGN / LETTER OFFICE” (Boston), 1840 transatlantic to the United Kingdom with circular “FORWARDED BY / HARNDEN’S EXPRESS / FROM / BOSTON”, 1842 Havana to London forwarded via New York and Boston, 1866 Harper’s Ferry receipt, various types of “HARNDEN EXPRESS” and “HARNDEN NEW YORK AND SOUTHERN EXPRESS” envelopes, full-rigged ship illustrated “FORWARDED BY / HARNDEN & CO / NO 20 WATER ST / LIVERPOOL” oval on two folded covers, four scarce labels from Cincinnati (white), Wall Street (blue), Savannah (orange) and Baltimore (orange), concluding with embossed Livingston & Co “Late Harnden Express Forwarder” envelope with embossed illustration on flap, transatlantic letters carried via the Acadia, Columbia, Caledonia, Britannia, etc, condition varies, some items with faults, but an important assembly of scarce material recounting the history of this pioneering independent express company.


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