Lot# 5505 - Auction 250-256
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Lot# : 5505 USA
1769 (Aug 27): Entire letter from London to Governor Grant of St. Augustine, Florida via Charles Town, North Carolina. rated "1N" (1 shilling) for the Packet rate and struck on despatch with Bishop Mark "6/SE" in brown. Very fine strike of the two line "CHARLES / TOWN" handstamp in black applied on entry, and thence forwarded on to St. Augustine. A superb and very rare entire that displays well.rnrnNote: In 1768, at the insistence of Governor Grant of Florida, a mail service was established between Charles Town and St. Augustine by Post Rider via Savannah and Sunbury. The journey took a fortnight in each direction and was discontinued after a few years.rnrnThe letter has fascinating chatty content including the "elopement of Lord Albemarle's Mistress...he had laid out £8'000 on her and the town say had made handsome provision for her in case of his death" and "being (Robert) Clive's friends they asked the Government to assist them in the Persian Gulph where Pirates had destroyed their trade..." and "The Duke of Norfolk is to be married to Miss Fitzroy Scudamore with near 6'000 a year..." (she later became insane and was locked away for many years).Starting bid : 2,000 CHFHammer price : 2,000 CHF