1859 TYPE 1 STAMPS - POSTAL COVERS & LETTERS - AFTERMATH OF U.S. PANIC OF 1857

Description: We are offering four Postal Covers (3 with letters) with Type 1 Stamps (3-cent) that were issued in 1859. The letters were written during the U.S. financial crisis which began with the Panic of 1857 and engulfed the country for nearly three years. Some of what is written in the letters gives indications of financial worries. NOTE - all letters are completely legible, although one is a little faded; the paper of the envelopes is delicate, and there is some tearing from when they were opened (see images) 1.) Postal Cover with a Tarentum, Pennsylvania hand-stamped postmark and an undated letter addressed to Mrs. Angeline Ferris, South Norwalk, Connecticut from her husband, George A. Ferris who was writing to her from Tarentum, PA. It appears they had just settled into a house in South Norwalk, and he hopes she will not take the trouble to clean the house, but that "Father can get Miss Hoyt or some other to clean it". He appears to be taking care of a situation in Tarentum, the nature of which we are not sure. He thinks he will have to stay longer than expected. He mentions someone by the name of Hanford and says that "he is very low [depressed?] and how it will turn out for him is known only to him who knows all [meaning God, we assume], but I hope for the best". "Don't be disheartened with my absence, as I think more than life of you while I am here, and we are performing a duty that we owe each other - not knowing how soon it may be our lot to be in a like situation [as Hanford]. We assume he is speaking about finances. 2.) Postal Cover with a Centre Harbor, New Hampshire hand-stamped postmark and a letter dated Feb. 22, 1859, from John C. Pope to Mr. James Drake, Pittsfield, New Hampshire, about money Pope owes him. "I do not know if you will get out of patience with me, but I hope not. I have been expecting about fifty dollars to be paid to me by an Administrator of an estate for some time. I have assurances that it will be paid shortly, and as soon as it is received, I will forward you at least one hundred dollars. I have been trying for several weeks to borrow out here...." "But not one dollar can be had that way [by borrowing, we assume]. I am now settling with my employer and am taking notes [calling in promissory notes from people who owe him money??] and are hoping to get a little money from them. My business is good - in January it amounted to over $125 - but the pay comes in slow - yet I get some. I have paid out five hundred dollars on my stable and house since I bought them". Signed "Yours most respectfully, John C. Pope". 3.) Postal Cover with a New York, NY hand-stamped postmark on a F.H. Nash, 510 Broome St., New York envelope. The letter, which is dated February 20th, 1868, is addressed to Mrs. George Ferris, South Norwalk, Conn. (the same person as the first letter), and is from Mrs. Ferris' niece, Helen. The letter is mostly personal "chit-chat". Helen writes about going onboard the "Roanoke" [USS Roanoke, a Civil War Union warship that was sent back to New York waters after the war where it was decommissioned]. She writes about a gentleman caller who wanted to take her out; a lady border she has taken into her home; a merino wool dress she had made; and asks if her aunt has any sewing she wants done. "It is dreadfully storming today, and we are going to have fine sleighing", etc., etc. 4.) Postal Cover with a Syracuse, New York 1860 hand-stamped postmark. The envelope is addressed to Capt. Ashley, New Bedford, Massachusetts, c/o Barney G.? Spooner. There is no letter in the envelope. **NOTE** - we acquired information from the New Bedford Whaling Museum about Captain Williams Ashley (1787-1870) who was a commander in the merchant marines. One of his children, Edward R. Ashley (1824-1909) was captain of several whaling ships until 1867. Considering this envelope has an 1860 postmark, the person it's addressed to could be either the father or the son.

Price: 125 USD

Location: Santa Clarita, California

End Time: 2024-11-09T19:48:07.000Z

Shipping Cost: N/A USD