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- Bristol-New York Government Packet Service
Bristol-New York Government Packet Service
Object Details
- Description
- This folded letter originated in New York in May 1711. It was addressed to Mr. Joseph Levy, a merchant in London, England. A red, circular wax seal of the letter sender showing the impressions of two fish and the letters "S" and "N" is stamped on the document. On the back portion of the letter is an example of the earliest known straightline handstamp used in North America, a British postmark used at New York. Alongside is a 14 mm circular datestamp of London showing arrival of the letter on June 14 (IV/14). Postage due in London of two 1-shilling for a double-rate packet letter was written in the upper right corner as “2N.” A double-rate letter was a single sheet with another enclosed sheet. In the lower left corner is the talismanic inscription, “Q D G,” meaning “Que Dieu Garde” or “which God protect” in French. Endorsements such as this were inscribed on many early letters by the senders to seek preservation and guidance for the ship and its master.
- This letter was carried on the second voyage of the Bristol packet service, that of the sailing ship "Bristol," Captain William Ball, arriving at Bristol about June 6, 1711.
- This is the earliest transatlantic packet letter from North America recorded and one of three known letters attributed to the Bristol packets.
- Donated by the Milton A. Holmes Memorial Fund on October 21, 1968
- Data Source
- National Postal Museum
- Date
- May 1711
- Object number
- 0.280593.1
- Type
- Covers & Associated Letters
- Medium
- paper; ink; wax / handwritten
- Dimensions
- Height x Width: 7 11/16 x 4 5/8 in. (19.5 x 11.8 cm)
- Place of Destination
- Great Britian
- Place of Origin
- New York
- See more items in
- National Postal Museum Collection
- On View
- Currently on exhibit at the National Postal Museum
- Carrier
- Ship "Bristol Packet"
- Topic
- Colonial Era (1607-1776)
- Covers & Letters
- Record ID
- npm_0.280593.1
- Usage
- CC0
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