1797 (February 1st) – An Important Early Usage of the Belfast “SHIP LETTER” Marking: Folded entire from Thomas Neil of Boston, Massachusetts, to Mr. Charles Neil, endorsed “per The Lucy”, carried across the Atlantic and landed in Ireland. The face bears a superb strike of the large two-line BELFAST / SHIP LETTER handstamp in red, the larger and considerably rarer type, Robertson S3. Exceptionally important as an early usage predating the previously recorded period by some three years; Robertson records this marking only from 1800–02. A striking and highly significant example of early Irish transatlantic ship-letter mail, substantially extending the known period of use of this rare Belfast maritime marking.
Note: Robertson records the earliest usage of this marking from 1800, making this 1797 example an important new earliest recorded date.
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