Developed & Supported by Mark Scheuer. Based on the work of Thomas J. Alexander. Dedicated to the memory of Creighton Hart and Susan McDonald. Feedback, additions, and corrections most welcome. Please send to: mscheue1@rochester.rr.com
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| Scott Number | 1 |
|---|---|
| Date | April 20, 1850 |
| From City | New Orleans |
| From State | LA |
| To City | Bordeaux |
| To State | France |
| Addressee | J. Eugene Larrieu |
| Cert Author | PF |
| Cert # | 63134 |
| Fake | |
| Quantity 1 | 1 |
| Quantity 2 | 0 |
| Bisect | |
| Others |
Notes
Lot 1108 5c Red Brown (1). Clear to large margins, cancelled by criss-crossed pen strokes on 1850 folded prices current to Bordeaux, France and forwarded to Haut Brion, red "New Orleans La. Apr. 20" cds, ms. "Per Steamer via Boston and Liverpool", stamp also tied by red French transit, neat boxed "Colonies & Art. 13" hs, stamp has small corner crease at B.L., Very Fine and choice usage, with 1977 P.F. certificate
Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries, Inc. sale 810 realized 2100
Alexander listed as 4/20/50
Matthew Bennett International sale 243 Lot 26 realized 4000
Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries Inc. sale 507 lot 29 realized 1950
PF 63134 #1, genuine use on folded "prices current" with red New Orleans Apr 20 (1850) and appropriate trans-Atlantic backstamps to France
“This cover is listed in the Alexander Census as having been forwarded from Bordeaux to Brion. However, wine affectionados will note the word Haut which precedes the name Brion. Indeed, this cover was mailed to Chateau Haut Brion, one of the eight great First Growths of the wine-producing region of Bordeaux France.
The cover is addressed to Joseph-Eugene Lirrieu, the owner of the Chateau from 1836-1859. The content proves to be a discussion of the difficulty with a shipment of 400+ cases of the 1839 vintage. To provide some perspective on the value of this shipment, a bottle of the current 2000 vintage sells for over $300 per bottle, placing the retail value of 400+ cases at more than $1,500,000.
Chateau Haut Brion is one of the few great French wine estates under American ownership. Currently it is owned by Douglas Dillon, who was Secretary of the treasury under John. F. Kennedy.”
Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries, Inc. sale 810 realized 2100
Alexander listed as 4/20/50
Matthew Bennett International sale 243 Lot 26 realized 4000
Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries Inc. sale 507 lot 29 realized 1950
PF 63134 #1, genuine use on folded "prices current" with red New Orleans Apr 20 (1850) and appropriate trans-Atlantic backstamps to France
“This cover is listed in the Alexander Census as having been forwarded from Bordeaux to Brion. However, wine affectionados will note the word Haut which precedes the name Brion. Indeed, this cover was mailed to Chateau Haut Brion, one of the eight great First Growths of the wine-producing region of Bordeaux France.
The cover is addressed to Joseph-Eugene Lirrieu, the owner of the Chateau from 1836-1859. The content proves to be a discussion of the difficulty with a shipment of 400+ cases of the 1839 vintage. To provide some perspective on the value of this shipment, a bottle of the current 2000 vintage sells for over $300 per bottle, placing the retail value of 400+ cases at more than $1,500,000.
Chateau Haut Brion is one of the few great French wine estates under American ownership. Currently it is owned by Douglas Dillon, who was Secretary of the treasury under John. F. Kennedy.”
