From Boston to Manila via Southampton, Marseille and Brindisi

A decade-old discovery of the first letters known to collectors from the United States to the Philippines during the U.S. classic period finally reached the philatelic market this year. Despite the considerable advance publicity, special catalog and rare Manila destination, however, the 29 covers brought a relative modest total of $ 161,575 plus 10 percent commission. Three other covers from the same correspondence were sol