(Route 7309) Steam Boat Southern Belle, blue oval handstamp with matching "Route 7309" oval handstamp on 1853-55 3¢ Nesbitt entire to Washington D.C., black "New Orleans La. Feb 7" cds and matching "Way" handstamp cancels indicia; couple tiny edge tears and flap opening cut, Very Fine and choice, ex-Eggen; with 1976 P.F. certificate. Milgram No. 1284  Estimate $1,000 - 1,500. The "Southern Bell" was one of five steamboats for contact carriage of mail between 1855-1858 on Route 7209. Thereafter the route number became 8165. Captain Thos. P. Leathers and Captain Truman C. Holmes held the contract. $0 (Image)

(Route 7309) Steam Boat Southern Belle, red oval handstamp on cover from the Carroll Hoy correspondence to New Orleans La., red "New Orleans La Sep 15" cds and black "Steam 5" rating handstamp, endorsed "Southern Belle" at lower left; typical filing holes, Very Fine. Milgram No. 1285  Estimate $150 - 200. $0 (Image)