Via. Nicaragua., clear strike of red box handstamp on buff cover with manuscript "Free C.P.N." free frank at upper right and addressed to General George Sylvester Nichols (1820-1900) at Athens N.Y., carried by Northern Light to New York, entered mails with "New York '5 cts' Oct 27" integral rate postmark for 5¢ due; few light file folds and edge wear, Very Fine, ex-Crozier, Kramer, Tatham; with 2001 P.F. certificate. Estimate  $1,000 - 1,500. AN EXTREMELY RARE "VIA NICARAGUA" MARKING THAT IS LISTED BY WIERENGA WITHOUT AN IMAGE. In 1851, Cornelius Vanderbilt started The Accessory Transit Company to provide a shorter route to San Francisco through Nicaragua rather than via Panama. A number of cachets are known used on the route. The route was by steamboat from New York or New Orleans to San Juan del Norte, transferred to a river steamboat to San Carlos on Lake Nicaragua. Across the lake by steamboat and then 10 miles by coach to San Juan del Sur on the Pacific coast. This route, under favorable conditions reduced the San Francisco to New York journey by five days. $0 (Image)