1840 Stampless STEAMBOAT partial letter from NIAGARA to TORONTO. No despatch markings, as usual, as mail items were taken directly to the vessel. Very fine strike of STEAMBOAT arc hs and CITY of TORONTO UC AU 8 1840 large double circle receiver in black on front, ms 4½ due to pay single rate under 60 miles across Lake Ontario. To The Hon’bl John H Dunn, H M Recr Genl, Toronto, endorsed “Thos McCormick Esq, Coll Pt of Niagara, 6th April 40”. Remittance £19-2 Cy. Rec’d & Ans’d 9th. Letter removed, file folds and torn at seal. SHOULD THIS HAVE BEEN A MONEY LETTER? (Image)

Est. 100+

1843 Stampless partial letter from unknown location [possibly Kingston] to TORONTO. No despatch markings, as usual, as mail items were taken directly to the vessel. STEAMBOAT arc hs and weak TORONTO UC MY 12 1843 double split circle receiver in black on front, ms 9 due. Possibly to pay single rate from Kingston 101-200 miles or double rate from Niagara, under 60 miles across Lake Ontario. To Mr John Leak Esq, Young[sic] Street, Toronto. Annotated “Replied 16 April 1844” [months late]. (Image)

Est. 75+

1845 Stampless letter written in MONTREAL to TORONTO. No despatch markings, as usual, as mail items were taken directly to the vessel. Internally dated Montreal Saturday Morning. Over-inked strike of STEAMBOAT arc hs TORONTO UC AU 19 1845 double split circle receiver in black on front. Weak ms 9 due to pay a single rate 101-200 miles [short paid]. To Nelson Esquire, c/o Baldwin & Nelson, Attornies, Toronto, Upper Canada. Endorsed “Jas Drew Esq, Glasgow”. The marked 9d cy rate is not enough for the 335 miles from Montreal to Toronto, which should be rated 1/1 ½ for 301-400 miles. As the writer indicates that he is heading for a meeting in Toronto in a few days’ time, it is possible that he carried this item part of the way, perhaps mailing it from Kingston, 165 miles from Toronto, rated 9d cy. Ex Nickle. (Image)

Est. 100+

1852: (circa) Undated stampless envelope rated handstamp ‘3’ (likely from Toronto) to Hamilton with distinctive manuscript STRAIGHT LINE ‘Steamboat’ in deep mauve applied upon receipt, one of only three known in this colour, bends and edge faults, otherwise fine and RARE. (Image)

Est. 250+

1878: 37,F1: 3¢ Small Queen and 2¢ Registered Letter Stamp, cancelled by ms reg. number on yellow registered envelope to Toronto with very fine strike of STR. CITY OF WINNIPEG 2 AUG 1878 double oval date stamp UL in deep blue, received next day, stamps with slight discolouration and cover reduced at right, an EXCEPTIONALLY RARE STEAMER CANCEL, used on the former ‘Annie L. Craig’, acquired by the Canada-Lake Superior Transit Co in 1878, renamed and used for transporting supplies for CPR construction (until it burnt in 1881), only 3 other covers known with identifying marks from the Northern Lakes, ex Risvold. (Image)

Est. 750+

Unused '1000 ISLANDS NEAR BROCKVILLE, CANADA' multi-coloured picture postcard (circa 1920's) showing a steamer sailing between islands, fine. (Image)

Est. 35+

Unused 'Str.Cayuga Toronto to Niagara' multi-coloured picture postcard (circa 1920's) showing the vessel, very fine. (Image)

Est. 30+