$0 (Image)

"Caravan", manuscript endorsement with matching "Bill of Lading Enclosed" on folded letter datelined "N.O. July 10 1828" from New Orleans to Pinkneyville Miss., entered mails with manuscript "Steam" and "37½" ratings, carried by the Caravan to Fort Adams and then 8 miles to Pinkneyville, addressed in care of C. Evans Hall who was the first postmaster appointed for Fort Adams; small corner mend lower left, F.-V.F. Estimate  $500 - 750. From 1824, all navigable waters were deemed to be post roads. All mail carried on them was charged by the sheet and mileage, the only exception being Bills of Lading. "Caravan" of 221 tons was built at Cincinnati in 1825 and enrolled at New Orleans May 1825 with Joseph Pierce as Master and owner. $0 (Image)

"Chincha Islands, September 18th 1855", manuscript dateline on folded letter addressed to Boston Mass., docketed "Ship Greenwich, Sailed for Hampton Roads from Chinchas, Sepr. 19/55" and "Paid" at top right, letter carried privately from the Chincha Islands off the Peruvian coast to Callao for transfer to the British packet to Panama, from there carried by United States S.S. Co. George Law arriving in New York on Oct. 30th, black "Steamship 20" circular circular handstamp for the 20¢ rate over 2,500 miles, Very Fine. Estimate  $600 - 800. On October 1st 1853, a Post Office regulation allowed for the transfer of mails from the west coast of South America carried by Royal Mail Packets to Panama to be transferred to the U.S. postal service. The British rate of 1 shilling was prepaid and a U.S. charge of 20¢ applied for the Aspinwall to New York service.Interesting letter reads in part, "I am sorry to inform you that after loading the Ship (with guano) down to 19 feet she commenced leaking badly and she is now drawing 19 feet 11 inches & ¾ even keel, and I have drawn up a document certifying that the ship is drawing 20 feet and have it signed by a number of Ship Masters to that effect…My crew is very much dissatisfied about her coming in the ship on account of leaking badly, she is making about 2 inches of water an hour. I am coming home with her or sink". $0 (Image)

"Connect of Maid of Orleans", manuscript endorsement on undated circa 1825 folded letter initially carried to New Orleans with manuscript "6" cent rating for under 30 miles, partial red "New Orleans Mar 24" cds with red manuscript "25" cent uprating for the 1,240 miles to St. Louis Mo.; some toning, top edge separation mended with non-archival tape, Fine. Estimate  $400 - 600. The "Maid of New Orleans" of 193 tons was built at Pittsburgh in 1818 and entered the New Orleans to St. Louis trade for her owner, the merchant John W. Honey. Enrolled on March 24th 1819 at New Orleans with Henry W. Turner as her Master and part owner with 11 others. $0 (Image)

"Galveston May 29th 1842", dateline on folded letter addressed to the Postmaster at Finksburg Md., entered mails with blue "New Orleans La. Jun 6" cds and matching "Ship" rating handstamp with manuscript "27" rating for 25¢ inland postage plus 2¢ ship fee for over 400 miles, content relates to the purchase of a male slave named Henry for $600, letter was transferred to the Great Southern Mail route via Mobile, Montgomery and Augusta to Washington D.C., Very Fine and scarce. Estimate  $300 - 400. Route contracts from Texas and Key West, Florida to New Orleans were not made until 1846 and 1852 respectively. $0 (Image)

"Key West Jan. 21st /47", dateline on folded letter addressed to Lowell Mass., entered mails with "New Orleans La. Feb 1" cds and matching "Ship" straightline and large "12" rating handstamps for 10¢ inland postage plus 2¢ ship fee for over 300 miles, letter was transferred to the Great Southern Mail route via Mobile, Montgomery and Augusta to Washington D.C., Very Fine. Estimate  $300 - 400. $0 (Image)

"Memp. & Vicksburg U.S. M. Pkt. Jul 8", blue route agent cds with matching target canceling 3¢ pink (U58) entire from the Carroll Hoy correspondence to New Orleans La.; top edge faults slightly improved with flap, Very Fine, ex-John Hall Sr. Towle No. M-6-a  Estimate $100 - 150. The Postmaster General's Report for 1868 states the route of 447 miles was contracted at $20,800 per year for a twice a week service. The information on this route was not found in the Star Route Bid Registers. $0 (Image)

"p Steamboat Louisiana", manuscript endorsement on folded letter datelined "New Orleans 8th November 1824" to Parish St. James that was on the Miss. River., "Baton R. La. Nov 18" cds with manuscript "St.Bt. 12" rating; light aging, some fold separations, F.-V.F. Estimate  $1,000 - 1,500. IMPORTANT EARLY STEAMBOAT LETTER CARRIED BY THE FIRST STEAMBOAT BUILT AT NEW ORLEANS. The "Louisiana" of 103 tons was built in 1818 at New Orleans. It was the first steamboat built there. When navigable waters were designated as post roads in June 1824, letters carried in the posts on the Mississippi River were charged for the distance travelled on the river. $0 (Image)

"S.B. Feliciana", manuscript endorsement on folded letter datelined "Office Bank of United States, New Orleans 14th March 1827" and addressed to Bank State of Mississippi at Natchez Miss., manuscript "SB 37½" rating as double-weight steamboat letter for up to 400 miles, the letter charges as it was carried on a Post Road in accordance with the Act of 1824; central fold stain, fold separations have been reinforced with non-archival tape that should be properly removed, Fine, an early steamboat letter. Estimate  $300 - 400. The "Feliciana" of 408 tons was built in 1818 at Philadelphia for the St. Francisville Steamboat Co. with Paul A. Oliver as Master. By 1827 the owners were the Louisiana Towboat Co., Inc. with James Riddles as the Master. $0 (Image)

"S.B. Walk-in-the-Water", manuscript endorsement on folded letter datelined "Office Bank of United States, New Orleans 11th March 1828" addressed to Bank State of Mississippi at Natchez, Miss., further endorsed inside "St. Bt. Walk-in-the-Water Capt. S. Vail"; repaired tear and reinforced folds, Very Fine appearance. Estimate  $400 - 600. This letter accompanied $44,000 in notes entrusted to Captain Stephen Vail for transfer to Natchez and acted as a Bill of Lading. Steamboats provided a safer means of transporting notes and specie in bulk between banks compared to stage coaches. Vail purchased the "Walk-in-the-Water" to then act as Master and Owner in June 1828. $0 (Image)

"St Bt David Crockett", manuscript endorsement on folded letter datelined "New Orleans February 20th 1837" and addressed to Natchitoches La., manuscript "SB 18¾" steamboat rating treated as being on a post road, some fold toning and small erosion spot, F.-V.F. Estimate  $300 - 400. Until the late 1830s, the Red River was navigable only to Natchitoches, the river above the town was blocked by the "Great Raft" for some 160 miles. Captain Henry Miller Shreve, Superintendent of Western Waters cleared the river allowing navigation for a further 650 miles. $0 (Image)

(Alabama - Tombigbee River) From Steamer Tiger, oval handstamp on 3¢ red Nesbitt buff entire addressed to New Orleans La., endorsed "Valuable", entered mails with "Mobile Ala. Dec 5 1859" cds and matching "Steamboat" straightline both canceling indicia; light stain upper right and flap tear, Very Fine. Milgram No. 1371  Estimate $750 - 1,000. $0 (Image)

(Alabama - Tombigbee River) Regular Tuesday Packet Rescue, blue oval handstamp on cover bearing 3¢ dull red (26) tied by sharp "Mobile Ala Jul 16 1860" cds and addressed to Washington La., matching black "Steamboat" straightline handstamp, Very Fine, ex-Paul Rohloff; with 2004 P.F. certificate. Milgram No. 1182  Estimate $1,500 - 2,000. ONE OF ONLY THREE RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THE TOMBIGBEE RIVER PACKET "RESCUE" HANDSTAMP. No star routes were contracted on the Tombigbee and Black Warrior Rivers in the period 1824 to 1875. However, the river was a major route for commerce with a number of letters recorded as being carried on it. This cover was carried to Mobile on the "Rescue" arriving July 16th.The "Rescue" of 207 tons was built at Mobile in 1859 for Capt. H.R. Johnston. She was snagged and lost at Tompkin's Bluff Ala. in December 1860. We record the following examples of this handstamp:1. Jul. 8, 1860, Mobile Ala. to Washington La. with #26 (nibbed perfs) tied by "Steamboat" straightline. ex Klein-Somdal.2. Jul. 10, 1860, Mobile Ala. to New Orleans La. with #26 tied by cds and "Steamboat" straightline. ex-Eggen.3. Jul. 10, 1860, Mobile Ala. to Washington La. with #26 tied by cds. ex-Rohloff, the cover offered here. $0 (Image)

(Alabama River - Non-Contract) Packet Farmer, perfect strike of beautiful ornate oval handstamp on blue folded letter datelined "Mobile Dec 31st 1851" to Montgomery Ala., entered mails with "Montgomery Ala. Jan 5" cds and matching "Steamboat" and "5" rating handstamps, Very Fine; with 1993 P.S.E. and 2001 P.F. certificates. Milgram No. 448. Estimate  $2,000 - 3,000. A REMARKABLE EXAMPLE OF THIS ELABORATE MARKING. Apart from the period July 1854 to June 1858, only non-contract steamboats carried mails between Mobile and Montgomery. Between October 1867 and June 1871, a route between Mobile and Selma was operated. $0 (Image)

(Alabama River - Non-Contract) Packet Mary Clifton, red oval handstamp on folded letter dated "Feb. 25 1852" from plantation owner to his agent in Mobile Ala., black Mobile "Steam 5" oval rating handstamp, Very Fine. Milgram No. 856  Estimate $200 - 300. "Mary Clinton" of 206 tons was built at New Albany Ind. in 1849 for the Alabama River trade out of Mobile. She was snagged and lost at Tait Shoals on February 26th 1855. $0 (Image)

(Alabama River - Non-Contract) Steam (Selma, Ala.), clear strike of small straightline on buff cover to Selma bearing 1852, 3¢ dull red, position 8R2L, three large margins, tied by matching grid cancel; reduced slightly at left, Very Fine, ex-Wagshal. Estimate  $200 - 300. $0 (Image)

(Alabama River - Non-Contract) Steamer Joab Lawrence, blue cds on 3¢ pink (U59) entire to Lower Peach Tree, Ala. that was on the Alabama River, endorsed "with goods" and at lower left "Per Lawrence", Very Fine and choice. Milgram No. 709  Estimate $200 - 300. $0 (Image)

(Alabama River Confederate Usage) Packet Le Grande, red circular handstamp on U.S. 3¢ star die buff entire addressed to Newberry Court House S.C., original enclosed letter datelined "Sebastopol, Ala. Feby 21st 1861" that is located 23 miles NW of Demopolis on the Tombigbee River, entered mails with two strikes of "Montgomery Ala. Paid Feb 23" cds and "Steamboat" straightline; cover staining, F.-V.F. Milgram No. 783  Estimate $300 - 400. At the date of Alabama's secession from the Union on 11th January 1861 no mail contracts were running to Montgomery by steamboat. However, letters were carried by vessels operating on the Alabama River and put into the Post Office at Montgomery.The "Le Grande" of 235 tons was built at New Albany, Indiana in 1856 arriving at Mobile Nov 5th 1856 with Capt. George W. Cloudes as Master. Enrolled in the Confederate registry in January 1861. $0 (Image)

(Alabama River Route 7003) Cahaba, Alabama Pictorial Steamboat Marking, datelined folded letter carried via Old Point Comfort and Richmond to Potomac Creek to be put onto Route 1901 for Washington, double strike of red "Steam" straightline handstamp and manuscript "18¾" rating; taped cover tears at bottom, light toning, otherwise F.-V.F.; with clear 2002 P.F. certificate. Estimate  $750 - 1,000. A RARE EXAMPLE OF THIS ILLUSTRATED CAHABA STEAMBOAT MARKING. Contrary to regulations, the Cahaba postmaster used a pictorial handstamp of a steamboat in lieu of the mandated "Steam" or "Steamboat". Three varieties are known, of which this is the earliest type. $0 (Image)

(Alabama River Route 7003) Mobile & Montgomery Tuesday Evening Packet St. Nicholas, choice strike of this fancy illustrated packet handstamp in blue showing a cotton bale, on cover bearing 3¢ dull red, type I (25), tied by "Selma Ala. '3 Paid' Apr 22" cds and "Steamboat" straightline handstamp; reduced slightly at right, some light perf toning, slight perf defect not mentioned on certificate, Very Fine, ex-Grunin; with 1993 P.S.E. and 2004 P.F. certificates. Scott No. 25. Milgram No. 1318  Estimate $5,000 - 7,500. A REMARKABLE EXAMPLE OF THIS ELABORATE ILLUSTRATED STEAMER NICHOLAS PACKET HANDSTAMP. It was not until July 1854 that a Star Route was contracted to carry mails between Mobile and Montgomery. Up to that date letters were only carried by non-contract steamboats on the Alabama River. The July 1854 contract was made with J.J. Cox (later Cox Brainard) to carry the Great Southern Mails whose volume exceeded the capacity of the stage coach on the route. $35,000 a year was paid for four years only for a daily service.This Alabama river steamboat marking is one of the most beautiful designs produced. $0 (Image)

(Alabama) Mobile Way Covers, group of four from New Orleans via Mobile comprising 1844 to New London Ct. with ms. "Way 26" rating, 1845 to Lawrenceville Va. with "Way 51" rating, and two 1846, 1848 with red "Way 11" handstamps to New York City, F.-V.F. Estimate  $150 - 200. $0 (Image)

(Arkansas River Route 5999) Steamer Isabel, blue octagonal handstamp on folded bill of lading wrapper endorsed "with freight" and addressed to Waterford Plant., Arkansas River, docketed "Isabel" at lower left; some aging at left corners, F.-V.F. Milgram No. 655  Estimate $200 - 300. In 1848 route 5999 was contracted for the mails between Little Rock and Napoleon to Lewis Snapp of Little rock for $8,777 per annum. Neither Klein or Milgram list any vessels operating on the Arkansas River, from the cover illustrated listed as Klein 257 and Milgram 655 some of the Mississippi Name-of-Boat vessels did go onto the Arkansas. The "Isabel" was built in 1850 and lost in 1854, thus bracketing the date of this cover. $0 (Image)

(Atchafalaya & Teche River Route 6116) Attakapas Packet Delia, red oval handstamp on folded bill of lading datelined "New Orleans April 1 /54" and addressed to New Iberia La., Very Fine. Milgram No. 337  Estimate $300 - 400. Addressed to John Moore (1788-1876) at his plantation Shadows at New Iberia. He was a Representative to the Louisiana Congress 1840-1843 and 1851-1853.From July 1846 to June 1854, routes were operated from Donaldsonville to Opelousas as combined river and stage coach contracts. In 1852, awarded as Route 6116 to Carroll M. Vinson at $8,000 a year for twice weekly trips. The route used the Attakapas Canal that connected the La Fourche and Atchafalay Rivers. $0 (Image)

(Atchafalaya & Teche River Route 6116) W. Burton, bold strike in red of large oval handstamp on folded letter datelined "Avolyelle Parish La. June 3rd 1858" to New Orleans La., entered mails bearing 3¢ dull red (11) tied by "Steam" straightline, matching "New Orleans La. Jun 8 1858" cds adjacent, Very Fine. Milgram No. 1442  Estimate $750 - 1,000. Letter states, "as the mail is very uncertain I make this order in duplicate of the same tenor and date and send by mail, the other to go on the Burton as she goes down." It appears both ended up going down on the "W. Burton", this one going to the post. $0 (Image)

(Bayou Sara Route 6102) From Steamer Ceres, oval handstamp on 3¢ red Nesbitt buff entire from Carroll Hoy correspondence to New Orleans La., entered mails with slightly indistinct "New Orleans La. Mar 23, 1857" cds and matching "Steam" straightline canceling the indicia, usual filing hole; accompanied by Ceres bill of lading dated February 4th 1854, F.-V.F. Milgram No. 189  Estimate $300 - 400. This letter was carried by the "Ceres" on Route 6102 St. Francisville to New Orleans. This route was contracted by the trip between November 1850 and May 1858 at $20 per round trip. The "Ceres" of 217 tons was built at Jeffersonville in 1853 and ran the Bayou Sara - New Orleans trade from 1854 under Capt. J.J. Labarthe. $0 (Image)