Lot
4156 
(Early Lower Mississippi River) 1826 (Jun. 28) Bayou Sara, La. to New Orleans La., part folded letter docketed "28th June 1826" with text "I send this by a friend to B. Sara who will either mail it or have it to be sent down in the Packet", New Orleans "Steam" straightline handstamp and red manuscript "37½" rating; filing docketing and vertical fold, F.-V.F. Estimate $500 - 750.
A RARE EARLY EXAMPLE OF THE FIRST NEW ORLEANS "STEAM" RATING HANDSTAMP.
In 1825, the established practice of providing a 2¢ gratuity to ship captains for handing in letters at ports on tidal waters was extended to Masters of steamboats plying all navigable waters within the United States. To enable letters to be identified as having been handed in from steamboats for the 2¢ the use of "Steam" or "Steamboat" handstamps were introduced in 1826.
Realized: $425
Lot
4157
(New Orleans to Bayou Sara) From Steamer Gipsy, bold strike red oval handstamp on blue folded cover with "L. Hearth Jay 3. 1849" dateline to New Orleans La.; file folds, Very Fine. Milgram No. 512 Estimate $200 - 300.
The "Gipsy" of 298 tons was built at Louisville in 1848 for the Bayou Sara and New Orleans trade running twice a week under Capt. James H. Ure. She burned in 1854 with the loss of 5 lives.
Lot
4158
(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.
Realized: $260
Lot
4159
(Lake Pontchartrain) "Steam Boat Neptune", manuscript endorsement on folded letter datelined "New Orleans 20th June 1821" and addressed to General David Banister Morgan (1773-1848) at Madisonville La., docketing at left; overall light aging, fold separations have been reinforced with non-archival tape that should be properly removed, Fine. Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.
AN IMPORTANT EARLY PRE-REGULATION LAKE PONTCHARTRAIN STEAMBOAT LETTER.
By 1820, steamboats were operating on Lake Pontchartrain to both Mobile via passage into the Gulf of Mexico and to Madisonville on the estuary of the Tchefuncte River. Although it was not until June 1834 that a route across Lake Pontchartrain was contracted, letters were being carried privately the 36 miles from the landing on the southern shore of the lake to Madisonville as early as 1821.
The writer, Thomas Shield is reporting to General Morgan of his visit to Pensacola Fla. during the period of the first Seminole Wars. General David Morgan was a soldier who served in the Louisiana Territorial legislature, member of the Constitutional Convention, commanded the militia of Louisiana and Mississippi under Gen. Jackson at New Orleans in 1815 as brigadier-general, etc.
Lot
4160
(Donaldsonville to Washington Route 7714) Packet Nina Simmes, large circular handstamp with illustration at center on 3¢ star die (U26) entire to Washington La.; docketed "Nina Simmes" at lower left, Very Fine, Illustrated in Milgram on page 1009., ex-"Antoine"; signed by Holcolme. Milgram No. 1009 Estimate $400 - 600.
THE ONLY RECORDED EXAMPLE OF THIS ILLUSTRATED HANDSTAMP.
In July 1858 a route connecting Donaldsonville via the Lefourche River, Attakapas Canal, Atchafalaya River and the Teche River with Washington was contracted to James B. Price at $11,739 per annum for three times a week service. Although the cover shown below is about 3 years later than the route, it is one of very few identifiable as traveling over the course of the route.
Realized: $250
Lot
4161
(False River) (Confederate Use) Steamer Empire Parish, oval handstamp on December 18th 1861 folded bill of lading from New Orleans La. to Hermitage La., carried on the False River; light soiling and folds tape reinforced, Very Fine. Milgram No. 418 Estimate $300 - 400.
The use of name-of-boat cachets are rare during the Confederate control of New Orleans. The city was in the control of the Rebels for only 11 months and was surrendered to Rear Admiral Farragut on 25th April 1862.
Realized: $500
Lot
4162
(New Orleans to False River Route 6062) Steamboat "Luna", endorsement at lower left on blue folded letter datelined "Nouvelle Orleans 10 mars 1849" and addressed to plantation owner Jean Vincent at the False River, landed with strong strike of "Waterloo, LA, 12 March" shield-shaped handstamp in brownish-black and with date in manuscript, matching ms. "5" rating for under 300 miles, lightly cleaned, Very Fine and choice strike of this rare postmark. Estimate $1,500 - 2,000.
THIS IS THE LISTING EXAMPLE OF THE WATERLOO FANCY FRAMED STAMPLESS MARKING IN THE A.S.C.C. CATALOG.
In August 1848, Jon Brenham was contracted at $200 a month for Route 6062 New Orleans to St. Francisville. He held the contract until June 30th 1849. The contract had previously been with Jesse Hart who was the Master of the "Luna".