Lot
261 
Elias Howe Jr., fabulous all illustrated design in gray showing the Steamer Elias Howe and "Howe's Sewing Machines Depot" on cover to New Milford, Conn., franked with 1869 3¢ Pictorial tied by grid with inditinct Bridgeport, Conn. cds alongside, included is original enclosure, slightly reduced at left, Very Fine and attractive, the only recorded example, Unlisted in Milgram.Milgram No. 396A Estimate $200 - 300.
Current Opening Bid: $100
Lot
262
Steamer Elisha Bennett (Monongahela River), blue shield handstamp ties 1869 3¢ Pictorial on yellow cover to Greensboro, cover with second light strike of packet marking and with lovely illustrated corner card "Excelsior Planing Mill, Steamboat & House Joiners" in West Brownsville, Pa., included with original matching freight bill, cover with some toning & irregular at right, Fine, a rare which may be the only recorded example, Illustrated in Milgram.Milgram No. 398 Estimate $300 - 400.
An unusual cover because it illustrates as a corner card the type of building where steamboats were constructed.
Current Opening Bid: $150
Lot
263
Steamer Eliska (Mississippi River), two complete strikes of red oval on folded letter to New Orleans, red "Steam 5" in circle, re-enforced horizontal file fold, still Very Fine and quite attractive, ex-Somdal.Milgram No. 399 Estimate $300 - 400.
Current Opening Bid: $150
Lot
264
Steamer Eliza Battle (Alabama River), blue "Beehive" handstamp with negative lettering on 1854 folded letter from Warsaw (Ala.) to Mobile, Ala., franked with 1851 3¢ Dull Red and tied by "Steam 5" in oval, Extremely Fine, Illustrated in Milgram.Milgram No. 401 Estimate $1,500 - 2,000.
AN EXTREMELY IMPRESSIVE STRIKE FOR THIS RARE HANDSTAMP OF WHICH THIS IS THE FINEST RECORDED EXAMPLE.
The "Eliza Battle" was a steamboat operating on the Tombigbee River between Columbus, Mississippi, and Mobile, Alabama, during the 1850s. Launched in New Albany, Indiana, in 1852, this side-wheeled paddle steamer was constructed with a wooden hull and was 316 tons.
On March 1, 1858, the "Eliza Battle" was destroyed by fire near Pennington, Alabama, in what became the deadliest maritime disaster in the history of the Tombigbee River. The fire claimed the lives of approximately thirty-three people out of about sixty passengers and a crew of forty-five.
Around 2 a.m. on that fateful morning, about 32 miles downstream from Demopolis and near Beckley's Landing, flames were discovered engulfing cotton bales on the main deck. Fueled by strong winds, the fire quickly spiraled out of control. The passengers, trapped by the flames and unable to access the lifeboats, were forced to leap into the icy river in their nightclothes. Some managed to stay afloat by clinging to cotton bales. Rescued by the Magnolia and local residents, many survivors were retrieved from treetops along the flooded river. Tragically, all the casualties were due to drowning or exposure to the severe cold.
Current Opening Bid: $750
Lot
265
Steam Tug "Ella", Towing Solicited (Atlantic Coast), printed illustrated corner card Tug Boat "Ella" on cover to Philadelphia, Pa. franked with pair 1¢ Bank Note (defective) tied by target & "Winthrop, N.C. Nov 5 1888" cds, otherwise Very Fine, the only recorded example, Illustrated in Milgram.Milgram No. 402 Estimate $150 - 200.
This vessel "Ella", a tugboat, did not carry mail but these listings include all vessel-named
handstamps or corner cards found on covers from 1810 to 1890.
Current Opening Bid: $80
Lot
266
Nashville, Celina & Burksville Weekly Packet, Ella Hughes (Cumberland River), purple fancy illustrated corner card on cover to Alfred Me., franked with 3¢ Banknote, not tied by blue cork cancel with partial "Nashville, Ten. Jun 26" cds alongside, some minor corner wear, Very Fine, Illustrated in Milgram.Milgram No. 403 Estimate $150 - 200.
Current Opening Bid: $80
Lot
267
Steamer Emilie Dec 26 1870 (Coastal Route), manuscript cancel across embossing of 1870-71 3¢ Reay entire to Charleston, S.C., Very Fine and rare, Unlisted in Milgram.Milgram No. 404A Estimate $150 - 200.
Current Opening Bid: $80