Lot
796 
By Steamer Rapides (Mississippi and Red Rivers), perfect sharp strike of this illustrated name-of-boat handstamp on folded cover datelined "Evergreen (La.) Dec. 6, 1855", franked with uncancelled 1851 3¢ dull red from the Carroll Hoy correspondence to New Orleans La., also includes printed freight bill dated "June 30, 1858", carried outside the mails with the 3¢ affixed as required by law but uncancelled as the cover never entered the postal system, an Extremely Fine gem, Illustrated in Milgram; with 2024 P.F. certificate.Milgram No. 1158 Estimate $10,000 - 15,000.
THIS IS BY FAR THE FINEST STRIKE OF THIS RARE AND HIGHLY DESIRABLE ILLUSTRATED STEAMBOAT MARKING AND THE EARLIEST RECORDED EXAMPLE OF THIS MARKING.
ONE OF THE TRULY ICONIC ITEMS OF UNITED STATES POSTAL HISTORY.
The "Rapides" was a wooden-hull side-wheel packetboat that was built in New Albany Ind. in 1855. Originally built for C.J. Barston of Rapides Parish La., she plied the waters between New Orleans and Donaldsonville up to 1856, then later between New Orleans and Shreveport before being used by the Confederacy after 1861. The marking used on mail carried by the "Rapides" is a remarkable depiction of a Mississippi steamboat without equal among the other handstamps of the period.
The nine recorded covers bearing this marking:
1. Datelined "Evergreen (La.) Dec. 6, 1855", 3¢ dull red #11 uncancelled on folded letter from the Carroll Hoy correspondence to New Orleans La., ex-West, The example offered here.
2. Dec. 20 (1855), 3¢ red Nesbitt entire #U10 from the Carroll Hoy correspondence to New Orleans La., ex-Hugh Feldman.
3. Dec. 20 (1855), 3¢ red Nesbitt entire #U10 from the Carroll Hoy correspondence to New Orleans La., 2001 Siegel Rarity Sale (lot 5).
4. Dec. 20 (1855), 3¢ red Nesbitt entire #U10 from the Carroll Hoy correspondence to New Orleans La., docketing on face. PFC #385244.
5. Dec. 20 (1855), partial strike (paper loss painted in) on folded letter missing stamp to Messrs. G. Toledano & Taylor in New Orleans La.
6. undated, 3¢ red Nesbitt entire #U10 from the Carroll Hoy correspondence to New Orleans La., ex-Somdal, "Antoine", Milgram (J.W.M.).
7. undated, partial strike on 3¢ red Nesbitt entire #U10 from the Carroll Hoy correspondence to New Orleans La.,
8. undated, partial strike on 3¢ red Nesbitt entire #U10 from the Carroll Hoy correspondence to New Orleans La., pencil "Valuable", ex-Bohren, PFC #194326
9. unknown, front only bearing 3¢ dull red #11, ex-Latshaw Collection.
Current Opening Bid: $5,000
Lot
1055
Le Courier de l'Amerique/*New York* (Atlantic Ocean), clear strike of red French Royal Packet name-of-ship two-line handstamp on folded letter to London, sent under cover to Regie agent in New York who applied the straightline and placed it aboard Le Courier de l'Amerique, sent to France with two line "Col. Par L'Orient" handstamp and sent on to London with postage rate calculated at left, Very Fine, Unlisted in Milgram. Milgram No. 308A.Estimate $5,000 - 7,500.
ONE OF ONLY THREE RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THIS FIRST ROYAL PACKET NAME-OF-SHIP MARKING AND THE ONLY EXAMPLE STRUCK IN RED.
This cover was carried from New York of the French Royal Packet Line by Le Courier de l'Amerique on Feb. 21, 1784 on her return maiden voyage and arrived in France at L'Orient on March 25. Carried across the English Channel to London where it was struck on reverse with Bishop mark on 9 April.
The French consul served as the agent for the Premiere Regie in New York, creating departure markings that included ship names for each voyage from February 1784 to June 1785. Only eleven covers are known to exist, featuring eight distinct ship-name departure markings. This is one of only three recorded examples of the "Le Courier de l'Amérique" marking.
Current Opening Bid: $2,500
Lot
578
Steamer Mary Bess (Mississippi River), large fancy oval stencil marking on 1853 folded lettersheet to New Orleans, franked with 1851 3¢ Orange Brown cancelled by numeral "5" rate handstamp, postmarked red "New Orleans, La. Sep. 17" integral rate "5" cds with black "Way 5" handstamp, Extremely Fine; with 1980 P.F. certificate.Milgram No. 852 Estimate $3,000 - 4,000.
AN OUTSTANDING COVER AND ONE OF THE FINEST KNOWN STENCIL STEAMBOAT COVERS IN EXISTENCE.
The "Mary Bess", constructed in 1852 in Louisville, began her service in Mobile, Alabama. The following year, she was navigating the Mississippi River from New Orleans. By 1856, she was operating between New Orleans and the Red River. This stencil marking represents a distinctive and rare type of steamboat marking.
A similar strike on an 1853-55 3¢ Nesbitt entire was sold in the final sale of the Erivan Collection, sold by H.R. Harmer for $8,000 (Sale 3070, April 30, 2024, Lot 187).
Current Opening Bid: $1,500
Lot
191
Convoy (Mississippi River), bold deep red straightline with illustration of steamboat on 1846 folded letter from New Orleans to Reedsville, Ill., handstamped red "Steam 10" straight line, two light vertical file folds (not affecting marking), Very Fine, Unlisted in Milgram.Milgram No. 288A Estimate $3,000 - 4,000.
A SUPERB STRIKE OF THIS UNIQUE STEAMBOAT HANDSTAMP AND ONE OF THE GEMS OF THE MILGRAM COLLECTION.
Current Opening Bid: $1,500
Lot
947
Uncle Sam (Ohio and Mississippi Rivers), perfect strike of stencil handstamp ties 1851 3¢ dull red (four margins) on 1852 folded cover from New Orleans to St. Louis, additionally tied by equally nice straight line "Steam" handstamp of St. Louis, cover with manuscript "Uncle Sam" endorsement at bottom left, Extremely Fine, ex-Jarrett, Illustrated in Milgram.Milgram No. 1396 Estimate $3,000 - 4,000.
A STUNNING EXAMPLE AND THE FINEST KNOWN STENCIL STEAMBOAT MARKING WITH A 3¢ 1851 FRANKING.
Current Opening Bid: $1,500
Lot
557
Steamer Luminary May 7 1864 (Mississippi River), bold and complete double circle handstamp on printed circular from New Orleans to Exeter, Ill., postmarked "St. Louis, Mo, May 15" double circle ties 2¢ Blackjack (73), one pulled perf at right which is of no significance, Extremely Fine, Illustrated in Milgram; with 2024 P.F. certificate.Milgram No. 826 Estimate $2,000 - 3,000.
A TRULY REMARKABLE COVER WHICH IS VERY RARE ON A CIRCULAR FRANKED WITH A 2¢ BLACK JACK.
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Current Opening Bid: $1,000
Lot
249
Steamer E. Corning (San Francisco Bay and Sacramento River), attractive, double oval handstamp on folded cover to San Francisco, letter written in French and datelined "Stockton 9 October 1851", letter mentions giving $20 to the clerk of the Corning, several vertical file folds.Milgram No. 386 Estimate $2,000 - 3,000.
A VERY RARE CALIFORNIA STEAMER OF WHICH THIS IS THE ONLY KNOWN EXAMPLE. WEST COAST PACKET HANDSTAMPS ARE THE RAREST OF ALL NAME-OF-BOAT MARKINGS.
Charles Minturn in 1849 organized the Contra Costa ferry company. This company owned the side wheel steamer "Erastus Corning". At first this boat ran across the Bay to Oakland from San Francisco. Mail as well as passengers and freight were handled on this 7 mile voyage. A dollar was charged for handling each letter. Later this side wheeler ran from San Francisco to Stockton.
Current Opening Bid: $1,000
Lot
746
Steamboat Perry (Narragansett Bay), fancy printed illustration in brown showing the Perry Under Full Steam on cover to Worcester, Mass, franked with 1851 3¢ Dull Red (11A) tied by "Providence R.I. Apr 24" cds with "Steam Boat" straight line alongside, flap tear which extends slightly on to front (neatly mended), also included is two different printed & illustrated freight bill, one from 1856 and one from 1858, Very Fine and choice.Milgram No. 1088 Estimate $2,000 - 3,000.
ONE OF THE FINEST EARLY STEAMBOAT COVER IN EXISTENCE - THIS IS THE ONLY RECORDED EXAMPLE PRINTED ON BROWN.
A quick search of both our and Siegel's online records shows that this rare design has not been offered since keeping computerized records.
Current Opening Bid: $1,000
Lot
574
Per St. Bt. Maria (Mississippi River), bold strike of fancy Eagle packet handstamp in red on 1846 stampless cover from St. Louis to New Orleans, light strike of large "10" handstamp and "Steam" straightline, silked on the inside reinforcing edge splits and couple tiny edge tears, still Extremely Fine, Illustrated in Milgram.Milgram No. 847 Estimate $2,000 - 3,000.
A STUNNING GEM AND ONE OF THE FINEST KNOWN FANCY PACKET HANDSTAMPS.
Current Opening Bid: $1,000
Lot
401
S.B. Harry Hill (Mississippi & Red Rivers), bold and finely struck fancy red handstamp showing great details of Cupids & Lyre on 1850 folded letter from New Orleans to Memphis Tenn., struck with blue "Steam" straight line handstamp, Extremely Fine, ex-Somdal.Milgram No. 583 Estimate $2,000 - 3,000.
A STUNNING AND UNIQUE EXAMPLE OF ONE OF THE FINEST STEAMBOAT MARKINGS IN UNITED STATES POSTAL HISTORY.
Current Opening Bid: $1,000