Lot
4001 
(North River Line) 1813 (Nov. 18) New York N.Y. to Albany N.Y., datelined folded letter carried up the Hudson and entered mails with "Albany Nov 24" cds and matching "Ship" handstamp and manuscript "19" rating for 17¢ rate plus 2¢ ship fee for under 300 miles (the 160 miles transit on the Hudson was not included); some docketing at left, Very Fine. Estimate $100 - 150.
Until 1823 when the Supreme Count overturned the monopoly of the North River Line for the running of steamboats on New York State waters, letters were carried between New York and Albany as ship letters. On arrival at Albany the "Ship" rating handstamp was applied and 2¢ added to the inland postage.
Realized: $95
Lot
4002
(North River Line) 1814 (Apr. 10) Belle Ville N.J. to Detroit Mich. via Albany, datelined folded letter sent via New York City and by steamboat up the Hudson, entered mails with "Albany Apr. 15" cds and matching "Ship" handstamp and manuscript "27" rating for 25¢ rate plus 2¢ ship fee for over 500 miles; some edgewear, Very Fine. Estimate $100 - 150.
The Hudson was used to speed the transport of letters going to the Midwest by routing them north to Albany and then west on the post roads.
Realized: $260
Lot
4003
(North River Line Route 4a) 1830 (Nov. 18) Albany N.Y. to New York N.Y., datelined folded letter with manuscript "Free, Chas. E. Dudley" free frank as Senator (1829-33), New York red "Steam Boat" straightline handstamp; light file fold, Very Fine. Estimate $100 - 150.
In January 1825 the first New York to Albany mail contract commenced with a daily service by the North River Steamboat Company as Route 6 at $2,000 a year. The line was purchased by J.C. and R.L. Stevens in January 1829 when they were contracted for Route 4a at $1,250 a year for the same service.
Realized: $180
Lot
4004
Hudson River Line, 1817 & 1827, two folded letters, first datelined "New York August 23d 1817" to the postmaster at Unadilla N.Y. with Albany "B" and "Free" rating, some edge wear; second datelined "New York 30 July 1827" to Waterville N.Y. carried to Albany on the Hudson with red manuscript "B" and matching "37½" cent rating for 150-400 miles, light fold toning, Very Fine and early Albany steamboat letters. Estimate $300 - 400.
Realized: $300
Lot
4005
(Hudson River Route 510e) 1832 (Dec. 21) New York N.Y. to Albany N.Y., datelined folded letter with manuscript "Steam boat Way 39½" rating for double the 18¾¢ rate plus 2¢ way fee, red "Tivoli N.Y. Dec 23" cds; two file folds, Very Fine. Estimate $400 - 600.
By 1832, Daniel Drew had taken over the line and contracted for Route 510e at $10,000 a year indicating a significant increase in mails carried.
The Hudson River was reported closed by ice at Albany on December 21st 1832, requiring this letter to be landed at Tivoli for the post road to Albany. .
Realized: $1,300
Lot
4006
(Hudson River Route 809) 1848 (Jun. 16) Hudson River N.Y. to Thorold, Canada, folded cover bearing 1847, 10¢ black, large margins to just shaving frameline at left, cancelled by blue manuscript "X", red "Hudson Riv. Mail N.Y. Jun 16" cds and matching "10" rating, exchanged with "Queenston Jun 18, 1848" double-arc datestamp and manuscript "4½" pence due rating, red Thorold (6.19) arrival backstamp; refolded at bottom, Very Fine; with 1999 P.F. certificate. Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.
This cover was carried by steamboat to Albany, where transferred to rail car for Buffalo. It was sent through the Queenston exchange office.
The New York - Troy contract was renewed as Route 809 in 1845 at $13,570 a year. In 1846, the route agent datestamps were changed to the "Hudson River Mail" datestamps. During this contract, the first definitive adhesive postage stamps were issued.
Realized: $1,500
Lot
4007
(Hudson River Route 809) 1849 (Dec. 8) New York N.Y. to Kingston N.Y., folded cover with left flap only and separate original letter bearing 1847, 5¢ red brown, tied by five-bar truncated grid and matching "Hudson Riv. Mail N.Y. Dec 8" cds; repaired and silked, Fine; with 1990 P.F. certificate. Scott No. 1 Estimate $400 - 600.
Kingston was one of the contract offices on Route 809. Letter was prepaid for under 3,000 miles.
Realized: $210
Lot
4008
(Hudson River Route 809) Hudson Riv. Mail, N.Y., Mar 30, bold strike of red cds on blue misdated 1848 folded cover to Poughkeepsie, N.Y., bearing 1847, 5¢ dark brown, four margins, cancelled by blue manuscript "X" and tied by cds, matching red "5" rating handstamp at right, docketed "Recd 31st March 1847" with year date error, Very Fine, this is the earliest reported use of the Hudson River Mail marking in the Alexander census, ex-Rose, Mirsky. Scott No. 1a. Estimate $400 - 600.
Realized: $1,800
Lot
4009
(Hudson River Route 809) Hudson Riv. Mail N.Y. Nov 27, red cds and manuscript "5" cent rating on 1849 folded letter to Albany N.Y., red "Kenyon, Letter Office, New York" oval handstamp; 1849 docketing, ex-Knapp (lot label). Towle No. D-12-b Estimate $300 - 400.
Realized: $240
Lot
4010
(Hudson River Route 810) 1843 (Oct. 13) New York N.Y. to Albany N.Y., datelined folded letter with red "U.S. Express Mail N.Y. 'New York' Oct 13" cds and blue manuscript "12½" rating, addressed to Prof. James Hall who was New York State geologist 1837-1843; small stain, otherwise Very Fine. Estimate $100 - 150.
In April 1841, the New York - Troy route was awarded to the Peoples Line (Daniel Drew) at $15,000 per year. They held the contract for 12 years and operated two trips per day each way. The route agents at New York and Albany used "U.S. Express Mail" datestamps. The use of this designation was an attempt to take business away from non-contract carriers. However, the service was no faster as all the steamboats on the river at this time travelled at about 17 miles per hour.
Realized: $75