Lot
4021 
(New Jersey Steam Navigation Co., L.I. Sound Route 801) 1844 (Sep. 26) New York N.Y. to Slatersville R.I., datelined folded letter with red "U.S. Express Mail, N.York N.Y., Sep 26" cds and red manuscript "18¾" rating for under 400 miles, carried on Route 801 to Stonington where transferred to Providence rail car and then north on the post road via Woonsocket to Slatersville, Very Fine. Estimate $50 - 75.
As was the case with the Hudson River in the 1840s, "U.S. Express Mail" route agent datestamps were used. By 1851, the New York datestamp had been transferred from the Hudson to the Long Island Sound route.
Realized: $40
Lot
4022
(New Jersey Steam Navigation Co., L.I. Sound Route 801) "Steamer Oregon. 5" (Milgram 1034), complete sharp strike of red oval handstamp on blue folded letter datelined "New York Oct. 15 1846" to Providence R.I., clean and Very Fine, The Oregon rating handstamp is known only used in 1846. Estimate $200 - 300.
In 1846, a joint contract involving the New Jersey Steam Navigation Company owned by Cornelius Vanderbilt and the New York, Providence and Boston Railroad Company was made for Route 801 New York to Boston. The steamboat company's share of the $15,000 a year contract was $7,272 for a daily trip excluding Sundays.
Realized: $100
Lot
4023
(New Jersey Steam Navigation Co., L.I. Sound Route 801) "Steamer 5", complete strike of red oval rating handstamp on blue folded letter datelined "New York Oct. 15 1846" to Providence R.I., carried on the complete Route 801 New York via Stonington to Boston; some light folds, F.-V.F. Estimate $100 - 150.
"Oregon" was removed from the "Steamer 5" handstamp and is also known canceling 1847 Issue stamps.
Realized: $80
Lot
4024
(New Jersey Steam Navigation Co., L.I. Sound Route 801) "Steamer 10", complete strike of red oval rating handstamp on folded letter datelined "Boston April 21st 1847" to Philadelphia Pa., carried by either the Oregon or Knickerbocker west from Stonington to New York on Route 801; light file fold, Very Fine. Estimate $500 - 750.
ONE OF ONLY NINE RECORDED "STEAMER 10" USAGES ON THE STONINGTON-NEW YORK WESTWARD SAILING.
The route agent's "Steamer 10" rating handstamp is not known with the Oregon suffix. The census of 10¢ covers on this route reveals the rarity of this marking on covers going west from Stonington to New York.
Realized: $1,050
Lot
4025
(New Jersey Steam Navigation Co., L.I. Sound Route 801) "Steamer 10", bold strike on folded letter datelined "New York, June 5th 1847" to North Egremont Me., carried on Route 801 from New York to Stonington where transferred to rail car to Boston, fresh and Very Fine. Estimate $150 - 200.
Realized: $1,050
Lot
4026
(New Jersey Steam Navigation Co., L.I. Sound Route 931) N.Y. & Boston Stmr R.R. Jul 10, clear strike of cds ties 3¢ dull red (26) on 1860 folded cover to Boston Mass. carried on Route 931 to Stonington, Very Fine. Towle No. 73-C-1 Estimate $150 - 200.
From 1845 the New York to Boston Mails were carried by a combination of steamboat and rail car contracts involving the New Jersey Steam Navigation Company, the Boston and Providence Rail Road Company and the New York, Providence & Boston Rail Road Company. Route 931 was the New York to Stonington portion of 125 miles for 6 times a week at $7,000 per year in 1857.
Realized: $145
Lot
4027
(Norwich & New London Steamboat Co., Route 802) 1851 (Oct. 6) New York N.Y. to Providence R.I., printed circular bearing 3¢ orange brown (10), position 17R1L, large margins to just touched, tied by red circular grid cancel, matching red "U.S. Express Mail, N. York N.Y., 6 Oct" cds, carried on Route 802 to Norwich where transferred to post road for the 43 miles to Providence; stamp slightly oxidized, Very Fine; with 2007 A.P.S. certificate. Estimate $200 - 300.
Route 802 from New York to Norwich was contracted to the Norwich & New London Steamboat Company in July 1849 at $4,239 a year for a daily trip excluding Sundays.
Realized: $160
Lot
4028
(New York & Hartford Steamboat Co.) Steamer State of New York, illustrated corner card on envelope with matching illustrated enclosure datelined "November 23d 1867" from J.P. Morgan to his wife at their country residence at Essex Conn., a postscript states "All the stationery aboard this boat is marked for the 'State of New York' and I hate to mar it.", Very Fine, This letter was sent by J.P. Morgan while on the inaugural voyage of the State of New York. Estimate $200 - 300.
In 1866, Cornelius Vanderbilt's steamboat line, the New York & Hartford Steamboat Co. had the keel of the 1,417 tons "State of New York" laid down in the Brooklyn Yards. She was launched in 1867 with her home port at Middletown Conn. located on the Connecticut River. The vessel was taken on her maiden voyage in November 1867 and it appears that a number of Vanderbilt's business and banking associates were invited on this voyage, including J.P. Morgan. The vessel was renamed "City of Springfield" in June 1882.
Lot
4029
(Narragansett Bay Route 615) Fall River Ms Apr 26, dark purple cds with matching framed "Steam Boat" handstamp and manuscript "6" rating on folded letter datelined "Provd. 26th April 1834" to Fall River Mass., endorsed "Boat" by sender, carried by the King Philip to Fall River, fold toning; accompanied by second 1844 cover datelined "Providence Aug 17. 1844" to Fall River carried by King Philip, red "Fall River Ms. Aug 17" cds and matching "Steam" rating handstamp with manuscript "6" rating for port of arrival rate, F.-V.F. pair. Estimate $300 - 400.
In 1834, the Fall River Iron Corporation steamship King Philip started to carry non-contract letters between Providence and Fall River. In June 1841, this service was contracted at 2¢ a letter as Route 615. This made no difference to the actual payment, since the letters were charged a 2¢ ship letter fee.
Realized: $230
Lot
4030
(Narragansett Bay) Steamer Perry, red circular handstamp on 3¢ red star die entire (U26) addressed to Gardner Mass., carried to Providence where entered mails with red "Providence R.I. Jun 6" cds cancelling indicia and matching "Steam Boat" straightline struck; some edgewear, F.-V.F., ex-Barkhausen. Milgram No. 1090 Estimate $300 - 400.
The "Perry" of 255 tons was built at the Brooklyn yards in New York in 1846.