Lot
4304 
(Route 4801) Sultana, complete strike of red intaglio circular handstamp on circa 1848 buff cover addressed to St. Louis Mo., red "Steam 10" straightline (10 struck off cover) and manuscript "20" rating for double weight letter; some cover faults, backflap taped, Fine, a rare marking, ex-"Antoine". Milgram No. 1329 Estimate $300 - 400.
The "Sultana" of 824 tons was built in 1848 at Cincinnati and ran New Orleans to Louisville in 5 days 12 hours, a record at that time.
In 1842, the first Louisville to New Orleans route was contracted at $15,000 per year for 3 trips a week. In 1848, the Postmasters at the termini were instructed to contract by the trip at $85 per round trip.
Realized: $250
Lot
4305
(Route 4801) Steamer Sultana, red oval on blue folded letter datelined "New Orleans March 23 1845" and addressed to Owensboro on the Ohio River, carried outside the mails on the course of Route 4801 New Orleans to Louisville, Very Fine; with 1991 Holcombe certificate. Milgram No. 1330 Estimate $300 - 400.
Between 1836 and 1863, six steamboats bearing the name "Sultana" were enrolled on Western Waters. This "Sultana" is the third of 527 tons built at Jeffersonville in 1843 and was at the time of her launch the largest steamboat of her day.
Lot
4306
(Route 4801) Peytona, neat strike of circular handstamp with illustrated race horse at center on folded letter datelined "New Orleans 7th May 1846" to Danville Ky. located 80 miles southeast of Louisville, entered mails with blue "Louisville Ky. May 14" cds and matching "Steam" rating handstamp with manuscript "10" cent rating for over 300 miles; with 2005 P.F. certificate. Milgram No. 1096 Estimate $2,000 - 3,000.
A CHOICE EXAMPLE OF THE PEYTONA HANDSTAMP SHOWING A RACE HORSE AT CENTER.
The "Peytona" ran Louisville to New Orleans from her launch in 1846 to dismantling in 1852. Named after a famous Kentucky race horse, her owner, Capt. John Shallcross used the image of a horse on his cachet.
Realized: $1,700
Lot
4307
(Route 5001) Peytona, neat strike of red circular handstamp with illustrated race horse at center on folded letter datelined "New Orleans 30 Dec. 1848" to Louisville Ky. where it entered the mails with blue "Steam" rating handstamp and manuscript "20" cent rating for double weight over 300 miles; some erosion in address and small taped edge tear, Fine and rare marking. Milgram No. 1097 Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.
The first route between New Orleans and Louisville was contracted in January 1838. For a seven year period between July 1846 and June 1853, the Postmasters at New Orleans and Louisville contracted by the round trip at $85 each with a daily service.
Lot
4308
(Route 5001) S.B. Bostona, red rimless circular handstamp on folded letter datelined "New Orleans 29 May 1849" to Charlestown Ind., located on the north bank of the Ohio River 16 miles north of Louisville, entered mails with blue "Louisville '10' Ky. Jun 8" integral 10¢ due handstamp and matching "Steam" straightline handstamp; top edge refolded and some wear, Very Fine. Milgram No. 134 Estimate $750 - 1,000.
The "Bostona" was lying alongside of the "Louisiana" when she fatefully exploded. Her decks were strewed with the dead and dying, and her cabin presented a dreadful scene. Approximately 200 people died in the explosion.
Lot
4309
(Route 5001) Louisville & New Orleans Packet Bunker Hill No. 3, perfectly struck red illustrated oval handstamp on December 5th 1849 folded bill of lading addressed to Louisville Ky. accompanying "9 Baskets Champaign", manuscript "BL" and "Bunker Hill" endorsements at top; refolded edge wear, Very Fine, ex-Barry K. Schwartz. Milgram No. 149 Estimate $2,000 - 3,000.
A CHOICE CLEAN STRIKE OF THIS SCARCE ILLUSTRATED MARKING SHOWING THE BUNKER HILL MONUMENT.
The Bunker Hill No. 3 was built at New Albany Ind. in 1849 and went into service in the New Orleans to Louisville trade. Its first captain, Job Whipple, died aboard ship between Natchez and Memphis on March 25, 1849 and several other crew members also died of cholera.
Lot
4310
(Route 5001) Louisville & New Orleans Packet Bunker Hill No. 3, bold strike of red illustrated oval handstamp on folded bill of lading datelined "Natchez August 3d 1849" accompanying goods to Louisville Ky., endorsed "Bunker Hill" at lower left; vertical file folds, Very Fine and scarce. Milgram No. 149 Estimate $750 - 1,000.
Realized: $625
Lot
4311
(Route 5001) Dove, boxed red handstamp on folded bill of lading dated April 13th 1848 from New Orleans accompanying 29 bags of sugar to Louisville Ky., docketed "B/L" at top right, Very Fine, ex-Roger Oswald. Milgram No. 358 Estimate $600 - 800.
The "Dove" was running on the course of Route 5001 that was contracted by the trip. It is not known if this steamboat was running as a contract boat in April 1848 when this bill of lading was carried. The "Dove" of 237 tons was built at New Albany Ind. in 1848 and enrolled at Louisville that year and this must represent an early trip for this vessel.
Realized: $550
Lot
4312
(Route 5001) Packet Eclipse, red oval handstamp on folded letter datelined "New Orleans April 12/53" and addressed to Cincinnati Oh., bearing 3¢ dull red (11A) tied by "Louisville Ky. Apr 18" cds and with "Steam" straightline struck adjacent, transferred from Route 5001 to Route 5032 Louisville to Cincinnati; vertical fold at center through oval, F.-V.F. Milgram No. 384 Estimate $400 - 600.
Realized: $280
Lot
4313
(Route 5001) Falcon, red oval handstamp on blue folded cover datelined "New Orleans 31 August 1849" to Newport Oh. and carried on Route 8001 to Louisville by the Falcon, although endorsed "Melodeon to Cairo" clearly carried directly to Louisville where blue "Louisville Ky. '10' Sep 12" integral rate cds struck and matching "Steam" straightline; non-archival taped edge tear at bottom, Very Fine. Milgram No. unlisted Estimate $500 - 750.