Lot
4368 
(Early Mississippi & Teche River Mails) Steamboat Rates, two covers, first folded letter datelined "Point Coupee 21 January 1824" to New Orleans La. where manuscript "SB 18½" rating applied for 165 miles on the Mississippi as a post road, some taped separations and ink erosion; second folded wrapper dated "1827" and endorsed "with Bill of Lading" from New Orleans La. to Opelousas La. via the Mississippi, La Forche and Teche Rivers, manuscript "S/B 37½" double weight rating, Very Fine. Estimate $300 - 400.
It became standard practice for postmasters to indicate the arrival of a letter by steamboat to use the abbreviation "SB" prefixing the payment due.
Realized: $190
Lot
4369
(Atchafalaya & Teche River Route 6116) Attakapas Packet Delia, red oval handstamp on folded bill of lading datelined "New Orleans April 1 /54" and addressed to New Iberia La., Very Fine. Milgram No. 337 Estimate $300 - 400.
Addressed to John Moore (1788-1876) at his plantation Shadows at New Iberia. He was a Representative to the Louisiana Congress 1840-1843 and 1851-1853.
From July 1846 to June 1854, routes were operated from Donaldsonville to Opelousas as combined river and stage coach contracts. In 1852, awarded as Route 6116 to Carroll M. Vinson at $8,000 a year for twice weekly trips. The route used the Attakapas Canal that connected the La Fourche and Atchafalay Rivers.
Realized: $220
Lot
4370
(Atchafalaya & Teche River Route 6116) W. Burton, bold strike in red of large oval handstamp on folded letter datelined "Avolyelle Parish La. June 3rd 1858" to New Orleans La., entered mails bearing 3¢ dull red (11) tied by "Steam" straightline, matching "New Orleans La. Jun 8 1858" cds adjacent, Very Fine. Milgram No. 1442 Estimate $750 - 1,000.
Letter states, "as the mail is very uncertain I make this order in duplicate of the same tenor and date and send by mail, the other to go on the Burton as she goes down." It appears both ended up going down on the "W. Burton", this one going to the post.
Realized: $850
Lot
4371
(New Iberia to Brashear Route 8188) U.S. Mail Steamer Teche, oval handstamp ties 3¢ rose (65) on yellow cover addressed to New Orleans La., manuscript "New Iberia La Feby 25/66" postmark and matching ms. squiggle also cancels 3¢; partial flap and small edge flaws, Very Fine. Milgram No. 1345 Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.
The "Teche" of 62 tons was built at Cincinnati as the "Thomas W. Sugg" in 1860 and was enrolled at New Orleans as the "Teche". It was also named the "C.S.S. Tom Sugg" and "U.S.S. Tensas" during the War as both a Confederate and United States armed gunboat. After the war, it was sold to Capt. Trinidad for use as a contract mail carrier.
Route 8188 was contracted in July 1858 and annulled on May 31st 1861. In November 1865, it was contracted for 8 months to Alfred Duperrior at $1,208 a year for 3 times a week service. This cover was carried by the "Teche" to Brashear for transfer to Route 8001 running on the New Orleans, Opelousas & Great Western Rail Road to Algiers located across the Mississippi River from New Orleans.
Realized: $1,250