Lot
579 
Steamer Mary Bess (Red River), bold and complete blue fancy oval on cover to New Orleans, franked with 1851 3¢ Dull Red (11) tied by bold "Steam" straightline with red "New Orleans Jan 19" cds at left, light vert. cover fold & usual pinholes as found on the Buchannon Carroll correspondence, Very Fine and choice, an exceptional strike of this elusive steamer handstamp.Milgram No. 853 Estimate $200 - 300.
The "Mary Bess" of 206 tons was built at Louisville in 1852 for Capt. Sam Montgomery and first enrolled at Mobile. Transferred to New Orleans register in 1853 under William Kimball and D.G. Hill's ownership.
Realized: $600