Lot
796 
By Steamer Rapides (Mississippi and Red Rivers), perfect sharp strike of this illustrated name-of-boat handstamp on folded cover datelined "Evergreen (La.) Dec. 6, 1855", franked with uncancelled 1851 3¢ dull red from the Carroll Hoy correspondence to New Orleans La., also includes printed freight bill dated "June 30, 1858", carried outside the mails with the 3¢ affixed as required by law but uncancelled as the cover never entered the postal system, an Extremely Fine gem, Illustrated in Milgram; with 2024 P.F. certificate.Milgram No. 1158 Estimate $10,000 - 15,000.
THIS IS BY FAR THE FINEST STRIKE OF THIS RARE AND HIGHLY DESIRABLE ILLUSTRATED STEAMBOAT MARKING AND THE EARLIEST RECORDED EXAMPLE OF THIS MARKING.
ONE OF THE TRULY ICONIC ITEMS OF UNITED STATES POSTAL HISTORY.
The "Rapides" was a wooden-hull side-wheel packetboat that was built in New Albany Ind. in 1855. Originally built for C.J. Barston of Rapides Parish La., she plied the waters between New Orleans and Donaldsonville up to 1856, then later between New Orleans and Shreveport before being used by the Confederacy after 1861. The marking used on mail carried by the "Rapides" is a remarkable depiction of a Mississippi steamboat without equal among the other handstamps of the period.
The nine recorded covers bearing this marking:
1. Datelined "Evergreen (La.) Dec. 6, 1855", 3¢ dull red #11 uncancelled on folded letter from the Carroll Hoy correspondence to New Orleans La., ex-West, The example offered here.
2. Dec. 20 (1855), 3¢ red Nesbitt entire #U10 from the Carroll Hoy correspondence to New Orleans La., ex-Hugh Feldman.
3. Dec. 20 (1855), 3¢ red Nesbitt entire #U10 from the Carroll Hoy correspondence to New Orleans La., 2001 Siegel Rarity Sale (lot 5).
4. Dec. 20 (1855), 3¢ red Nesbitt entire #U10 from the Carroll Hoy correspondence to New Orleans La., docketing on face. PFC #385244.
5. Dec. 20 (1855), partial strike (paper loss painted in) on folded letter missing stamp to Messrs. G. Toledano & Taylor in New Orleans La.
6. undated, 3¢ red Nesbitt entire #U10 from the Carroll Hoy correspondence to New Orleans La., ex-Somdal, "Antoine", Milgram (J.W.M.).
7. undated, partial strike on 3¢ red Nesbitt entire #U10 from the Carroll Hoy correspondence to New Orleans La.,
8. undated, partial strike on 3¢ red Nesbitt entire #U10 from the Carroll Hoy correspondence to New Orleans La., pencil "Valuable", ex-Bohren, PFC #194326
9. unknown, front only bearing 3¢ dull red #11, ex-Latshaw Collection.
Current Opening Bid: $8,500