Lot
4045 
(Potomac River Route 2401) Potomac Steamboat Jun 25, red cds on folded letter datelined "New York June 24, 1850" to New Orleans La. bearing two 5¢ red brown (1) singles, full margins to touched, cancelled by red grids and tied by light horizontal file fold crease, sender endorsed "Paid" at lower left; prepaid 10¢ rate for over 300 miles, Fine. Towle No. G-21-a Estimate $1,500 - 2,000.
In 1843, a special Act of Congress required the Post Office Department to contract a route between Washington D.C. and Aquia Creek on the Potomac River. Route 2401 was used as the first portion of the Great Southern Mails connecting the newly completed rail road to Richmond that was contracted to the Richmond, Fredericksburg & Potomac Rail Road as Route 2422.
This lot and the following are the only two recorded 1847 Issue usages to New Orleans carried on the Potomac River.
Realized: $2,200