Lot
4049 
(Savannah to New York 3413) Savannah "MAIL ROUTE", buff cover bearing 1¢ blue, type IIIa (8), large margins to touched, and 3¢ dull red (11), both tied by two strikes of "Savannah '3' Mar 25" cds, matching "MAIL ROUTE" straightline handstamp, endorsed "Pr. N. York Steamer" at top left; some slight edge wear, F.-V.F. Estimate $7,500 - 10,000.
ONE OF ONLY EIGHT RECORDED SAVANNAH "MAIL ROUTE" COVERS THAT WAS STRUCK IN BLACK ON PREPAID COVERS.
Carried from Savannah on either the New York & Savannah Steam Navigation Company "Alabama" or "Florida" that operated Route 3413 from July 1851 to April 1855. Jordon P. Brooks was paid $7,500 a year for a three times a week service whilst the New York & Savannah Steam Navigation Company received $80 per round trip New York to Savannah.
It had been proposed that the stamp was applied at Savannah as a Way Letter mark. This cover confirms this with the additional 1¢ prepaying the way fee.
Realized: $8,000