Lot
4050 
(Savannah to New York Route 6309) 1855 (Dec. 5) Savannah Ga. to Hartford Ct., folded letter datelined "Savannah 5 Dec 1855" bearing two 1¢ blue (9) singles and 3¢ dull red (11A), tied by two strikes of "New York Dec 8" cds as prepayment for 5¢ ship rate, endorsed "Knoxville" at lower left; 3¢ creased from file fold, Very Fine. Estimate $3,000 - 4,000.
A RARE 2¢ SHIP LETTER RATE USAGE UNUSUALLY PREPAID BY 1851 ISSUE STAMPS.
The New York & Savannah Steam Navigation Company held three consecutive contracts over the 10 years between July 1849 and June 1859. A weekly service was provided, the final contract being reduced from $80 to $40 per round trip. This letter was carried by the "Knoxville" (annotated by Ashbrook) and was not on a contract run, thus the additional 2¢ was unusually prepaid for the ship letter rate. .
Realized: $2,700