Lot
4177 
(Route 6000m) Steamer Arkansas No. 4, red oval handstamp on folded letter datelined "Camden, Ark. March 12th 1849" to New Orleans La., black "Steam" straightline handstamp, vertical file fold, F.-V.F., Illustrated in Milgram on page 96., ex-Milgram. Milgram No. 66 Estimate $300 - 400.
Although letters were carried on the Ouachita River in the 1820s, it was not until March 1849 that a Star Route was contracted as Route 6000m of about 600 miles. Contracts were awarded by the round trip at $5.00, resulting in a large number of steamboats recorded carrying mails.
Realized: $450