Lot
840 
Steam Packet Franklin, clear strike of red circular handstamp on folded letter originally datelined "River St. Lawrence Steamer St. George, October 8" 1833" and continued the following day datelined "Lake Champlain - Steamer Franklin October 9. 1833" to New Bedford Mass., entered mails with red manuscript "B" (Boat) and matching "18¾" rating; some edge wear, Very Fine. Milgram No. 470 Estimate $750 - 1,000.
The Sherman family commenced steamboat services on Champlain Lake in 1812 and formed the Champlain Transportation Co. in 1825. From 1834, they were contracted to carry mails between Rouses Point and Whitehall, and later from St. John L.C. The Champlain Transportation company was the first inland water steamboat operator to employ a Name-of-Boat cachet with the "Franklin" recorded from 1831.
Realized: $525