Lot
4561 
(Michigan Southern Railroad) Mich. Southern R.R., Jun 4, bold blue route agent cds ties 3¢ dull red (11A), additional pencil cancel on buff cover to Elkhart, Indiana; stamp oxidized, a Very Fine strike, Rarity VII. Towle No. 559-C-1 Estimate $300 - 400.
Put onto Route 13018 on June 4th circa 1855 carried on the route to Elkhart located 101 miles east of Chicago and 143 miles west of Toledo.
The first contract with the Michigan Southern Rail Road was in July 1848 on the 68 miles of completed track between Monroe and Hillsdale. By 1854 the line had merged with the Northern Indiana & Chicago and renamed the Michigan Southern & Northern Indiana Rail Road. In July 1854, Route 13018 of 242 miles was contracted between Toledo and Chicago at $36,300 a year for a twice daily service excluding Sundays. The Route Agent's date stamps continued to be worded for the Michigan Southern.
Realized: $400