The Dr. James Milgram Collection Steamboat Mail
47 Kearny St # 500, San Francisco, CA 94108, USA
| Lot | Steamboat Markings - Louisville to Maryland (Milgram #818A-871A) | Estimate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 551 | Steamer Louisiana May 7, 1866 (Ohio and Mississippi Rivers). Small double circle handstamp on 1864-65 3¢ entire to Helena, Ark., with "Unclaimed" and "Advertised" handstamps, additional indistinct town cds, light soiling, F.-V.F., the only recorded example, Unlisted in Milgram.Milgram No. 817A; Estimate $200 - 300. |  | $200 |
| 552 | Steamer Louisville, F.L.Rhodes Master (Illinois River). Bold and complete well struck red oval on 1855 folded cover from St. Louis to Rushville, Ill., cover silked and expertly repaired (not affecting marking), Extremely Fine appearance, the only recorded example of this marking, unlisted in Milgram.Milgram No. 818A; Estimate $300 - 400. |  | $300 |
| 553 | Keokuk Packet Company, Steamer Lucy Bertram (Upper Mississippi River). Ornate boxed corner card on cover to Chicago, franked with 1861 3¢ Rose (65) tied by target cancel, flap reattached & mended corner tears at top (one affecting corner card), also included is original enclosure datelined "Steamer Lucy Bertram, Miss. River, Sep. 20, 1866", Very Fine appearance, Illustrated in Milgram.Milgram No. 821; Estimate $200 - 300. |  | $200 |
| 554 | Packet Lucy Holcombe (Mississippi and Red Rivers). Bold and complete blue oval handstamp on 1853-55 3¢ Nesbitt entire to Shrevesport, La., cover tear slightly affecting strike, also included is 1859 printed & illustrated freight bill, Extremely Fine appearance, ex-Knapp.Milgram No. 822; Estimate $300 - 400. |  2 | $300 |
| 555 | Steamer Lucy Robinson (Mississippi River). Large red oval handstamp on 1853-55 3¢ Nesbitt entire to New Orleans, usual pinholes as found on the Buchannon Carroll correspondence, F.-V.F., a scarce marking.Milgram No. 823; Estimate $200 - 300. |  | $200 |
| 556 | Steamer Lulu, Dec 15 1869 (Mississippi and Red Rivers). Bold fancy double circle handstamp on printed & illustrated folded Bill of Lading from Alexandria to New Orleans, Very Fine and choice, Illustrated in Milgram.Milgram No. 825; Estimate $200 - 300. |  | $200 |
| 557 | Steamer Luminary May 7 1864 (Mississippi River). Bold and complete double circle handstamp on printed circular from New Orleans to Exeter, Ill., postmarked "St. Louis, Mo, May 15" double circle ties 2¢ Blackjack (73), one pulled perf at right which is of no significance, Extremely Fine, Illustrated in Milgram, with 2024 P.F. certificate.Milgram No. 826; Estimate $2,000 - 3,000.A TRULY REMARKABLE COVER WHICH IS VERY RARE ON A CIRCULAR FRANKED WITH A 2¢ BLACK JACK. |  | $2,000 |
| 558 | Atlantic & Mississippi S.S. Co., Steamer Luminary (Mississippi River). Ornate shield type corner card on lemon cover to Plainville, Conn., franked with 1867 3¢ Grill (trivial perf. flaw) tied by indistinct Lacon, Ill. cds and segmented cork, "Due 3" straightline handstamp at left, included is lengthy, original 1868 enclosure, minor wear, Very Fine, Illustrated in Milgram.Milgram No. 827; Estimate $300 - 400. |  | $300 |
| 559 | Pr. S.B. Macedonian (Mississippi River). Bold and complete straightline on 1844 folded letter from New Orleans to St. Louis, couple paper file folds, Very Fine and attractive.Milgram No. 828; Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.A LOVELY EXAMPLE OF THIS UNIQUE STRAIGHT LINE HANDSTAMP MARKING. |  | $1,000 |
| 560 | New Orleans & Vicksburg, Saturday Packet Magenta (Mississippi River). Double oval corner card on 1864-65 3¢ entire to Natchez, Miss., cancelled by bold straightline "Steam", roughly opened across top somewhat affecting handstamp; also included is 1869 printed freight bill, Fine.Milgram No. 829; Estimate $100 - 150. |  2 | $100 |
| 561 | Natchez & Vicksburg Saturday Evening Packet, Magenta (Mississippi River). Red printed illustrated corner card on cover to Natchez, Miss, franked with 1861 3¢ Rose (65) tied by grid, repairs across top somewhat impinging on design, part of reverse cut away, Fine, this is the only recorded example, ex-Somdal, Illustrated in Klein & Milgram.Milgram No. 830; Estimate $200 - 300. |  2 | $200 |
| 562 | Steamer Magenta, Dec 13 1864 (Ohio River). Bold name of steamboat handstamp on cover to Owasco, N.Y., franked with 1861 3¢ Rose (65, small flaws) tied by indistinct Cairo, Ill double circle postmark, waterstaining at bottom and sealed cover tear, Very Fine and rare, ex-Somdal, Illustrated in Milgram.Milgram No. 831; Estimate $300 - 400. |  | $300 |
| 563 | St. Louis & New Orleans Regular Passenger Packet Magenta (Mississippi River). Illustrated corner card on cover to Providence, R.I., franked with 1861 3¢ Rose (65) tied by target cancel with "Cairo, Ill. Sep 28" double circle alongside, also included is 1867 freight bill, Very Fine and attractive, Illustrated in Milgram.Milgram No. 832; Estimate $300 - 400. |  2 | $300 |
| 564 | N.O. Natchez & Vicksburg Steamer Magenta (Mississippi River). Bold and complete double circle handstamp without date on 1864-65 3¢ entire to New Orleans, postmarked "New Orleans Jan 11" duplex, usual pinholes as found on the Carroll Hoy correspondence, Very Fine, ex-Knapp, Illustrated in Milgram.Milgram No. 833; Estimate $200 - 300. The "Magenta" of 848 tons was built at New Albany, Indiana in 1864 and sold off the slips to Capt. David White and others for the New Orleans - Vicksburg trade. Sold again in November 1865 to Thomas P. Leathers with White retaining 3/8 share. In January 1866 Leathers and John Cannon owned equal shares. |  | $200 |
| 565 | Vicksburg, Natchez & New Orleans Packet Magenta, Mar. 8, 1867 (Mississippi River). Blue octagonal handstamp on 1863-64 3¢ entire to New Orleans, postmarked New Orleans cds & segmented cork cancel, usual pinholes as found on the Carroll Hoy correspondence, Extremely Fine, ex-Somdal, Illustrated in Milgram.Milgram No. 835; Estimate $200 - 300. |  | $200 |
| 566 | Stephensport & Tell City Daily Packet Maggie Belle (Ohio River). Illustrated blue corner card on cover to Vevay, Ind. with original matching illustrated lettersheet in blue, datelined "Liberty 1888", franked with 2¢ Bank Note tied by cork & indistinct cds, slightly reduced at top & separated on all four sides, cover repair at bottom right, lovely Very Fine appearance.Milgram No. 836; Estimate $200 - 300. |  2 | $200 |
| 567 | Steamer Magnolia (Mississippi River). Red leaf-shaped handstamp on 1851 folded cover from Vicksburg to New Orleans, manuscript endorsement pr. Magnolia at bottom left, Extremely Fine and choice, ex-Somdal, Haas, Illustrated in Milgram.Milgram No. 838; Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.A WONDERFUL STRIKE OF THE FANCY PACKET MARKING WHICH IS VERY RARE IN THIS CONDITION. The Magnolia of 842 tons was built at New Albany Ind. in 1859 was purchased by Holmes in early 1861. |  | $1,000 |
| 568 | Steamer Magnolia (Mississippi River). Red leaf design handstamp on 1851 folded Bill of Lading to New Orleans, Bill opens out to show attractive printed & illustrated design, F.-V.F.Milgram No. 838; Estimate $150 - 200. |  2 | $150 |
| 569 | Regular Packet Magnolia. Bold and nearly complete oval on 1853-55 3¢ Nesbitt entire to Mobile Ala, with additional "Steamboat" straightline handstamp, Very Fine and choice.Milgram No. 839; Estimate $300 - 400. |  | $300 |
| 570 | Regular Tuesday Packet Magnolia for Demopolis, Gainsville Warsaw and Vienna (Alabama River). Bold and finely struck ornate fancy oval on 1859 folded letter written on steamer and addressed to Mobile, Ala., additional bold "Steam 6", Extremely Fine and choice, Illustrated in Milgram.Milgram No. 840; Estimate $500 - 750.A GEM EXAMPLE OF THE THIS RARE AND ORNATE FANCY STEAMBOAT MARKING. |  2 | $500 |
| 571 | Packet Magnolia (Mississippi River). Ultramarine packet oval handstamp on 1855 folded letter from Rodney to New Orleans, franked with 1851 3¢ Dull Red (11) tied by bold "Steam" straightline with red New Orleans cds at left, manuscript "Valuable" and "Magnolia", horizontal file fold, F.-V.F., Illustrated in Milgram.Milgram No. 842; Estimate $200 - 300. |  | $200 |
| 572 | Steamer Majestic (Mississippi River). Red octagonal boxed handstamp on 1846 folded letter from New Orleans to Plaquemine, La., small insect damage at bottom right, Very Fine, ex-Rohloff, Illustrated in Milgram.Milgram No. 844; Estimate $200 - 300. |  | $200 |
| 573 | N.L. & L.I.S.B. Co., Str. Manhanset Oct 9 1888 (Atlantic Coast). Purple handstamp on cover to West Tisbury, Mass, franked with 2¢ Banknote (213) tied by "New London, Conn. Oct 9 88" duplex, backstamped Vineyard Haven, Mass. town & county oval, Very Fine, a lovely cover from the New London & Long Island Sound Boat Company, unlisted in Milgram.Milgram No. 844D; Estimate $150 - 200. |  2 | $150 |
| 574 | Per St. Bt. Maria (Mississippi River). Bold strike of fancy Eagle packet handstamp in red on 1846 stampless cover from St. Louis to New Orleans, light strike of large "10" handstamp and "Steam" straightline, silked on the inside reinforcing edge splits and couple tiny edge tears, still Extremely Fine, Illustrated in Milgram.Milgram No. 847; Estimate $2,000 - 3,000.A STUNNING GEM AND ONE OF THE FINEST KNOWN FANCY PACKET HANDSTAMPS. |  | $2,000 |
| 575 | Steam Ship Maria Burt (Gulf of Mexico). Red oval on stampless folded letter to Washington, Texas, bold blue "10" rate handstamp, docketed "New Orleans July 17, 1850", vertical file fold, Very Fine and the only recorded example, Illustrated in Milgram.Milgram No. 848; Estimate $500 - 750. The Maria Burt was built in 1846 in Cincinnati, Ohio. She was altered in January 1850 from a steamboat into a steamship with three masts. She floundered off Galveston on June 25, 1851. This cover is a rare example of an early Texas steamship usage. |  | $500 |
| 576 | Marshal Ney (Mississippi River). Red oval handstamps on forwarded stampless cover to Kentucky Bend, first struck with Steamer Peytona red oval (Milgram 1099), struck with fancy illustrated "Forwarded by T.J. Smith & Co. Cairo, Ill." boxed handstamp showing detailed illustrated Steamboat, finally struck with two strikes of red oval Marshal Ney packet ovals, some ink erosion in address, still Very Fine, Illustrated in Milgram.Milgram No. 849; Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.A STUNNING AND UNIQUE USAGE WITH THIS ARRAY OF MARKINGS. The Marshal Ney was built in 1847 and run St. Louis-New Orleans until she burned in October of 1849. |  | $1,000 |
| 577 | Cin'ti, New Richmond & Chilo Packet Co., Steamer Mary Ament. Large illustrated corner card on 1864-65 3¢ entire to Higginsport, O., cover expertly repaired at right, Extremely Fine appearance, unlisted in Milgram.Milgram No. 851A; Estimate $300 - 400. This is the only recorded example of what is perhaps the most attractive and detailed printed packet marking. |  2 | $300 |
| 578 | Steamer Mary Bess (Mississippi River). Large fancy oval stencil marking on 1853 folded lettersheet to New Orleans, franked with 1851 3¢ Orange Brown cancelled by numeral "5" rate handstamp, postmarked red "New Orleans, La. Sep. 17" integral rate "5" cds with black "Way 5" handstamp, Extremely Fine, with 1980 P.F. certificate.Milgram No. 852; Estimate $3,000 - 4,000.AN OUTSTANDING COVER AND ONE OF THE FINEST KNOWN STENCIL STEAMBOAT COVERS IN EXISTENCE. The "Mary Bess", constructed in 1852 in Louisville, began her service in Mobile, Alabama. The following year, she was navigating the Mississippi River from New Orleans. By 1856, she was operating between New Orleans and the Red River. This stencil marking represents a distinctive and rare type of steamboat marking.A similar strike on an 1853-55 3¢ Nesbitt entire was sold in the final sale of the Erivan Collection, sold by H.R. Harmer for $8,000 (Sale 3070, April 30, 2024, Lot 187). |  | $3,000 |
| 579 | Steamer Mary Bess (Red River). Bold and complete blue fancy oval on cover to New Orleans, franked with 1851 3¢ Dull Red (11) tied by bold "Steam" straightline with red "New Orleans Jan 19" cds at left, light vert. cover fold & usual pinholes as found on the Buchannon Carroll correspondence, Very Fine and choice, an exceptional strike of this elusive steamer handstamp.Milgram No. 853; Estimate $200 - 300. The "Mary Bess" of 206 tons was built at Louisville in 1852 for Capt. Sam Montgomery and first enrolled at Mobile. Transferred to New Orleans register in 1853 under William Kimball and D.G. Hill's ownership. |  2 | $200 |
| 580 | Packet Mary Clifton (Alabama River). Bold and complete red double oval on 1852 folded letter from Selma to Mobile, additional light "Steam 5" oval, horizontal file fold, Very Fine and attractive.Milgram No. 856; Estimate $200 - 300. The "Mary Clinton" was 206 tons and built at New Albany Ind. in 1849 for the Alabama River trade out of Mobile. She was snagged and lost at Tait Shoals on February 26th 1855. |  | $200 |
| Lot | Steamboat Markings - Mary Powell to Mollie Able (Milgram #871B-919) | Estimate | |
| 581 | St. Louis and Memphis Packet, Mary E. Forsyth (Mississippi River). Ornate red boxed illustrated corner card on yellow cover to Virginia, franked with 1861 3¢ Rose (65) tied by target with matching "Clarksville, Te. Aug 19" cds at left, Very Fine and attractive, Illustrated in Milgram.Milgram No. 857; Estimate $400 - 600. |  | $400 |
| 582 | Steamer Mary Elizabeth (Alabama River). Two 1¢ postal cards to Mobile, Ala., both purple oval steamer handstamp, used in 1882, each with light water staining, otherwise Very Fine, one Illustrated in Milgram.Milgram No. 860; Estimate $200 - 300. |  2 | $200 |
| 583 | Str. Mary Foley (Mississippi River). Attractive full impression of this elusive red oval handstamp on 1849 folded letter from "Arcadie Plantation" to New Orleans, Very Fine and attractive, an excellent strike of this intricate marking.Milgram No. 861; Estimate $750 - 1,000. |  | $750 |
| 584 | Louisville and New Orleans Passenger Steamer, Mary Houston (Ohio and Mississippi Rivers). Three covers all with different printed corner cards of Steamer Mary Houston, one franked with 1861 3¢, one with 1869 3¢ and one with 3¢ Bank Note, some defects. also included is 1871 printed & illustrated Freight bill, Fine.Milgram No. 867-68, 870A; Estimate $300 - 400. |  5 | $300 |
| 585 | Louisville, Cairo, Memphis and New Orleans Splendid Passenger Steamer Mary Houston (Ohio & Mississippi Rivers). Bold printed corner card across top of cover to Jeffersonville, Ind., franked with 1861 3¢ rose (65) tied by "New Orleans La. Jan 25" cds, reduced at right and couple small edge tears, also included is 1869 printed & illustrated freight bill in blue, F.-V.F., this is reported to be the finer of the two recorded examples of this printed packet cover, Illustrated in Milgram.Milgram No. 868; Estimate $300 - 400. |  3 | $300 |
| 586 | Louisville & New Orleans Passenger Steamer "Mary Houston" (Ohio and Mississippi Rivers). Lilac corner card on cover to Jeffersonville Indiana, franked with 1869 3¢ Pictorial, natural straightedge, tied by segmented cork cancel with "Cairo, Ill May 19" cds alongside, also included is 1871 printed & illustrated freight bill in green, Very Fine and choice, a nice 1869 usage, Illustrated in Milgram.Milgram No. 870; Estimate $300 - 400. |  | $300 |
| 587 | Cincinnati and New Orleans, Side Wheel Passenger Steamer, New Mary Houston. Blue printed corner card on to New Albany, Ind., franked with 2¢ Bank Note (toned perf. tips) tied by Memphis, Tenn. duplex cancel, included is original matching printed letterhead, contents with some talk of the boat, cover with a few small nicks at right, F.-V.F.Milgram No. 870A; Estimate $150 - 200. |  3 | $150 |
| 588 | Steamer Maryland, Oct. 6, 1879. Bold and complete fancy Maltese cross steamer handstamp on stampless cover to Florence, Mass., additional blue and red Union Line, National Line Through Freight (R.R.B.) boxed corner card and magenta double oval "Gen'l Agts Office, Pier 38 North River, NY Oct 6 1879" handstamp, slightly reduced at left, also included is original enclosure with matching printed letterhead, F.-V.F., this is the only recorded example, unlisted in Milgram.Milgram No. 871A; Estimate $200 - 300. |  3 | $200 |
| 589 | Steamer Mary Powell Steamboat Co. Two covers with printed corner card, first is 1886 cover with printed company corner card franked with 2¢ Bank Note tied by New York duplex, second is large blue illustrated corner card (repair affecting corner card) on cover to Kingston, N.Y., franked with 1890-93 2¢ Small Banknote tied by "Rondout, N.Y. Dec 26" duplex, Fine appearance, both unlisted in Milgram.Milgram No. 871B-C; Estimate $200 - 300. |  2 | $200 |
| 590 | USS Massachusetts. Handsome illustrated corner card on 1898 cover to Baltimore, Md., franked with 2¢ Bureau Issue tied by "Brooklyn, N.Y. October 1, 1898" machine cancel, included is original matching illustrated letterhead, interesting letter which talks of deployment on various ships, cover with corner wear and repair left not affecting corner card, F.-V.F.Milgram No. 873B; Estimate $150 - 200. |  | $150 |
| 591 | Steamer Mattano, Aug 25 1884 (Chesapeake Bay). Bold blue double circle handstamp on cover to Port Tobacco, Md., franked with 2¢ Bank Note (210, couple trivial flaws) tied by "Washington, D.C. Aug 26, 1884" duplex, Very Fine and scarce.Milgram No. 874; Estimate $750 - 1,000. |  | $750 |
| 592 | Steamer Mayflower (Great Lakes). Ornate blue scroll handstamp along with fancy Buffalo NY "Steam Boat" on folded letter to Boston, Mass., franked with 1851 3¢ Orange Brown (10A, four margins) cancelled by black grid with blue "Buffalo July 18" cds with integral "3" rate alongside, Very Fine and rare, ex-Somdal, Illustrated in Klein.Milgram No. 876; Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.AN EXCEPTIONAL USAGE AND DESIRABLE GEM COVER. |  | $1,000 |
| 593 | Steamer Mayflower (Great Lakes). Ornate blue scroll handstamp along with matching "Buffalo NY Steam Boat 10 cts" on folded letter to Bloomfield, NJ, postmarked blue "Buffalo NY/10/May 3" integral rate cds, all bold and complete, cover cleaned and repaired, Very Fine appearance, Illustrated in Milgram.Milgram No. 876; Estimate $750 - 1,000.A VERY RARE EXAMPLE OF THIS DECORATIVE STEAMBOAT MARKING. The "Mayflower" was a vessel owned by the Michigan Central Railroad and connected Great Lakes traffic with the railroad routes. |  | $750 |
| 594 | Steamer Mayflower, St. Louis & New Orleans Packet (Mississippi River). Illustrated blue cameo corner card on cover to Helena, Ark., franked with 1851 3¢ Dull Red (11, faulty, piece out), tied by indistinct red New Orleans cds with black grid, cover repair (piece added) at top affecting design, attractive Very Fine appearance, Illustrated in Milgram.Milgram No. 876A; Estimate $300 - 400. This is the only known example of this intricate Cameo design which was produced by W. Eaves and one of only two steamboat illustrated cameo designs ever produced. |  | $300 |
| 595 | Ouachita River Packet Mayflower (Mississippi and Quachita Rivers). Two 1864-65 3¢ entires to New Orleans, first with black oval handstamp used in 1869 and second with blue oval used in 1870, also included is 1871 printed freight bill, Extremely Fine, one ex-Barkhausen.Milgram No. 877-78; Estimate $200 - 300. |  3 | $200 |
| 596 | Steamer M.(ary) E. Forsyth, Trip 1, Nov 29 1864 (Mississippi River). Black shield type handstamp on cover to Peoria, Ill., franked with 1861 3¢ Rose (65) tied by "Cairo Ill., Dec 6" double circle postmark, slightly trimmed at right and light soiling, F.-V.F. and a rare marking.Milgram No. 879; Estimate $300 - 400. |  | $300 |
| 597 | Steamer M.(ary) E. Forsyth, Trip 2 Dec 22 1864 (Mississippi River). Bold and complete shield handstamp on forwarded cover from Cairo. Ill to West Liberty, franked with 1861 3¢ Rose (65, defective) tied by target with "Cairo, Ill Dec 31, '64" double circle postmark alongside, large "Due 3" in circle and obliterated with crayon, postmarked "West Liberty, O." cds with additional 3¢ applied to pay forwarding to Melmore O, tied by target cancel with Melmore arrival double circle, some cover restoration including top left corner with part of markings drawn in, Very Fine appearance, this is the only recorded example of this packet marking and an unusual usage, ex-Somdal.Milgram No. 879; Estimate $200 - 300. |  | $200 |
| 598 | Steamer Messenger (Alabama, Ouachita and Mississippi Rivers). Complete ornate oval handstamp on 1853-55 3¢ Nesbitt entire to New Orleans, cancelled by overinked "Steam" straightline & "New Orleans La. Apr 10, 1858" cds, usual pinholes as found on the Buchannon Carroll correspondence, Very Fine and attractive, illustrated in Milgram.Milgram No. 885; Estimate $300 - 400. |  2 | $300 |
| 599 | Steamer Messenger (Alabama, Ouachita and Mississippi Rivers). Ornate oval handstamp on stampless cover to Her Landing, manuscript notation "Messenger", green oval cameo Grocers corner card of Mobile on flap, corner wear and tear at left, Fine.Milgram No. 885; Estimate $150 - 200. |  | $150 |
| 600 | Steamer Meteor Jun 14, 1864 Detroit (Great Lakes). Lovely handstamp on cover to Eagle Harbor, Lake Superior, franked with 1861 3¢ rose tied by neat grid cancel, slightly reduced at left, Very Fine and attractive.Milgram No. 886; Estimate $400 - 600. |  | $400 |
