The Dr. James Milgram Collection Steamboat Mail
47 Kearny St # 500, San Francisco, CA 94108, USA
| Lot | Steamboat Markings - Mary Powell to Mollie Able (Milgram #871B-919) | Estimate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 601 | Steamer Meteor, Aug 3, 1864, Detroit (Great Lakes). Excellent strike of handstamp on overall merchant advertising cover to Eagle Harbor (Mich), franked with 1861 3¢ Rose (65, small tear) cancelled by segmented cork cancel, reduced at left & small corner nick, still Very Fine and attractive, a lovely example of this scarce marking.Milgram No. 886; Estimate $400 - 600. |  2 | $400 |
| 602 | Steamer Meteor, Jun 4, 1865, E. Harbor (Great Lakes). Neat handstamp on cover to Eagle Harbor, Mich., franked with 1861 3¢ Rose (65, minor perf fault) tied by segmented cork cancel, reverse with illustrated advertising for the "Merchants Block" showing building & street scene, reduced at right, F.-V.F.Milgram No. 887; Estimate $400 - 600. |  | $400 |
| 603 | Steamer Meteor Oct 5 1863 Ontonagon (Great Lakes). Handstamp on 1861 3¢ entire to Detroit Mich., postmarked "Detroit, Mich Oct 12" double circle postmark, irregularly trimmed at left slightly affecting packet marking, F.-V.F., this is the only recorded example, ex-Knapp & Somdal, Illustrated in Milgram.Milgram No. 888; Estimate $300 - 400. |  | $300 |
| 604 | Steamer Meteor, Aug 20, 1864, Portage (Great Lakes). Perfect strike of handstamp on cover to Eagle Harbor Mich, franked with 1861 3¢ Rose (65, hidden perf. tear) cancelled by centrally struck "Paid" straightline, slightly reduced at left, Extremely Fine and choice.Milgram No. 889; Estimate $500 - 750.A STUNNING COVER IN GEM CONDITION. |  | $500 |
| 605 | Puget Sound Line, Steamer "Michigan". Printed advertising for sailings and "At Reduced Rates For Freight" on reverse of 1¢ postal card used locally in San Francisco, Very Fine.Milgram No. 890A; Estimate $75 - 100. |  | $75 |
| 606 | St. Paul & St. Louis Passenger Packet Milwaukee "The Only Reliable Through Line" (Upper Mississippi River). Printed corner card on yellow cover to Virden, Ill., franked with 3¢ Banknote tied by cork cancel with Prairie du Chien cds alongside, Very Fine, Illustrated in Milgram.Milgram No. 892; Estimate $150 - 200. |  | $150 |
| 607 | Steamer Minneapolis, Aug. 16, 1880 (Mississippi River). Blue double circle handstamp on 1¢ postal card (UX5) to Alton, Ill., datelined "Elsah, Ill.", Very Fine and attractive, this is the only recorded example, unlisted in Milgram.Milgram No. 894A; Estimate $200 - 300. |  | $200 |
| 608 | St. Louis and Leavenworth City Passenger Packet, Minnehaha. Attractive octagonal corner card on lemon cover to St. Louis, franked with 1857 3¢ Dull Red (26, two singles) tied by bold "Mobile, Ala. Mar 25, 1860" double circle postmark, cover with small corner fault, Very Fine and attractive, a lovely cover of which this is the only recorded example, unlisted in Milgram.Milgram No. 895B; Estimate $500 - 750. |  | $500 |
| 609 | Steamer Minne-Ha-Ha, Lake George, Oct. 10, 1874. Two strikes of blue double ovals handstamps on 1870-71 3¢ Reay entire to Keeseville, N.Y., postmarked partial "Ticonderoga NY Oct 10" cds, Extremely Fine and choice, an excellent strike of this scarce marking.Milgram No. 895C; Estimate $200 - 300. |  | $200 |
| 610 | Northern Line Packet Co. Str. Minnesota (Upper Mississippi River). Fancy scroll corner card on lemon cover to Kingston Center, Ohio, franked with 1869 3¢ Pictorial (114) tied by segmented cork with "Dubuque, Ioa. Jul. 14" cds alongside, included is original letterhead printed in green and datelined "July 12th, 1870", letter talks of being stuck on a rock above Davenport, Extremely Fine, Illustrated in Milgram.Milgram No. 899; Estimate $500 - 750.A LOVELY COVER AND ENCLOSURE WHICH MAY BE THE ONLY KNOWN EXAMPLE. |  | $500 |
| 611 | Ohio & Mississippi Passenger Packet Mississippi (Ohio & Mississippi Rivers). Overall gray shaded illustrated cover to Washington, D.C., franked with 1861 3¢ Rose tied by indistinct target cancel & postmark, small tear at top & light vert. cover bend at left, Very Fine and attractive, this is the only recorded example, ex-Somdal, Illustrated in Klein & Milgram.Milgram No. 900; Estimate $400 - 600. Built in 1864 and ran between New Orleans and Cincinnati. Several similar designs exist with only the name of vessel changed. |  | $400 |
| 612 | Steamer Mississippi (Mississippi River). Blue corner card on cover to Easton, Pa., franked with 1861 3¢ Rose (65, small tear) tied by bluish-green target with matching "Cairo Ill. Apr. 2. '64" double circle postmark alongside, cover with small tear at top & light horiz. fold at bottom, lovely Very Fine appearance, a rare packet cover with may be the only recorded example, Illustrated in Milgram.Milgram No. 901; Estimate $200 - 300. |  | $200 |
| 613 | Louisville, Cairo & New Orleans Passenger, Packet Mississippi (Mississippi River). Partial blue five line straightline handstamp on 1864-65 3¢ entire to New Orleans, postmarked "New Orleans, La. Jun 2" duplex, couple small tears at top, also included is 1869 printed freight bill in blue, Fine, the only recorded example of this marking, unlisted in Milgram.Milgram No. 903A; Estimate $150 - 200. |  3 | $150 |
| 614 | Steamer Missouri (Mississippi River). Blue oval handstamp on 1847 folded letter to Plaquemine, La., postmarked "Natchez Mi Jun 3" cds with matching "Steam" straightline and numeral "5" handstamps, numeral "5" rate manuscript obliterated and re-rated with manuscript "10", light vert. file fold, Very Fine and rare, the only recorded example, ex-Somdal, Illustrated in Milgram.Milgram No. 904; Estimate $400 - 600. |  | $400 |
| 615 | Ohio & Mississippi Passenger Packet Missouri (Ohio & Mississippi Rivers). Overall pink shaded illustrated steamboat cover to Rocky Hill Conn., franked with 1861 3¢ Rose (trivial defect) tied by indistinct blue Memphis, Tenn. cds with matching blue grid alongside, Extremely Fine and choice, Illustrated in Milgram.Milgram No. 905; Estimate $750 - 1,000.THIS IS THE ONLY RECORDED EXAMPLE AND IN GEM CONDITION. |  | $750 |
| 616 | Steamer Missouri, Dec. 19 1864 (Ohio River). Blue steamer handstamp on cover to Owensboro. Ky, franked with 1861 3¢ Rose (65, perf. defects) cancelled by target cancel & tied by indistinct Indiana town cancel, vertical manuscript docketing at left, slightly reduced at right with some restoration, otherwise Very Fine, a rare Civil War Steamboat.Milgram No. 906; Estimate $300 - 400. |  2 | $300 |
| 617 | New Side-Wheel Passenger Packet! Missouri! (Mississippi River). Illustrated blue corner card across top of cover to Portsmouth, Ohio, franked with 1861 3¢ Rose (65, small faults) tied by "Memphis, Tenn Apr 18" double circle duplex, Very Fine and attractive, Illustrated in Milgram.Milgram No. 907; Estimate $300 - 400. |  | $300 |
| 618 | (STENCIL?) Missouri Mail (Mississippi River). Near complete rimless circular handstamp on 1848 (pencil notation) folded cover to St. Louis, Very Fine and rare, Illustrated in Milgram.Milgram No. 908; Estimate $400 - 600.THIS IS ONE OF ONLY TWO RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THIS UNUSUAL STYLE PACKET MARKING. |  | $400 |
| 619 | Steamer Mist, Feb. 22, 1871 (Alabama River). (inverted year date) blue double circle handstamp on yellow cover to Mobile, Ala., franked with 1869 3¢ Pictorial (114) tied by segmented cork with indistinct cds alongside, sealed cover tear at top and some minor cover discoloration, also included is attractive illustrated & multicolor 1868 freight bill, F.-V.F., Illustrated in Milgram.Milgram No. 909; Estimate $200 - 300. |  2 | $200 |
| 620 | Steamer Mittie Stephens, Oct 9, 1868 (Mississippi and Red Rivers). Steamer double circle handstamp on 1864-65 3¢ entire to New Orleans, blue company double oval handstamp at left, steamboat handstamp pencil enhanced & piece out at top left, also included is 1868 printed & illustrated freight bill in green, F.-V.F.Milgram No. 911; Estimate $200 - 300. |  2 | $200 |
| Lot | Steamboat Markings - Monarch to Nantucket (Milgram #923-957A) | Estimate | |
| 621 | From Steamer Mohawk (Ohio and Mississippi Rivers). Complete red oval handstamp on 1850 folded Bill of Lading from New Orleans to Louisville, Ky., vertical file fold, Very Fine and choice, ex-Rohloff, Illustrated in Milgram.Milgram No. 914; Estimate $300 - 400. |  | $300 |
| 622 | U.S.S. Mohican, May 12, 1892. Complete and bold purple oval on cover to Burlington, Vt., franked with 2¢ Small Bank Note (trivial perf. flaw) tied by "Port Townsend, Wash. May 13 1892" duplex, Very Fine, Unlisted in Milgram.Milgram No. 916B; Estimate $150 - 200. The "Mohican" assisted the short lived Bering Sea Squadron in anti-poaching operations by protecting the sealing plants and fisheries from trouble. She remained in northern waters until 19 October 1892. |  | $150 |
| 623 | Illinois Central Railroad Packet Line. Steamer Mollie Able (Ohio River). Ornate boxed corner card on orange cover to Kingsboro, NY, franked with 1861 3¢ Rose (65) tied by target with partial Cairo, Ill cds alongside, minor defect in upper right corner which affects stamp, included is original enclosure datelined "On Board Steamer Mollie Able, Jany 14th 1865", plus 1865 illustrated printed freight bill in red, Very Fine, this may well be the only known example.Milgram No. 918; Estimate $300 - 400. |  2 | $300 |
| 624 | Illinois Central Railroad Packet Line. Steamer Mollie Able (Ohio River). Ornate corner card on cover to Bloomington, Ill., franked with 1861 3¢ Rose (65, minute perf. flaw) tied by "Vicksburg, Miss. Apr 23 1864" double circle postmark and grid, edge nicks and piece out upper left affecting corner card, Fine and rare.Milgram No. 919; Estimate $150 - 200. |  | $150 |
| 625 | Packet Monarch (Alabama River). Fancy red ornamented and shaded handstamp and black "Steam 5" in oval on 1852 folded letter from Fairfield, Ala. to A. Winston & Co. (Mobile), Very Fine and choice, ex-Somdal.Milgram No. 923; Estimate $750 - 1,000. |  | $750 |
| 626 | Regular Cincin'ti, Louisville, Cairo, Memphis, Vicksburg & N. Orleans Passenger Packet, Monarch (Ohio and Mississippi Rivers). Large boxed corner card across top of cover to Boston, Mass, franked with 1851 3¢ Dull Red tied by "Fulton, O. Sept 7" cds, Extremely Fine and choice, Illustrated in Milgram.Milgram No. 924; Estimate $500 - 750. This "Monarch" was built in 1853 and traveled on the Ohio and Mississippi rivers until the Civil War when she was converted to a ram. She sank in 1864. |  | $500 |
| 627 | From Steamer Mondiana (Mississippi River). Perfect strike of double line red oval handstamp on 1850 folded letter from Columbia, La. to New Orleans, postmarked red "New Orleans Dec 12" cds with matching red "Steam 10" in circle, Extremely Fine and choice, Illustrated in Milgram.Milgram No. 925; Estimate $400 - 600. |  | $400 |
| 628 | From Steamer Mondiana (Mississippi River). Double line red oval handstamp on 1850 folded letter from Parish Plaquemines to New Orleans, horizontal file fold, Very Fine.Milgram No. 925; Estimate $200 - 300. |  | $200 |
| 629 | From ST. BT. Monroe (Mississippi River). Complete red oval handstamp on 1851 stampless folded letter from Memphis to New Orleans, postmarked red "New Orleans, La. May 7" cds with matching "Steam 10", Very Fine and attractive, Illustrated in Milgram.Milgram No. 929; Estimate $300 - 400. |  | $300 |
| 630 | PR Steamer Monsoon (Upper Mississippi River). Small red double circle handstamp on 1839 folded letter from Louisiana (Missouri) to St. Louis, couple vertical file folds, Very Fine, Illustrated in Milgram.Milgram No. 930; Estimate $500 - 750.THIS IS THE UNIQUE EXAMPLE OF THIS MARKING AND THE EARLIEST UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER STEAMBOAT HANDSTAMP. |  2 | $500 |
| 631 | Red River Packet Monterey (Mississippi and Red Rivers). Large blue oval stencil marking on 1848 folded Bill of Lading from Fausse River to New Orleans, letter written in French, file fold with with light toning, Very Fine, ex-Somdal, Illustrated in Milgram.Milgram No. 931; Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.AN OUTSTANDING EXAMPLE OF THIS STENCIL MARKING WHICH MAY BE UNIQUE. |  2 | $1,000 |
| 632 | Steamer Montgomery (Mississippi River). Two folded covers each with different red oval packet marking of the Steamer Montgomery, first with red oval handstamp (somewhat enhanced) on 1851 stampless folded letter from Illawana, La. to New Orleans, postmarked red "New Orleans Feb 9" cds with matching red "Steam 10" circular handstamp, second with bold red oval packet marking in 1851 folded letter from New Orleans to Bayou Sara, F.-V.F., a lovely pair of covers, both Illustrated in Milgram.Milgram No. 933-934; Estimate $400 - 600. |  3 | $400 |
| 633 | Steamer Montgomery (Mississippi River). Complete red oval handstamp on 1849 stampless folded letter from Cowdons Landing to New Orleans, postmarked red "New Orleans Dec 10" cds with matching red "Steam 10" circular handstamp, light stain in address panel, Very Fine and attractive.Milgram No. 934; Estimate $300 - 400. |  | $300 |
| 634 | Steamer Montpelier Oct 15 1863 (Providence River and Narragansett Bay). Bold and complete shield handstamp on small cover to "Present" with original "Complimentary Pass" enclosure, Extremely Fine, both Illustrated in Milgram.Milgram No. 935; Estimate $500 - 750.A UNIQUE EXAMPLE OF THIS FANCY STEAMER HANDSTAMP AND A VERY RARE STEAMER PASS. |  2 | $500 |
| 635 | Steamer Montpelier Jul 11 1864 (Providence River). Fancy shield type handstamp on cover to Newport, R.I., franked with 1861 3¢ Rose (65) tied by steamer handstamp with manuscript "Due 2" notation, stamp & cover with some light aging, Very Fine strike of this very desirable fancy steamboat cancel, ex-Somdal, Illustrated in Milgram.Milgram No. 936; Estimate $200 - 300. |  2 | $200 |
| 636 | Steamer Morning Light (Mississippi & Red Rivers). Bold blue oval handstamp on 1853-55 3¢ Nesbitt entire to New Orleans, manuscript "Per Steamer Morning Light" at upper left, usual pinholes as found on the Carroll Hoy correspondence, Very Fine and attractive.Milgram No. 938; Estimate $300 - 400. |  | $300 |
| 637 | Morning Star (Missouri River). Bold and exceptionally struck circular handstamp with ornate star in center on stampless cover to Liberty, Mo., included is original enclosure datelined "Saint Louis 2 Oct. 1856", cover with hint of soiling at top right, Extremely Fine.Milgram No. 939; Estimate $750 - 1,000.A CHOICE GEM STRIKE OF THIS ELUSIVE STEAMER. Built in 1856 and until 1859 serviced the Missouri River between St. Louis and St. Joseph. |  | $750 |
| 638 | Steamer Morning Star Apr 28 1865. Bold and near complete double circle on 1861 3¢ Rose (65, minor flaw), lovely Very Fine appearance, the only recorded example.Milgram No. 940A; Estimate $200 - 300. |  | $200 |
| 639 | Louisville & Henderson Mail Packet, Morning Star. Ornate boxed corner card on cover to Chicago, franked with 1861 3¢ Rose (65) tied by indistinct Evansville, Ind. cds, cover roughly opened at right, Fine, Unlisted in Milgram.Milgram No. 941A; Estimate $200 - 300. |  | $200 |
| 640 | Baton Rouge & Bayou Sara Daily U.S. Mail Steamer Morning Star (Mississippi River). Violet oval steamer corner card handstamp on 1874-86 3¢ entire to Pointe Coupee, La., postmarked "Bayou Sara Jun 28" cds, edge tear at right and staining, Fine, this is the only recorded example, ex-Somdal, Illustrated in Milgram.Milgram No. 942; Estimate $200 - 300. |  | $200 |
| Lot | Steamboat Markings - Natchez to Nina Simmes (Milgram #960-1009) | Estimate | |
| 641 | From The Red River Packet Moro (Mississippi and Ouachita Rivers). Bold red oval handstamp on 1853-55 3¢ Nesbitt entire to New Orleans, postmarked "New Orleans, La. Nov 27 1860" cds with additional "Steam" straightline, also included is 1859 printed freight bill, Very Fine and choice, Illustrated in Milgram.Milgram No. 944; Estimate $400 - 600. |  2 | $400 |
| 642 | New Orleans & Camden Packet Moro (Mississippi and Red Rivers). Bold blue oval handstamp on 1853-55 3¢ Nesbitt entire to New Orleans, light diagonal bend, Very Fine and choice.Milgram No. 945; Estimate $400 - 600. |  | $400 |
| 643 | Regular Louisville & Memphis U.S. Mail Packet Moses McClellan. Illustrated red corner card across top of cover to Memphis Tenn, franked with 1857 3¢ Dull Red (26, defective) tied by indistinct cds, defective & rebacked, Fine appearance, this is the only recorded example.Milgram No. 946; Estimate $200 - 300. |  | $200 |
| 644 | Kanawha & Gallipolis Packet Co. Str. Mountain Boy (Ohio River). Ornate boxed illustrated corner card on cover to Raymond City, W. Va. franked with 1869 3¢ Pictorial (114, defective) tied by "Route Agt. Feb. 2" manuscript cancel, raggedly opened at right, also included is 1872 printed freight bill, Fine and a rare 1869 usage.Milgram No. 948; Estimate $300 - 400. |  2 | $300 |
| 645 | Mountaineer (Ohio River). Light strike of ornamental straight-line handstamp on large part 1848 folded letter from Pittsburgh to St. Louis, reduced at left affecting marking, Fine, the only recorded example, Illustrated in Milgram.Milgram No. 949; Estimate $300 - 400. |  | $300 |
| 646 | From Steamer M. Relf (Mississippi River). Bold and complete red oval handstamp on 1853-55 3¢ Star Die entire to New Orleans, endorsed pr Milton Relf at bottom left, usual pinholes as found on the Carroll Hoy correspondence, Very Fine and choice, this could be a Confederate States usage, Illustrated in Milgram.Milgram No. 950; Estimate $200 - 300. |  | $200 |
| 647 | S.B. Music (Mississippi River). Well struck red oval handstamp on 1847 stampless cover from New Orleans to Assumption, La. (later Napoleon), manuscript "With Freight" notation, Very Fine and attractive, An extremely fine strike of this elusive steamer.Milgram No. 953; Estimate $500 - 750. Three steamboats named "Music" were in operation on the Mississippi between 1843 and the Civil War. Two were built for Ferdinand M. Shreck who acted as their Master. This was the first "Music" of that name of 198 tons built at Jeffersonville Ind. in 1843. This "Music" was sold to Capt. Celestin Dalferes of Assumption Parish, La and was off the lists of registered vessels by 1849. |  | $500 |
| 648 | Music (Mississippi River). Complete red oval handstamp on 1853-55 3¢ Nesbitt entire to New Orleans with red oval "Snapp & Hite New Orleans, La." route agent handstamp (Carroll Hoy corresp.) with usual staple holes, Very Fine and attractive.Milgram No. 954; Estimate $300 - 400. Steamboat owners and Masters used agents and forwarders in major ports and landings. Snapp Hite (later George D. Hite & Co.) operated in New Orleans in the 1850s. |  | $300 |
| 649 | Music (Mississippi River). Bold and complete red oval handstamp on 1853-55 3¢ Nesbitt entire to New Orleans, Extremely Fine, ex-Somdal.Milgram No. 954; Estimate $200 - 300. The second "Music" of 273 tons, like the first, was built at Jeffersonville in 1850 for Capt. Ferdinand M. Shreck who ran her on the New Orleans to Bends Trade until 1859. |  | $200 |
| 650 | La Fourche Steamer Music (Mississippi River & Bayou La Fourche). Large red oval handstamp on cover to New Orleans, franked with 1857 3¢ Dull Red (26 tied by "Steam" straightline handstamp with partial "New Orleans, La. May 24" cds at left, also included is 1855 printed & illustrated freight bill in blue, Very Fine and choice, a lovely cover which is very rare, ex-Somdal.Milgram No. 955; Estimate $400 - 600. |  2 | $400 |
