The Dr. James Milgram Collection Steamboat Mail
47 Kearny St # 500, San Francisco, CA 94108, USA
| Lot | Steamboat Markings - Rapides to Rosa (Milgram #1155-1219) | Estimate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 801 | From Steamer Red River (Mississippi & Red Rivers). Bold and complete red oval handstamp on 1853 stampless folded letter from New Orleans to Cypress Grove Plantation, Very Fine.Milgram No. 1167; Estimate $200 - 300. |  | $200 |
| 802 | Str. Red River. Large violet straight line on 2¢ entire to New Orleans, Very Fine and attractive, Unlisted in Milgram.Milgram No. 1168A; Estimate $100 - 150. |  | $100 |
| 803 | S.B. Red Wing (Upper Mississippi River). Near perfect and beautifully struck fancy handstamp showing Cherubs & Lyre at top on 1846 Bill of Lading with printed illustration of Steamboat, from Galena, Ill. to St. Peters (Fort Snelling) while part of Iowa Territory, ex-Risvold, Illustrated in Milgram.Milgram No. 1170; Estimate $2,000 - 3,000.A STUNNING ITEM WHICH IS THE ONLY KNOWN EXAMPLE. ONE OF THE GREAT COVERS OF THE MILGRAM COLLECTION. The "Red Wing" a stern-wheeler of 142 tons built at Cincinnati in 1846 for the Upper Mississippi trade, was the first of three steamboats to bear the name and operate on the Mississippi. On the night of 17 May 1849 the "Red Wing", along with a ferry boat and 21 other steamboats met a tragic end with the Great Steamboat Fire at St. Louis. |  2 | $2,000 |
| 804 | Steamer Reindeer (Ohio and Mississippi Rivers). Complete strike of red oval handstamp on 1853-55 3¢ Nesbitt entire to New Orleans, also included is 1872 printed & illustrated freight bill in purple (which may be a different steamboat), Very Fine and choice.Milgram No. 1171; Estimate $300 - 400. |  3 | $300 |
| 805 | N. O. & Vicksburg Packet, R.E. Lee Feb. 22 (Mississippi River). Blue double oval on 1864-65 3¢ entire to New Orleans, printed corner card of "Receiving and Forwarding Merchants and Dealers in Family and Plantation Supplies, Sidon, Mississippi", usual pinholes found on Carroll Hoy correspondence, also included is wonderful illustrated 1871 freight bill showing portrait of Robert E. Lee, plus 2nd freight bill in blue used in 1866, cover with mended cover tear which affects marking, Very Fine appearance, entire ex-Barkhausen.Milgram No. 1176; Estimate $150 - 200. |  3 | $150 |
| 806 | Steamer Republic (Mississippi River). Complete small red oval & black printed corner card "New Orleans and Napoleon Packet Steamer" (with "and" crossed out and manuscript Memphis added) on cover to Youngs Point, La., included is original enclosure datelined "Str. Republic Jan 5, '57" which talks of the schedule of the Steamer, some minor wrinkles & tiny tear at bottom, still Very Fine and rare, the only recorded example, Illustrated in Milgram.Milgram No. 1178 & 1179; Estimate $500 - 750. |  | $500 |
| 807 | From Steamer Reub. White (Mississippi and Red Rivers). Light but well struck red oval handstamp on 1853-55 3¢ Nesbitt entire to New Orleans, partial New Orleans cds and straightline "Steam", small edge tear at left and couple minor edge nicks, flap missing, also included is 1860 printed freight bill, F.-V.F., ex-Somdal.Milgram No. 1188; Estimate $200 - 300. |  2 | $200 |
| 808 | Rhode Island. Two covers with illustrated corner card, one in purple brown & one violet, each franked with 3¢ Bank Note and tied by New York postmark, Very Fine and scarce, Unlisted in Milgram.Milgram No. 1188A-B; Estimate $200 - 300. |  2 | $200 |
| 809 | Steamer Richard Willing, Jul 22 1874 (Chesapeake Bay). Bold blue double oval on cover to Baltimore, Md., franked with 3¢ Bank Note issue tied by target cancel and postmark "Laurel Factory, Md. Jul 20" cds, light toning, F.-V.F. and rare.Milgram No. 1189; Estimate $150 - 200. |  | $150 |
| 810 | Louisville and New Orleans Packet Co. Low Pressure Passenger Steamer Richmond (Ohio and Mississippi Rivers). Overall red and blue illustrated design on cover to Glendale, Ohio, franked with 1867 3¢ Grill (defective) tied by blue cork cancel with matching indistinct cds, small mended tear at top & slightly irregular reduction at right, also included is 1869 printed freight bill in red & blue, F.-V.F., this is the only recorded example of this spectacular design, Illustrated in Milgram.Milgram No. 1193; Estimate $500 - 750. |  2 | $500 |
| 811 | Louisville and New Orleans Packet Co. Low Pressure Passenger Steamer Richmond (Ohio and Mississippi Rivers). Overall black and burgundy illustrated design on cover to Kentucky, franked with 1861 3¢ Rose (65, faulty), cancelled by blue cork with matching "Vicksburg, Miss Feb 23" cds alongside, corner repair at top left and along left edge, light overall toning, F.-V.F., this is the only recorded example of this elaborate design, Unlisted in Milgram.Milgram No. 1193A; Estimate $500 - 750. |  | $500 |
| 812 | Louisville & New Orleans Low Pressure Packet Richmond, Apr 30 1868 (Mississippi River). Near complete blue scalloped fancy steamer handstamp on 1864-65 3¢ entire to New Orleans, postmarked "New Orleans, La. May 2" cds, usual pinholes as found on the Hoy correspondence, Very Fine and choice, Marking illustrated in Milgram.Milgram No. 1194; Estimate $300 - 400. |  | $300 |
| 813 | U.S.S. "Richmond", Navy Department, Official Business. Violet penalty handstamp on 1896 cover to The Commandant, Navy Yard, Portsmouth, N.H. with Philadelphia machine cancel & backstamped with arrival postmark, Very Fine, Unlisted in Milgram.Milgram No. 1195B; Estimate $100 - 150. |  | $100 |
| 814 | Attakapas Packet Rio Grande (Mississippi and Attakapas Rivers). Red packet oval on 1850 folded letter from New Iberia to New Orleans, postmarked red "New Orleans, La. Apr 8" cds and matching "Steam 10" in circle, over struck with large "5" rate and straightline "Steam" at left, Very Fine and rare, ex-Somdal, Illustrated in Milgram.Milgram No. 1196; Estimate $400 - 600. |  | $400 |
| 815 | Steamer River Queen Sep 17 1864 (Narragansett Bay). Bold and complete fancy cross handstamp ties 1861 3¢ Rose (65) on cover to Newport R.I., manuscript "Due 2", minor ink stain, also included is original enclosure and printed, illustrated 1864 freight bill (with neat Steamer River Queen cds), Very Fine and choice, ex-Cowdrey & Gallagher, Illustrated in Milgram.Milgram No. 1198; Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.A WONDERFUL COVER WITH THIS FANCY HANDSTAMPED STEAMER MARKING. THIS IS THE ONLY RECORDED EXAMPLE. The "River Queen" was Grant's dispatch boat during the final year of the Civil War. It was used for a meeting between Lincoln and Alexander Stevens, C.S.A. Vice President, and for several visits to the troops thereafter. |  3 | $1,000 |
| 816 | Steamer River Queen Sep 17 1864 (Narragansett Bay). Partial blue double circle handstamp on reverse of 3¢ entire with Nantucket corner card to Boston, postmarked Boston cds & cork, black "5" in circle on reverse, F.-V.F., an intriguing cover, Unlisted in Milgram.Milgram No. 1198A; Estimate $100 - 150. Manuscript notation on reverse: "10/1 Owing to a very high wind and rough sea the "River Queen" failed to make her trip yesterday". |  | $100 |
| 817 | Steamer R.M. Jones (Mississippi River). Bright blue steamer oval on 1853-55 3¢ Nesbitt entire to New Orleans, manuscript "Fulton Via" (Steamer Jones), light overall aging, still Very Fine, Illustrated in Milgram.Milgram No. 1200; Estimate $300 - 400. |  | $300 |
| 818 | Steamer Rob Roy, Aug 2 1869 (Mississippi River). Double circle handstamp on 1864-65 3¢ entire to New Orleans, cover tear at upper left, also included is 1869 printed freight bill, Very Fine strike.Milgram No. 1205; Estimate $200 - 300. |  2 | $200 |
| 819 | Regular New Orleans & Vicksburg Passenger Packet Rob't E. Lee (Mississippi River). Circular printed packet corner card on 1864-65 3¢ entire to New Orleans, some repairs at top, also included is 1867 illustrated printed freight bill, Very Fine appearance.Milgram No. 1207; Estimate $150 - 200. |  3 | $150 |
| 820 | Regular New Orleans & Greenville Regular Tuesday Packet Robt. E. Lee (Mississippi River). Ornate packet corner card on 1864-65 3¢ entire to New Orleans, manuscript "Per R.E. Lee" notation at bottom left, cover repairs across top affecting corner card, Fine, Illustrated in Milgram.Milgram No. 1208; Estimate $150 - 200. |  | $150 |
| Lot | Steamboat Markings - Rose Franks to Sidney (Milgram #1220-1273) | Estimate | |
| 821 | Steamer Robt. J. Ward (Ohio River). Red fancy shield packet handstamp on cover to St. Louis, postmarked faint red "Louisville & St Louis" agent cds, small sealed tear at top, Very Fine and rare, one of two recorded example of this ornate marking.Milgram No. 1210; Estimate $300 - 400. The "Robt. J. Ward" ran the New Orleans to Louisville trade between 1852 and 1860. |  2 | $300 |
| 822 | Regular Red River Packet Robt. Watson (Mississippi and Red Rivers). Bold and complete red oval handstamp ties three single 1857 1¢ Blue (24) on cover to New Orleans La., large sealed cover tear at top left which has been professionally restored (not affecting stamps or marking), lovely Extremely Fine appearance, ex-Somdal.Milgram No. 1212; Estimate $500 - 750. |  | $500 |
| 823 | From Steamer Rockaway (Mississippi River). Red oval on stampless cover to Middlebury, Vt., postmarked partial red New Orleans cds, packet marking over red rate handstamp (which may be "Way 11 Cents"), small tear at top right, Very Fine and attractive, this is the only recorded example.Milgram No. 1214; Estimate $300 - 400. |  | $300 |
| 824 | From Steamer Rockaway (Mississippi River). Bold and complete red oval on cover to New Orleans, franked with 1851 3¢ Dull Red (11, corner flaw) tied by bold "Steam" straightline with bold red "New Orleans, La., Oct 12" cds, "1852" year docketing at left, Very Fine and rare.Milgram No. 1215; Estimate $400 - 600. |  | $400 |
| 825 | From Steamer Rockaway (Mississippi River). Bold and complete red oval on 1853 folded letter to New Orleans, additional indistinct strike at left, red "Paid F.A. Dentzel, Agent N.O.P.O." circular handstamp, light horizontal file fold, Very Fine, ex-Richey.Milgram No. 1215; Estimate $300 - 400. |  | $300 |
| 826 | From Steamer Rockaway (Mississippi River). Red oval handstamp on 1853 folded Bill of Lading from St. Albans to New Orleans, Very Fine.Milgram No. 1215; Estimate $200 - 300. Contents discusses sale of slave Tom, "I now (per Rockaway) send to your care the man Tom…I think if Tom was to look out himself for a purchase it might be advantageous, as he is naturally intelligent, can read and write, a good cook, barber and carriage driver and but for his lameness, would command a high price. I think it is proper to state that he is addicted to getting drunk, at times, so that I would (on that account) not like to warrant him except a slave for life." . |  | $200 |
| 827 | Regular Arkansas River Packet Rodolph (Arkansas River). Printed shield type illustrated packet corner card on cover to St. Louis, Mo., franked with 1861 3¢ Rose (65, couple of clipped perfs) tied by indistinct double circle with target, backstamped with unusual arrival cds "HD QRS Dept. of the MO. St. Louis, Rec'd May 22, 1865", slightly reduced at right, Very Fine and rare, Illustrated in Milgram.Milgram No. 1216; Estimate $200 - 300. |  | $200 |
| 828 | Attakapas Packet Rosa (Mississippi and Attakapas Rivers). Red oval on rebacked front to New Orleans, franked with 1851 3¢ Dull Red (11) with sheet margin, tied by "Steam" straightline and postmarked red "New Orleans, La. Mar 10" cds, Extremely Fine appearance, ex-Somdal, Illustrated in Milgram.Milgram No. 1217; Estimate $200 - 300. |  | $200 |
| 829 | Red River Packet Rosa (Mississippi and Red Rivers). Complete and well struck red oval packet handstamp on 1855 folded letter to New Orleans, cover silked on the interior and expertly repaired in right vertical file fold, Extremely Fine appearance, Illustrated in Milgram.Milgram No. 1218; Estimate $200 - 300. |  | $200 |
| 830 | Red River Packet Rosa (Red River). Red oval handstamp on 1853-55 3¢ Nesbitt entire to New Orleans, usual pinholes as found on the Carroll correspondence, F.-V.F., Illustrated in Milgram.Milgram No. 1219; Estimate $200 - 300. |  | $200 |
| 831 | Ouachita Packet Rose Franks (Mississippi and Ouachita Rivers). Bold and well struck three line handstamp on 1864-65 3¢ entire to New Orleans, manuscript endorsement "Rose Franks", minor pinholes, Extremely Fine, ex-Hall & Jarrett.,Illustrated in Milgram.Milgram No. 1220; Estimate $200 - 300. After the Civil War, the Ouachita River route from Camden Ark. to New Orleans was not reinstated. Steamboat traffic continued on the river with significant volumes of letters being carried. |  | $200 |
| 832 | Memphis and White River Packet Steamer Rowena (Ohio and White Rivers). Illustrated shield packet corner card on cover to Lafayette Ind., franked with 1861 3¢ Rose (65, small faults) tied by "Memphis, Tenn. Aug 3" double circle postmark, light cover soiling and wear including tear at right, still Very Fine, the only recorded example of this attractive steamer corner card, Illustrated in Milgram.Milgram No. 1222; Estimate $300 - 400. |  | $300 |
| 833 | St. Louis, Cairo & New Orleans Passenger Steamer Ruth (Mississippi River). Green near overall illustrated packet design (possibly patriotic) on cover to Georgetown D.C., franked with 1861 3¢ Rose (65, defective) tied by "Memphis Tenn. May 13" double circle postmark and target, small repair at top, light vertical stain, lovely Very Fine appearance, this is the finer of the two recorded examples.Milgram No. 1227; Estimate $400 - 600. |  | $400 |
| 834 | St. Louis, Cairo & New Orleans Passenger Steamer Ruth (Mississippi River). Purple near overall illustrated packet design (possibly patriotic) on rebacked cover front to New Paltz, N.Y., franked with 1861 3¢ Rose (65, slight perf flaws) tied by blue cork cancel with matching "Memphis Tenn. May 14" cds at left, small repair at top, lovely Very Fine appearance.Milgram No. 1228; Estimate $400 - 600. |  2 | $400 |
| 835 | Steamer R.W. McRae (Mississippi River). Bold red oval on 1853-55 3¢ Nesbitt entire to New Orleans, usual pinholes, Extremely Fine.Milgram No. 1230; Estimate $200 - 300. |  | $200 |
| 836 | Steamer R.W. McRae (Mississippi River). Two strikes of reddish brown oval on 1853-55 3¢ Nesbitt entire to New Orleans, manuscript "$165" and pencil "in Safe", F.-V.F., Illustrated in Milgram.Milgram No. 1231; Estimate $200 - 300. |  | $200 |
| 837 | From Steamer R.W. Powell (Mississippi and Red Rivers). Red oval on 1853-55 3¢ Nesbitt entire to New Orleans, postmarked "New Orleans, La. May 18" cds and cancelled by bold black "Steam" straightline, couple minor corner edge chips at left, also included is 1857 printed freight bill, still Very Fine.Milgram No. 1234; Estimate $200 - 300. |  | $200 |
| 838 | From Steamer R.W. Powell (Mississippi and Red Rivers). Red oval handstamp on 1853-55 3¢ Nesbitt entire to New Orleans, postmarked red "New Orleans, La. Apr 13" cds with straight line "Steam" handstamp across the indicia, Very Fine.Milgram No. 1234; Estimate $300 - 400. |  | $300 |
| 839 | From Steamer R.W. Powell (Mississippi and Red Rivers). Bold and complete blue oval packet handstamp on 1853-55 3¢ Nesbitt entire to Richmond, Va., postmarked "New Orleans, La. Sep. 29 1857" cds and cancelled by bold black "Steam" straightline, Very Fine and attractive.Milgram No. 1235; Estimate $300 - 400. |  | $300 |
| 840 | New Orleans & Camden Packet Saint Marys Mar 13 1869 (Mississippi and Arkansas Rivers). Bold and complete blue oval on printed Bill of Lading from Camden to New Orleans, Very Fine.Milgram No. 1236; Estimate $150 - 200. |  | $150 |
| 841 | Steamer Saline (Ouachita and Mississippi Rivers). Bold red oval ties 1851 3¢ Dull Red (11) on 1853 folded letter to New Orleans, manuscript "Hamilton, La. Aug 8" town cancel at left, adhesive affected by light horiz. bend, Very Fine, Illustrated in Milgram.Milgram No. 1237; Estimate $400 - 600.A LOVELY COVER WITH THIS BOLD STEAMBOAT HANDSTAMP TYING THE 1851 3¢ ADHESIVE. |  2 | $400 |
| 842 | Steamer Sallie List Jun 29 1867 (Alabama River). Bold blue double circle handstamp on cover to Dublin, Md, franked with 1865 3¢ Rose (65, small faults) tied by cork cancel with "Mobile, Ala. Jul 1" cds, large part of flap torn away, still Very Fine, the only recorded example, Illustrated in Milgram.Milgram No. 1238; Estimate $200 - 300. |  | $200 |
| 843 | Bayou Sara & Coast Pkt. Sallie Robinson (Mississippi River). Bold and complete red oval on folded letter to New Orleans, franked with 1857 3¢ Dull Red (26, top left corner replaced) tied by "Steam" straightline and postmark "New Orleans Jun 17" cds, cover with vert. file fold and some edge splits, also included is 1862 Confederate printed freight bill (stained), attractive Very Fine appearance.Milgram No. 1239; Estimate $200 - 300. |  | $200 |
| 844 | Bayou Sara & Coast Pkt. Sallie Robinson (Mississippi River). Red oval packet handstamp on 1853-55 3¢ Nesbitt entire to New Orleans, postmarked New Orleans cds and cancelled by "Steam" straightline handstamp, small nick at top and light stain at bottom, Very Fine.Milgram No. 1239; Estimate $200 - 300. |  | $200 |
| 845 | Steamer Sam Dale (Alabama River). Red oval on 3¢ Nesbitt (U2) to New Orleans, postmarked Mobile, Ala. cds with complete "Steamboat" straightline alongside, small corner repair at bottom left, also included is 1846 printed freight bill, Very Fine and rare.Milgram No. 1242; Estimate $400 - 600. |  3 | $400 |
| 846 | Dean Line Cincinnati & Memphis Packet Sam J. Hale (Ohio River). Octagonal printed packet corner card on cover to Austinburgh, Ohio, franked with two 1861 3¢ Rose (65) singles, tied by blue "Cincinnati, O. Jun 14" cds and target, slightly reduced at left and bottom right corner repaired, Very Fine appearance, Illustrated in Milgram.Milgram No. 1243; Estimate $200 - 300. |  2 | $200 |
| 847 | From Steamer Sarah (Mississippi River). Red oval on 1853-55 3¢ Nesbitt entire to New Orleans, usual staple holes as usually seen on Carroll correspondence, also included is 1854 printed freight bill, Very Fine, this is the only recorded example of this steamboat marking, Illustrated in Milgram.Milgram No. 1245; Estimate $300 - 400. |  2 | $300 |
| 848 | Str. Sarah N.O. & Mobile, Sep 19 1866 (Lake Pontchartrain & Gulf Coast). Complete blue circular handstamp on printed Bill of Lading to New Orleans, light tone specks, Very Fine, thought to be the only recorded example.Milgram No. 1246; Estimate $200 - 300. |  | $200 |
| 849 | Steamer Sarah Gordon (Red River). Unusual large red boxed straightline on folded letter to Opelousas, La., lightly cleaned, also included is printed 1851 freight bill, still Very Fine, ex-Somdal, Illustrated in Milgram.Milgram No. 1247; Estimate $500 - 750.A VERY UNUSUAL STEAMBOAT MARKING OF WHICH THIS IS THE ONLY KNOWN EXAMPLE. |  2 | $500 |
| 850 | New Passenger Packet Saratoga (Ohio and Mississippi Rivers). Octagonal boxed illustrated corner card on cover to New Albany, Ind., franked with 1861 3¢ Rose (65) tied by "St. Louis, Mo Aug 10" double circle postmark & target cancel, edge repaired at right, Fine and rare, Illustrated in Milgram.Milgram No. 1252; Estimate $200 - 300. |  | $200 |
