The Dr. James Milgram Collection Steamboat Mail
47 Kearny St # 500, San Francisco, CA 94108, USA
| Lot | Steamboat Markings - Atlantic to Bloomer (Milgram #80-128) | Estimate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 51 | Louisville and New Orleans Lightening Line, Steamer Antelope (Ohio and Mississippi Rivers). Black printed corner card across top of cover to New Orleans, postmarked "New Orleans, La. Dec. 19 1858" cds with "Steam 6" in circle, usual pinholes as found on the Carroll Hoy correspondence, Extremely Fine, ex-Somdal & Haas, Illustrated in Milgram.Milgram No. 62; Estimate $750 - 1,000.A GORGEOUS COVER AND THE ONLY RECORDED EXAMPLE. It is interesting to note the "STEAM 6" marking on the cover despite the Bill of Lading notation. No doubt the contents were more than a bill of lading so the post office collected postage 6 cents due at New Orleans for a ship letter. |  | $750 |
| 52 | Arkansas Belle (Ohio River). Two different illustrated covers of the Arkansas Belle (Milgram 64-65), both with different matching illustrated original letterhead of 1880, also included is printed & illustrated 1878 freight bill in blue, one franked with 3¢ Bank Note & other stampless, both covers defective, Fine, both covers Illustrated in Milgram.Milgram No. 64-65; Estimate $200 - 300. Complete images: View gallery or Download PDF (8.0MB). |  2 | $200 |
| 53 | Steamer Arkansas No 4 (Mississippi River). Red oval on 1845 folded letter from "Mobile" to Van Buren, Ark., light soiling, F.-V.F., a scarce early cover.Milgram No. 66; Estimate $400 - 600. |  | $400 |
| 54 | N.O. & R.R.T. Co., Str. Ashland. (Mississippi and Red Rivers). Purple two line straightline on cover to Caspiana (La.), additional manuscript "From Str Laura Lee", vertical file fold and small stain, also included is original enclosure written on board dated "1879", otherwise Fine to Very Fine, this is the only recorded example, ex-Somdal & Gallagher, marking Illustrated in Milgram.Milgram No. 68; Estimate $150 - 200. |  | $150 |
| 55 | Regular Bayou LaFourche Packet, Assumption (Bayou LaFourche). Printed corner card with large red letter "A" on cover to New Orleans, franked with faulty pair of 1¢ Columbians tied by "New Orleans, La. Oct. 27, '94" duplex cancel, included is original enclosure on matching letterhead, cover reduced at left with some toned spots, also included is unused printed freight bill, Fine.Milgram No. 69B; Estimate $150 - 200. |  2 | $150 |
| 56 | Packet Assumption (Gulf of Mexico and Bayou LaFourche.). Four covers with two different type printed corner cards of the "Packet Assumption" (two from the same correspondence to New Orleans, one with original enclosure on matching printed Stationery), some faults, Fine, Unlisted in Milgram.Milgram No. 69A-B; Estimate $100 - 150. |  | $100 |
| 57 | Louisville and New Orleans Packet, Steamer Atlantic (Ohio and Mississippi Rivers). Light blue boxed handstamp on cover front to Princeton, Ind., franked with pair of 1857 3¢ Dull Red tied by Cairo, Ill. 1860 cds, manuscript "Via Cairo", F.-V.F., this is the only recorded example.Milgram No. 80; Estimate $200 - 300. |  | $200 |
| 58 | Atlantic & Mississippi Steam Ship Co., St. Louis, Cairo & New Orleans, Steamer Atlantic. Illustrated boxed corner card on cover to Conway Center N.H., franked with 1861 3¢ Rose (nat. straight edge) tied by target and "Memphis, Ten. Oct 24" double circle postmark, mended flap tear which extends to front affecting, slightly reduced at right, Very Fine appearance, Unlisted in Milgram.Milgram No. 80A; Estimate $200 - 300. |  | $200 |
| 59 | U.S. Mail Packet Atlantis. Oval handstamp on folded letter to Cloverport, Ky, letter cleaned with some restoration, Very Fine appearance, this is the only recorded example.Milgram No. 81B; Estimate $200 - 300. |  | $200 |
| 60 | Steamer Australia (Great Lakes). Complete magenta straightline handstamp on forwarded cover to Ashtabula Ohio, franked with 1908-10 2¢ Washington postmarked Duquesne, Pa. cds and forwarded from "Cleveland, O. Nov 22 1910", small edge flaws, F.-V.F., Unlisted in Milgram.Milgram No. 82A; Estimate $100 - 150. |  | $100 |
| 61 | From Steamer Autocratic (Mississippi River). Red oval handstamp on 1850 folded letter from "Memphis" to New Orleans, also included is 1848 printed freight, Very Fine and rare, ex-Somdal, marking Illustrated in Milgram.Milgram No. 83; Estimate $300 - 400. |  2 | $300 |
| 62 | Regular Marietta, Charleston and Cincinnati Packet, Str. Avalon. Lovely red illustrated corner card on cover to Sistersville W. Va., manuscript "Per Wharf Boat", slightly reduced at right with small tears, otherwise Very Fine, Unlisted in Milgram.Milgram No. 83C; Estimate $100 - 150. |  | $100 |
| 63 | Louisville & New Orleans, Passenger Packet Baltic (Ohio and Mississippi Rivers). Ornate blue embossed cameo corner card on cover to Winchester, KY, franked with 1857 3¢ Dull Red (trivial corner crease due to placement of stamp) tied by "Cairo, Ill. Jun 17, 1858" cds, flap missing cover & minor wrinkle, also included is 1860 printed freight bill, still Very Fine and a lovely cover.Milgram No. 85; Estimate $400 - 600. |  2 | $400 |
| 64 | Steamer Barnett, May 21, 1866 (Chattahoochee River). Double circle handstamp on cover to New York, franked with 1861 3¢ Rose (65) tied by Columbus, Ga. fancy heart (Skinner-Eno PH-H 21) cancel and "May 22" cds, Very Fine, ex-Somdal, Illustrated in Milgram.Milgram No. 86; Estimate $300 - 400.A LOVELY COVER WHICH COMBINES THIS FANCY CANCEL WITH THE ONLY RECORDED EXAMPLE OF THIS STEAMBOAT MARKING. |  | $300 |
| 65 | Red River Packet, Bart Able, 2 Apr 1870 (Red River). Bold and complete oval handstamp on 1864-65 3¢ entire to New Orleans, usual pinholes as found on the Carroll Hoy correspondence, also included is printed & illustrated 1870 freight bill in green, Very Fine.Milgram No. 90; Estimate $100 - 150. |  2 | $100 |
| 66 | Ship Your Freight by the Regular Saturday Evening Grand Encore Packet Bart Able (Red River). Complete four line straightline blue handstamp on reverse of 3¢ postal entire to New Orleans, slightly reduced, Very Fine, this is a scarce variety of the Bart Able packet marking, Illustrated in Milgram.Milgram No. 91; Estimate $150 - 200. Many of the steamship markings were also used to advertise, as demonstrated by this handstamp. |  2 | $150 |
| 67 | SB. Baton Rouge. Dark blue ornamented circle handstamp, perfect strike, on undated folded cover to New Orleans, entered the mails with blue "Steam" handstamp of Mobile, Alabama and pre 1845 rate of "18 ¾" cents due, Extremely Fine and choice, ex-Jarrett & "Chicago Collection", Unlisted in Milgram.Milgram No. 93A; Estimate $2,000 - 3,000.AN OUTSTANDING GEM, WHICH IS THE ONLY RECORDED EXAMPLE AND ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE MILGRAM COLLECTION. |  | $2,000 |
| 68 | Steamer Bayou Belle (Red River). Complete red oval handstamp with Capt. name on 1853-55 3¢ entire to New Orleans, also included is 1856 printed freight bill in blue, Extremely Fine.Milgram No. 94; Estimate $300 - 400. |  2 | $300 |
| 69 | Steamer Bayou Belle (Mississippi & Red Rivers). Complete red oval without Capt. name, ties 1857 3¢ Dull Red on cover to New Orleans, flap missing & light cover wrinkles, also included is 1857 printed freight bill, Very Fine and attractive.Milgram No. 95; Estimate $300 - 400. |  3 | $300 |
| 70 | Steamer Bayou Belle (Mississippi & Red Rivers). Red oval handstamp on cover to Washington, La., cover with colorless embossed Merchant's corner card, slightly reduced at top & minor staining, otherwise Very Fine with a great strike of this marking, Illustrated in Milgram.Milgram No. 95; Estimate $200 - 300. |  | $200 |
| 71 | Steamer Bay City (Ohio River). Unused illustrated lettersheet folded and addressed to Delaware, Ohio, franked with 1851 3¢ dull red tied by beautiful strike of blue "Steamboat" straight line with matching "Sandusky, O. Jun. 21" cds, also included is second matching original lettersheet dated "June 20, 1854" which states, I have but a moment before the boat starts…, Very Fine and choice, Illustrated in Milgram.Milgram No. 96; Estimate $200 - 300. |  2 | $200 |
| 72 | Steamer Bay Queen (Atlantic Coast). "scroll" type fancy handstamp on 1864-65 3¢ entire to Providence, R.I., postmarked "Providence, R.I. May 27" cds with target and straightline "Steam Boat" and circular "Due 2" handstamps, small repaired nick at right, otherwise Very Fine, a very unusual and rare marking.Milgram No. 97; Estimate $300 - 400. |  | $300 |
| 73 | From Steamer B.E. Clark (Mississippi and Red Rivers). Bold blue oval handstamp on 1853-55 3¢ Nesbitt entire to New Orleans, postmarked "New Orleans, La. Mar 14" cds with "Steam" straight line across indicia, usual pinholes as found on the Carroll Hoy correspondence, Extremely Fine and choice.Milgram No. 98; Estimate $300 - 400. The "Clark" was a 199 ton side-wheeler built in 1853 at Fulton, Ohio. It burnt at New Orleans on May 30, 1860. |  | $300 |
| 74 | Steamer Beeswing (Mississippi River). Complete fancy handstamp, crisply showing this intricate design, on 1845 folded letter from "New Orleans" to Natchitoches, Extremely Fine, Illustrated in Klein (Supplement) & Milgram.Milgram No. 99; Estimate $1,500 - 2,000.THIS FANCY EAGLE HANDSTAMP WITH PRINTER'S TYPE WAS USED MAKE SOME OF THE MOST ICONIC MARKINGS OF THE 19TH CENTURY. This same design can be found as a postmark and also as a handstamped corner card in the 1850's. |  | $1,500 |
| 75 | Steam Boat Bella Donna (Mississippi River). Red oval on 1853-55 3¢ Nesbitt entire to New Orleans, postmarked partial "New Orleans, La. Jun 19" cds with "Steam" straightline across indicia, also included is 1853 printed freight bill, Very Fine, Illustrated in Milgram.Milgram No. 100; Estimate $200 - 300. |  2 | $200 |
| 76 | Steam Boat Belle Creole (Mississippi River). Red oval on rebacked cover front to New Orleans, postmarked red "New Orleans, La. Jan 10" cds with bold red "Steam 10" in circle, also included is 1846 printed freight bill, Very Fine, Illustrated in Milgram.Milgram No. 102; Estimate $150 - 200. |  3 | $150 |
| 77 | Steamer Belle Gould (Illinois River). Fancy red oval with center negative "Star" with rays, on cover to Hennepin, Ill., franked with uncancelled 1851 3¢ Purplish Claret (11a, four margins), couple small cover abrasions, still Extremely Fine, ex-Somdal, Illustrated in Milgram, with 1980 P.F. certificate.Milgram No. 103; Estimate $750 - 1,000.A GORGEOUS EXAMPLE OF THIS FANCY MARKING WHICH IS THE ONLY RECORDED EXAMPLE. |  | $750 |
| 78 | Memphis & N.O. Packet, Nov. 22 1871, Belle Lee (Mississippi River). Blue oval on 1870-71 3¢ Reay entire to New Orleans, Extremely Fine, Illustrated in Milgram.Milgram No. 105; Estimate $200 - 300. |  | $200 |
| 79 | New Orleans & Memphis, Passenger Packet Belle Lee (Mississippi River). Ornate corner card on 1870-71 3¢ Reay entire to New Orleans, light strike of blue "Vicksburg R.R." cds, roughly opened at top left, also included is 1869 printed freight bill, F.-V.F., only recorded example of this packet corner card, Unlisted in Milgram.Milgram No. 105A; Estimate $150 - 200. |  2 | $150 |
| 80 | Steamer Belle Memphis (Mississippi River). Ornate boxed corner card on cover to South Bend Ind., franked with 1861 3¢ Rose (65) tied by "Memphis & St. Ls. S.B. Line Aug 5" double circle postmark, manuscript "For Reverd. Mother Angela Notre Dame University", bottom edge chip at left, still Very Fine and a very scarce route agent marking, Illustrated in Milgram.Milgram No. 107; Estimate $400 - 600. |  | $400 |
| Lot | Steamboat Markings - Bluff City to Carrie (Milgram #129-181) | Estimate | |
| 81 | M&St. L Pkt., Str. Belle Memphis, Dec 12 Cash (Mississippi River). Blue steamship double circle handstamp on 1874-86 3¢ entire to St. Louis Mo., postmarked indistinct blue St. Louis Mo. cds and fancy blue cork cancels, manuscript "Belle Memphis Order", F.-V.F. and rare, thought to be the only known example, Unlisted in Milgram.Milgram No. 107A; Estimate $150 - 200. |  | $150 |
| 82 | Packet Belle Sulphur (Mississippi and Red Rivers). Red oval on 1853-55 3¢ Nesbitt entire to New Orleans, postmarked indistinct New Orleans cds and partial "Steam" straightline across indicia, usual pinholes as found on the Carroll correspondence, also included is 1857 printed freight bill, Very Fine and attractive.Milgram No. 110; Estimate $500 - 750. |  2 | $500 |
| 83 | Atlantic & Mississippi Steam Ship Co, St. Louis, Cairo and New Orleans Packet Line Str. Ben Stickney (Mississippi River). Illustrated boxed corner card on cover to Washington, Ill., franked with 1861 3¢ Rose (some clipped perfs) with cork cancel and "Vicksburgh, Miss. Aug 20" cds alongside, Very Fine and rare, Illustrated in Milgram.Milgram No. 115; Estimate $400 - 600. |  2 | $400 |
| 84 | Benton "P" Line Missouri River Passenger Steamers Montana and British N.W. Territory (Missouri River). All-over illustrated design showing the steamer Helena on reverse of 1880 cover to New York, franked with 3¢ Bank Note (defective) tied by "Bismark, Dak. Jul. 15, 1880" cds and target cancel, cover with printed corner card "General Agent, Benton P Line, Missouri River Steamers, Bismark, D.T.", cover returned to sender in Bismark, slightly reduced & couple of trivial flaws, Very Fine and rare, thought to be the finest of the three recorded examples.Milgram No. 116; Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.A SPECTACULAR COVER OF THE STEAMER HELENA WHICH PLIED THE MISSOURI RIVER FROM SIOUX CITY TO FORT BENTON. The steamboat "Helena", a sternwheel packet with a wood hull, was built in California, Pennsylvania in 1878. In 10 years she made over 50 trips to Montana points under many masters associated with the Power Line. She was sold in 1887 to A.S. Bryan and others, Washington, Missouri. The "Helena" was snagged and destroyed at Bonhomme Island, Missouri, Oct. 23, 1891. |  | $1,000 |
| 85 | Louisville and New Orleans Passenger Steamer, B.J. Adams (Ohio and Mississippi Rivers). Blue corner card across top of cover to New Orleans, franked with 1857 3¢ Dull Red tied by "Steam" straightline with "New Orleans, La. Oct 27" double circle postmark at left, usual pinholes as found on the Carroll Hoy correspondence, Extremely Fine, ex-Haas & Jarrett, Illustrated in Milgram.Milgram No. 121; Estimate $750 - 1,000.AN OUTSTANDING AND RARE COVER WHICH IS THE ONLY RECORDED EXAMPLE. |  | $750 |
| 86 | New Orleans and Red River Passenger Packet, B.L. Hodge (Red River). Oval corner card on cover to New Orleans, manuscript "B/L", usual pinholes as found on the Carroll correspondence, Extremely Fine and scarce.Milgram No. 124; Estimate $150 - 200. |  | $150 |
| 87 | Red River Packet, B.L. Hodge (Red River). Complete blue oval on 1853-55 3¢ Nesbitt entire to New Orleans, postmarked "New Orleans, La. May 6, 1860" cds with "Steam" straight line across indicia, usual pinholes as found on the Carroll Hoy correspondence, Extremely Fine and attractive.Milgram No. 125; Estimate $200 - 300. |  | $200 |
| 88 | Red River Packet, B.L. Hodge (Red River). Two 1864-65 3¢ entires to New Orleans, both with large oval packet handstamp with Capt. name removed, one in red and one in blue (unlisted in Milgram), entire with blue handstamp with intricate "Wholesale Grocers, Commission and Forwarding Merchants" (Sherevesport, La.) corner card, usual pinholes as found on the Carroll Hoy correspondence, F.-V.F.Milgram No. 126; Estimate $200 - 300. |  2 | $200 |
| 89 | Saturday Grand Ecore Weekly Packet, B.L. Hodge No.2, Apr. 9 70 (Red River). Blue oval handstamp on 1864-65 3¢ entire to New Orleans, usual pinholes as found on the Hoy correspondence, Very Fine.Milgram No. 127; Estimate $150 - 200. |  | $150 |
| 90 | Saturday Grand Ecore Weekly Packet, B.L. Hodge No.2, Apr. 30 70 (Red River). Blue oval on 1864-65 3¢ entire to New Orleans, usual pinholes as found on the Hoy correspondence, also included is 1871 printed & illustrated freight bill on lemon paper, Very Fine, Illustrated in Milgram.Milgram No. 127; Estimate $100 - 150. |  2 | $100 |
| 91 | Steamer Bloomer (Mississippi and Red Rivers). Complete red oval on 1853-55 3¢ Nesbitt entire to New Orleans, usual pinholes as found on the Carroll correspondence, Very Fine and scarce.Milgram No. 128; Estimate $300 - 400. |  | $300 |
| 92 | Per Bluff City (Mississippi and Ouachita Rivers). Red straightline on 1853-55 Nesbitt entire to New Orleans, postmarked partial "New Orleans, La. Apr 11" (1856?) cds with "Steam" straightline across indicia, overall light cover aging, also included is 1859 printed freight bill, Very Fine and a rare packet marking.Milgram No. 129; Estimate $300 - 400. |  2 | $300 |
| 93 | Str. Bonanza, Leaves This Day 12½ O'Clock (Ohio River). Purple three line straightline on 1884-86 2¢ brown on blue entire to Cincinnati, O., Very Fine, the only recorded example, Illustrated in Milgram.Milgram No. 130; Estimate $200 - 300. |  | $200 |
| 94 | Boreas No 2 (Upper Mississippi River). Steamboat name in scroll handstamp, somewhat illegible on 1845 folded letter from "St. Louis" to Palymra, manuscript endorsement Boreas No 2 at bottom left, edge splits re-enforced, Fine and rare, ex-Somdal.Milgram No. 131; Estimate $200 - 300. |  | $200 |
| 95 | Steamer Boston 1855 Sep 14 (Coast of Maine). Circular handstamp on cover to Deer Isle, Me., some cover faults, an Extremely Fine strike and the only recorded example, Illustrated in Milgram, with 2015 P.F. certificate.Milgram No. 132; Estimate $200 - 300. The "Steamer Boston" was a 574 ton sidewheel packet built in 1850 in New York. She ran the coast of Maine between 1855-1863 and later used by the U.S. Navy. On May 25, 1864 she was sunk by Confederate gun fire on the South Edisto River with the lost of 7 or 8 lives. |  | $200 |
| 96 | Norwich & Worcester Line, Boston (Atlantic Coast). Overall buff illustrated design featuring "Steamer Commonwealth" on cover to New Orleans, franked with 1857 3¢ Dull Red tied by New York cds, usual pinholes as found on the Carroll Hoy correspondence, Very Fine and attractive, the only recorded example, ex-C. Chase, Illustrated in Milgram.Milgram No. 133; Estimate $400 - 600. |  2 | $400 |
| 97 | S.B. Bostona (Mississippi River). Bold and well struck red rimless circle marking on 1849 folded letter from New Orleans to Charlestown, Ind., postmarked blue "Louisville Ky, Jun 8" cds with integral "10" rate and matching straight line "Steam" alongside, Very Fine and rare.Milgram No. 134; Estimate $500 - 750. |  | $500 |
| 98 | Bostona Way (Ohio River). Blue oval handstamp ties 1861 3¢ Rose on rebacked cover front to Vanceburg, Ky., Very Fine appearance, Illustrated in Milgram.Milgram No. 135; Estimate $150 - 200. |  | $150 |
| 99 | Portsmouth & Cincinnati Packet Co.s' U.S. Mail Steamer, Bostona (Ohio River). Corner card on cover to Portsmouth Ohio, franked with 1863 3¢ Pictorial (114, small corner fault), tied by straightline "Paid", Very Fine and attractive, Illustrated in Milgram.Milgram No. 136; Estimate $300 - 400. |  | $300 |
| 100 | Bostona No. 3., S.B.R., Jul 1 (Ohio River). Two strikes of this oval handstamp, one ties 1861 3¢ Rose (nat. straight edge, trivial corner crease) on cover to Cincinnati, Ohio, Very Fine and attractive, the only recorded example, Illustrated in Milgram.Milgram No. 137; Estimate $400 - 600. |  | $400 |
