The Dr. James Milgram Collection Steamboat Mail
47 Kearny St # 500, San Francisco, CA 94108, USA
| Lot | Steamboat Markings - Henry Clay to James Hewitt (Milgram #597-670) | Estimate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 401 | S.B. Harry Hill (Mississippi & Red Rivers). Bold and finely struck fancy red handstamp showing great details of Cupids & Lyre on 1850 folded letter from New Orleans to Memphis Tenn., struck with blue "Steam" straight line handstamp, Extremely Fine, ex-Somdal.Milgram No. 583; Estimate $2,000 - 3,000.A STUNNING AND UNIQUE EXAMPLE OF ONE OF THE FINEST STEAMBOAT MARKINGS IN UNITED STATES POSTAL HISTORY. |  | $2,000 |
| 402 | St. Louis & Keokuk Packet Company, U.S. Mail Str. Harry Johnson (Upper Mississippi River). Illustrated green corner card on cover to Chicago, Ill, franked with 1867 3¢ Grilled Issue tied by segmented grid with "Quincy, Ill 8 Oct" cds alongside, docketed "Oct. 11th, '68", slightly reduced at right, Very Fine and attractive, Illustrated in Milgram.Milgram No. 584; Estimate $300 - 400. |  2 | $300 |
| 403 | Pr. Steamer Harry of the West. (Mississippi & Missouri Rivers). Gem strike of 2-line handstamp on 1844 folded letter New Orleans to St. Louis, Mo., cover refolded & some internal splits along folds, Extremely Fine and attractive.Milgram No. 585; Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.A MAGNIFICENT EXAMPLE OF THIS EARLY STEAMBOAT MARKING. |  | $1,000 |
| 404 | Steamer Harry Randall (Potomac River). Printed lettersheet for the Harry Randall with original printed & illustrated cover of the E.S. Randall's Potomac River Line., franked with 1¢ Columbian (defective) tied by South West Sta., D.C. duplex, Very Fine and attractive, Unlisted in Milgram. Milgram No. 585A.Estimate; $100 - 150. |  2 | $100 |
| 405 | Hawkeye State (Upper Mississippi River). Ornate illustrated corner card on cover to Fulton City Ill., franked with 1861 3¢ Rose (65, faulty) tied by "Cairo, Ill Oct 3" double circle postmark, bold straightline "Due 3" and "Steamboat", reduced at left impinging into design, some soiling, Fine and attractive illustrated design this is the only recorded example, Illustrated in Milgram.Milgram No. 591; Estimate $400 - 600. In 1863, the Steamboat fee was raised to double the domestic rate or six cents. This cover shows 3¢ paid in stamps and 3¢ due to the recipient. |  | $400 |
| 406 | From New Orleans & Louisville Packet H.D. Newcomb. Bold and complete red oval handstamp on cover to Colebrook, Conn., franked with 1851 3¢ Dull Red (11, small tear) tied by indistinct town cds, Very Fine and choice, a gem example of this unique steamboat marking, unlisted in Milgram.Milgram No. 591A; Estimate $500 - 750. |  | $500 |
| 407 | Steamer Hecla (Mississippi & Red Rivers). Red oval handstamp on brown cover to Stratford, Conn., franked with 1847 5¢ Red Brown (1) horizontal pair, large margins to barely in at lower left, cancelled by red grids with "New Orleans La. May 17" circular datestamp alongside and matching "WAY/11/CENTS" handstamp struck in lieu of "STEAM" and then crossed out, small ink stain at lower left of cover, Very Fine, ex-Worthington, Boker and Gross.Milgram No. 592; Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.A RARE STEAMBOAT USAGE WITH A PAIR OF THE 5¢ 1847 ISSUE. |  | $1,000 |
| 408 | Steamer Hecla (Mississippi & Red Rivers). Red oval handstamp on cover to New Orleans with small red oval F.A. Dentzel route agent handstamp alongside, light cover crease & usual pinholes, otherwise Very Fine.Milgram No. 592; Estimate $200 - 300. |  | $200 |
| 409 | Steamer Henry Ames Nov. 16, 1868 (Mississippi River). Blue oval handstamp on 1864-65 3¢ Brown legal size entire (U60) to New Orleans, Very Fine, a rare marking & entire.Milgram No. 595; Estimate $200 - 300. |  | $200 |
| 410 | Steamer Henry Ames, Dec 21, 1868 (Mississippi River). Near complete blue oval handstamp on 1864-65 3¢ entire to New Orleans, typical pinholes as typically seen on Hoy correspondence, Very Fine, a rare example of this packet marking.Milgram No. 595; Estimate $200 - 300. |  | $200 |
| 411 | Steamer Henry Clay (Mississippi River). Cogged circle handstamp on March 8, 1842 folded letter from New Orleans to Natchez, Mississippi, entered mails their with blue "Steam" handstamp and manuscript "56 ¼" (triple 18 ¾ cents rate), cover has been lightly cleaned away from the marking, Extremely Fine, thought to be the finest example of this rare steamboat marking, ex-Somdal, Illustrated in Milgram.Milgram No. 597; Estimate $1,000 - 1,500. |  | $1,000 |
| 412 | New Orleans Coast and Lafourche Packet, Hetty Gilmore (Mississippi River). Bold and complete blue octagonal steamship handstamp on 1864-65 3¢ entire (rebacked front) to Edenton N.C., entire with unlisted ornate illustrated boxed corner card of the Hetty Gilmore, postmarked "New Orleans, La. Oct 4" cds and segmented cork cancel, Very Fine and attractive.Milgram No. 603; Estimate $750 - 1,000.AN EXCEPTIONAL COVER AND THE ONLY KNOWN EXAMPLE WITH THE HETTY GILMORE CORNER CARD AND HANDSTAMP MARKING. |  | $750 |
| 413 | U.S. Snag Boat H.G. Wright, Oct 27, 1880. Bold and complete double circle handstamp on 1¢ Postal Card (UX7) to Mound City Ill., postmarked "St. Louis, Mo. Oct 27" Levitt machine cancel, unlisted in Milgram.Milgram No. 603A; Estimate $500 - 750.THIS IS THE ONLY KNOWN EXAMPLE OF A SNAGBOAT MARKING. The "Horatio G. Wright" was built by the Western Iron Boat Building Company. Launched in June 1880 after being under construction for over a year. Worked as a "snag extractor" on the Mississippi River for many years and finally dismantled in 1941.In America's steamboat era, the main danger to waterborne travel and commerce was neither fire nor explosions, but rather snags-trees that had fallen into the rivers as a result of bank erosion. |  | $500 |
| 414 | New Orleans & St. Louis Regular Passenger Packet Hiawatha (Mississippi River). Shield type handstamp on reverse of 1853-55 3¢ Nesbitt entire to New Orleans, postmarked "New Orleans, La., Oct. 21 1858" cds with straight line "STEAM" handstamp, Very Fine, Illustrated in Milgram.Milgram No. 604; Estimate $300 - 400. |  | $300 |
| 415 | U.S. Mail Packet Hibernia (Ohio River). Complete blue oval handstamp and straightline "Steam" on 1848 folded cover to Louisville Ky manuscript "5" vertical file fold, Very Fine and rare, Illustrated in Milgram.Milgram No. 606; Estimate $300 - 400. |  | $300 |
| 416 | Excelsior Wharf Boat, H.J. Reamer (New Albany, Ind.). Ornate printed corner card on lemon cover to Lafayette, Ind., franked with 1857 3¢ dull red (rounded corner) with grid cancel and postmarked New Albany, Ind. cds at left, includes original enclosure datelined "Sept. 25, 1860", flap torn & some cover aging along edges, otherwise Very Fine, this is the only known example of this wharf boat, Unlisted in Milgram.Milgram No. 607B; Estimate $300 - 400. |  | $300 |
| 417 | Str. H.M. Carter. Purple straightline handstamp on cover to New Orleans, Very Fine, the only recorded example, unlisted in Milgram.Milgram No. 607C; Estimate $75 - 100. |  | $75 |
| 418 | From Steamer H.M. Wright (Mississippi River). Partial red oval handstamp on cover to New Orleans, franked with 1851 3¢ Dull Red (11), tied by straightline "Way" with red "New Orleans Nov 13" cds at left, F.-V.F., ex-Somdal.Milgram No. 608; Estimate $150 - 200. |  | $150 |
| 419 | Steamer H.M. Wright (Mississippi River). Complete red oval handstamp on 1854 folded cover to New Orleans, franked with 1851 3¢ Dull Red (11) tied by straightline "Way", with trace of red New Orleans cds, Very Fine and choice, ex-Somdal, Illustrated in Milgram.Milgram No. 609; Estimate $300 - 400. |  | $300 |
| 420 | Vicksburg & Yazoo City, Mail Packet Home (Yazoo River). Red oval handstamp on 1853-55 3¢ Nesbitt entire to New Orleans, postmarked "New Orleans, La Dec 23" cds and bold "Steam" straightline handstamp, light vert. fold & usual pinholes as found on the Buchanon Carroll correspondence, Very Fine and attractive, Illustrated in Milgram.Milgram No. 610; Estimate $200 - 300. |  | $200 |
| 421 | Steamer Homer (Yazoo River). Full and complete strike of fancy handstamp on 1847 folded cover from New Orleans to Louisville, manuscript "B/L" upper left, two vertical file folds, also included is printed 1848 freight bill head, Extremely Fine, Illustrated in Milgram.Milgram No. 611; Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.ONE OF THE FINEST AND MOST ATTRACTIVE FANCY STEAMBOAT HANDSTAMPS. |  2 | $1,000 |
| 422 | Homer (Mississippi River). Bold and complete red straightline handstamp on 1847 folded letter to New Orleans, black straightline "Steam" and large "10" handstamps, Very Fine and attractive, Illustrated in Milgram.Milgram No. 612; Estimate $300 - 400. |  | $300 |
| 423 | Homer (Mississippi River). Red straight-line handstamp on 1848 folded letter datelined "Arkansas Ouachita County" to New Orleans, small mended tear at bottom, Very Fine and attractive.Milgram No. 612; Estimate $300 - 400. |  | $300 |
| 424 | Homer (Mississippi River). Red straight line handstamp on 1848 printed and illustrated Bill of Lading from Frenchport to New Orleans, interior of Bill of Lading with second strike of matching Homer handstamp, two small repaired spindle holes and vertical file fold, Very Fine and unusual, the only known example with the steamboat marking on the inside as well as the outside of a cover.Milgram No. 612; Estimate $200 - 300. |  2 | $200 |
| 425 | Memphis & New Orleans Packet, H.R.W. Hill (Mississippi River). Illustrated and ornate red oval handstamp on cover to New Orleans, franked with 1851 3¢ Dull Red (11, tiny defect) tied by black "Steam" straightline with matching "New Orleans, La. Mar 19" cds alongside, also included is printed freight bill head, Very Fine and choice, a very rare and attractive example of the fancy marking, Illustrated in Milgram.Milgram No. 618; Estimate $750 - 1,000. |  2 | $750 |
| 426 | Memphis & N.O. Packet H.R.W. Hill (Mississippi River). Ornate blue shield corner card on cover to Memphis, Tenn., endorsed "Mail at Napoleon", franked with 1851 3¢ Dull Red (11, tiny corner crease) tied by indistinct cds, which appears to be Napoleon, Ark., cover with light edge wear, also included is 1860 freight bill, Very Fine and rare, Illustrated in Klein (Supplement) & Milgram.Milgram No. 620; Estimate $500 - 750. |  2 | $500 |
| 427 | N.O. & Bayou Sara Packet Iberville (Mississippi River). Complete and well struck blue oval handstamp on 1864-65 3¢ entire to New Orleans, postmarked "New Orleans, La. Aug. 2" cds and segmented cork, usual pinholes, also included is green 1867 printed freight bill, Very Fine, Illustrated in Milgram.Milgram No. 625; Estimate $200 - 300. |  2 | $200 |
| 428 | St. Louis and New Orleans Passenger Steamer Ida Handy. Blue printed corner card across top of lemon cover to Waterford, Me., franked with 1861 3¢ Rose (65) tied by target cancel with "Cairo, Ill. Aug. 19" double circle postmark alongside, stamp & cover repair at right, also included is 1866 printed illustrated freight bill in blue, Fine and rare, this is the only recorded example, unlisted in Milgram.Milgram No. 625A; Estimate $200 - 300. |  | $200 |
| 429 | Ouachita River Packet Idahoe (Ouachita River). Complete blue oval handstamp on 1864-65 3¢ entire to New Orleans, manuscript "Order" and "Idaho" notations, also included is 1868 freight bill printed in green, Very Fine.Milgram No. 626; Estimate $100 - 150. |  2 | $100 |
| 430 | Steamer Illinois, Aug. 6 1863, Detroit (Great Lakes). Bold and complete handstamp on cover to New York, franked with 1861 3¢ Rose (65, slight defects) tied by target cancel and postmarked matching "Detroit, Mich Aug 6" double circle, Extremely Fine, extremely attractive and choice cover, ex-Somdal, Illustrated in Milgram.Milgram No. 632; Estimate $750 - 1,000.A LOVELY EXAMPLE OF THIS RARE STEAMER WHICH PLIED THE GREAT LAKES. |  | $750 |
| 431 | Steamer Illinois, Cleveland, Detroit & Lake Superior Line (Great Lakes). Complete red oval ties 1861 3¢ Rose (65) on cover to Detroit, additionally tied by "Detroit, Mich. Jul 26" cds, attractive "Steamboat Due 2 cts." handstamp at left, slightly reduced at left, Extremely Fine and attractive, with 2022 P.F. certificate.Milgram No. 635; Estimate $750 - 1,000.A RARE AND IMPRESSIVE COVER CARRIED ON THE STEAMER ILLINOIS. |  | $750 |
| 432 | Steamer Illinois Lake Superior Line (Great Lakes). Complete red oval handstamp on overall illustrated advertising cover in green for W.C. Duncan, Manufacturer of Pale and Amber Ales, Porter & Brown Stout, Detroit, addressed to Eagle Harbor, Mich. and franked with uncancelled 1861 3¢ Rose (65, small flaws), pencil notation "1862", Extremely Fine, a gorgeous cover and usage.Milgram No. 636; Estimate $750 - 1,000. |  | $750 |
| 433 | Steamer Illinois (Great Lakes). Printed & illustrated corner card showing schedule on reverse of orange cover to Connecticut, franked with 1861 3¢ Rose (65, couple toned perfs) cancelled by target cancel with neat "National, Mich. May 28" cds, trivial cover flaw at top left, Very Fine and rare.Milgram No. 637; Estimate $300 - 400. |  | $300 |
| 434 | Express Mail and Passenger, Steamer Imperial (Mississippi River). Ornate scalloped green corner card on Carroll Hoy cover to New Orleans, postmarked "New Orleans, La. Nov 7" double circle with matching "Steam 6" circular handstamp, usual pinholes found on the Carroll Hoy correspondence, Extremely Fine, exceptionally clean and attractive, Illustrated in Milgram.Milgram No. 639; Estimate $500 - 750. |  2 | $500 |
| 435 | Stmr. Indian River (Indian River). Purple straight-line handstamp on mourning cover to New York, franked with 1¢ Bank Note pair (left stamp torn) tied by "Titusville, Fla. Mar. 23, 1886" cds with target cancels, cover tears at top, Very Fine appearance, a very rare Florida steamboat of which only three examples are recorded. This vessel was a steamer on the east coast of Florida.Milgram No. 642; Estimate $200 - 300. |  | $200 |
| 436 | Steamer Iron City (Lake Superior). Oval handstamp on 1853-55 3¢ Nesbitt entire to Cleveland, O., additional "Steamboat" straight line, minor corner wear, Very Fine and choice, a very pretty cover.Milgram No. 645; Estimate $500 - 750. |  | $500 |
| 437 | St. Louis and Arkansas River Packet, The Splendid Light-Draught, Str. Iron City (Ohio, Mississippi, Arkansas and Missouri Rivers). Purplish brown printed corner card on cover to Sterling, Ill. with stunning green all-over illustration of the Iron City, franked with 1861 3¢ rose tied by Cairo, Ill. cds postmark, Extremely Fine, Illustrated in Milgram.Milgram No. 646; Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.A STUNNING COVER OF GREAT BEAUTY AND RARITY - THIS IS THE FINEST KNOWN EXAMPLE. |  | $1,000 |
| 438 | Steamer Iron Duke (Ohio & Mississippi Rivers). Lot of three steamboat covers (two Milgram 648 and one Milgram 649), the first two show printed "Gray's Iron Line" on front with lovely illustrated steamboat design on reverse one 2¢ postal entires (one used & one unused), third franked with 2¢ Bank Note with magenta straight-line handstamp "Steamer Iron Duke", two Illustrated in Milgram.Milgram No. 648-649; Estimate $200 - 300. |  3 | $200 |
| 439 | Steamer Ironsides, U.S. Line, Marouette Nov. 6 1866 (Great Lakes). Double circle handstamp on cover to Flushing, Mich., franked with 1861 3¢ Rose (65, corner perf fault) tied by target with "Detroit, Mich Nov 10" double circle postmark alongside, matching numeral "3", some flap restoration and reverse mostly reattached, F.-V.F. appearance, the only recorded example of this steamer marking.Milgram No. 650; Estimate $300 - 400. |  | $300 |
| 440 | Steamer Isabel (Mississippi River). Choice and complete blue octagonal handstamp on cover to Jefferson Barracks, Missouri, franked with 1851 3¢ Dull Red, tied by straightline "Steam" handstamp, couple edge tears & wear on reverse, otherwise Very Fine, great strike of this elusive steamboat.Milgram No. 655; Estimate $200 - 300. |  | $200 |
| Lot | Steamboat Markings - James Montgomery to John Sylvester (Milgram #672-718A) | Estimate | |
| 441 | Regular Lower Coast Packet, Steamer Isabel (Gulf of Mexico). Purple oval handstamp on 3¢ postal stationery front to New Orleans, F.-V.F. and rare, which may be the unique example.Milgram No. 656; Estimate $100 - 150. |  | $100 |
| 442 | Steamer Isabella. Red oval on 1853-55 3¢ Nesbitt entire from the Hoy correspondence, repair at top with small part of handstamp drawn in, F.-V.F. and rare, thought to be the only known example, unlisted in Milgram.Milgram No. 656A; Estimate $150 - 200. |  | $150 |
| 443 | Regular Missouri River Packet Isabella (Missouri River). Printed ornate corner card on cover to Boonville, Mo., franked with 1861 3¢ Rose (65), tied by "St. Louis, Mo. May 6, 1862" cds, flap appears to be added with large part of reverse reattached, Very Fine appearance, this is the only recorded example from this steamboat, ex-Somdal, corner card Illustrated in Milgram.Milgram No. 657; Estimate $300 - 400. |  | $300 |
| 444 | Steamer Island Home Apr. 3, 1876 (Atlantic Coast). Blue double oval on reverse of 3¢ postal entire to Boston, postmarked Woods Hole, Mass. cds with printed return address of Nantucket, flap torn away affecting marking, also included is second cover with "Steamer Island Home Aug. 10, 1885" ornate blue boxed handstamp on reverse of cover to Nantucket, franked with 2¢ Bank Note tied fancy Star in circle with "Nantucket, Mass. Aug 11" cds alongside, additional strike of straight line "Way" at left.Milgram No. 659-660; Estimate $200 - 300. The Steamer "Island Home" was based in Nantucket, Mass. and ran between Cape Cod, Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard. |  | $200 |
| 445 | Steamer Jacob H. Tremper, May 17, 1904 (Hudson River). Bold and complete blue fancy double circle handstamp on real photo card showing Steamer Temper underway, franked with 1904 1¢ Louisiana Purchase tied by Kingston, N.Y. machine cancel, Extremely Fine, manuscript notation on front of card "This is our ship and her 'Skipper' is your cousin", Unlisted in Milgram.Milgram No. 664A; Estimate $100 - 150. |  | $100 |
| 446 | Packet James Hewitt (Alabama River). Detailed and complete red illustrated circular handstamp on 1849 folded letter from Mobile to Kirkpatricks Landing, Ala., manuscript endorsement "Hewitt" and "Capt James Crawford", minor edge wear at top & bottom, which has been expertly silked on the inside, Extremely Fine and choice, ex-Rider, with 1971 P.F. certificate.Milgram No. 670; Estimate $1,500 - 2,000.A GORGEOUS STRIKE OF THIS HANDSTAMP AND ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL STEAMBOAT MARKING EVER CREATED. |  | $1,500 |
| 447 | Regular Louisville & New Orleans Packet, James Montgomery (Ohio & Mississippi Rivers). Printed steamer illustrated corner card on cover addressed to Carroll & Co, New Orleans, some small ink erosion & flap torn, Very Fine and rare, which may be the only example, ex-Haas & Hill, Illustrated in Milgram.Milgram No. 672; Estimate $200 - 300. |  | $200 |
| 448 | Passenger Packet James Robb (Mississippi River). Complete red shield handstamp on 1852 folded letter from Louisville to New Orleans, franked with 1851 3¢ Dull Red (11) tied by grid with partial red "New Orleans, La. Jun 11" cds at left, endorsed manuscript "Jas Robb" at bottom left, horizontal file fold, Very Fine and an excellent strike of this marking, Illustrated in Milgram.Milgram No. 674; Estimate $500 - 750. |  | $500 |
| 449 | Steamer Jane Moseley, May 20, 1875. Blue double oval on cover to Portsmouth, Va., franked with 3¢ Banknote (couple minor perf flaws) tied by target cancel with "Norfolk, Va May 21" cds alongside, light edgewear and minor reduction at left, slightly reduced at left, Very Fine, this is the only recorded example of this Steamboat handstamp, unlisted in Milgram.Milgram No. 677A; Estimate $200 - 300. |  2 | $200 |
| 450 | Passenger Steamer J.C. Swon (Mississippi River). Ornate red enameled illustrated advertising card for Rail Road and Steamship service St. Louis/New Orleans "Every 20 days", reverse with printed mileage chart in blue, Extremely Fine and rare, an attractive collateral item.Milgram No. 681; Estimate $300 - 400. |  | $300 |
