Lot 4047
(New York to Charleston Route 3197) 1849 (Feb. 2) New York N.Y. to New Orleans La., datelined folded letter with sharp strike of red "Charleston S.C. '10' Feb 6" cds, carried as endorsed "p Northerner" to Charleston arriving Feb. 6th., Very Fine.Estimate $300 - 400.
Spofford, Tileston & Co. were contracted in August 1848 to carry the Great Southern Mails from New York to Charleston on Route 3197. The contract required one round trip a week at $80 a trip.
Realized: $220
Lot 4048
(Savannah to New York 3413) 1853 (Nov. 12) Savannah Ga. to Boston Mass., datelined folded letter carried on Route 3413 to New York bearing 3¢ dull red (11A) tied by bold "Steam/Ship" two-line handstamp, matching "New-York Nov 16" cds adjacent, endorsed "Per 'Augusta' " that was a vessel of 1,310 tons built for the line; tape stain bottom left corner, F.-V.F.Estimate $200 - 300.
The New York & Savannah Steam Navigation Co. held the contract for the routes between these cities from July 1849 to June 1859 under three consecutive contracts. Between 1851 and 1855, the route was designated as 3413 at $80 per round trip performed once a week.
Realized: $375
Lot 4049
(Savannah to New York 3413) Savannah "MAIL ROUTE", buff cover bearing 1¢ blue, type IIIa (8), large margins to touched, and 3¢ dull red (11), both tied by two strikes of "Savannah '3' Mar 25" cds, matching "MAIL ROUTE" straightline handstamp, endorsed "Pr. N. York Steamer" at top left; some slight edge wear, F.-V.F.Estimate $7,500 - 10,000.
ONE OF ONLY EIGHT RECORDED SAVANNAH "MAIL ROUTE" COVERS THAT WAS STRUCK IN BLACK ON PREPAID COVERS.
Carried from Savannah on either the New York & Savannah Steam Navigation Company "Alabama" or "Florida" that operated Route 3413 from July 1851 to April 1855. Jordon P. Brooks was paid $7,500 a year for a three times a week service whilst the New York & Savannah Steam Navigation Company received $80 per round trip New York to Savannah.
It had been proposed that the stamp was applied at Savannah as a Way Letter mark. This cover confirms this with the additional 1¢ prepaying the way fee.
Realized: $8,000
Lot 4050
(Savannah to New York Route 6309) 1855 (Dec. 5) Savannah Ga. to Hartford Ct., folded letter datelined "Savannah 5 Dec 1855" bearing two 1¢ blue (9) singles and 3¢ dull red (11A), tied by two strikes of "New York Dec 8" cds as prepayment for 5¢ ship rate, endorsed "Knoxville" at lower left; 3¢ creased from file fold, Very Fine.Estimate $3,000 - 4,000.
A RARE 2¢ SHIP LETTER RATE USAGE UNUSUALLY PREPAID BY 1851 ISSUE STAMPS.
The New York & Savannah Steam Navigation Company held three consecutive contracts over the 10 years between July 1849 and June 1859. A weekly service was provided, the final contract being reduced from $80 to $40 per round trip. This letter was carried by the "Knoxville" (annotated by Ashbrook) and was not on a contract run, thus the additional 2¢ was unusually prepaid for the ship letter rate. .
Realized: $2,700
Lot 4051
(Savannah to New York Route 6309) 1856 (Dec. 20) Savannah Ga. to New York N.Y., blue datelined folded letter endorsed "per Alabama" and bearing 3¢ dull red (11), mostly large margins from upper right corner, tied by "Steam Boat" straightline handstamp, docketed as received Dec. 24th; some address erosion, Fine.Scott No. 11 Estimate $150 - 200.
The "Alabama" and the "Florida" were built in 1850 for the Savannah-New York Route 6309, and were employed until the end of the final contract. Although this letter was carried on a contract voyage of the "Alabama", New York still used the "Steam Boat" straightline cancellation.
Realized: $170
Lot 4052
(Savannah to New York Route) Savannah Ga. Dec 26, blue cds duplexed with cork cancel ties 3¢ rose (65) on cover to New Bedford Mass., red "Ship" handstamp, "New Bedford Mass. Jan. 8" backstamp, F.-V.F.Estimate $300 - 400.
ONE OF ONLY TWO RECORDED COVERS FROM THIS SAILING.
On 23rd December 1864, General William Tecumseh Sherman captured Savannah bringing an end to Georgia's participation in the Civil War. On December 26th, the first Federal mail left Savannah by steamship for New York, the overland route through the Carolinas being still in Confederate control.
Realized: $210