Lot
4070 
"Connect of Maid of Orleans", manuscript endorsement on undated circa 1825 folded letter initially carried to New Orleans with manuscript "6" cent rating for under 30 miles, partial red "New Orleans Mar 24" cds with red manuscript "25" cent uprating for the 1,240 miles to St. Louis Mo.; some toning, top edge separation mended with non-archival tape, Fine. Estimate $400 - 600.
The "Maid of New Orleans" of 193 tons was built at Pittsburgh in 1818 and entered the New Orleans to St. Louis trade for her owner, the merchant John W. Honey. Enrolled on March 24th 1819 at New Orleans with Henry W. Turner as her Master and part owner with 11 others.
Realized: $325
Lot
4071
"S.B. Feliciana", manuscript endorsement on folded letter datelined "Office Bank of United States, New Orleans 14th March 1827" and addressed to Bank State of Mississippi at Natchez Miss., manuscript "SB 37½" rating as double-weight steamboat letter for up to 400 miles, the letter charges as it was carried on a Post Road in accordance with the Act of 1824; central fold stain, fold separations have been reinforced with non-archival tape that should be properly removed, Fine, an early steamboat letter. Estimate $300 - 400.
The "Feliciana" of 408 tons was built in 1818 at Philadelphia for the St. Francisville Steamboat Co. with Paul A. Oliver as Master. By 1827 the owners were the Louisiana Towboat Co., Inc. with James Riddles as the Master.
Lot
4072
Steamboat "Etna", manuscript endorsement on folded wrapper docketed "Wm. Kenner & Co., Aug 3. 1819" from New Orleans La. to Natchez Miss. of the Kenner-Minor correspondence; fold separations have been reinforced with non-archival tape, F.-V.F. Estimate $750 - 1,000.
The "Etna" of 361 tons was enrolled at New Orleans as the "Aetna" in October 1817. She was built at Pittsburgh in 1815 with, from February 1819 Judah Touro as a part owner.
Lot
4073
Steamboat "Hard Times", manuscript endorsement on printed March 28th 1846 prices current from New Orleans La. to Rodney Miss. that was located 56 miles up river from Natchez, Rodney green "STEAM" straightline and matching fancy "10" circled rating handstamp for over 300 miles, Very Fine and attractive. Estimate $750 - 1,000.
Endorsed to be carried by the steamboat "Hard Times" of 292 tons built at Cincinnati in 1845.
Realized: $1,300
Lot
4074
Steamboat "pr. Independence", manuscript endorsement on folded letter datelined "New Orleans 5th April 1821" to Sicily Islands on Bayou Louis La. located 12 miles north east of Harrisonburg, the addressee, Zachariah Kirkland was a major land owner in Catahoula Parish; light toning and some minor edgewear, Fine. Estimate $750 - 1,000.
The "Independence" of 99 tons was built at Shippingport Ky. in 1819 was enrolled at New Orleans in 1820. The "Independence" was the first steamboat to navigate the Ouachita and Black Rivers in April 1819. Prior to the designation of navigable waters as post roads in April 1824, letters carried privately by steamboats were not subject to postal charges.
Lot
4075
"p Steamboat Louisiana", manuscript endorsement on folded letter datelined "New Orleans 8th November 1824" to Parish St. James that was on the Miss. River., "Baton R. La. Nov 18" cds with manuscript "St.Bt. 12" rating; light aging, some fold separations, F.-V.F. Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.
IMPORTANT EARLY STEAMBOAT LETTER CARRIED BY THE FIRST STEAMBOAT BUILT AT NEW ORLEANS.
The "Louisiana" of 103 tons was built in 1818 at New Orleans. It was the first steamboat built there. When navigable waters were designated as post roads in June 1824, letters carried in the posts on the Mississippi River were charged for the distance travelled on the river.
Realized: $800
Lot
4076
Steamboat "Ramapo", manuscript endorsement on folded letter datelined "30 Aug. 1823" from James Amos, a slave dealer at New Orleans La. to Point Coupee La. that was south of St. Francisville, Very Fine. Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.
The "Ramapo" of 147 tons was built at New York in 1818 and enrolled at New Orleans in February 1819.
Lot
4077
Steamboat "Volcano", manuscript endorsement on folded wrapper docketed "Wm. Kenner & Co., 4th October 1819" from New Orleans La. to Natchez Miss. of the Kenner-Minor correspondence; fold separations have been reinforced with non-archival tape, Very Fine. Estimate $750 - 1,000.
The "Volcano" of 217 tons was built at New Albany in 1818 and was enrolled at New Orleans in January 1819 with Captain Richard Panniston as Master.
Lot
4078
"S.B. Walk-in-the-Water", manuscript endorsement on folded letter datelined "Office Bank of United States, New Orleans 11th March 1828" addressed to Bank State of Mississippi at Natchez, Miss., further endorsed inside "St. Bt. Walk-in-the-Water Capt. S. Vail"; repaired tear and reinforced folds, Very Fine appearance. Estimate $400 - 600.
This letter accompanied $44,000 in notes entrusted to Captain Stephen Vail for transfer to Natchez and acted as a Bill of Lading. Steamboats provided a safer means of transporting notes and specie in bulk between banks compared to stage coaches. Vail purchased the "Walk-in-the-Water" to then act as Master and Owner in June 1828.