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Sale 57: The Hugh V. Feldman Collection

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New Orleans - Vicksburg

Lots 4079-4088 Lots 4089-4098 Lots 4099-4105

Lot 4079    

(Pre-Contract) Steamer Henry Clay, rimmed circular handstamp on folded letter datelined "Cincinnati Apl 12th 1842" addressed to New Orleans La., light horizontal fold, this was sent only one month prior to Route 5616a commencing, Very Fine, ex-H. Bohren.
Milgram No. 597    Estimate $400 - 600.

The first Star Route contract for a mail route between New Orleans, La. and Vicksburg, Miss. was not awarded until 1842. Route 5616a was initially contracted to John R. Jefferson at $15,000 per annum with his bid accepted by the Post Master General on 11th May 1842. The contract books record that the contract was annulled on 29th November 1842 as he had abandoned the route.

Realized: $525

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Lot 4080    

(Route 6003) Steam Boat Belle Creole, red oval handstamp on folded letter datelined "Vicksburg Dec. 9th 1850" and from the Carroll Hoy correspondence to New Orleans, entered mails with red "New Orleans La. Dec 12" cds and matching bold "Steam 10" circular rating handstamp for over 300 miles, Very Fine and choice strike.
Milgram No. 102    Estimate $600 - 800.

From July 1848, the Vicksburg to New Orleans route 6003 was contracted by the round trip at 2¢ per letter and ½¢ per newspaper. Payment tied to volumes of mail carried this way are rare. The Belle Creole operated in the New Orleans to Vicksburg trade under Captain J.M. White between 1850 and 1852.

Realized: $675

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Lot 4081    

(Route 6003) Steamer Cuba, red oval handstamp on blue folded letter datelined "Vicksburg July 25, 1851" from Carroll Hoy correspondence to New Orleans La., endorsed "Cuba" at lower left, entered mails "New Orleans La. Jul 27" cds and matching "Way 6" rating handstamp, fresh and Very Fine.
Milgram No. 320    Estimate $300 - 400.

The way fee was applied as the "Cuba" was running on Route 4829 from St. Louis to New Orleans and the letter was picked up on the vessel's course.

Realized: $400

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Lot 4082    

(Route 6003) Steamer Glendy Burke, red oval handstamp on blue folded letter datelined "Rodney Nov 25th 1851" to New Orleans La., entered mails with red "New Orleans La. Nov 28" cds and bearing 1¢ blue (9), pos. 35R1E, and 3¢ orange brown (10) pair, all tied by matching circular grids, endorsed "S. Burke" at lower left; minor edgewear, Very Fine, ex-S.W. Richey, Cipolla; signed genuine by Ashbrook on reverse.
Milgram No. 516    Estimate $3,000 - 4,000.

EXCEPTIONALLY RARE PREPAID DOUBLE-WEIGHT STEAMBOAT LETTER PLUS 1¢ WAY FEE, ONE OF ONLY TWO RECORDED, BOTH FROM THE SAME CORRESPONDENCE.

Letters put onto or taken by a carrier on its course were treated as Way letters at an additional charge of 1¢. Prior to 1853, most letters were sent unpaid and the Way fee added to the postage due from addressee.

This was carried by the "Glendy Burke" running on Route 6003 from Vicksburg with Rodney as one of the contract offices on the route. It is unusual to be able to identify a single trip contract vessel as can be done with this cover.

Realized: $2,300

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Lot 4083    

(Route 6003) From Steamer Iroquois, blue oval handstamp on cover docketed as originating from Woods Stocker & Co. of New Orleans La. to Vicksburg Miss. arriving March 11th 1852, entered mails with blue "Steam 5" rating handstamp, Very Fine, Illustrated in Milgram on page 368.
Milgram No. 652    Estimate $600 - 800.

Realized: $600

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Lot 4084    

(Route 6003) "Natchez No. 2", manuscript steamboat endorsement at lower left on 1851 folded letter datelined "Vicksburg 1 July 1851" to New Orleans, "New Orleans La. July 4" cds and matching crisp strike of "Way 6" rating handstamp for the new 5¢ unpaid letter rate plus the 1¢ way fee, Very Fine, a rare steamboat letter written on the First Day of the new 3¢ letter rate., ex-Eggen.
Estimate    $300 - 400.

The second "Natchez" was the first built for Captain Thomas P. Leathers, at Crayfish Bayou, and ran from 1845 to 1848. It was a fast two-boiler boat, 175 feet long, with red smokestacks, that sailed between New Orleans and Vicksburg, Miss. It was built in Cincinnati Oh. and Leathers sold it in 1848. It was abandoned in 1852.

Realized: $250

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Lot 4085    

(Route 6003) S.B. Viola, bold strike of red two-line handstamp on folded cover with Vicksburg "Steam" and "5" rating handstamps addressed to the French Consul at New Orleans La., Very Fine.
Milgram No. 1417    Estimate $400 - 600.

The "Viola" of 200 tons was built at Louisville Ky. in 1846 and was first enrolled at New Orleans on November 25th 1847.

Realized: $300

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Lot 4086    

(Route 7309 - Prepaid Steamboat Fee) 1856 (Feb 28, circa) Lexington Miss. to New Orleans La. via Vicksburg, 3¢ red Nesbitt buff entire bearing two 1¢ blue (24) singles, one on reverse, all cancelled by matching circular grids from the Carroll Hoy correspondence to New Orleans La., matching "Lexington Miss. Feb 28" cds, routed by post road to Yazoo City to join steamboat Route 7312 to Vicksburg, transferred at Vicksburg to Route 7309 for New Orleans; flap tear, vertical file fold, usual filing holes, F.-V.F., A rare example of a prepaid 2¢ steamboat fee.
Estimate    $500 - 750.

The practice of prepaying either the 2¢ steamboat fee or 1¢ way fee was unusual. The former was unnecessary as the Masters fee was paid from the 3¢ postage collected and not from the addressee. The 2¢ additional prepayment may have been a misconception by the sender that the steamboat fee had to be prepaid.

Realized: $525

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Lot 4087    

(Route 7309) U.S. Mail Packet Natchez, bold strike of blue oval handstamp cancels 3¢ red Nesbitt buff entire from the Carroll Hoy correspondence to New Orleans La., matching blue "Route 7309" oval handstamp, endorsed "Valuable"; usual filing hole, flap with taped tear causing stain on back only, Very Fine and attractive.
Milgram No. 962    Estimate $200 - 300.

Leathers & Holmes gained the contract for Route 7309 in February 1854 at $75,000 a year for three trips a week. This was renewed as 8165 in July 1858 at $40,000 a year.

Realized: $180

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Lot 4088    

(Route 7309) U.S. Mail Packet Natchez, red oval handstamp on ladies patterned enamel envelope bearing 3¢ dull red (26) cancelled by manuscript cross-hatch, addressed to New York City, circa 1857 as no "way" handstamp was applied at New Orleans for transfer to the Great Northern Mails; some edge wear and couple small edge tears, Fine.
Milgram No. 962 var.    Estimate $200 - 300.

THIS IS THE ONLY RECORDED EXAMPLE OF THIS HANDSTAMP IN RED, IT IS NOT LISTED BY MILGRAM.

Realized: $160

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Lots 4079-4088 Lots 4089-4098 Lots 4099-4105

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