Lot
4438 
(Via Tehauntepec - Route 8162) Sonora, Cal., Jan 10, 1859, cds ties 10¢ green, type III (33), light crease, on yellow cover addressed to the agent for the National Telegraph at St. Louis Mo, endorsed "Via Tehauntepec" at top center; missing backflap, top edge tears and corner wear, F.-V.F. Estimate $3,000 - 4,000.
AN EXCEPTIONALLY RARE EXAMPLE OF MAIL CARRIED ON THE SHORT-LIVED TEHAUNTEPEC ROUTE 8162.
In October 1858, a route was contracted as 8162 from San Francisco to New Orleans using a mixed steamboat and overland route via the Tehauntepec Isthmus in Mexico. Contracted at $250,000 for 12 months with twice a month service. The course of the route was by steamboat to either Acapulco or Salina Cruz, then overland by mule to Suchile, then by river boat to Minatitlan on the Caotzacoalcos River and then by steamboat to New Orleans, La. The route was little used as the section over the mountain range by mule created a long transit time. The total revenue collected for the route was just $5,276.66 and the route was not renewed in 1859. From October 1858 to March 1859, the "Quaker City" was used on the New Orleans to Minatitlan portion of the route. A total of 25 covers endorsed as going "Via Tehauntepec" are recorded in the census.
Realized: $2,900