Lot
752 
Office of New York and California Steamship Line, wonderful four-page illustrated lettersheet with three pages of printed advertising, and one for message; first page illustrates steamship and lists the names of the ships in the Nicaragua (Vanderbilt) line: Northern Light, Star of the West, Prometheus, Daniel Webster, Sierra, Nevada, Cortes, Uncle Sam, Pacific, and Brother Jonathan; second page contains more details on rates of passage, etc. with printed Cha's Morgan, Agent, No 2 Bowling Green, New York; third page has the letter datelined New York Dec 1, 1855 signed by Chas Morgan which reads in part "Grenada is not on our line, but if you will enclose a letter or letters to me for Col Walker, I have no doubt they will reach him." Colonel Walker being the filibusterer in Nicaragua; fourth page shows large illustration of the steamship line's office in New York with G. H. Wines & Co.'s California Express in lower level, along with map showing location in NY., no envelope accompanying, Very Fine and rare.Estimate $1,500 - 2,000.
A WONDERFUL COLLATERAL ITEM FOR THE NICARAGUA LINE COLLECTOR. EXHIBIT WORTHY.
Cornelius Vanderbilt opened a route across Nicaragua in 1851 to compete with the U.S. Mail Steamship Company and Pacific Mail Steamship Company which held the U.S. Mail Contract via Panama. His handstamps typically boasted "Ahead of the Mails." He subsequently became a competitor to the PMSS on the Panama route. Complete images:
View gallery or Download PDF (4.6MB).
Realized: $3,000