Summer 2025 | July 18-20, 2025

Dated Feb. 6, 1855.

Datelined July 26, 1845

Folded letter to Little Valley, New York, carried by steamboat and marked manuscript "20" due for double-rate postage over 300 miles.

It likely entered the mails in Stonington, Connecticut, where the "STEAM" marking was applied. The steamboat captain was paid 2 cents, and the cover was placed in a mail bag and carried overland across the state to southwestern New York before being delivered to Little Valley, a land-locked town. The envelope shows signs of a thick or heavy enclosure.

Bold blue circular "TROY N.Y. NOV 3" (1845) datestamp with matching straightline "STEAM" and manuscript "7" rate, for 5c postage plus 2c ship fee, on folded letter to Norwich, Chenango County, New York. Carried via the Hudson River route from New York to Troy to Norwich. The letter discusses refusal to take goods on board the boat.

Folded letter datelined September 7, 1837, from Middletown, Connecticut to New York City, rated “12 1/2” in manuscript for carriage between 80 and 150 miles.

Folded letter datelined April 14, 1838, from Troy, New York to New York City. Marked “12½” in manuscript for the 80–150 mile rate. Carried on a non-contract steamboat on the Hudson River.

Used on distinctive green paper.

Letter datelined November 2, 1848, from Troy, N.Y. to Plattsburgh, N.Y.; manuscript "12" for 10 cents postage plus 2 cents ship fee.

Rated for 5c postage plus 2c steam boat fee. Very Fine.

Rated for 5c postage plus 2c steam boat fee. Very Fine.

The stamp with manuscript cancel, addressed to Mechanicville, Saratoga County, N.Y., struck with black boxed "TROY & NEW YORK / STEAM BOAT" marking. Additional manuscript "2" for ship fee, though the letter was prepaid.
The 2c due was added in pencil, despite the 1855 statute and postal regulations which only permitted the charge on letters where the postage had not been paid.

The boxed steamboat marking was introduced at Troy in 1856, making this an early example of this marking in use.

"TROY, N.Y. AUG 25" circular datestamp on cover to Saratoga Springs, N.Y., boxed "TROY & NEW YORK / STEAM BOAT" handstamp and manuscript "2" due marking for ship fee.

Folded letter dated July 5, 1839. Addressed to Kingston, carried on the Hudson River. Letter with small corner piece out at bottom right.

Folded letter from Hudson, New York to New York City, postmarked with black 28mm circular HUDSON/NOV/6/N.Y. handstamp and red straightline STEAM BOAT, rated "121/2 in manuscript. The letter concerning Sprague & Curtis's hoop iron.
This STEAM BOAT marking differs notably from similar markings used in New York City beginning in June 1832 until 1834. This marking also differs from the Hudson mark with unique characteristics, including a wide base on the “T”, shape of the "s" and the size. This is a unique example.

Folded letter datelined New York City Oct 22, 1839. Addressed to Kingston, carried on the Hudson River. Letter with stains at left and on the interior of the letter.

Folded letter datelined New York City, April 25, 1836, to Kingston, Ulster County, New York. Light but legible 15x2mm red "S.BOAT." handstamp with manuscript "12½" rate.
This is recorded by Calvet Hahn to be the earliest of the small S.BOAT markings, with only four recorded.

Some staining and some faults.

Milgram No. 544-545.
Four strikes of the “KOUNS’ RED RIVER LINE GRAND ERA” handstamp, three on front and one on back. Printed schedule shows sailing from New Orleans to Shreveport on Saturday, January 15, with return on Thursday, January 20. Addressed to Messrs. Thos. McCoy & Co., New Orleans. Indicia oxidized.

Grand Era. Clear strike of 6-line handstamp with additional strike of the 5-line handstamp at left, on 1864, 3¢ pink entire to New Orleans, La.; second strike of the 6-line handstamp on reverse. Very Fine and choice. The listing example in Milgram.

Packet Belle Sulphur, vivid red oval handstamp on blue cover front to New Orleans La., entered mails with "New Orleans La. Jan 26" cds and bearing 3¢ dull red (11A), tied by matching "Steam" STRAIGHT LINE.

Cover locally addressed. "Detroit Mich/Jul 28" circular datetamp and "JUL 28" marking at bottom right.