Havana, Cuba, to Portland Me. via Savannah Ga. Bold strike of red "HAVANA." straightline handstamp struck in Savannah on printed prices current and letter datelined "P. Isabel, Havana, 24 Oct. 1848" to Portland Me., "Isabel" ship designation repeated on front, red "Savannah Geo. Oct. 28" circular datestamp and "STEAM BOAT" straightline (struck in error as this was a contract steamship), manuscript "12-1/2" due for contract rate from Havana (equivalent to one Spanish real), all markings beautifully strong

EXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL COVER CARRIED ON THE FIRST RETURN TRIP OF THE STEAMER ISABEL. THIS IS THE EARLIEST KNOWN USE OF THE UNITED STATES "HAVANA." STRAIGHTLINE AND THE EARLIEST KNOWN INCOMING CONTRACT STEAMSHIP LETTER.

The Act of March 3, 1847, authorized the U.S. Post Office to subsidize steamers to carry mail between the East and Pacific coast ports of the U.S. via the West Indies and the isthmus of Panama. Moses Moredecai operated a line between the two main southern ports of Charleston and Savannah, and Havana, the capital of Cuba. The steamer Isabel ran regular bi-weekly trips on the route from October 1848 until the start of the Civil War.

Illustrated in Chronicle 199 (p. 224)

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