Sale 1144 — Smithsonian National Postal Museum Benefit Auction
Sale Date — Tuesday, 13 December, 2016
Category — 1851-56 Postal History: Railroad & Waterway Markings
Lot
Symbol
Photo/Description
Cat./Est. Value
Realized
209
3c Dull Red, Ty. II (11A). Large margins to in at right, tied by "WAY" in frame handstamp, red "New Orleans La. Mar. 21" circular datestamp and blue "STEAMER CHARLES BELCHER" in sawtooth frame name-of-boat handstamp on cover to Buchannon Carroll & Co. in New Orleans, usual small filing holes, Very Fine strike of this rare Mississippi River steamboat marking, on Feb. 4, 1854 the Belcher caught fire just after its arrival in New Orleans from Tennessee, the fire spread to several other steamers including the Natchez, Cairo and Sultana and several smaller boats, resulting in the loss of 25 lives (mostly slaves) and one million dollars, ex Dr. Chase, Klein and Simmons
E. 500-750
1,800