1c Blue, Types II/IIIa/II/II (7/8A/7/7). Vertical strip of four from Plate 1 Early, margins to in, bright shade, tied by bold grid cancels on July 30, 1852 folded letter to New Orleans, clear strike of red "Steamer Princess No. 3" oval name-of-boat handstamp, red "New Orleans La. Aug. 2" circular datestamp, manuscript "Way" just below stamps, sender's directive "Dalman", horizontal file fold well away from stamps

VERY FINE. A RARE USE OF THE ONE-CENT 1851 ISSUE FROM PLATE ONE EARLY ON A PREPAID "WAY" FEE LETTER CARRIED BY MISSISSIPPI RIVER STEAMBOAT INTO NEW ORLEANS.

This letter was carried on the steamer Princess No. 3, which was destroyed by fire on October 8, 1854, two miles from Fort Adams, which resulted in fourteen fatalities and the loss of 3,039 bales of cotton, according to The New York Times report (Oct. 18, 1854). The 4c postage on this 1852 letter paid the 3c rate plus 1c way fee.

Ex Grunin (who bought the cover from an original find) and Bailar.

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