1845 – A postally used letter sheet featuring a terrific engraving of the Cincinnati riverfront with over 15 docked paddle-wheelers
Cincinnati, Ohio: 1845. Envelope or Cover. This four-page stampless folded letter, written on an illustrated letter sheet, measures 15” x 9.75” unfolded. It is datelined “Social Hall Aug 15/45” and bears a circular Washington, Kentucky postmark with a blue “10” manuscript rate mark. It was sent by L. J. M. Lord to his sister, Laura, in Vermont.
The illustration, which measures approximately 7.25” x 3.25”, depicts the Cincinnati riverfront as seen from the south across the Ohio River. Approximately 15 steam boats are docked parallel to the shore. The city’s buildings are finely and accurately depicted.
The letter is mostly filled with family news and informs Laura that “brother A.C.L.” lives in Cincinnati. It also describes L. J. M.’s efforts to put on a children’s signing contest for an upcoming Sabbath celebration.
. Very good. Item #010709The engraving is identical to one in Milgram (CN-LS-5); however, this sheet was printed by a different publisher, George Dickensen. Milgram assigned a rarity factor of R-2 to the letter sheet in his reference, suggesting no more than 5-25 exist today; this unlisted sheet is no doubt more scarce.
At the time of listing, no examples of this letter sheet are for sale in the trade; however, an unused example of a different Cincinnati letter sheet is. No examples of any Cincinnati Lettersheets have appeared at auction per the Rare Book Hub. OCLC shows several other more common Cincinnati Lettersheets in institutional collections.
.Price: $275.00