September 24 (1850) incoming to San Francisco - CDS with
matching "Ship 6" red clamshell handstamp on folded cover from
Valparaiso, Chile. Manuscript "pr Str New Orleans" endorsement.
The New Orleans was the
third of three Empire City Line (ECL) steamers to arrive in SF as
competition to the PMSC. The steamer arrived in SF on September
24, 1850, 210 days out from New York, the CDS showing the inaugural
arrival date. Clamshell "Ship 6" marking indicates 6 cents due
for the incoming non-contract steamship rate. This is scarce struck in
red.
.
A new CDS with "Cal." at the bottom
emerged in mid-1850. It is similar to the 1849 CDS except there
is a smaller gap between "S" of SAN and "C" of Cal. and is 1 mm
larger in diameter. This CDS had a much longer lifespan (at 3 years)
than all the prior CDS versions (which were in use 2 years or less
at this time depending upon style). This CDS is often found with a
separate rate handstamp.
Some of the unique identifying characteristics of this CDS are;
3.5 mm gap between "S" of SAN and "C" of Cal.
34 mm diameter
Serif font
"Cal." with lower case "al" and period, at bottom (period is raised compared to 1849 CDS)
Day/Month only, no year
Some of the unique identifying characteristics of this CDS are;
3.5 mm gap between "S" of SAN and "C" of Cal.
34 mm diameter
Serif font
"Cal." with lower case "al" and period, at bottom (period is raised compared to 1849 CDS)
Day/Month only, no year
Examples of this CDS are shown below.
Side-by-side comparison of similar 1849 CDS (left) and this CDS (right). Note the gap size differences between "S" of SAN and "C" of Cal (5.0 mm gap on left and 3.5 mm on right).
Postmarked April 29 (1852), incoming to San Francisco - CDS with
matching "Ship 6" black clamshell handstamp on folded cover from
Valparaiso, Chile (datelined March 20 1852). Endorsed "via Panama pr Vapor Winfield
Scott" with red purser marking "STEAMER WINFIELD SCOTT." Unpaid
6¢ non-contract incoming steamship rate (Ship-6 due marking) delivered to port of entry. This
was the maiden voyage of NY & SF Steamship Co. Winfield Scott
to San Francisco. The company changed name in May of 1853 to the
NY and CA Steamship Co. After the demise of this line, ownership
was transferred to the PMSC in July 1853. Letter carried under cover by private
ship to Panama where it was transferred to the Winfield Scott. The ship was wrecked/lost in the Santa Barbara Channel on December 2, 1853.
.
