DESCRIPTION: Rare post civil war shipping document, a "Bill of Lading", for the steamboat Belle Ida to transport items from New Orleans, Louisiana to Valence Plantation, along Bayou Lafourche, in Assumption Parish. Valence Plantation was most likely located near the current-day town of Supreme, just a few miles south of the well-known Madewood Plantation and Naploeonville, Louisiana. Dated within to February 9th, 1866. The bill of lading was filled in by hand at time of shipping and is addressed to J.B. Savage, Valence Plantation, Bayou Lafourche.
Bayou Lafourche has not been navigable from the Mississippi River since 1905 when a dam was built at Donaldsonville, La. but prior to that time the waterway served as an important commercial artery.
The Belle Ida was likely a stern-wheel steamboat built in 1861 (Wooldridge Steamboat List. Internet ). With a stock logo of a side-wheel steamboat by T. Fitzwilliam, Stationer and Printer, 76 Camp Street, N.O.
Symonds, Courtney and Co. were Tobacco Factors and General Forwarding and Commission Merchants located at No. 35 Natchez Street, New Orleans, LA. With a glued 2 cent stamp within. Addressed on verso.
The items shipped from New Orleans by Symonds Courtney and Co. included:
- 1 sack of harnesses
- 1 bundle of bridles
- 5 cases of sundries
- 10 head of mules
- 1 horse
This matches the style and form of Roy Kemp, a known photographer active in New Orleans during the mid-20th century. Kemp specialized in nightclub and glamour photography, producing promotional shots for performers at venues like the 500 Club, Sho-Bar, and other Bourbon Street establishments.
Kemp was one of a small number of photographers who documented the burlesque and cabaret scenes in New Orleans.
His work often appeared uncredited in postcard sets, handbills, and matchbooks from clubs on Bourbon Street.
His signature typically appears in the lower corner of images, either in stylized cursive or block letters.
PUBLICATION DATE: 1866
GEOGRAPHIC AREA: United States
BODY OF WATER: Bayou Lafourche
CONDITION: Good.
 Folded, originally for the U.S. Mail.
COLORING: None
ENGRAVER: 
SIZE: 11
" x
8 "
ITEM PHYSICAL LOCATION: 1
PRICE: $500
ADD TO CART
|