Black History
Exceedingly Rare "Black Star Line" Waybill Ticket and Receipt for a Trans-Atlantic Ocean Voyage for an Emigrant to America
January 23, 1856-Dated Pre Civil War, Two Partly-Printed Documents, "Black Star Line", Waybill Ticket with Integral Postal Cover and Accompanying Partially-Printed Receipt for a Trans-Atlantic Ocean Voyage for an Emigrant to America, both Very Fine.
January 23, 1856-Dated Original Waybill Ticket and Receipt Forms, fully issued for passage on one of the "Black Star" Line of Oceangoing Packets from Liverpool, England to New York. The Waybill measures 10.75" x 8.25" and gives instructions to James Morrison "or Bearer" on where and when to show up for his emigration to America. For the sum of $17, Mr. Morrison received not only passage to New York but a weekly allotment of a variety of food, including Beef, Bread Stuffs, Pork, Fish, Sugar, Molasses, and Tea, plus fuel for cooking. A friend could also be included in the voyage for a price, but "lunatics, idiots, deaf, dumb, blind, infirm, lone women and children" were not allowed on board. Both forms are printed on clean matching light blue wove period paper. Two vignettes of sailing vessels and a Red "Black Star Line" Company Flag with a Black Star at center, adds color being printed at the top center of the Document. Normal folds and easily readable handwriting with some wear from use and a few small wear holes at the folds which were reinforced with older clear tape long ago. The Receipt Form measures 4.5" x 8.5" and it records Mr. Morrison's payment of this $17 invoice. The first of this very wonderful, rare pair of official fully issued forms we have offered. (2 items)
The "Black Star Line" consisted of 18 Packet Ships of various sizes that regularly plied the Atlantic, bringing emigrants from England to America and tourists to from America to Europe. The Black Star line's name was resurrected in the early 1900's by Marcus Garvey, who heavily and actively promoted Black Americans resettlement in Africa.