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18

TINTYPE OF MARK TWAIN'S STEAMBOAT.

Currency:USD Category:Everything Else / Other Start Price:NA Estimated At:1,500.00 - 2,000.00 USD
TINTYPE OF MARK TWAIN'S STEAMBOAT.
TINTYPE OF MARK TWAIN'S STEAMBOAT. Anonymous, quarter plate tintype of the side-wheel steamboat Arago. Like many inland-water steamers, the Arago was built at Brownsville, Pennsylvania, and left the skids in March 1860 on her first trip bound for St. Louis. From there she joined three other packets in St. Paul, Minnesota to form the St. Louis, Arkansas River and Vicksburg Line. On July 31, 1860, the Arago left St. Louis for Vicksburg, with Samuel Clemens standing pilot watch, with J.W. Hood acting as his partner. George Sloan was the boat's master, and principal owner. Returning to Cairo on August 11th, the packet left the following day for New Orleans, and returned to St. Louis on August 31. It was during the trip from New Orleans to St. Louis that Clemens penned "The Pilot's Memoranda" that he and Hood published on August 31st. Afterwards, Clemens piloted one more boat, The Alonzo Child; with the outbreak of the Civil War, his days as a riverboat man were ended. This image of the Arago was likely taken not long after the outbreak of the war, as attested by the iron railing around the lower part of the pilothouse. Initially placed here to fend of shot and cannonballs, this light armoring eventually gave way to the famous "tinclads" of the "Brown-water Navy." Image dark, with bends, and scratches. An extremely historical image, nonetheless, and the only known of the Arago. (See S & D Reflector and Samuel Clemens's Steamboats) PLEASE NOTE: THIS LOT WILL BE SOLD ON EBAY LIVE AUCTIONS BETWEEN 1:00-2:00pm EASTERN DAYLIGHT TIME ON MAY 10, 2002. REGISTER NOW TO BID LIVE ONLINE THE DAY OF THE SALE! (EST 1500-2000)
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