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Exceptionally rare original 1879 Steamer Chief Justice Waite passenger pass issued by the Toledo, Lake Erie & Islands Steamboat Co. This is an authentic 19th-century steamboat pass—not a railroad pass.
The pass is beautifully printed with large CHIEF JUSTICE WAITE lettering and a prominent red 1879 overprint. It was issued to a named passenger “& Wife” and expires with the year 1879. The reverse identifies it as a “FREE TICKET,” states that it was “NOT TRANSFERABLE,” and contains the original conditions of passage. Meals and stateroom accommodations were not included.
The Chief Justice Waite was a Lake Erie passenger steamer associated with the Toledo and Lake Erie Islands trade during the late 19th century, including service connected with the popular Bass Islands/Put-in-Bay area.
A note regarding rarity and my previous sale: I previously sold another Chief Justice Waite pass on from a different year for considerably less. After that sale, I did much more research into 19th-century steamboat passes and realized I had significantly underpriced that example. These early steamboat passes are exceptionally scarce, and I have been unable to locate another 1879 Chief Justice Waite pass in the major online sales and sale records I searched.
This is a wonderful piece of Great Lakes, Lake Erie, Toledo, Put-in-Bay, maritime and steamboat transportation history.
Original antique item. Please examine all photographs carefully for condition. Front and back are shown.
