The Rock & Roll Americana Auction

Lot #824:

Historic Ship Captain Selah Dustin Handwritten Letter (Great Lakes Sea Captain)

Historic Ship Captain Selah Dustin Handwritten Letter (Great Lakes Sea Captain).

A pair of handwritten signed letters dating from 1852 by renowned sea captain Selah Dustin. Dustin was well-known in Detroit where he made his home when not sailing along the Great Lakes. Before the onset of railroads, steamer transport was a lucrative business taking passengers along such routes as Detroit to Toledo. Finances are discussed in each of his letters in which he mentions the steamer “Swan” which he captained. One letter dated June 20, 1852 is a two-sided single page letter. The second letter is a two page letter written on four sides. In this letter dated August 8, 1952, Dustin refers to the day as being his birthday and writes, “…I had sold the Swan day before she burnt for nine thousand dollars for my share…” and concludes his letter, “…I will write more soon I am poor but no one will loose by me, this is my birth day, Yours with Selah Dustin.”

A very interesting artifact of historical Americana. 8.5 X 11 with the last side of the longer letter 8 X 14 as a partial page is attached to finish his letter. Good condition.