Bill of lading from the Philadelphia Steam Propeller Co. July 1856, 10 x 7 ½, aboard the vessel “Novelty”. Beautiful large engraving of a steamship. The name steam propeller, or the screw steamers or screw steamship, or simply "propellers," is an old term for a steamship or steamboat powered by a steam engine, using one or more propellers (also known as screws) to propel it through the water.  Some screw freighters carried sails until almost 1900. In the 19th century, this designation was normally used in contradistinction to the paddle steamer, a still earlier form of steamship that was largely, but not entirely, superseded by the screw steamer.
One fold line reinforced on back with small strip of clear conservation tape, overall Fine condition. One of the more graphic appealing bill of ladings. Trma115   95.