The 'Erivan' Collection of United and Confederate States Part X
Lot | Confederate States Of America Confederate States Postmasters’ Provisionals New Orleans, La | Estimate | |
---|---|---|---|
201 | Goliad, Texas, 5c black on rose, large margins on three sides, clear at top, signed “Clarke – PM” in black, cancelled with black PAID handstamp, pressed crease at top, repaired tear at right extending to "M" of "PM", else a fine-appearing example of this Confederate rarity, the sole off-cover example recorded by Crown; ex Steves, Caspary, Kirkland. | 2 | |
202 | Goliad, Texas, 10c black on rose, signed "Clarke / PM" large margin at right, else lightly touching in places, affixed to patriotic cover depicting a soldier, tents, and ten-star flag, to Col. D. Hardeman, Santa Gertrudas, Kings Ranch, Texas, backstamped "R.H.W. Co" (Raymond H. Weill), cover with some toning and trivial edge faults, adhesive with vertical crease, yet a Confederate rarity of great renown, having graced several of the most famed collections ever formed; the only on-cover example recorded by Crown, and one of only two examples extant, the other being a used single. ex Ferrary, Hind, Caspary, and Lilly. Illustrated in Dietz "The New Dietz Confederate States Catalog and Handbook"Dietz records that " these provisionals were press-printed from typeset forms in the office of a local newspaper, the Messenger, owned by the Rev. A.M. Cox, a Methodist minister, who set the time and did the printing." | 2 | |
203 | Horn Lake, Mississippi, 1861, 3c red postal stationery cover, handstamped PAID in black with “10” in manuscript above, adjacent Horn Lake, Mississippi c.d.s. (Oct), affixed overtop indicia with small black boxed “10” adhesive on very thin bluish pelure paper, to Montgomery, Texas, docketed on flap “Rec’d Oct 30th /61”, tear at upper right into indicia with small sealed tear extending into label, some light toning at right edge, a most unusual item, to date the only recorded example. Very little is known of the origins of this purported Postmaster Provisional. Hugo Dietz in his 1929 “the Postal Service of the Confederate States of America” shows a partial illustration, referring to it as the “Horn Lake, Miss. Curio”, and identifying it as being from the collection of Mr. Fred Green of Fort Sam Houston. Dietz does not comment on its legitimacy, and instead asks the question “Who will define its status?” Despite first being documented nearly 100 years ago, it remains the only known example, and continues to be unlisted in Scott. | 2 | |
204 | Iuka, Mississippi, 5c black handstamped envelope, bold strike of provisional marking, on cover postmarked "Iuka Miss Sep 25 1861", to Autauga(ville) Alabama, one of only ten recorded covers, a choice strike, arguably the clearest extant, and the earliest recorded example of this rare provisional. | 2 | |
205 | Jackson, Mississippi, 5c black handstamped envelope, neatly-struck with "Jackson Miss / Dec / 20" c.d.s. alongside, to Natchez, Mississippi, a clean cover and the latest recorded usage of the Jackson Provisional. | 2 | |
206 | Jetersville, Virginia, 5c black, handstamped with "AHA" initials of Postmaster A.H. Atwood, vertical pair, affixed to cover postmarked "Jetersville VA / Jul / 25," manuscript "Paid" at upper right, to Waterproof, Tensas Parish, Louisiana, endorsed "via Memphis", hinge remnants on reverse and tear through back flap, of no importance given the exceptional rarity of this Provisional, the sole example recorded in the Crown census.The unique example of this Confederate Postmaster’s Provisional Rarity. Provenance:Philip Ferrari de La Renotière (14 June, 1922, lot 8)Alfred H. Caspary (March 5-7, 1956, lot 152)Josiah K. Lilly (April 27, 1967, lot 321)In his census, Crown records that this provisional was "prepared by handstamping a small "5" in rows or columns on a piece of paper multiple times, allowing room for the Postmaster, A.H. Atwood, to write his initials to the right of the numeral." The first reference to this stamp was in the 29 September, 1894 issue of the American Journal of Philately, in which little detail is provided other that its noteworthiness as a new discovery. August Dietz, writing in "the Postal Service of the Confederate States", notes its similarity in concept to the provisional of Greenwood, Virginia, remarking "all great minds run in the same (inventive) channels."The cover made its way into the Ferrary collection, and was sold in the June 14, 1922 auction of his material, described only as "5c black, pair on cover, the only examples known." Its next appearance was in the 1956 Caspary sale, where August Dietz in his forward referred to it as "another interesting object that will arrest your attention." It was described rather more elaborately than in the Ferrary sale, describe as "remarkably fine for such a fantastic rarity…" and "one of the great Confederate rarities." Offered again in the renowned Lilly collection, it realized 6,250; the May, 1967 edition of the Confederate Philatelist records it as selling to the Weill Brothers. | 2 | |
207 | Jonesboro, Tennessee, 5c dark blue handstamped envelope, with "Jonesboro Nov 30" c.d.s. overtop, to Kingsport, Tennessee, quite fresh, one of fourteen recorded examples, only six of which are postmarked, scarce and fine; ex-Emerson. | 2 | |
208 | Lenoir, North Carolina, 1861 10c (5c+5c) blue entire, two clear impressions of the 5c woodcut provisional handstamp struck at the top center of a Union Patriotic envelope, with embossed "Union Constitution" with Eagle on backflap, blue target cancel ties both handstamps adjacent "Lenoir N.C. Nov. 11" (1861) c.d.s., manuscript "Paid 10c" at upper left, addressed in the hand of Postmaster James Harper to his son "Lieut. G. W. F. Harper, 58th N.C. Regt., Big Creek Gap, Knoxville Tenn.", pressed vertical fold at center and lightly cleaned, a 3c stamp likely removed from upper right, an exceptional provisional rarity, being the unique 5c+5c double-rate envelope; 1966 Philatelic Foundation certificate no longer accompanies.Illustrated in Dietz, "The Postal Service of the Confederate States of America" (1929, pg 69), Crown, "Surveys of the Confederate Postmasters' Provisionals" (1982 Quarterman reprint, pg 177), "Confederate Philatelist" (Jan-Feb 1980, pg 6). "W.H.C." handstamp (Colson) at lower right, ex "Kilbourne" (1999). The 58th North Carolina Regiment was organized in July, 1862. The 58th participated in the campaigns of the Army of Tennessee from Chickamauga to Atlanta, guarded prisoners at Columbia, Tennessee, during Hood's operations, then moved to South Carolina and skirmished along the Edisto River. Later it returned to North Carolina and saw action at Bentonville. The unit was included in the surrender on April 26, 1865. | 2 | |
209 | Lexington, Virginia, 1862, 5c blue, large margins on three sides, close at left, tied to cover with neatly-struck "Lexington / Va. / Jul / 29" c.d.s., adjacent "PAID / 5" Postmasters' Provisional rate handstamp of Lexington, paying the 10 cent uniform letter rate to Greenville, Augusta County, Virginia, tear to back flap, else a remarkably fresh and choice cover, rare with this combination, being the only known example of this provisional used with a postage stamp, providing further evidence that the handstaped PAID 5 covers were pre-sold at the post office and taken away by the eventual sender; with 2023 Civil War Philatelic Society certificate. | 3 | |
210 | Lynchburg, Virginia, 5c blue, stereotype on white wove paper, horizontal pair, margins touching at places and into at left, the left stamp showing constant plate variety, tied to cover by "Lynchburg VA Sep 4 1861" c.d.s., to Capt. S.Y. Tupper in Charlestown (sic), South Carolina, some light gum staining, and slightly trimmed along top, top of back flap removed, a scarce franking, one of five recorded covers with a 5c Lynchburg provisional pair; ex Seybold, Hind, Emerson, Brooks, and Everett, with 2002 Confederate Stamp Alliance certificate. | 3 | |
211 | Macon, Georgia, 5c black on yellow, floral border, typeset on wove paper, ample to large margins all around, affixed to embossed 'Wm. S. Williford" cover, postmarked with "Macon Geo." c.d.s. in black, date illegible, to Augusta, Georgia, piece torn from back flap, small pinholes at bottom of cover, a scarce and desirable franking; with 2023 Civil War Philatelic Society certificate. | 3 | |
212 | Macon, Georgia, 5c black handstamped envelope, with adjacent "Macon Geo. Oct. 19" c.d.s., embossed colour corner card for Fears & Pritchett (the latter crossed-out), dealers in groceries and staple goods, to Griffin, Georgia, slightly reduced at right, a scarce and attractive example of this Confederate provisional. | 2 | |
213 | Marion, Virginia, 5c black on ruled bluish laid paper, unused, without gum, margins clear on three sides, touching at right, upper margin repaired, small bleached dot on right frame, yet a presentable and fine-appearing example of this rare Confederate provisional issue; with 2023 Civil War Philatelic Society certificate. At the time of the Caspary sale, in which this stamp was offered, bluish paper was not listed in the Scott catalogue, and the Philatelic Foundation considered the stamp "genuine, but whether issued for use on this paper is uncertain." Since that time, a used example has surfaced which has been recognized as genuine, proving that stamps on bluish laid were issued for postal use. A mere eleven 5c Marion provisionals are known on any paper (four on cover, three each on piece and used, and the stamp offered here, the sole unused example). A rarity of Confederate philately.Provenance: Alfred H. Caspary (H.R. Harmer Sale 990, 1956) | 4 | |
214 | Memphis, Tennessee, 5c red, vertical pair, margins clear to large at left, showing portions of both adjoining stamps, tied by Memphis c.d.s. to bi-color red & blue Jefferson Davis Medallion patriotic cover (G-A-1p, Verse 13), to Mill Landing, North Carolina, endorsed "Soldiers’ letter / Company A 1st Reg / Ark Volunteers / P.B.C." on reverse, ironed fold clear of adhesives, the upper stamp with minor scuff, an exceptional cover of great rarity, and with tremendous visual appeal.Provenance:Rarities of the World, R.A. Siegel, 1983.Elizabeth Pope, Christies, 1984. | 2 | |
215 | Montgomery, Alabama, "Paid 10 / T. Welsh", clear strike partially obscured by 3c dull red, adhesive tied by blue grid cancel, alongside "Louisville KY / Aug 6" double-circle c.d.s., on clean North-South Express Cover to Northampton, Massachusetts, struck with choice "ADAMS EX. CO / LOUISVILLE KY / AUG / 6 / 1851" c.d.s. in black, manuscript "Paid Adc" in manuscript indicating payment of the Adams fee, cover with small repairs at right, light wrinkles, attractive and rare, a very fine combined Postmaster's Provisional and Express Company usage; ex Haas. | 2 | |
216 | Nashville, Tennessee, 5c carmine, margins ample to large, tied to cover by blue "Nashville Sep 5 1861" c.d.s., blue PAID handstamp alongside, to Greenville, Tennessee, some staining to adhesive, else a fine example of this difficult provisional franking. | 2 | |
217 | Nashville, Tennessee, 5c carmine, block of twelve, with three vertical tete-beche pairs, three normal stamps at each of top and bottom, original gum, mostly large margins all around, touching at upper left, pleasing fresh colour, repaired diagonal tear at upper left, further repairs at bottom, the tete-beche pairs folded through horizontal margin, various creases and small thin spots as expected on a multiple of this nature, a dramatic and visually-striking Confederate rarity, one of only two recorded blocks of twelve, and the largest recorded multiple of any Nashville Postmasters’ Provisional.Provenance: ex Caspary. | 2 | |
218 | Nashville, Tennessee, 1861, 5c Brick red, choice single with full to large margins showing small portion frameline of adjoining stamp at lower left, centrally-struck blue "Paid" cancel, trivial nick in lower right margin of no importance, a lovely stamp. | 2 | |
219 | Nashville, Tennessee, 5c carmine, tete-beche vertical pair, tied to cover by blue "Nashville / Ten. / Sep 6 / 1861" c.d.s., partial matching blue PAID handstamp beside, to Charlston, South Carolina, some light soiling and fading due to attempt at cleaning, three edges trimmed and back professionally restored, various faults and other repairs, a remarkably rare Confederate provisional, one of two recorded examples of the tete-beche pair on cover; with 2022 Civil War Philatelic Society certificate. Provenance: ex-Ferrary (Sale 7, June 14, 1922, lot 51). | 3 | |
220 | New Orleans, Louisiana, 1861, 2c blue, clear to large margins, bright color, paying the circular rate, tied to folded letter with "New Orleans / LA / 2 / AUG" c.d.s., with contents from the Citizens' Mutual Insurance Company, to C.H. Chase in St. Charles Parish, light filing fold and signs of cleaning, a fine appearing example of this difficult franking. | 2 | |
Lot | Confederate States Of America | Estimate | |
221 | New Orleans, Louisiana, 1861, 2c red brown on bluish paper, exceptionally large margins at left and right, with adjacent framelines showing at top and bottom, tied to cover to Baton Rouge by neatly-struck New Orleans LA c.d.s. (3 Sep), docketing on reverse presumably by recipient notes year of 1861, a very early usage thus, some adhesions to reverse and flap mostly removed, but a choice on-cover example, ex Knapp. | 2 | |
222 | Salem, North Carolina, 10c black handstamped envelope, "POST OFFICE / O.A. KEEHLN / SALEM. N.C." with "Paid 10" in manuscript, postmarked "Salem / NC / SEP / 27", to W.H. Fries, New Orleans, manuscript notation at left "to be handed over immediately…" and on back flap "get some mercury if you can find it.", traces of edge staining, hinge remnants on back, a choice example of this rare provisional marking, the earliest of only two examples with the manuscript 10c rate recorded by Crown. Provenance:Richard Frajola sale, 25 January, 1991, lot 581. | 2 | |
223 | Selma, Alabama, 5c black, handstamped envelope with signature of Postmaster William H. Eagar in manuscript, postmarked "Selma / ALA / Jun 11" to Messrs. John T. Hardie & Co in New Orleans, light edge creasing, else a fresh and very fine example of this scarce provisional, with only fourteen such covers recorded in Crown; ex Walcott, Emerson, Brooks, Gehrman, and Worthington. | 2 | |
224 | Selma, Alabama, 10c black, handstamped envelope with signature of Postmaster William H. Eagar in manuscript, without postmark, to Messrs. John T. Hardie & Co in New Orleans, a bold strike of this rare provisional, one of only two such covers recorded in Crown, this being by far the finer example, the other with significant piece torn from the top the cover, an exceptional item of Confederate postal history. | 2 | |
225 | Talbotton, Georgia, 10c black, neatly-struck at left side of cover, matching "Talbotton GA” c.d.s. (14 Feb), to "Hon. Alexander H. Stephens Richmond, Va.", then Vice-President of the Confederate States, reverse with an all-over "letter" from "Miss Molly L. Grier / Talbot County” [Georgia] in which she gives updates on family members, envelope opened at bottom, year date in postmark with some enhancement, otherwise fresh and very fine; signed Dietz, with 2020 Philatelic Foundation certificate. | 3 | |
226 | Tuscumbia, Alabama, 5c black handstamped envelope, clear strike at upper right, without postmark, endorsed "Paid 25c" and "please delivery immediately", carried outside of the regular mails by private express to O.F. Prescott in Memphis, Tennessee, light wrinkles and skillfully repaired along top, a scarce provisional, one of seventeen recorded in Crown, but the only such without postal markings and privately carried. | 2 | |
227 | Tuscumbia, Alabama, 10c black handstamped envelope, crisp strike at upper right, postmarked with "Tuscumbia / ALA / ? / 13" c.d.s., to the Alabama Hospital in Richmond, Virginia, some trivial light stains of little importance given the great rarity of this provisional, being the only recorded example in Crown; ex Walcott. | 2 | |
228 | Uniontown, Alabama, 5c green on grey, position 1, margins just touching to clear, tied to cover by light indistinct town cancellation, from the Cobbs correspondence to Montgomery, Alabama, adhesion remnants to reverse and piece torn from back, nevertheless a rarity of the Confederate Postmasters' Provisionals, with Crown recording thirteen examples on cover, four being from position 1, ex Emerson; with 1976 Philatelic Foundation certificate. | 3 | |
229 | Uniontown, Alabama, 5c green on embossed paper, from position 4, large to huge margins all around, small razor cut in extreme right margin, tied by indistinct black Uniontown c.d.s. to cover to Lexington, Mississippi, back flap removed and tear to back repaired with hinges, yet a remarkable and rare franking, and the only example recorded in Crown of this provisional on embossed paper; ex Brown, Brooks, Weatherly, Kilbourne, signed Ashbrook. | 2 | |
230 | Unionville, South Carolina, 5c black on grayish paper with blue ruled lines, margins all around, vertical pair tied to seven star flag patriotic cover by "Unionville S.C. / Jun / 14" c.d.s., to Col. William M. Gist, Care of Col. Gregg, Centreville, Virginia, hinge remnants on reverse from prior mounting, handstamped and signed "R.H.W. Co" (Raymond H. Weill), Ferrary trefoil handstamp on front, remarkably bright and fresh, a tremendous rarity; ex Ferrary, Caspary, Lilly. The unique Unionville South Carolina pair on cover, one of the most historic and significant items in all of Confederate philately.Crown records four covers franked with the 5c black, this being the only cover, and the latest recorded example of the four. There are no recorded examples off cover. | 2 | |
231 | Waxahachie, Texas, circa 1863, “PAID 10” in circle, struck on blue-bordered textured hexagonal label, affixed to cover front postmarked Waxahachie TEX (Jan 12), to Clement R. Johns in Austin, Texas, two horizontal filing folds, two light “W.H.C.” (Warren H. Colson) handstamps at lower right, previous Philatelic Foundation identification number label affixed to reverse, a most unusual and storied item, the only example recorded to date; 1994 Philatelic Foundation certificate no longer accompanies. This example, along with the Wharton, Texas cover offered in the following lot, first made its appearance in the renowned Ferrary collection, where they were sold as part of a larger accumulation, this particular example being described only as a “stamp on piece” and misspelled “Waxahachir” (June, 1922, lot 114). It later found its way to famed dealer Warren H. Colson, confirmed by his two handstamps at the lower right of the piece. The cover made a more public appearance in the 1990s, when it was exhibited as part of the collection of Dallas collector John Hill, who displayed it and the cover in the following lot after they had obtained certificates attesting to their genuineness from the Philatelic Foundation in 1994. It later found its way to dealer Andrew Levitt, this being the first occasion since when it has appeared on the public market.Despite this provenance, this “Provisional” remains a matter of much debate among specialists. It is unlisted in Scott, and was not referenced by Dietz, nor was it among the stamps recorded in the census’ of Phillips, Hart, or Crown. A colourful history of this cover is recounted in “The Great Texas Stamp Collection” by Charles W. Deaton.A storied piece of Confederate philatelic history, still today a matter of much debate and conjecture. | 2 | |
232 | Wharton, Texas, circa 1863, circular “10” in black and PAID struck on lined adhesive with ornate blue border, affixed to cover postmarked with Wharton, Texas c.d.s., to the Hon C.C. Herbert in Richmond, Virginia, endorsed at upper left “If - Herbert has left the city / the Post Master will please / hand this to the Post Master General / as it relates to P.O. Business / A.B. Betts.”, some creasing, but a most unusual cover, to date the unique example of this adhesive; 1994 Philatelic Foundation certificate no longer accompanies. This cover shares a similar history to the Waxahachie front offered in the previous lot. Like its companion, this cover first appeared for sale in the Ferrary auction, offered with the other cover and twenty nine others, it being described merely as “stamp on cover” (June, 1922, lot 114). Warren H. Colson’s small “W.H.C.” handstamp is also faintly visible at the lower right corner of this cover, suggesting that this accompanied the Waxahachie front to his inventory. It also reappeared in the 1990s, displayed with other material belonging to well-known collector John Hill, and also later formed part of Andrew Levitt’s stock.This ultimate status of this cover is also a matter of much debate. It is not listed by Scott, was not referenced by Dietz, and is not found among the stamps recorded in the census’ of Phillips, Hart, or Crown.Regardless, it is a most charming and mysterious cover. | 2 | |
233 | New Orleans, Louisiana, 1861, folded cover to Bordeaux, with partial contents, franked with 30c orange, tied by New Orleans c.d.s. (5 Feb), handstamped with Rochereau & Co sender’s mark, endorsed “Steamer” in manuscript above, red “NEW YORK PAID / 24” c.d.s. (13 Feb) and adjacent “ET UNIS SERV BR AC.25” entry mark (25 Feb), with Paris (25 Feb) and Bordeaux arrival backstamps, adhesive colour slightly darkened from storage, a rare entire to France, postmarked the day after Louisiana joined the Confederacy; ex Allen, Knapp, Birkinbine, Walske. | 2 | |
234 | Kingston, Georgia, 5c black, clear strike on folded entire, adjacent "5", contents datelined Woodland, 29 June, to Charleston, South Carolina, endorsed "Paid" in manuscript and postmarked with "Kingston Ga Jun 30" c.d.s., light filing folds, contents skillfully and sensibly repaired in places and cover cleaned, scarce and fine, ex Everett; with 2023 Civil War Philatelic Society certificate.The letter itself provides a remarkable glimpse into the political climate of the period, with the sender freely sharing his views, noting "…being from Charleston you will not meet with any extra civility in Abraham's dominions…" and "Genl. Johnston was too wide awake to be caught by Scott - the retreat from Harpers Ferry was admirably arranged and the necessity for it has been explained." He also comments on challenges and irregularities in delivery of the mails, including delays in the receipt of letters and newspapers. | 3 | |
235 | Fort Washita, Arkansas, Choctaw Nation, c. 1863, embossed cover struck with “Fort Washita / Ark.” c.d.s. (Apr 17) with manuscript “Pd 10c”, to Mrs. Fanney Keesee in Sterlin, Texas, endorsed “to leave of Thomas Keesee”, trivial edge faults, tear to back and some scattered stains, of little importance given the tremendous rarity and historical significance of this cover, believed to be the only recorded example of a Confederate handstamp used in Indian Territory, ex McCarren, Walske; 1974 C.S.A. certificate (#526) no longer accompanies. Fort Washita was established by Zachary Taylor in 1842, to protect citizens of the Choctaw and Chickasaw Nations. Following the attack on Fort Sumter in April, 1861, Union forces under Colonel William Emory at Fort Washita left for Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Confederate troops quickly occupied the fort, using it as a supply depot and military hospital for their forces in the Indian Territory until the end of the war, when it was abandoned and burned. | 2 | |
236 | 5c green, Stone 2, 1861, horizontal pair with full gutter, from the top row of the sheet (1), tied to cover by "Marietta Geo. / Feb / 22" c.d.s., to Alexander Stephens in Richmond, Virginia, back flap removed, tear to envelope at top of franking, not impacting adhesives, a few light stains to stamps, else a dramatic and unique franking. | 2 | |
237 | 10c blue, 1861-2, Paterson, horizontal pair, large to very large margins all around, showing portion of adjoining stamp at left, pleasing pastel-like shade, tied to piece by two Mobile, Ala. double-circle c.d.s., barest trace of gum staining to right stamp, else very fine. | 2 | |
238 | 10c dark blue, 1861-2, Hoyer & Ludwig, four mostly large margins, touching outer frameline at lower right, showing the "shooting star flaw" at upper left, tied to cover by "Savannah Ga." c.d.s. and circular grid cancel, to Columbus, Georgia, hinge adhesions on reverse and some overall aging, adhesive with gum soak at foot, else a desirable franking. | 2 | |
239 | 10c dark blue, 1861-2, Paterson printing, mostly large to very large margins, bright color, touching at lower left, tied to cover to Sparta, Georgia, by indistinct c.d.s., some trivial stains, else fine; with 2023 Civil War Philatelic Society certificate. | 3 | |
240 | 2c green, 1862, ample to large margins, rich colour, tied to cover to locally-addressed cover by "Richmond / Va. / Feb / 14 / 1863" c.d.s., fresh an very fine; recorded in the Warren census (2011, VA-056). | 2 | |
241 | 5c blue, 1862, Stone 2, mint block of twelve, margins clear to large all around, gum heavily toned, vertical crease through one pair, fault at lower right, else a fine and scarce multiple. | 2 | |
242 | 5c blue, 1862, on soft porous paper, horizontal strip of three, margins ample to just touching at left, hinged original gum, pleasing shade, a few light gum wrinkles, a fresh and fine multiple. | 2 | |
243 | 10c rose, 1862, horizontal pair, mostly large margins, clear at top, tied by "Columbia /S.C. / Aug / 13" c.d.s. in blue to "State of South Carolina / Executive Council Chamber" cover to Brigadier General J.J. Pettigrew, "care A. General Cooper", Richmond, Virginia, redirected to Gordonsville, "care of Genl. Lee", docketing on reverse "Gov. Pickens / Aug 12th 1862 / Friendly", slightly reduced at right, some overall aging, a desirable cover, linking many prominent political and military figures of the period; ex-Meroni. Francis Wilson Pickens served as Governor of South Carolina at the time of the State’s secession from the Union. J.J. Pettigrew served in the South Carolina House of Representatives, and later as an aide to the Governor; he was promoted to brigadier general by Jefferson Davis prior to the Penninsula Campaign. Samuel Cooper was Adjutant General of the United States Army prior to the Civil War, later serving as both Adjutant General and Inspector General of the Confederate Army. Robert E Lee, at the time this cover was despatched, was leading the Army of Northern Virginia, having assumed command only two months prior in June, following the wounding of Joseph E. Johnston. Lee had been ordered to Gordonsville, in what would become the Second Manassas Campaign. | 2 | |
244 | 10c rose, 1862, block of four, large to very large margins, part disturbed and toned original gum, small thin spots and surface flaws, as often seen on such blocks, still a rare multiple, fine appearance. | 2 | |
245 | 10c rose, 1862, lower left corner single, large margins at top and right, tied to cover by "Atlanta / Ga / Aug / 3 / 1862" c.d.s., to Covington, an exceptional franking with tremendous eye-appeal, very fine. | 2 | |
246 | 5c blue, 1862, vertical pair, fair to large margins on three sides, touching at left, tied to cover by "Gordonsville / VA / Aug 28 / 1862" c.d.s., to Hanover Court House, Virginia, endorsed "R.E. Lee / Genl" at upper right, some trivial creasing and adhesive-mounted to black card, fine and rare; with 2023 Civil War Philatelic Society certificate. General Lee's field correspondence was typically carried via military courrier; examples sent through the postal system and bearing general issues of the Confederate States are particularly scarce. | 2 | |
247 | 5c blue, 1862, horizontal strip of ten, with sheet margins and right and left, and two singles, cancelled in black manuscript, the singles tied by "Milledgeville / Ga / Feb / 6" c.d.s., to "The Honorable Justices of the Court of Oglethorpe County", paying the six times letter rate, to Lexington, Georgia, a remarkable franking with tremendous eye-appeal. | 2 | |
248 | 5c blue, 1862, upper left corner pair, Richmond printing, margins clear to ample at bottom and right, showing filled-in border along left, tied to cover by neatly-struck "Atlanta / Ga. / May / 18" c.d.s., to Augusta, adhesives with some very light soiling, a scarce and visually-striking franking, ex-Lehman; with 2023 Civil War Philatelic Society certificate. | 3 | |
249 | 10c brown red, 1863, upper right corner block of twenty, positions 5 through 40 of the righthand pane of the sheet, hinging mostly confined to margin, and lower left stamp, leaving nineteen examples never hinged, showing over-inking on positions 10, 16, 20, and 38, an important and very fine positional block. | 2 | |
250 | 10c blue, 1863, block of twenty four, unused, part original gum, mostly clear to ample margins, a few examples showing partial short transfer at bottom, the lower left corner stamp showing the “bruised plate” variety, rich colour, folded between each row and column, many stamps show varying degrees of wrinkling, piece torn from two stamps at bottom, small thin between positions 16 and 17, yet a block of great rarity, being the largest recorded multiple of this issue; with 2023 Civil War Philatelic Society certificate. | 3 |