U.S. #U26, 3¢ star-die used with AT(HENS)/GA./May 15 (1861) cds partly struck off top of cover; addressed to former U.S. Secretary of the Treasury and future Confederate General Howell Cobb while he was in the provisional congress in Montgomery, Ala. Addressed by T.R.R. Cobb (Thomas Reade Rootes Cobb) to his older brother, Howell.

U.S. #U27, 3¢ star-die entire, tied ATLANTA/Ga./MAY/10/1861 cds to “Mr. James Whitaker, Valley Town, N.C.”, Nice CSA Use 

U.S. 3¢ red #26, two copies - first canceled grid with matching WASHINGTON/D.C./MAY/7/1861 cds addressed on nifty small cover, reduced a bit at right, to “Mrs. Howell Cobb, Macon, Georgia”, undoubtedly from her husband Howell Cobb. From Macon it was forwarded with a second 3¢ red canceled by neat double circle MACON/GA/MAY/14 (1861) to Athens. Following Georgia's secession from the Union in 1861, Howell Cobb served as president of the Confederate Provisional Congress (1861-62) and a major general of the Confederate army. His personal history is well-known and illustrious. A delightful and historic forwarded cover. Ex-Hall

U.S. 3¢ star-die entire #U27 tied blue PETERSBURG / Va. MAY 22 (1861) cds, CSA Use of U.S. stamps - only used for 25 days, addressed to “Mr. John E. ? Care of Capt Dodson, Petersburg Regiment Norfolk, Va.” This one ripe for research. Many choices in the military records. Ex-Hunter Thomas and Toby Tobias.

US 3¢ star-die entire #U26 tied by Washington, DC May 1861 cds addressed to Winchester, Va with unlisted DUE 3 receiving handstamp of Winchester during independent state or  Confederate use of US stamps period - either way a total of only 45 days for both periods, Ex-Marcus White 

U.S. #26, 3¢ red with sealed pre-use tear, tied bold neat MOBILE / ALA / APR / 5 / 1862 double circle cancel on cover to “Hon. Milton Potter, Galveston, Texas” with docketing indicating that contents were from Mrs. Townsend re land matters. .

SHREVEPORT LA. JAN 1861 double-circle datestamp without day slug tying U.S.12¢ black #36 on buff legal-size courthouse cover to Rusk Tex., docketed with Jan. 27, 1861 receipt date (received after secession but probably mailed from Louisiana before it seceded), reduced at left (also folded to reduce width for display purposes), some wear at bottom, otherwise Fine, scarce use of single 12¢ 1857. Louisiana was only an Independent State for 9 days. , Ex-Gunter 

KIRK'S FERRY LA. APR 2 (1861) cds on 3¢ Red Star-Die entire to Natchez Miss., 1861 docketing at left, Very Fine Confederate State use,  Ex-Gunter 

"West Fork P.O. Jany 28 /61". blue ms. postmark on folded letter to London, England, sender's notation "Paid" sufficed without any indication of rate, red "19" credit handstamp and no other markings, slight edgewear, Very Fine, rare transatlantic use during brief Louisiana Independent State period, Ex-Gunter 

Paris to New Orleans, May 1861, folded letter with France 80c Napoleon tied by diamond of dots and "Paris 2e/16 Mai 61" double-circle datestamp, red "Boston Paid 15 Jun. 1" credit datestamp, red "PD" and "Br Service" framed handstamps, "due 10" straightline handstamp applied at New Orleans for Confederate postage, this letter to the western CSA crossed the lines just prior to the June 7 discontinuance order, extensive erosion from writing ink (some pieces are breaking loose - needs restoration) - otherwise Fine, extremely rare, Ex-Gunter

U.S. 3¢ star-die, size 3, knife 2, tied indistinct 1861 cancel that is either independent state or CSA Use of U.S. rate on cover addressed to “Honr Howell Cobb, Montgomery, Ala”. Howell Cobb served as president of the Confederate Provisional Congress (1861-62) and thus this cover is a use while in that position in Montgomery before June 1, 1861. He was also a distinguished major general of the Confederate army. His personal history is well-known and illustrious.

U.S. #26, four copies of 3¢ red, two of which are tied by NEW YORK December 21, 1860 (day after SC seceded) cds and grids, used on slightly oversized/overweight linen-lined money envelope addressed to “Hon. Howell Cobb, Macon, Ga.” Howell Cobb served as president of the Confederate Provisional Congress (1861-62) and a major general of the Confederate army. His personal history is well-known and illustrious. The address crossed out and forwarded from Macon to Clarksville, GA with two more stamps/cancels. From there it received the usual light blue indistinct cancel at lower right from Clarksville, Ga and a manuscript “Forwd 6c” to the left of the stamps. It appears to have made its last journey from Clarksville to Waresboro which address is sandwiched in between the bold initial address in light pencil (see light pencil arrows for placement). While this is in rather rough shape, it is a fascinating journey from north to south and around the state of Georgia with FOUR different towns in play.

U.S. #U26, 3¢ star-die tied GRENADA / Mi APR / 9 (1861) to Holden Mass. Signed John Kimbrough. Nice CSA use

U.S. #26, 3¢ dull red tied by CHARLESTON / S.C. / APR / 21 / 1861 cds on cover to “Mr. L. W. White, Abbeville C.H., S.C.” Lovely use of U.S. stamp in Confederacy

US #U27, 3¢ Star-die used with grid cancel and SAVANNAH  Ga ( prior owner says JAN but I really can’t so ascertain the month)  21, 1861. More likely U.S. used in the Confederacy. Addressed to “S. F. Dickinson Esq, Macon, Ga.” Georgia seceded from the Union on 19 JAN 1861, and joined the Confederacy on 4 FEB 1861, thus the period of independent use was only 16 days. Minor backflap opening tear otherwise Very Fine.

U.S. 3¢ star-die with weak partial strike of MACON / Ga cancel. Addressed to “Master Andrew J. Cobb, Care of Mrs. Howell Cobb, Athens Georgia”; part of back flap missing and tiny edge faults. Howell Cobb served as president of the Confederate Provisional Congress (1861-62) and a major general of the Confederate army. His personal history is well-known and illustrious.  $140.

U.S. 3¢ star-die entire #U27, canceled CHARLESTON / S.C. / APR / 26 / 1861 cds, CSA use a short time after Ft. Sumter; A bit soiled and slightly reduced at top. Nice Hastie, Calhoun & Co. Saddlery and Coach Hardware blind embossed advertisement on top back flap. The company was run by William S. Hastie and Edward S. Calhoun. Edward was the nephew of John C. Calhoun. Ex-Marcus White, Marcus Brown and  J.V. Nielsen. $250.

Click on thumbnails images at left individually to enlarge.

U.S. 3¢ star-die entire #U27, canceled CHARLESTON / S.C. / MAR / 26 / 1861 cds, nice CSA use to “Miss Sue E. Foster, Spartanburg, So Ca”. $120.

U.S. 3¢ dull red #26 tied grid and SAVANNAH Ga. / MAR 4 (18613) cds on folded business letter from Cohen & Hertz to David Lopez, Charleston, file fold down center and toning on right side. Nice CSA Use of U.S. stamps. $150.

U.S. #26, 3¢ dull red just tied by tail of squiggle pen cancel with matching ms. Bealeton (Va) April 17 (1861) – the day Virginia seceded from the Union, thus a First Day Cover. A pristine cover addressed to “Dr. Jno C. Gordon, Trevillians Depot, Louisa, Va.” Long articulate letter from a family member headed Edgewood, April 16/17, 1861 saying “I have become perfectly disgusted with politics, I have no faith in the Convention or the people of the State or I fear a majority are against”. Back flap tears, one of which extends a tiny bit over the top clear of the postmark. Dr. Gordon was appointed an Asst. Surgeon in the 38th VA Infantry on June 12, 1861 (only a week after marrying Mary Beall Pegram) but resigned on November 06, 1861. Post-war he practiced medicine in various locations in Albemarle County, Va. A wonderful FDC and scarce town cancel. The subject of my column in the Nov-Dec 2009 American Stamp Dealer & Collector: http://www.webuystamps.com/ASDNOVDEC09.pdf $2,500.

U.S. # 35, 10¢ green (type V) tied by San Francisco, Cal Feb 11 (1861) cds on folded letter to “The Hon. H. A. Lyons, Bayou Sara, Louisiana” and “pr mail of 11th feby 1861” and “Via Panama”, stamp has tiny pre-use tear at left otherwise Very Fine and Scarce U.S. postage used in the Confederacy from San Francisco. Henry Lyons, a lawyer from Philadelphia, took part in the Gold Rush in the 1850s, invested in real estate and became one of first to serve on the first Supreme Court of California. The 3-page letter is from Edmund Leon in the most exquisite script (and I rarely, if ever, mention such) where he details concerns of an account failing with liabilities over a million dollar (huge in those days), $600,000 already attached, etc. Many of the Lyons family papers reside in the Special Collections of LSU. $2,000.

U.S. 1857 1¢ Type V, #24,  uncancelled but tied by the tail of a manuscript "2" beside a handstamped green (could be oxidized blue but presents as green color) "PAID" on a folded circular - a political solicitation notice. The stamp was not accepted by the postmaster and the sender was required to pay 2¢ postage in cash. The circular is dated Clarksville, Virginia May 30th, 1861. The sender had hoped to mail it while the U.S. stamp was still valid, however, the mail apparently did not get to the post office until June 1st or 3rd (the 2nd was a Sunday) and thus was required to pay the Confederate postage in cash. This was the equivalent of U.S. post offices not accepting stamps of the 1851-60 issues after they were demonetized in August of 1861: the 'Old Stamps Not Recognized' markings. This Confederate version, however, is much rarer, especially on printed matter. While not proveable, this is also likely a First Day of Confederate postage use. 2006 PF Certificate and a wonderful provenance of Ex-Sam Zimmerman, Vernon Morris and Ron Cipolla. $3,000.

U.S. 3¢ star-die #U26 tied grid with matching THOMASTON / Ga. / FEB / 27 (1861) cds U.S. used in the Confederacy, addressed to “Col. O(bediah). C. Gibson, Griffin, Ga.” professionally cleaned to a very fine appearance. Gibson served as Captain in Scogin's Battery, Georgia Light Artillery (Griffin Light Artillery). Griffin Light Artillery was organized at Griffin, Georgia in May, 1862. It was attached to the Department of South Carolina, Georgia , and Florida and served on the Georgia coast and in the defense of Savannah. Ex-Hill and Crouch. $170.

U.S. 3¢ star-die #U27with weak partial strike of MACON / Ga cancel. Addressed to “Master Andrew J. Cobb, Care of Mrs. Howell Cobb, Athens Georgia”; part of back flap missing and tiny edge faults. Howell Cobb served as president of the Confederate Provisional Congress (1861-62) and a major general of the Confederate army. His personal history is well-known and illustrious.  $140.

U.S. # 26, 3¢ red tied grid with matching CHARLESTON / S.C. / MAR / 21 / 1861 cds on folded business letter to New Orleans, file folds affecting stamp otherwise Very Fine Confederate use of U.S. postage $140.

U.S. 3¢ star-die tied by grid and matching CHARLESTON / S.C. / FEB / 23 / 1861 double circle cancel, addressed to New York, nice Confederate use of U.S. postage $200.

Mobile Ala. Jan. 30, 1861 double-circle datestamp and "30" rate handstamp boldly struck on blue folded letter to Paris, France, "New York 3 Feb. 5" debit datestamp, "Et. Unis Serv. Br. A.C. A 19 Fevr. 61" French transit datestamp and "8" decimes due handstamp, Paris receiving backstamp, fresh and Extremely Fine. Choice transatlantic use during Alabama Independent Statehood (Jan. 11 to Feb. 4, 1861), carried on Cunarder Niagara, departing Boston on Feb. 6 and arriving at Queenstown on Feb. 17, ex-Murphy and Walske, signed Brian Green. $1,200.

Mobile Ala. Feb. 7, 1861 double-circle datestamp and "30" rate handstamp on blue folded letter to Paris, France, "New York 3 Feb. 13" debit datestamp, "Et. Unis Serv. Br. A.C. A 25 Fevr. 61" French transit datestamp and "8" decimes due handstamp, Paris receiving backstamp, fresh and Extremely Fine. Choice Transatlantic use during first few days of Alabama Confederate Statehood carried on Cunarder Arabia, departing New York on Feb. 12 and arriving at Queenstown on Feb. 23, ex-Alex Hall and Walske. $1,000.

New Orleans La. Feb. [24, 1861] partly readable circular datestamp with well-struck "Ship" handstamp and manuscript "5" rate on incoming blue folded letter from Belize, British Honduras, to New York City, sender's routing "via N. Orleans" in Confederate Louisiana, Feb. 28 receipt docketing, Very Fine, rare ship letter via Confederate New Orleans, from the Lanman & Kemp correspondence, ex Murphy and Walske, signed Brian Green. $1,200.

London E.C. MY 4 61 clear strike of circular datestamp and "19 Cents" debit handstamp on May 4 folded letter to James Thomas in Richmond Va., sender's ship designation in bright magenta manuscript "p. Europa via Queenstown", carried on the Cunarder Europa, departing Liverpool on May 4 and arriving in Boston on May 15, "Br. Packet Boston 15 May 24" 24-cent due datestamp, pencil "/" believed to indicate carrier fee for delivery in Richmond. Very fine. An important cover that passed from the United States to the Confederate States along the Washington-Richmond corridor just before this mail route was suspended by Federal order on May 23. On April 27, 1861, the regular water route to Richmond was suspended by the United States government, leaving only the Orange & Alexandria Railroad open for mail via Richmond. The last route through Virginia was suspended on the evening of May 23. This is the latest recorded example of mail that successfully crossed the U.S.-C.S.A. border via Richmond, probably on May 17, 1861. It is uncertain how the 24¢ postage due to the U.S. government was collected in Richmond.The letter itself, written by James Cameron of the British firm of John K. Gilliat & Co., discusses current events in the U.S., including references to "collision and bloodshed in Baltimore and at Harper's Ferry" and reflections on the state of Civil War and its impact on the commercial markets. The addressee, James Thomas, was a prominent tobacco merchant in Richmond during the antebellum and Civil War period. Ex Birkinbine and Walske. $3,000.

U.S. 3¢ Star-die #U27 entire tied grid with matching WINCHESTER / Va. / MAY / 1 [1861] cds to “Mr. E. Grove, Agt for John Grove, Luray, Va.”, docketed Apl 30 1861 Baker & Bros., Scarce Independent State Use – Virginia was only an independent state for 20 days. $280.

U.S. #26, 3¢ dull red, tied by neat CARROLTON / MISS / MAR / 2 / 1861 cds on pristine cover to “Carroll Hoy & Co., New Orleans” with manuscript instruction "S-B" (Steam Boat), Extremely Fine U.S. used in the Confederacy. $350.

U.S. #26, 3¢ dull red straddle pane copy used with grid cancel and matching PONTOTOC / Miss. / APR / 18 [1861] cds on cover addressed to Mrs. J. I. Duncan, New Albany, Miss. Original letter enclosed from a daughter away at school home to her mother which references “I heard tonight that the war had commenced. Write and tell if any of the New Albany gentlemen are going.” The letter is dated April 11th, the day before the firing on Ft. Sumter. Tiny tear at top otherwise Very Fine CSA use of US postage. $220.

U.S. 3¢ Star-die #U27 entire tied gorgeous bold strike of BOYDTON / Va. / MAY / 7 [1861], First Day of Virginia in the Confederacy – a period of only 25 days. Slightly reduced at left, Extremely Fine. Ex-Thayer. $2,200.

U.S. #26, 3¢ dull red vertical pair tied RICHMOND / Va. / MAY / 31 / 1861 cds on cover to Mrs M. D. P. Wise, Norfolk, Va, Last day of U.S. postal service in the newly designated capital of the Confederacy, light lavender cover addressed to Mrs. M. D. P. Wise care of Gov. Wise, Norfolk, Va. Henry A. Wise (1806-1876) was the immediate pre-war governor of Virginia and served the Confederacy as a Brig. Gen. Part of back flap missing and large sealed tear at right, still a clean cover and nice piece of  Virginia postal history - this period only 25 days. $325.

U.S. 3¢ Star-die #U26 entire tied blue grid with matching blue UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA / MAY / 13 / 1861 double circle town cancel, addressed to “Miss L. M. Lewis, Care Maj. Gen. Jno. L. Lewis, New Orleans, La.” (French Brigade, State of Louisiana). Small tear at top and some edge staining. Great address on this CSA Use cover – a period of only 25 days from joining the Confederacy to June 1 when the CSAPOD took control of their own postal affairs. $200.

U.S. #26, 3¢ dull red tied neat MOBILE / ALA. / MAR / 8 / 1861 cds on cover to New York, U.S. with blind embossed commission merchant corner card at left, clean CSA use of US postage.  $350.

U.S. #26, 3¢ dull red tied FORT SMITH / ARK. / FEB / 12 / 1861 double circle cancel on cover to “Hon. Howell Cobb, President of the Southern Congress, Montgomery, Ala.” Arkansas did not secede until May, thus this is a Union use to the South, but rare. Restored along the right side, Very Fine appearance $850.

U.S. #26, 3¢ dull red tied grid with matching SAVANNAH Ga. / FEB / 5 [1861] cds with docketing of Feb 4 1861 – the First Day of the Confederacy on cover addressed to Mrs Isabella Woodruff Care Mrs. Roberts Orphan House, Charleston, South Carolina. Bit reduced at top with tiny edge tear. $500.

U.S. #26, 3¢ dull red tied AUGUSTA / GA / MAR / 25 / 1861 double circle cancel to Portsmouth NH, CSA use of US postage.  Cover tear at top and rounded corner at lower right. $110.

U.S. 3¢ Star-die #U27 entire tied AUGUSTA / Ga. / FEB / 15 [1861] cds, addressed care of J. G. Bailie, Carpet Merchant, Charleston, S.C., reduced at left and slight soiling. CSA use of US postage.  $160.

U.S. 3¢ Star-die #U27 entire tied grid with matching ATHENS / Ga. / FEB / 9 [1861] cds, addressed to “C.G.W. Cumming, Warthans Store, Ga.”, flap faults otherwise Fine CSA use of US postage.  $160.

U.S. 3¢ Star-die #U26 entire used with manuscript cancel Resaca, Ga Mar 2 [1861] nice CSA use of US postage to “Mrs. Dr. R. M. Young, Cartersville, Ga.”, flap tear otherwise Very Fine $180.

U.S. 3¢ Star-die #U26 entire used with manuscript cancel of Graysville, Ga March 28th [1861] to J.H. Gault, Cleveland, Ten., back flap missing otherwise Fine, nice CSA use of US postage  $150.

U.S. 3¢ Star-die #U26 entire tied blue CASSVILLE / Ga. / MAR / 27 [1861] to Col. J.A.R. Hanks, Dalton, Geo., top back flap faults otherwise Very Fine CSA use of US postage  The Hanks correspondence is well known. Col. Hanks was Asst. Quartermaster in the 22nd Georgia Infantry Regiment. $180.

U.S. 3¢ Star-die #U26 entire tied GRISWOLDVILLE / Ga. / APR [30 / 1861] cds with manuscript May 1 at left, To Lucy White Eatonton, Ga., flap tear otherwise Very Fine CSA use of US postage  $200.

U.S. 3¢ Star-die #U26 entire tied SAVANNAH Ga. / APR / 2 / 1861 cds to Macon, Very Fine CSA use of US postage  $200.

U.S. 3¢ Star-die #U26 entire tied SAVANNAH Ga. / MAR / 18 / 1861 cds to New York, Very Fine CSA use of US postage  $200.

U.S. 3¢ Star-die #U26 entire tied SAVANNAH Ga. / APR / 9 / 1861 cds to S. F. Dickinson, Esq., Macon, Ga., Very Fine CSA use of US postage  $200.

U.S. 3¢ Star-die #U26 entire tied grid with matching THOMASVILLE / Ga. / MAR / 20 [1861] cds to Washington, Ga., bit soiled and flap faults otherwise Fine CSA use of US postage $150.

U.S. 3¢ Star-die #U26 entire tied neat OXFORD / MISS / JAN / 9 [1861] double circle cancel, First Day of Mississippi Independent State which only lasted 26 days. Addressed to “Miss Kitty Shields, Knoxville, Tenn.” Nice FDC. $2,300.

U.S. 3¢ Star-die #U27 entire tied grid with matching STAUNTON / Va. / MAY / 9 / 1861 cds, Very Fine CSA use of US postage – a period of only 25 days.  $220.

U.S. #26, 3¢ dull red tied SAVANNAH Ga. / MAY / 30 / 1861 cds  on cover to Dr J. Stewart, Valdosta, Geo. with business letter enclosed headed May 29, 1861 saying bill is attached for drugs and now have no source from which they can replenish their stock as drugs have advanced [in price] a great deal. Signed W. T. Park & Co. by A. Tatem. Cover edge worn but nice CSA Use $170.

U.S. #26, 3¢ dull red tied blue ALBANY / Ga. / APR / 19 / 1861 cds on cover to Dennis & Giddings, Talbotton, Ga, some edge wear and restoration, but fresh and Very Fine appearing CSA Use $120.

U.S. #26, 3¢ dull red tied SAVANNAH Ga. / FEB / 28 / 1861 cds  on cover to B Long Esq , Elysian Field, Harrison Co., Texas, top back flap missing and restoration at top, but fresh and Very Fine appearing CSA Use $120.

U.S. #26, 3¢ dull red tied ATLANTA / Ga./ FEB / 1861 cds on cover to Hon Howell Cobb, Prest Southern Congress, Montgomery, Ala., restoration at top, CSA Use $120.

U.S. #26, 3¢ dull red tied ATLANTA / Ga./ MAR / 8 / 1861 cds on pristine cover to Hon Howell Cobb, Montgomery, Ala., Extremely Fine CSA Use $250.

U.S. #26, 3¢ dull red tied SAVANNAH Ga. / MAR / 8 / 1861 cds and grid on folded letter to A E Gowdy Esq, Scitua, Conn. from E. J. Gowdy, a couple of “bites” out of letter, most evident at upper right. Letter mostly business from one brother to another complaining about the high cost of shipping gin from Georgia to New York. The last line is rather telling of what is about to come, “there is not much doing in cotton, they are waiting to see what Mr. Lincoln is going to do.” Full transcription included. $170.

U.S. #30A, 5¢ brown Type II vertical strip of three tied NEW ORLEANS / LA 1861 cds on blue folded letter in lovely French script headed Nouvelle Orleans 20 Mars, 1861 and addressed to Gironde, France, various colorful transit markings front and back, some hinge reinforced file folds but Very Fine and scarce Confederate trans-Atlantic use, ex Myers $2,000.

U.S. #30A, 5¢ brown Type II vertical strip of three tied NEW ORLEANS / LA / APR / 23 / 1861 cds on back of folded letter in French and addressed to France with various colorful transit markings front and back, some file fold separation but Very Fine CSA trans-Atlantic use, ex Tara $2,000.

U.S. #30A, 5¢ brown Type II tied neatt NEW ORLEANS / LA / APR / 9 [1861] cds on outer folded lettersheet (no contents) addressed to Barcelona, Spain with various colorful transit markings front and back, Extremely Fine CSA trans-Atlantic use, ex White $1,100.

U.S. #26, 3¢ dull red tied neat CARROLLTON / MISS / JAN / 28 / 1861 cds on pristine cover to Carroll Hoy & Co., New Orleans, usual pin holes, Independent State Use – only independent for 26 days.  $280.

U.S. #26, 3¢ dull red just tied blue grid with matching blue PORTSMOUTH / VA / APR / 17 / 1861 double circle cancel on pristine cover to  E Wood Esquire, Edenton, N.C., First Day of Virginia in the Confederacy – a period of only 25 days. A lovely and rare use. Ex Birkinbine and Kaplan. $2,800.

U.S. #26, 3¢ dull red top sheet margin copy tied blue NORFOLK / Va. / MAY / ? / 1861 cds on cover to Miss Bell Johnston, Tuskegee, Ala, reduced at left. Cancel day date difficult to determine; it is either Independent State (only 20 days) or CSA Use (25 days) – either way a very short period of time and thus scarce. $200.

U.S. #26, 3¢ dull red tied bold neat RICHMOND / Va. / MAY / 9 / 1861 cds on cover to “Mr. John T. Burkett, Bradford Springs, So Ca, Sumter Dist”, couple tiny edge faults at top and tiny bit of flap missing otherwise Very Fine Second Day of Virginia in the Confederacy – a period of only 25 days. $170.

U.S. #26, 3¢ dull red tied BERRYVILLE / Va. / MAY / 9 / 1861 cds on cover to Mr. Jones Esq, Winchester, Va. with short business letter (file fold spilts) of same date from George Dunn, Very Fine Second Day of Virginia in the Confederacy – a period of only 25 days. Berryville is in the Shenandoah Valley near Winchester. $220.

U.S. # 24, 1¢ blue strip of 3 used with manuscript cancel of Cotile La May 28 / 61 on cover to Jos Hoy Esq Care of Carroll Hoy & Co, New Orleans, Nice CSA Use of U.S. stamps, couple flap tears otherwise Fine $500.

U.S. #26, 3¢ dull red (vermin nibbled at right, could easily be repaired) tied MACON / GA / APR / 8 / 1861 double circle cancel on cover with blue embossed illustrated cameo corner card of Wesleyan Female College, addressed to Judge Roberson, Greenville, Ga., Lovely CSA Use of U.S. stamps $400.

U.S. #26, 3¢ dull red tied beautifully struck BENNETTVILLE / S.C. / MAY / 31 [1861] cds on back flaps of cover addressed to Mr. Wim R. Abernathy, Lenoir, N.C. with two blue receiving cancels of Lenoir dated both Jun 5 and Jun 10 – we can only speculate for what reason they are different dates. Docketing on the back with the stamp shows “Recd June 12th 1861 / Answered June 15th 1861”. It is possible that the letter was advertised for collection in the local paper on June 5 and again June 10. A wonderful example of a key date for any collection of Confederates with an unusual twist on the dates. $750. Click on thumbnails at left individually to enlarge.

U.S. #26, 3¢ dull red block of four U.S. #26, 3¢ dull red tied target with matching VICKSBURG / MISS / FEB / 27 [1861] cds on overweight legal Justice of the Peace cover docketed “opened by consent” and addressed to George W. McBride, Esq., Justice of the Peace, Emmsville, Indiana, reduced a bit at both ends, pencil plating notes by stamps, Scarce and unusual CSA Use of U.S. Stamps $300.