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 

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. #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¢ 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. 3¢ star-die #U27 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. # 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.

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. #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. 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. #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 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. #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.

First Day of the Confederacy: Tampico (Mexico) Enero 16 del 1861 (January 16, 1861) headed brief business letter in Spanish to Lanman & Kemp in New York (still in business today since 1808) on fresh blue lined paper with embossing showing steamboat of Manuel A. Fernandez, Tampico and signed with a flourish by Fernandez in lovely script. Blue double oval handstamped of Manuel A. Fernandez, Tampico at lower left with routing through New Orleans with the all-important date of the birth of the Confederacy – a key First Day date to any Confederate postal history collection. NEW ORLEANS / LA // FEB / 4 [1861] cds and straightline, arrived 12 Feb 1861 in New York according to docketing on verso. A Gem. $2,500.

U.S. 3¢ star-die entire #U27 tied blue CASSVILLE / Ga. // FEB / 1 [1861] cds, Independent State Use, 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. Ex-Katz $260.

US 3¢ red #26 tied grid cancel with matching WASHINGTON / D.C. // MAR / 25 / 1861 CDS on cover addressed to Hon. A. H. Stephens, Savannah, Geo where it was forwarded upon arrival to Crawfordsville, Ga. with a second 3¢ red #26 tied by SAVANNAH Ga. // MAR / 28 / 1861 CDS; back flap missing as usual with Stephens correspondence and docketing on verso that contents were from Daniel R. Whitaker; top edge repairs. US used in the Confederacy to CSA Vice President.  $200.

Br PACKET / BOSTON // 10 FEB / 24 [1861] cds and T18 / LIVERPOOL / JA 26 / 61 cds and other markings on incoming Trans-Atlantic  outer folded lettersheet posted the First Day of Louisiana Independent Statehood (January 26, 1861) and arriving after Louisiana joined the Confederacy.  A nifty cover with small stain and tiniest tear at top.  $750. Also in the Miscellaneous section.

US #26, 3¢ dull red top sheet margin tied UNIONVILLE / S.C. // MAY / 25 [1861]; stamp has been moved to the right to show a boxed PAID underneath – either a reuse of the same envelope or simply a stamp placed over it after paid. Addressed to Mr. J. R. Minter, P[ost]M[aster] S. Tabor, S.C. with original letter headed Mt. Joy May the 24. While the letter (from Janie) is mostly chit chat including her reply to his question that she says she was not the sender of the valentine, but knows who did send it. But the important thing to note is “The old North State has been roused to a sense of her duty of late. There was great excitement there when we left.”This is clearly with regard to North Carolina which seceded May 27, 1861, two days after this was posted. Some archival tape repair of some small letter file splits. The 2008 Rumsey sale of the Wm. A. Fox South Carolina collection showed a Unionville SC HSP 5 similar to this (sold for $345). $400.

US #26, 3¢ dull red tied MONTGOMERY / Ala. // FEB / 22 / 1861 cds on cover to Mrs. Jane H. Wilkinson, Southwick, Mass; neat CSA Use of US stamps on commercially made envelope  $250.

US #U26, 3¢ star-die entire tied grid cancel with matching CHARLESTON / S.C. // JAN / 23 / 1861 double circle, addressed to Mr. Augustine T. Smyth, So Carolina College, Columbia, So Ca; tiny sealed tear at upper left, Nice Independent State Use, Ex Emerson  $200

US #26, 3¢ dull red tied grid with matching SPARTANBURG / S.C. // JAN / 7 / 1861 cds on lovely small embossed ladies cover to Mr. Ellington A. Searles, Mapleton, Abbeville Dist., So. Car.; part of flap missing, a charming Independent State Use $220.

US #U26, 3¢ star-die entire tied neat COLUMBUS / Miss / APR / 12 [1861] with fancy stamped orange corner card “From the Columbus Life & Insurance Company, Columbus, Miss.” to Gaius Whitfield, Esq., Demopolis, Alabama, light stain across center and small scuff almost unnoticeable scuff in the ad, Scarce and desirable CSA Use of US postage; ex Kohn.  $250.

US #26, 3¢ dull red tied CHARLESTON / S.C. // MAY / 31 / 1861 double circle, addressed to Mrs. Pettigrew, Care of Charles L. Pettigrew Esq, Scuppernong Lake, North Carolina; sealed tears across top and tiny restoration at upper left; ex Bogg collection, Last Day of US Postage in the Confederacy – one of the critical dates to any Confederate postal history collection. $300.

US #26, 3¢ dull red (pre-use sealed tear) tied grid with matching SAVANNAH Ga. // APR / 2 / 1861 cds on cover to Thos Prosser & Son, 28 Platt Street, New York City, N.Y. ; red circular advertising seal on back flap “Thos Prosser & Son / New York / Patentees”; nice CSA Use of US postage  $250.

Click on thumbnails at left individually to enlarge.

US #26, 3¢ dull red tied large neat balloon postmark of CLINTON / S.C. // JAN / 19 / 1861 on cover addressed to Miss Lizzie N. Craig, Lawrenceville, Georgia; ex Brian Green, Lovely and scarce cancel in Independent State period  $450.

US #26, 3¢ dull red tied MACON / GA // FEB / 5 [1861] double circle cancel the day after the Confederacy was formed; addressed to Honl Howell Cobb, Montgomery, Alabama. Howell Cobb served as president of the Confederate Provisional Congress (1861-62) and was a major general of the Confederate army. His personal history is well-known and illustrious. Most of top back flap missing with tiny tear across top and slight scuffs at left  $100.                                                                                                  .

US #24, 1¢ blue strip of 3 tied grid with matching SCOTTSVILLE / VA // APR 20 [1861] cds on cover to Mr. Thomas J. Dawson, Marion Co, Va; with original letter from Henry & Mary Dawson to their son dated April 19, 1861; quite scarce use of both this stamp issue and this as Virginia Independent State with only 20 days independent and only 45 days before Confederate postal service took over on June 1, 1861. Sold in John W. Kaufmann Atlanta sale #28 in 1976. $1,000.

Click on thumbnails at left individually to enlarge.

US #U27, 3¢ star-die tied CHERAW / S.C. // MAY 10 [1861] double circle cancel, addressed to W. F. B. Haynsworth, Esq., Sumter, So. Ca., docketing up left side “About T. D. Foxworth’s protested d[ra]ft”, slightly reduced at top with top back flap missing, clean CSA Use of US Postage $150.

US #26, 3¢ dull red (tiny faults) tied neat CHARLESTON / S.C. // MAY / 2 / 1861 double circle cancel on cover to Mr. Jas. A. Coffin, Madisonville, Monroe Co., Tenn.; Confederate Use of U.S. stamps  $170.

CHERAW / S.C. // JAN / 22 [1861] double circle cancel on US 3¢ star-die entire to W. F. B. Haynesworth, Esq., Sumter So Ca; nice Independent State Use, Ex Hedin $170.

MARTINSVILLE / VA // MAY cds on folded letter to Post Master, Leatherwood, Va. with POB (Post Office Business) in manuscript at top, thus FREE. Excellent letter headed Martinsville, Va. May 3rd, 1861 from C.Y. Thomas, Sigmund Putzel P.M. saying, in part, “As the public mails are about to be discontinued until the Confederate  States can adopt a System to Supply the different routes, we propose to see what amount [c]an be raised by private Subscription at each office in the County to supply them with Mails in the interval. We have a proposition from responsible person to bring the mails from Danville to Henry Co Ho three times per week for such offices only as are willing to contribute their proportionable amount. The proposition requires that upon your office paying ten dollars per month paybable at the end of each month to bring all mailable matter addressed to your office to Henry Co Ho tri weekly in time for you to send for you to send for your mails each evening…Our mails will be stoped in a day or two…”  A significant piece of history regarding this turbulent time for the mails.  $450.

C. Y. Thomas was a man of more than ordinary distinction in Virginia, an attorney of ability who served in the Virginia senate before the War and struggled in vain against secession. Despite this, he held the office of commonwealth attorney during the War and was appointed by the Confederacy to distribute supplies to the needy families of Confederate soldiers

US #26, 3¢ dull red tied by grid cancel with matching CHARLESTON / S.C. // APR / 8 / 1861 double circle datestamp on fresh narrow cover to Miss Helen Fisher, Care of P. Francis Fisher, Esq., Philadelphia, missing top back flap, nice CSA Use of US Stamps. $125.

US #26, 3¢ dull red tied MOBILE / ALA 1861 double circle postmark on cover to Mr. Henry Richardson, M & M Bank, Troy, N.Y.; date is March or May 23 or 28. Either way, it’s CSA Use of US Postage $130.

US #U9, 3¢ Nesbitt entire tied by neat MOBILE / ALA // JAN / 14 / 1861 double circle postmark, addressed to Mrs. George Erwin, Greensborough, Ala; most of back flap missing and slightly reduced at top; nice Independent State Use. Alabama seceded only a few days before on January 11, 1861 thus less than a month as an independent state $250.

US #U10, 3¢ Nesbitt entire used with manuscript “Percy’s Creek Miss / Jan 16th 1861” cancel, addressed to James A. Williams, Clerk District Court, Greensburg, La; slightly reduced at top with top back flap missing, Independent State Use. Mississippi seceded only a few days before thus less than a month as an independent state $325.