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The Steven C. Walske Collection of Special Mail Routes of the American Civil War continued...

Flag-of-Truce Mail: Norfolk-Old Point Comfort
Lot Sym. Lot Description  
92 c Old Point Comfort Va.> Civilian flag-of-truce inner folded letter, datelined January 1, 1862, from Middleburg Va. to Union occupied Alexandria Va., sent through Norfolk and forwarded to Fortress Monroe, entered
U.S. mails with Old Point Comfort Va.Old Point Comfort Va. Civilian flag-of-truce inner folded letter, datelined January 1, 1862, from Middleburg Va. to Union occupied Alexandria Va., sent through Norfolk and forwarded to Fortress Monroe, entered U.S. mails with "Old Point Comfort Va. Jan. 10" double-circle datestamp which ties 3c Rose (65) and slightly overlaps manuscript "Exed T.P." examiner's marking, U.S. postage prepaid by gluing 3c Union silver coin to upper right of cover, 5c Confederate postage discarded along with outer envelope at Norfolk, contents give instructions on how to send flag-of-truce mail, splitting along edges of letter sensibly reinforced with archival tape, central file fold does not affect adhesive, 3c coin (replacement) accompanies letter

A BEAUTIFUL AND DESIRABLE CIVILIAN FLAG-OF-TRUCE COVER CARRIED ENTIRELY WITHIN THE DIVIDED STATE OF VIRGINIA, VIA NORFOLK AND OLD POINT COMFORT. CIVILIAN FLAG-OF-TRUCE COVERS SENT BY THIS ROUTE ARE MUCH SCARCER THAN PRISONERS' MAIL.

Ex Birkinbine. Illustrated in Special Routes (p. 89) and in Collectors Club Philatelist (Vol 84, No. 6). (Image)

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E. 1,500-2,000

SOLD for $1,000.00
Will close during Public Auction
93 c Old Point Comfort Va.> Yellow civilian flag-of-truce cover from Richmond Va. to Stoughton Mass., with original contents, endorsed <<Via Norfolk & Flag of Truce>>, <5c Green (1)> pays postage to Norfolk, stamp
tied by Richmond Va. Jan. 27, 1862 ciOld Point Comfort Va. Yellow civilian flag-of-truce cover from Richmond Va. to Stoughton Mass., with original contents, endorsed "Via Norfolk & Flag of Truce", 5c Green (1) pays postage to Norfolk, stamp tied by "Richmond Va. Jan. 27, 1862" circular datestamp, 3c Rose (65) affixed directly over C.S.A. stamp and tied by "Old Point Comfort Va. Feb. 10" double-circle datestamp, manuscript "X Paid", 3c stamp with corner tear, couple backflap tears and some light soiling

AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE MIXED-FRANKING NORTHBOUND CIVILIAN FLAG-OF-TRUCE COVER SENT VIA NORFOLK AND OLD POINT COMFORT. THE FEW MIXED-FRANKING COVERS KNOWN FROM THIS PERIOD REPRESENT THE EARLIEST POSSIBLE EXAMPLES OF MIXED UNITED STATES AND CONFEDERATE STATES FRANKING, WHICH WERE ONLY POSSIBLE FOR A BRIEF PERIOD.

Mixed-franking U.S.-Confederate States covers are rare and highly sought after by collectors. As a mixed franking on a civilian flag-of-truce cover, during the short window that some were allowed to use the Norfolk-Old Point Comfort route, this is an extremely important artifact of postal history. Shortly after this cover was mailed, civilian flag-of-truce mail sent North was diverted to the U.S. Dead Letter Office, per U.S. General Order No. 7. This order followed an announcement in the January 1862 U.S. Mail & Post Office Assistant that stated, "The facilities afforded by sending letters to the rebel states under a flag-of-truce are not intended, and cannot be permitted, to cover general correspondence."

Illustrated in Special Routes (p. 90). With 1993 A.P.S. certificate. (Image)

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E. 5,000-7,500

SOLD for $3,000.00
Will close during Public Auction
94 c New Orleans La.> Small civilian flag-of-truce cover to Waterloo Iowa, entered C.S.A. mails with New Orleans La. 31 Jan. (1862) circular datestamp which ties <10c Dark Blue, Hoyer & Ludwig (2b)>, endorsed at left
<<Norfolk, Virginia, via Flag of TrNew Orleans La. Small civilian flag-of-truce cover to Waterloo Iowa, entered C.S.A. mails with "New Orleans La. 31 Jan." (1862) circular datestamp which ties 10c Dark Blue, Hoyer & Ludwig (2b), endorsed at left "Norfolk, Virginia, via Flag of Truce", no Norfolk postmark as usual for northbound mail by this route, forwarded to Fortress Monroe, "Washington D.C. Mar. 6, 1862" circular datestamp and "Dead Letter Office Mar. 6, 1862" circular datestamp with "Due 6cts." straightline for total postage due to addressee in Iowa after release from Dead Letter Office, opened roughly at left with part of side flap torn away, markings intact, stamp with scissor cut in top margin

AN EXTREMELY RARE NORFOLK-FORTRESS MONROE FLAG-OF-TRUCE COVER ORIGINATING IN NEW ORLEANS AND DIVERTED TO THE DEAD LETTER OFFICE IN WASHINGTON DC.

Starting in mid-February 1862, civilian flag-of-truce mail sent North was diverted to the Dead Letter Office, per U.S. General Order No. 7. This order followed an announcement in the January 1862 U.S. Mail & Post Office Assistant that stated, "The facilities afforded by sending letters to the rebel states under a flag-of-truce are not intended, and cannot be permitted, to cover general correspondence." By the end of February, the C.S.A. mail system stopped forwarding almost all such letters. This is one of fewer than ten examples known (Special Routes p. 90).

Illustrated in Collector's Club Philatelist (Vol. 84, No.6) and in Special Routes (p. 90) (Image)

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E. 2,000-3,000

SOLD for $2,300.00
Will close during Public Auction
95 c Leesburg Va.> Inner cover to Washington City datelined <<Leesburg Nov. 9th 1861>>, with nine page enclosure, docketed <<Paid inside>>, manuscript <<Exd J.F.a>> examiners mark (Major John B. Frothingham at
Fortress Monroe) crossed out and in saLeesburg Va. Inner cover to Washington City datelined "Leesburg Nov. 9th 1861", with nine page enclosure, docketed "Paid inside", manuscript "Exd J.F.a" examiner's mark (Major John B. Frothingham at Fortress Monroe) crossed out and in same hand "Rejected on Acct. of length.", bold "DUE 3cts." handstamp and "Dead Letter Office P.O. Dpt." oval, docketing indicates this was finally received in Jan. 1862 and answered, cover with corner wear from thick contents, tear at top and part of backflap missing, still a Fine example of civilian flag-of-truce letter through Norfolk-Old Point Comfort (Image)

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E. 200-300

SOLD for $800.00
Will close during Public Auction
96 c Eatonton Ga.> Small 1862 mourning civilian flag-of-truce cover to Milford Conn., endorsed <y Norfolk and flag of truce,>> light pencil <<Ex>> censor marking, entered C.S.A. mails with Eatonton Ga. May 24 (1862)
circular datestamp, Paid straEatonton Ga. Small 1862 mourning civilian flag-of-truce cover to Milford Conn., endorsed "By Norfolk and flag of truce", light pencil "Ex" censor marking, entered C.S.A. mails with "Eatonton Ga. May 24" (1862) circular datestamp, "Paid" straightline and "10" in circle handstamp, U.S. postage paid with 3c Rose (65), affixed over sender's endorsement, tied by "Old Point Comfort Va. Jul. 26" double-circle datestamp, stamp lifted and hinged back into place, a war-torn cover but still a rare late civilian flag-of-truce usage through Norfolk and Old Point Comfort, the U.S. began sending this type of mail to the Dead Letter Office in mid-February 1862 and the C.S.A. stopped forwarding this type of mail by the end of February 1862 (Image)

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E. 200-300

SOLD for $190.00
Will close during Public Auction
97 c Fort Warren, Boston Mass.> December 1861 inner envelope from Virginia to Fort Warren Prison, Boston Harbor, to prisoner-of-war <Commodore Samuel Barron>, Old Point Comfort Va. Jan. 3 double-circle datestamp ties
3c Rose (65), C.S.A. postage paid byFort Warren, Boston Mass. December 1861 inner envelope from Virginia to Fort Warren Prison, Boston Harbor, to prisoner-of-war Commodore Samuel Barron, "Old Point Comfort Va. Jan. 3" double-circle datestamp ties 3c Rose (65), C.S.A. postage paid by discarded outer envelope, manuscript "X" exchange point examiner's mark, reverse with "Boston Mass Jan. 6" circular datestamp, piece of backflap missing and couple small backflap tears, otherwise Very Fine and attractive, Samuel Barron was a captain in the U.S. Navy before resigning and joining the C.S.A. Navy as a captain and Chief of the Office of Naval Detail and Equipment, he was subsequently assigned commander of coastal defenses of Virginia and North Carolina and was captured at Fort Hatteras during the Battle of Hatteras Inlet on August 29, 1861, he was paroled on July 28, 1862 and went on to serve as flag officer commanding C.S.A. naval forces in Europe, he was among those who required a special presidential pardon after the war due to his activity in Europe buying and outfitting Confederate commerce raiders, such as the Alabama and the Florida, his pardon was granted in October 1867, illustrated in Special Routes (p. 62) (Image)

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E. 750-1,000

SOLD for $750.00
Will close during Public Auction
98 c Ligons Tobacco Warehouse, Richmond Va.> Inner green envelope with enclosure datelined December 4, 1861, from Lt. Barnard B. Vassal, prisoner-of-war at Ligons Warehouse Prison, to North Oxford Mass., <free franked
by fellow prisoner Alfred Ely M.C.Ligon's Tobacco Warehouse, Richmond Va. Inner green envelope with enclosure datelined December 4, 1861, from Lt. Barnard B. Vassal, prisoner-of-war at Ligon's Warehouse Prison, to North Oxford Mass., free franked by fellow prisoner "Alfred Ely M.C.", manuscript "From a prisoner of war Richmond VA", entered U.S. mails with "Old Point Comfort Va. Dec 13" double circle datestamp, couple inconsequential edge and corner nicks

AN OUTSTANDING AND RARE DECEMBER 1861 FREE-FRANKED COVER FROM LIGON'S PRISON SENT THROUGH NORFOLK AND OLD POINT COMFORT.

Ligon's Tobacco Warehouse in Richmond, also referred to as "Rockett's No. 1", was among the first Confederate prisons used and held almost 1,000 prisoners from the First Battle of Bull Run (Manassas). Alfred Ely was a Representative from New York, serving in Congress from 1859-1863. While witnessing the Battle of Bull Run, he was taken prisoner and sent to Ligon's until being exchanged on December 25, 1861. According to Wikipedia he was exchanged for future U.S. Senator Charles J. Faulkner. 2nd Lt. Barnard B. Vassal (1835-1894) was commissioned an officer in Company E, 15th Massachusetts Volunteers on July 30, 1861 and was captured at Ball's Bluff (Leesburg) on October 21, 1861, a Union defeat that resulted in the death of another member of Congress, Col. and Oregon Senator Edward D. Baker. Vassal was a nephew of American Red Cross founder Clara Barton.

Ex Birkinbine. Illustrated in Harrison (p. 96) and Special Routes (p. 66). See also "Alfred Ely P.O.W. Covers", Francis J. Crown Jr., Confederate Philatelist (Jul.-Aug. 1975, No. 166) (Image)

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E. 2,000-3,000

SOLD for $2,000.00
Will close during Public Auction
99 c Ligons Tobacco Warehouse, Richmond Va.> Inner green envelope with enclosure datelined <<Richmond Va. Dec. 21st 61>> from Lt. Barnard B. Vassal, prisoner-of-war, to North Oxford Massachusetts, prisoners
endorsement as well as <<Sold. letter Mg.Ligon's Tobacco Warehouse, Richmond Va. Inner green envelope with enclosure datelined "Richmond Va. Dec. 21st '61" from Lt. Barnard B. Vassal, prisoner-of-war, to North Oxford Massachusetts, prisoner's endorsement as well as "Sold. letter Mg. Herrman U.S.A." (Gen. Wool's staff) applied at Fortress Monroe despite Vassal's rank as an officer, "Due 3" handstamp for unpaid soldier's letter, no Old Point Comfort datestamp, fresh and Very Fine, a nice companion to the prior lot, Lt. Vassal was a nephew of American Red Cross founder Clara Barton and was captured at Ball's Bluff (Leesburg) on October 21, 1861, ex Birkinbine (Image)

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E. 400-500

SOLD for $500.00
Will close during Public Auction
100 c Salisbury Prison, N.C.> Flag-of-truce cover from Charles Kliffmuller at Salisbury Prison to his wife Matilda in <Fritzlar, Germany>, docketed <<Via Norfolk & Flag of Truce>>, manuscript <<Examined>> (C.S.A.) and
<<Exd. Ft. Monroe.>> (U.S.) censSalisbury Prison, N.C. Flag-of-truce cover from Charles Kliffmuller at Salisbury Prison to his wife Matilda in Fritzlar, Germany, docketed "Via Norfolk & Flag of Truce", manuscript "Examined" (C.S.A.) and "Exd. Ft. Monroe." (U.S.) censor marks, Confederate 5c Blue (4) stamp missing (removed at Old Point Comfort), was tied by "Salisbury N.C. Apr? 1862" circular datestamp, entered U.S. mails with "Old Point Comfort Va. Apr. 28" circular datestamp, "30" circular handstamp most likely for unpaid letter by Prussian Closed Mail (ignored in New York and sent by Hamburg mail), blue "15" Hamburg mail handstamp, sent from New York by HAPAG Teutonia on May 3 with "N. York Hamb. Pkt. 5 May 3" debit datestamp, Hamburg, Frankfurt, Cassel and Fritzlar backstamps, "4-1/2 / 6Xr" rate handstamp applied in Hamburg representing 4.5sgr (10c) international rate plus 6kr transit postage, postage due restated at Cassel with "6-1/2" sgr due handstamp (scarce marking with the diagonal fraction bar), finally restated again with manuscript "6-1/2" sgr plus "-1/4" due for local delivery at Fritzlar, cover with some tears, part of backflap missing and corner restoration

AN EXTREMELY RARE FLAG-OF-TRUCE COVER FROM SALISBURY PRISON TO GERMANY VIA NORFOLK, OLD POINT COMFORT, NEW YORK AND HAMBURG MAILS. FEW FOREIGN BOUND FLAG-OF-TRUCE COVERS ARE KNOWN.

Charles Kliffmuller was a private in the Alabama Eufaula Light Artillery. When he mailed this cover, he was either a guard at Salisbury Prison or perhaps in detention for an infraction. He married Miss Matilda Lange on Sep. 3, 1858, and was killed in the Chunky Creek train accident in Mississippi in February 1863. His train was on its way to provide reinforcements at Vicksburg when it derailed over the damaged Chunky Creek trestle, killing more than 40 people.

Ex Grant and Meroni. Illustrated in Chronicle (No. 213) (Image)

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E. 1,500-2,000

SOLD for $1,600.00
Will close during Public Auction
101 c Norfolk Va.> Civilian flag-of-truce inner envelope from New York to Camden, S.C., <Protestant Episcopal Mission Rooms New York> senders red oval handstamp, discarded outer envelope paid the U.S. postage to
Fortress Monroe, C.S.A. postage paid by aNorfolk Va. Civilian flag-of-truce inner envelope from New York to Camden, S.C., "Protestant Episcopal Mission Rooms New York" sender's red oval handstamp, discarded outer envelope paid the U.S. postage to Fortress Monroe, C.S.A. postage paid by a U.S. half-dime affixed with wax to upper left corner (the coin is a replacement), entered C.S.A. mails at Norfolk with blue "Norfolk Va. Dec. 28, 1861" circular datestamp, matching "Paid 5c" in circle, receipt docketing at left "Recd Dec 31st 1861"

A GORGEOUS AND PRISTINE SOUTHBOUND CIVILIAN FLAG-OF-TRUCE COVER TO SOUTH CAROLINA VIA OLD POINT COMFORT AND NORFOLK.

Ex Birkinbine. Illustrated in Special Routes (p. 91) and Collectors Club Philatelist (Vol. 84, No. 6) (Image)

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E. 2,000-3,000

SOLD for $5,250.00
Will close during Public Auction
102 c Norfolk Va.> Small southbound civilian flag-of-truce inner cover to Charleston S.C. from New York, Carson correspondence, outer cover paying U.S. postage discarded, manuscript <<Exd E.B.C.>> censor mark, blue
circular Paid 5C handstamp for C.S.A.Norfolk Va. Small southbound civilian flag-of-truce inner cover to Charleston S.C. from New York, Carson correspondence, outer cover paying U.S. postage discarded, manuscript "Exd E.B.C." censor mark, blue circular "Paid 5C" handstamp for C.S.A. postage, "Norfolk Va. Dec. 10, 1861" double-circle datestamp, forwarded to Sandover, light soiling, otherwise Very Fine example of Fortress Monroe-Norfolk flag-of-truce mail, see lots 342-344 for blockade-run covers from the Carson correspondence (Image)

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E. 500-750

SOLD for $750.00
Will close during Public Auction

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