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

Blockade-Run Mail: Inbound via Wilmington N.C.

Lot

Sym.

Lot Description

320

Wilmington N.C. Sep. 12 (1863). Bold circular datestamp and "SHIP" straightline handstamp with manuscript "12" rate (10c plus 2c ship fee) on small pinkish-colored cover to Colonel Miller Hallowes in Bolingbroke Ga., bold red "Forwarded by Saunders & Co. Nassau" double-line oval handstamp (partly obscured by Wilmington datestamp), receipt docketing "Recd Sept. 24 1863, Ansd Nov. 2 1863, Wrote again Nov 24 /63, Again Dec. 4 1863", backflap removed and some faults

AN ATTRACTIVE AND RARE INCOMING BLOCKADE-RUN COVER WITH SAUNDERS & SON FORWARDER HANDSTAMP.

Col. Miller Hallowes was born in England in 1799 (died in Georgia in 1877). He fought with Simon Bolivar from 1818 to 1830. He was in his 60's when this was sent to him, probably from England. If so, then carried on Cunarder China, dep. Liverpool Aug. 1, 1863, arr. New York Aug. 11, then Cunarder Corsica, dep. New York Aug. 15, arr. Nassau Aug. 19, then blockade-runner Alice, dep. Nassau Sep. 8, arr. Wilmington Sep. 12. The Alice was owned by the Importing & Exporting Co. of South Carolina (William C. Bee), active May 1863 to Mar. 1865, 24 for 24 in successful trips, survived the war.

With 1989 C.S.A. certificate (Image)

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E. 2,000-3,000

SOLD for $1,100.00
Will close during Public Auction

321

Wilmington N.C. Oct. 10 (1863). Only partly visible strike and manuscript "12" rate (10c plus 2c ship fee) on cover from St. Georges, Bermuda to Mrs. Sallie G. Lull, in care of Houghton, Allen & Co., Wetumpka Ala., with additional handling directive "Care Messrs. Andrea & Leon, Wilmington" (we cannot find any information about this company), sender's ship-name routing "Per 'Flora'", pencil receipt docketing "Oct. 3d, Sept 28, 1863" referring to two original letter enclosures, the first datelined "St. Georges Bermuda Sept. 28 1863" which begins "I wrote you last on board Stmr. 'Asia'" and mentions shipping items "by two different steamers, the 'Flora' and the 'A. D. Vance'", second letter datelined "St. Geo. Bermuda Oct. 3 1863" begins "The 'Flora' leaves tomorrow for C.S.A. and I add a line -- In case anything occurs to prevent my going on the 'Vance'"

VERY FINE. A RARE BLOCKADE-RUN COVER FROM BERMUDA AND ESPECIALLY DESIRABLE WITH THE SHIP-NAME ENDORSEMENT AND THE ORIGINAL LETTER CONTENTS.

Carried on blockade-runner Flora II, dep. St. Georges Oct. 4, arr. Wilmington Oct. 8. The Flora II was active Aug. 1863 to Jan. 1864, 9 for 10 in successful trips, sank at sea Jan. 11, 1864.

Ex Ludington (Image)

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E. 2,000-3,000

SOLD for $1,100.00
Will close during Public Auction

322

Wilmington N.C. 5 Paid Dec. 17 (1863). Bold modified integral-rate circular datestamp and "SHIP" straightline handstamp with manuscript "22" rate (20c double rate plus 2c ship fee) on greenish folded letter datelined "Liverpool 21st Novr. 1863 per Scotia" from John K. Gilliat & Co. to William Gray, prominent Richmond Va. tobacco merchant

VERY FINE. AN ATTRACTIVE DOUBLE-RATE BLOCKADE-RUN COVER FROM LIVERPOOL TO RICHMOND VIA NASSAU AND WILMINGTON.

Carried on Cunarder Scotia, dep. Liverpool Nov. 21, 1863, arr. New York Dec. 4, then Cunarder Corsica, dep. New York Dec. 7, arr. Nassau Dec. 11, then blockade-runner Syren, dep. Nassau Dec. 12, arr. Wilmington Dec. 16. The Syren was owned by the Charleston Importing & Exporting Co., active Oct. 1863 to Feb. 1865, 33 for 33 in successful trips, captured in Charleston harbor Feb. 1865. Characterized by Stephen Wise as one of "the most successful" blockade runners.

Ex Everett. With 1979 C.S.A. certificate (Image)

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E. 1,500-2,000

SOLD for $1,300.00
Will close during Public Auction

323

Wilmington N.C. 5 Paid Dec. 19 (1863). Bold modified integral-rate circular datestamp and "SHIP" straightline handstamp with manuscript "12" rate (10c plus 2c ship fee) on small cover with Griffin crest on flap and London stationer's embossing "Saunders, 21 Hanway Street" on side flap, to Jonathan N. Hendren in Staunton Va. (Hendren was appointed C.S.A. Treasurer in Oct. 1864), manuscript ship-name endorsement "Fannie" in ink matching the "12" rate, which suggests there might have been an accounting procedure for ship fees, lightly cleaned

VERY FINE. AN OUTSTANDING INBOUND BLOCKADE-RUN COVER FROM NASSAU WITH ALL OF THE "ESSENTIAL" ELEMENTS IN PLACE -- WILMINGTON MODIFIED RATE DATESTAMP, "SHIP" HANDSTAMP AND SHIP-NAME ENDORSEMENT.

Carried on Cunarder Scotia, dep. Liverpool Nov. 21, 1863, arr. New York Dec. 4, then Cunarder Corsica, dep. New York Dec. 7, arr. Nassau Dec. 11, then blockade-runner Fannie, dep. Nassau Dec. 13, arr. Wilmington Dec. 19. The Fannie was owned by the Importing & Exporting Company of South Carolina (William C. Bee), active May 1863 to Apr. 1865, 20 for 20 in successful trips, survived the war.

Illustrated in Special Routes (p. 134) (Image)

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E. 3,000-4,000

SOLD for $4,750.00
Will close during Public Auction

324

Wilmington N.C. 5 Paid Jan. 19 (1864). Bold modified integral-rate circular datestamp and "SHIP" straightline handstamp with manuscript "12" rate (10c plus 2c ship fee) on greenish folded letter datelined "(Duplicate Original p Australasian) Liverpool 5th Decr. 1863" with mailing date of Dec. 19, from Eyre Evans & Co. to David H. London, prominent Richmond Va. merchant

VERY FINE. A DESIRABLE INCOMING BLOCKADE-RUN COVER WITH THE WILMINGTON MODIFIED RATE DATESTAMP AND "SHIP" STRAIGHTLINE.

Carried on Cunarder Persia, dep. Liverpool Dec. 19, 1863, arr. New York Dec. 31, then Cunarder Corsica, dep. New York Jan. 4, 1864, arr. Nassau Jan. 8, then blockade-runner Heroine, dep. Nassau Jan. 15, arr. Wilmington Jan. 19. The Heroine was owned by John Fraser & Co. (handled in Nassau by Adderley & Co., Fraser's agent), active Nov. 1863 to July 1864, 5 for 5 in successful trips, trapped in Mobile Bay in Aug. 1864. This is a late use of the Wilmington "Ship" straightline. (Image)

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E. 2,000-3,000

SOLD for $1,600.00
Will close during Public Auction

325

10c Dark Blue, Die A (11b). Large even margins, light pre-use crease, tied by "Wilmington N.C. Mar. 23" (or Mar. 28, 1864) circular datestamp on buff cover originating in England and addressed to A. A. Bell at Liberty Va. with ship-name endorsement "Per S.S. 'Lucy'", backflap has light manuscript "Forwd. by C. C. Hudson" Wilmington forwarder's endorsement

EXTREMELY FINE AND VERY RARE BLOCKADE-RUN COVER WITH SHIP'S NAME AND CONFEDERATE STAMP FOR INTERNAL POSTAGE.

This cover was carried to Wilmington on board the blockade-runner Lucy, dep. Nassau Mar. 11, arr. Wilmington Mar. 15. It was probably transmitted in a package of letters sent to C. C. Hudson in Wilmington (a copy of a blockade-running document signed by Hudson at Wilmington accompanies). Hudson held the letter and posted it 8 days later. The ship fee was paid on the package of letters, thus not marked on each cover individually. The Lucy was owned by Fraser Trenholm & Co., active Nov. 1863 to Nov. 1864, 21 for 23 in successful trips, captured by U.S.S. Santiago de Cuba on Nov. 3, 1864, off of Wilmington. A detailed history of the C.S.S. Lucy appears in the Confederate Philatelist, May-June 1972.

Ex Murphy (Image)

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E. 4,000-5,000

SOLD for $4,000.00
Will close during Public Auction

326

Wilmington N.C. Apr. 3 (1864). Mostly bold circular datestamp with manuscript "12' rate (10c plus 2c ship fee) on cover to J. Berkley Grimball at Spartanburg S.C., notation "Ship letter" in another hand, receipt docketing "J. G. 17th Feb. 1864" indicating origin date from 2nd Lieutenant John Grimball (probably from England), very slightly reduced at right

VERY FINE. AN OUTSTANDING BLOCKADE-RUN COVER FROM BERMUDA WITH FASCINATING MILITARY ASSOCIATION.

Carried on Cunarder Canada, dep. Liverpool Feb. 20, 1864, arr. Halifax N.S. Mar. 3, then Cunarder Alpha, dep. Halifax Mar. 4, arr. St. Georges Mar. 9, then blockade-runner Greyhound, dep. St. Georges Mar. 29, arr. Wilmington Apr. 6. The Greyhound was active Mar. to May 1864, 1 for 2 in successful trips, captured off coast of Wilmington by U.S.S. Connecticut in May 1864.

Lieutenant John Grimball's early career included service on the C.S.S. Arkansas, an ironclad operating near Vicksburg and reputed to be the most feared ship of the C.S. Navy. The Arkansas ran aground and was burned by the crew. Lt. Grimball was assigned to service abroad on Jan. 6, 1864, and this was probably sent by Grimball from England on Feb. 17, 1864. He was appointed to the famed C.S.S. Shenandoah on Oct. 8, 1864. The Shenandoah's exploits continued months after the end of the war, as she captured whalers for prize. Lt. Grimball was present when the first and last shots of the war were fired.

Ex Kohn, Haas and Birkinbine. (Image)

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E. 2,000-3,000

SOLD for $1,700.00
Will close during Public Auction

327

Wilmington N.C. May 3 (1864). Bold circular datestamp with manuscript "12" rate (10c plus 2c ship fee) and "Exd" Provost Marshal censor marking on folded cover to Major Francis W. Smith, in care of Bacon & Baskerville in Richmond Va., faint receipt docketing "Received from Liverpool Feb. 22, 1864", couple tiny ink erosion spots in address
VERY FINE. A RARE BLOCKADE-RUN COVER FROM LIVERPOOL TO RICHMOND ROUTED VIA HALIFAX, ST. GEORGES AND WILMINGTON, BEARING THE "EXD" CONFEDERATE CENSOR MARKING APPLIED AT WILMINGTON.
Carried on Cunarder Arabia, dep. Liverpool Mar. 5, 1864, arr. Halifax N.S. Mar. 16, then Cunarder Alpha, dep. Halifax Mar. 31, arr. St. Georges Apr. 7, then blockade-runner Atalanta, dep. St. Georges Apr. 27, arr. Wilmington May 3. The Atalanta was active April 1864 to July 1864, at which point it was sold to the C.S. Navy, renamed C.S.S. Tallahassee and went on a commerce raid. It returned and was renamed C.S.S. Olustee in Oct. 1864. In Dec. 1864 she was converted back to blockade running and appropriately named Chameleon. In Apr. 1865 she went to Liverpool. The addressee, Major Francis W. Smith, was superintendent of Virginia Military Institute. Bacon & Baskerville were wholesale grocers and commission merchants. Their warehouse was converted to a hospital during the war (Bacon and Baskerville hospital, Receiving and Wayside Hospital, Receiving and Way Hospital, General Hospital No. 7).
Illustrated in Special Routes (p. 125). With 1981 P.F. certificate (Image)
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E. 2,000-3,000

SOLD for $2,000.00
Will close during Public Auction

328

10c Blue, Die A (11). Full to large margins, tied by lightly struck "Wilmington N.C. May 29" (1864) circular datestamp on cover to Hill & Norfleet (commission and forwarding merchants), in care of Howell & Harris in Wilmington N.C., pencil "Exd" Provost Marshal censor marking applied at Wilmington, half of backflap removed
VERY FINE. A RARE INBOUND BLOCKADE-RUN COVER FROM BERMUDA WITH CONFEDERATE FRANKING AND EXAMINER'S MARKING APPLIED AT WILMINGTON.
Carried on blockade-runner Lynx, dep. St. Georges May 24, 1864, arr. Wilmington May 28. The Lynx was owned by Fraser Trenholm & Co., active May 1864 to Sep. 1864, 9 for 10 in successful trips. This cover was hand-carried or carried in another packet from Bermuda. On arrival the letter was examined by the Provost Marshal and marked "Exd". Howell & Harris stamped it and mailed it May 29 (1864). (Image)
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E. 3,000-4,000

SOLD for $2,200.00
Will close during Public Auction

329

Wilmington N.C. May 29 (1864). Mostly clear strike of circular datestamp with manuscript "12" rate (10c plus 2c ship fee) on cover to Mrs. C. C. Clay Jr. in Petersburg Va., in care of Dr. Thomas Withers, monogram on back "G.F.W." for Georgiana F. Walker (wife of Norman S. Walker), pencil docketing "Walker", most of backflap removed but monogram intact, "Rebel Archives" backstamp

VERY FINE. A FASCINATING COVER FROM THE WIFE OF MAJOR NORMAN S. WALKER, CARRIED BY BLOCKADE-RUNNER FROM BERMUDA TO WILMINGTON.

Carried on blockade-runner Lynx, dep. St. Georges May 24, 1864, arr. Wilmington May 28. The Lynx was owned by Fraser Trenholm & Co., active May 1864 to Sep. 1864, 9 for 10 in successful trips, chased ashore and destroyed by the U.S.S. Howquah and the Niphon after leaving Wilmington Sep. 25, 1864.

The addressee's husband, Clement Claiborne Clay Jr., served as a U.S. senator before the war and was sent to Canada in 1864 as a member of the Peace Commission. Georgiana F. Walker arrived in Bermuda on Mar. 24, 1863, and left for England with her children on June 27, 1864, to escape the yellow fever epidemic. She returned to Bermuda on Jan. 17, 1865, and, with the end of the war, the Walkers left for England on May 13, 1865.

With 1996 C.S.A. certificate (Image)

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E. 1,500-2,000

SOLD for $1,000.00
Will close during Public Auction

330

Wilmington N.C. Jul. 30 (1864). Partly clear circular datestamp with manuscript "12" rate (10c plus 2c ship fee) on cover to Gov. Joseph Brown in Milledgeville Ga., sender's ship-name endorsement "Will o' the Wisp", left side of envelope and letter inside are embossed with "Forwarded by Geo. Chambers & Co. Nassau N.P." oval forwarder's mark, with original letter enclosure datelined "London July 2, 1864" from Charles H. Reid & Co. to Gov. Brown regarding shipment of cotton on the blockade-runner Index, receipt docketing "Charles H. Reid & Co. about Cotton, Aug. 13th 1864"

VERY FINE. AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE EXAMPLE OF CHAMBERS & COMPANY'S EMBOSSED FORWARDER MARK ON A BLOCKADE-RUN COVER FROM LONDON TO THE GOVERNOR OF GEORGIA VIA NASSAU AND WILMINGTON.

Carried on Cunarder Australasian, dep. Queenstown Jul. 3, 1864, arr. New York Jul. 13, then Cunarder Corsica, dep. New York Jul. 15, arr. Nassau Jul. 20, then blockade-runner Will of the Wisp, dep. Nassau Jul. 26, arr. Wilmington Jul. 30. The Will of the Wisp was owned by the Anglo-Confederate Trading Co., active Nov. 1863 to Feb. 1865, 12 for 15 in successful trips, ran aground and destroyed on Feb. 9, 1865, at Galveston. The sender, Charles H. Reid, was one-third owner in five blockade runners. (Image)

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E. 2,000-3,000

SOLD for $2,800.00
Will close during Public Auction