Confederacy, Charleston S.C. May 31 1861, cds ties U.S. 3¢ dull red (26), bright color, on cover with 7-Star and Bars Patriotic Flag design, addressed to Newberry C.H. S.C., original letter datelined "June 1st 1861", the first day of the Confederate postal system, Very Fine. C.S.A. Catalog No. F7-7B var. Estimate  $1,500 - 2,000. A REMARKABLE USE OF U.S. POSTAGE ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE CONFEDERATE POSTAL SYSTEM. It appears that Charleston postmaster Huger authorized selected mail bearing now-invalid U.S. stamps to enter C.S.A. mails with a backdated May 31st postmark on the Jun. 1st first day of the new Confederate postal system. In his letter, the writer made several comments about the situation in South Carolina such as when he writes of a nation church newspaper: "It seems the 'Missionary' has succeeded in lashing itself to the Lincoln traces, not one publication belonging to our church is now fit for circulation in our government.". $0 (Image)

Confederacy, Charleston S.C. May 31 1861, neat strike of cds ties 3¢ dull red (26) on yellow cover to Raleigh N.C., blue "Raleigh N.C. Oct 1" backstamp with matching "Advertised" straightline handstamp, apparently unclaimed and red initial "B" handstamp of Dead Letter Officewith manuscript number and "$18"; some edge faults, F.-V.F., A rare advertised use sent on the Last Day U.S. Stamps Permitted to Pay Postage in the C.S.A.; ex-Weatherly. Estimate  $400 - 600. $0 (Image)

Confederacy, Charleston S.C. May 31 1861, clear postmark on U.S. 3c star die entire (U27) to Cleveland Tenn., Very Fine, Last Day U.S. Stamps Permitted to Pay Postage, ex-Kohn. Estimate  $200 - 300. This was an interesting use to Tennessee, which did not secede until June 8th 1861, hence this was from the Confederacy to U. S. Territory. $0 (Image)