Confederacy, Fort Valley Ga., 3¢ Black Entire, clear strikes of "Fort Valley Ga." control circle and "Paid 3" rate handstamps, entered mails with "Fort Valley Ga. Apr 12" cds on 1861 cover to New Orleans La., backflap removed, rough opening at top and slightly toned, Fine, ex-Hall, Agre; with 2002 C.S.A. certificate. C.S.A. No. A-FTV-GA-E01. Scott No. unlisted  Estimate $2,000 - 3,000. THE ONLY RECORDED EXAMPLE OF THE FORT VALLEY 3¢ PROVISIONAL ENTIRE. This cover is dated April 12, 1861, the day the first guns of war were fired on Fort Sumter.The 3¢ provisionals were issued by postmasters in Confederate States prior to the establishment of the Confederate postal system. This Fort Valley entire was originally acquired by the Halls in 1924 for $5 from Nassau Stamp Co. and initialed "JAK" by John A. Klemann on the reverse. Another example of the "Paid 3" entire (without control mark) was offered in the Kohn CSA collection (Siegel Oct. 29, 1970, lot 35), dated Mar. 19, 1861, to the same addressee. A third 3¢ entire recently surfaced with original letter dated July 6, 1861 with control circle and revalued with 5¢ ratemarker. $0 (Image)