Daniel F. Kelleher Auctions, LLC Sale: 5127
|
Postal History
Ship Covers Naval Ship Covers | |||||
Sale No: 5127
Lot No:3036 Symbol: U.S.S. Althea, Converted Tug Gunboat, cover franked with a target-canceled 3¢ rose (65) postmarked Philadelphia, Sep 18, 1864, with a straightline "U.S. SHIP"; addressed to "Mrs. John G. Douglas, Peterboro, N.Y."; opened somewhat roughly at the right, Fine to Very Fine, John G Douglass enlisted in the Union Navy at New York on April 1, 1864. His records indicate he was a "colored" landsman assigned to the yet-to-be-commissioned Althea as a cook. Althea muster records show him present in September of 1864. The U.S. SHIP (fewer than 100 known - Milgram) was applied in Philadelphia where the letter arrived on the 20th aboard the U.S.S. Bermuda, a captured blockade-runner used as a supply ship operating between the Gulf and Philadelphia. At the time, Althea was operating on the west coast of Florida. Peterboro, N.Y., was an abolitionist town and a stop on the Underground Railroad, a safe place for the wife of a black sailor. Althea was a screw steamer used by the Navy as an armed tugboat. She briefly assisted with the C.S.S. Albemarle threat before reaching Mobile Bay the day of Farragut's victory. A mine sank her six months later, resulting in the loss of most of her records. She was subsequently salvaged. Suggested Bid $50-75 (Image) Suggested Bid $50-75
|
|||||
Sale No: 5127
Lot No:3037 Symbol: U.S.S. Brandywine, Frigate, cover addressed to "Paymaster Thos. H. Looker U.S.N., U.S. Frigate 'Brandywine', Off Fortress Monroe, Old Point, Va." franked with a 3¢ rose (65) tied by a target cancel and a Nov 11 (1861) New York c.d.s.; includes the original three-page letter from Looker's wife, datelined Hoboken, N.J., Nov 10; very roughly opened at the top with part of top flap missing, Fine, Originally built in 1825 as the 44-gun frigate Susquehanna , her first task was to transport the Marquis de Lafayette back to France. She was renamed Brandywine in honor of the battle in which Lafayette was wounded while fighting with American forces. She was later recommissioned a number of times for service in various theaters, finally in October 1861, when she joined the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron, most of the time stationed off of Fortress Monroe. Suggested Bid $50-75 (Image) Suggested Bid $50-75
|
Sale No: 5127
Lot No:3038 Symbol: U.S.S. Colorado, Screw Frigate, cover with manuscript endorsement "From U.S. Ship 'Colorado'", franked with a pair of cork-canceled 3¢ rose (65) and postmarked with a partial 1863 New York c.d.s., to Winchester, Mass.; reduced slightly at the left; stamps extend just beyond edge at the top, Fine to Very Fine, Colorado joined the Gulf Blockading Squadron in June 1861 taking blockade-runners and conducting raids. She was reassigned to the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron in October 1864 and participated in the bombardment and capture of Fort Fisher at the mouth of the Cape Fear River, Wilmington, N.C., in January 1865. Suggested Bid $100-150 (Image) Suggested Bid $100-150
|
Sale No: 5127
Lot No:3039 Symbol: U.S.S. Colorado, Screw Frigate, cover addressed to "Dr. Robert Willard, Assist. Surg U.S.N., U.S. Frigate Colorado, Fortress Monroe, Hampton Roads, Va.", franked with a neatly cork-canceled 3¢ rose (65) and postmarked with a red May 25 (1861?) Boston c.d.s., Very Fine, Colorado joined the Gulf Blockading Squadron in June 1861 taking blockade-runners and conducting raids. She was reassigned to the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron in October 1864 and participated in the bombardment and capture of Fort Fisher at the mouth of the Cape Fear River, Wilmington, N.C., in January 1865. Suggested Bid $100-150 (Image) Suggested Bid $100-150
|
Sale No: 5127
Lot No:3040 Symbol: U.S.S. Colorado, Screw Frigate, 3¢ entire (U35) with manuscript endorsement "From U.S. Frigate Colorado", cork-canceled and postmarked with a mostly clear Jan 8 Old Point Comfort, Va. c.d.s., to Freetown, Maine; edge flaws, Fine, Colorado joined the Gulf Blockading Squadron in June 1861 taking blockade-runners and conducting raids. She was reassigned to the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron in October 1864 and participated in the bombardment and capture of Fort Fisher at the mouth of the Cape Fear River, Wilmington, N.C., in January 1865. Suggested Bid $100-150 (Image) Suggested Bid $100-150
|
Sale No: 5127
Lot No:3041 Symbol: U.S.S. Commodore McDonough, Side-Wheel Gunboat, cover addressed to "Joseph W. Goodwin, U.S. Steamer Comor. McDonough, Port Royal or Eslewhere, S.C.", franked with a target-canceled 3¢ rose (65) and postmarked with mostly clear Feb 15 South Berwick Junction, Me. c.d.s.; reduced slightly at the left, otherwise Very Fine, Commodore McDonough, with a complement of 75, started life as a New York City ferry. Converted to a gunboat, she served blockade operations and in the rivers of South Caroloina covering troop landings, conducting reconnaissance and bombarding shore installations. Suggested Bid $100-150 (Image) Suggested Bid $100-150
|
Sale No: 5127
Lot No:3042 Symbol: U.S.S. Commodore McDonough, Side-Wheel Gunboat, cover addressed to "Mr. Joseph W. Goodwin, U.S.Sh. Commodore Mcdonough, Port Royal or Elsewhere, S.C.", franked with a 3¢ rose (65) tied by one of two strikes Oct 7 North Berwick, R.I. c.d.s.'s, Fine to Very Fine, Commodore McDonough was a sidewheel ferryboat acquired by the Navy and refitted as a gunboat. She was commissioned in November 1862 and in December of that year joined the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron, where she remained, primarily off Charleston, for the duration of the war. Due to her shallow draft, as a former ferry, she often cruised up the many rivers of the region, bombarding shore installations and supporting troop operations. Suggested Bid $100-150 (Image) Suggested Bid $100-150
|
Sale No: 5127
Lot No:3043 Symbol: U.S.S. Contoocook, Screw Sloop of War, cover with a red Adams Express Co. illustrated corner card featuring Mercury/Hermes addressed to "Lt Comd W.R. Bridgeman, U. S. S. Contoocook, Norfolk Navy Yard, Va.", franked with a 3¢ rose (65) tied by an elaborate cork cancel and postmarked with a light Aug 12 Old Point Comfort, Va. c.d.s.; two small repairs at the top where it is reduced slightly (no top flap), perforation damage due to stamps' edge-placement, Very Fine appearance. A handsome cover with a very rare Adams Express corner card, Contoocook was launched December 3, 1864, at Portsmouth Navy Yard and commissioned March 14, 1868, commanded by Captain George Balch. Her first cruise, as flagship of the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron, took her to the West Indies, where she patrolled extensively for the protection of American interests during 1868 and 1869. Suggested Bid $100-150 (Image) Suggested Bid $100-150
|
Sale No: 5127
Lot No:3044 Symbol: U.S.S. Daylight, Screw Steamer, small cover addressed to "Henry A. Phelan Comd'g., U. S. Str. Daylight, James River, Va.", franked with a 3¢ rose (65) with a neat circle-of-Vs cancel and a light Norwich, Con. c.d.s., Nov 24, 1864; reduced just a tad at the left, Very Fine, Daylight, with a complement of 57, was assigned to the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron. She spent most of her time on guard and picket duty on the James River. Suggested Bid $100-150 (Image) Suggested Bid $100-150
|
Sale No: 5127
Lot No:3045 Symbol: U.S.S. Emma, Steel Hull Screw Steamer, small lady's envelope addressed to "Mr. William H. Manning, U S Steamer Emma, North Atlantic Blockading Squadron, Beaufort, N.C.", franked with a grid-canceled 3¢ rose (65) and postmarked with a light Deerfield, N.J. c.d.s., Mar 4 (1864); reduced slightly at the right, Fine to Very Fine, Ex-Walske, Emma was a captured Southern blockade-runner that was purchased by the Navy from the New York Prize Court in September 1863 and commissioned in November 1863, joining the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron. She took part in both Battles of Fort Fisher in December 1864 and January 1865. On April 26, 1865, Emma sailed from Fort Caswell, N.C., with an urgent message from General Sherman to Rear Admiral Dahlgren, commander of the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron, warning the Admiral that Jefferson Davis and his cabinet, not yet located, might attempt to escape to Cuba by way of Florida. Suggested Bid $75-100 (Image) Suggested Bid $75-100
|
Sale No: 5127
Lot No:3046 Symbol: Emma was a captured Southern blockade-runner that was purchased by the Navy from the New York Prize Court in September 1863 and commissioned in November 1863, joining the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron. She took part in both Battles of Fort Fisher in December 1864 and January 1865. On April 26, 1865, Emma sailed from Fort Caswell, N.C., with an urgent message from General Sherman to Rear Admiral Dahlgren, commander of the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron, warning the Admiral that Jefferson Davis and his cabinet, not yet located, might attempt to escape to Cuba by way of Florida. Suggested Bid $50-75 (Image) Suggested Bid $50-75
|
Sale No: 5127
Lot No:3047 Symbol: U.S.S. Flag, Screw Steamer, cover addressed to "Mr. Henry S. Robinson, Asst Engineer on, Steamer Flag, Hampton Roads", franked with a grid-canceled 3¢ rose (65) and postmarked with a bold Worcester, Mass. c.d.s., Nov 1 (1861); reduced slightly at the left, Fine to Very Fine. Henry Robinson's commission was revoked in March 1862, meaning this letter would have been 1861., Flag, as part of the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron, captured or shared in the capture/destruction of many blockade-runners. Along with Seneca and Pocahontas, she took possession of Tybee Island, from where the Union Army was able to bombard and capture Fort Pulaski. She participated in the capture of Fernandina, Fla., in March 1862, and in the general engagement of the fleet with the forts in Charleston Harbor in April 1863 . Suggested Bid $100-150 (Image) Suggested Bid $100-150
|
Sale No: 5127
Lot No:3048 Symbol: U.S.S. Flag, Screw Steamer, cover with manuscript endorsement "Ship Letter, From U.S. Steamer, Flag", handstamped with a partial "(Du)e 3" and marked with a red crayon "3" for good measure, to Philadelphia; reduced irregularly at the right, Flag, as part of the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron, captured or shared in the capture/destruction of many blockade-runners. Along with Seneca and Pocahontas, she took possession of Tybee Island, from where the Union Army was able to bombard and capture Fort Pulaski. She participated in the capture of Fernandina, Fla., in March 1862, and in the general engagement of the fleet with the forts in Charleston Harbor in April 1863 . Suggested Bid $100-150 (Image) Suggested Bid $100-150
|
Sale No: 5127
Lot No:3049 Symbol: U.S.S. Flag, Screw Steamer, cover with manuscript endorsement "from U.S. gunboat flag" franked with a 3¢ rose (65) tied by a Jun 14 Old Point Comfort, Va. c.d.s., to Wenham, Mass.; expertly repaired, Very Fine appearance, Flag, as part of the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron, captured or shared in the capture/destruction of many blockade-runners. Along with Seneca and Pocahontas, she took possession of Tybee Island, from where the Union Army was able to bombard and capture Fort Pulaski. She participated in the capture of Fernandina, Fla., in March 1862, and in the general engagement of the fleet with the forts in Charleston Harbor in April 1863 . Suggested Bid $75-100 (Image) Suggested Bid $75-100
|
Sale No: 5127
Lot No:3050 Symbol: U.S.S. Flambeau, Screw Steamer, cover to Georgetown, Del. with three-page letter datelined "U S Stmr Flambeau, off Murrells Inlet, June 18/63"; cover franked with a 3¢ rose (65) tied by a straightline "U. S. SHIP" with a Philadelphia c.d.s., Jun 20, 1863; the letter, from a Joseph Layton to his father, mentions an acquaintance of his father's, one Capt. Upshaw, and that "Gen Lee is an uncle to his wife" and that he is "inclined to be of the Peace Party now starting up in the north", and is "awfully opposed to what he terms the abolitionists."; cover reduced just a bit at the left, Fine to Very Fine, Flambeau was built for coastal China Trade. With a complement of 92 she was acquired in November of 1861. She operated with the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron for her entire career, taking four prizes. She was decommissioned in June 1865 and later stranded and lost off the coast of North Carolina in 1867. Suggested Bid $100-150 (Image) Suggested Bid $100-150
|
Sale No: 5127
Lot No:3051 Symbol: Florida was acquired by the Navy in October 1861 and converted to a cruiser. She was assigned to the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron and participated in the operations that took Port Royal and positions in northern Florida and Georgia. She was later assigned to the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron, where she was successful in the capture or destruction of several blockade-runners. Suggested Bid $75-100 (Image) Suggested Bid $75-100
|
Sale No: 5127
Lot No:3052 Symbol: U.S.S. Forest Rose, Stern-Wheel Gunboat, cover addressed to "Symmes(?) E. Browne Esq, Ensign U.S. Navy Missi. Squadn. Gun Boat 'Forest Rose', Via Cairo, Ills.", franked with a 3¢ rose (65) tied by a blue Cincinnati grid duplex, Dec 30 (1863), Very Fine, Forest Rose, also known as Tinclad No. 9, was commissioned in December 1862 and assigned to the Mississippi River Squadron. She participated in the capture of Fort Hindman and was active on the Yazoo River and in the Red River Expedition. Suggested Bid $100-150 (Image) Suggested Bid $100-150
|
Sale No: 5127
Lot No:3053 Symbol: U.S.S. Galatea, Screw Steamer, cover addressed to "Wm. Baas U.S. Steamer Galatea, Cape Haytien, West Indies, in care of D.B. Allen Esq., No 5 Bowling Green, New York City", franked with a 3¢ rose (65) tied by a Feb 27 (1864 or '65) Erie, Pa. c.d.s.; there is no indication of how the letter would have gotten from New York to Cap-Haitien—perhaps it was hand-carried; also included is an earlier letter written by Baas to his wife in Erie, datelined "Detroit, Septr 11th 1863", while he served, judging from the content, aboard a Lake Erie steamer; front and back of the cover are separated, otherwise Fine to Very Fine, Galatea was a large screw combatant with a complement of 164. She entered service in January 1864 and served her whole career with the West Indies Squadron. She served escort duty in the Caribbean for California Steamers and ships carrying gold and mail between Colon, Panama, and New York. Suggested Bid $75-100 (Image) Suggested Bid $75-100
|
Sale No: 5127
Lot No:3054 Symbol: U.S.S. Geranium, Converted Tug Gunboat, cover addressed to "Mr. George E. Norris, Act. 3rd Asst. Engineer, U.S. Str. Geranium, Port Royal, S.C.", franked with a 3¢ rose (65) tied by a fancy radial cancel with a May 15 Wenham, Mass. c.d.s., Very Fine, Geranium (ex John A. Dix), with a complement of 39 to 45, was commissioned in 1863 and joined the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron. She served as a picket, dispatch and light supply ship. She participated in operations on Bull's Bay and diversionary amphibious operations that hastened the evacuation of Charleston. Suggested Bid $100-150 (Image) Suggested Bid $100-150
|
Sale No: 5127
Lot No:3055 Symbol: U.S.S. Glide (II), Tinclad (No. 43) Gunboat, cover addressed to "Capt. Steamer Glide, Present" and endorsed "Official", unfranked and presumably hand-delivered; reduced somewhat at the right, otherwise Very Fine. Penciled notations, perhaps docketing, read, "Written on board the Flag Ship 'Sunnyside, Oct 17, 1862. Jno. A. Duble Commanding Gun Boat Flotilla." The date is consistent with both the service of Glide and the availability of Duble, but there is no record of a Sunnyside as either a Union or a Confederate ship, Glide operated in Louisiana blockading Berwick Bay. She was in service for less than two years. Suggested Bid $75-100 (Image) Suggested Bid $75-100
|
Sale No: 5127
Lot No:3056 Symbol: Huntsville participated in the assault on Tampa Bay, landing troops and providing support. While at Tampa Bay, Yellow Fever struck her crew and more than half died. Suggested Bid $100-150 (Image) Suggested Bid $100-150
|
Sale No: 5127
Lot No:3057 Symbol: U.S.S. Huntsville, Screw Steamer, 3¢ pink entire (U35) postmarked Key West, Fla, Aug 20 (1863) to Philadelphia with original three-page letter datelined "U S Steamer Huntsville, Tampa Bay Florida, August 13th 1863", from Huntsville engineer, Joseph L. Parry, to his wife, noting that he is "blockading here and do not know when we will be relieved" and that they are expecting overdue prize money to arrive "in every mail."; cover reduced a bit at the right, Fine to Very Fine, Huntsville participated in the assault on Tampa Bay, landing troops and providing support. While there, Yellow Fever struck her crew and more than half died. Suggested Bid $100-150 (Image) Suggested Bid $100-150
|
Sale No: 5127
Lot No:3058 Symbol: Huntsville participated in the assault on Tampa Bay, landing troops and providing support. While there, Yellow Fever struck her crew and more than half died. Suggested Bid $100-150 (Image) Suggested Bid $100-150
|
Sale No: 5127
Lot No:3059 Symbol: U.S.S. Huntsville, Screw Steamer, cover addressed to "H.H. Whitehead, on Board U.S. Gunboat Huntsville, Florida Keywest or Any Place Else", franked with a 3¢ rose (65) tied by a fancy circular geometric with a New York c.d.s., Nov 14, 1862, alongside; slightly damaged at the right in opening, Fine, Huntsville participated in the assault on Tampa Bay, landing troops and providing support. While at Tampa Bay, Yellow Fever struck her crew and more than half died. Suggested Bid $75-100 (Image) Suggested Bid $75-100
|
Sale No: 5127
Lot No:3060 Symbol: Huntsville participated in the assault on Tampa Bay, landing troops and providing support. While there, Yellow Fever struck her crew and more than half died. Suggested Bid $50-75 (Image) Suggested Bid $50-75
|
|
|
|
Copyright © 1994-2022 Droege Computing Services, Inc.
All Rights Reserved.
Mailing Address: 20 West Colony Place
Suite 120, Durham NC 27705