(Documents) "Esterville, Emmett Co - Aug 7/61". Dateline on 3½ page letter from Emmett County Judge Adolphus Jenkins to Samuel J. Kirkwood, Governor of Iowa, some interesting Indian and Troop content "…As there is a strong effort being made in this county to raise a decidedly uncalled for excitement in regard to the Indians. And applications are about being made to your excellency to furnish a body of troops to be stationed at this place…As far as depredations from the Indians are concerned - we have no more to fear than the settlers about Fort Dodge…There is no doubt of the existence of an organized band of horse thieves, somewhere in Dacotah Territory that commit many depredations in the disguise of indian and upon their credit…" and goes on to say that it would seem to be foolish to have troops taken away from the war effort to aid his county, Very Fine and interesting content.
Estimate; $200 - 300. Est. $200-300 (Image)

Est. $200-300

(Express) Baldwin's Southern La. Express M.R. 8154. Blue cds ties 3¢ rose (65) on light buff cover to New Orleans La., docketed "Express Matter, McKeerer vs Baldwin, letter from Mr Baldwin"; minor perf toning, partial flap, Very Fine.
Estimate; $400 - 600.

U.S. mail route 8154 on the New Orleans, Opelousas & Great Western Railroad line between New Orleans (Algiers) and Brashear La. was under U.S. military control from July 1, 1862, until February 1, 1866. Its operation, with a steamboat connection between Berwicks Bay and Galveston, was essential to mail service. The U.S. mail contract with Baldwin as agent was awarded to the NOO&GW on May 26, 1866, at $100 per mile per year. This circular handstamp is found on covers carried on the NOO&GW line between January and May 1866. Est. $400-600 (Image)

Est. $400-600

(Express) Commercial Express, Oct 25 1865. Large double-circle datestamp ties 3¢ rose (65), nat. s.e. at left, on orange cover to Atlanta Ga., entered mails with "Montgomery Ala., Oct 30" duplex also tying stamps; small edge tears and wear, Fine and scarce post-war express use.
Estimate; $750 - 1,000.

ONE OF ONLY THREE RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THE LARGE DOUBLE-CIRCLE COMMERCIAL EXPRESS COMPANY DATESTAMP.

The Commercial Express Company was a private express company with headquarters in New Orleans La. that operated from July 1864 until February 1866. Larry Ballantyne wrote the most comprehensive article on the company published in the Penny Post (October 2009) with a census of 13 covers with two large double-circle datestamps (this is not one of them). Est. $750-1,000 (Image)

Est. $750-1,000

(Naval) U.S.S. Housatonic. Letter addressed "Acting Master, Jos. W. Congdon, U.S.S. Housatonic, Off Charleston, S.C." and endorsed "Via New York", franked with 1861, 3¢ rose tied by "New York, Feb 16, 1864" cds and large grid; missing backflap, still Very Fine, a letter addressed to and posted the day before the sinking of the U.S.S. Housatonic, accompanied by biographies and the Congdon's testament at the Naval inquiry.
Estimate; $500 - 750.

On February 17, 1864, the Confederate submarine "Hunley" sank a blockader, the USS "Housatonic" off Charleston S.C., marking the first wartime sinking of a ship by a submarine. The addressee was one of 21 officers and 129 men rescued by the "Canandaigua" following the sinking of the "Housatonic". The February 16th use was posted one day before the USS Housatonic sunk. The Congdon correspondence is known however virtually all the covers are addressed from the Housatonic to Congdon's wife in Long Island. Est. $500-750 (Image)

Est. $500-750

(Naval) "U.S.S. Richmond, New Orleans May 29th 1862". Dateline on 3¢ pink (U36) blue lettersheet cancelled by grid cancel duplexed with light "Ship Island, May 30" cds to Brooklyn N.Y., reads in part "…As the McClelland leaves this port tomorrow with a mail for the North I take great please in penning a hasty line…almost wish myself out of this muddy river on the "rolling billows". If we are to attack Mobile as ordered we soon will be on the blue water again and will see some more of this horrible bloodshed…My last was written above Natchez. We went thin 3 miles of Vicksburg when the large ship was ordered down without attacking the place on account of the falling of the river. We arrived here yesterday after our trip up the river so resembling a pleasure excursion…I have heard our Captain say that he expected to spend the 4th of July in New York, Mobile is not yet taken though…", Very Fine letter with excellent Naval content.
Estimate; $400 - 600.

The USS Richmond was a wooden steam sloop in the United States Navy during the American Civil War. She served on the Mississippi River blockade. During this sailing, the Richmond departed New York on February 13th 1862 and joined the West Gulf Blockading Squadron off Ship Island on March 5th as Flag Officer David Farragut prepared to seize New Orleans. Richmond crossed the bar on 24 March with the fleet and began making preparations for battle. On 24 April Farragut's fleet ran past the forts, engaged and defeated the Confederate flotilla, and continued upriver for about 12 miles. Though Richmond was hit 17 times above the waterline, her chain armor kept out many rounds and limited her casualties to two killed and three wounded. Richmond landed her Marine detachment at New Orleans to help keep order until General Benjamin Franklin Butler's Army troops arrived. Richmond helped take possession of military installations at Baton Rouge, Louisiana on 10 May 1862. Four days later she cruised upriver, first to a point 12 miles below the juncture of the Red River, thence off Natchez River and finally to a position below the Confederate stronghold at Vicksburg on 18 June 1862. Est. $400-600 (Image)

Est. $400-600

(Post-War) Military District of Georgia, Office of Chief Commissary. Official imprint on legal-size cover endorsed "Confederate State Papers Connected with Gold Receipts for gold in hand, Judge Black Washington DC" with original letter datelined "Washington May 20th 1865" and reading "Rec'd of Maj R.J. Moses chf. C.S. State of Georgia the Sum of Two Hundred dollars in Gold $200 as payment for Guard for specie in his possession, Charles E. Inin, Lt in charge of Guard"; cover aged, Fine and interesting post-war item.
Estimate; $200 - 300. Est. $200-300 (Image)

Est. $200-300

(Sanitary Fair) Brooklyn and Long Island, Christian Commission. Illustrated Eagle and Flag patriotic corner card on cover bearing 2¢ black (73) tied by "Brooklyn N.Y., Aug 22" cds; 1864 docketing at left, Very Fine.
Estimate; $200 - 300. Est. $200-300 (Image)

Est. $200-300

(Sanitary Fair) Great Central Fair For the Sanitary Fair Commission. Black illustrated imprint showing battlefield scene on local drop rate cover bearing 2¢ black (73), bottom s.e., tied by "Philada. Pa., Apr 1" cds, Very Fine and scarce.
Estimate; $400 - 600. Est. $400-600 (Image)

Est. $400-600

Sanitary Fair, Philadelphia, Pa., 1864, 10¢-30¢ complete. Slightly overlapping on locally addressed cover, each canceled by faint manuscript "X" in pencil and 10¢ tied by "Great Central Fair, June 11, 1864" cds, Very Fine, a wonderful and extremely rare complete set on cover, with 2017 P.F. certificate.
Scott No. WV11-WV13; $9,500.

ONE OF FOUR KNOWN COMPLETE SETS OF THE GREAT CENTRAL FAIR STAMPS ON COVER.

The Great Central Fair stamps were engraved and printed in Philadelphia by Butler and Carpenter who were producing revenue stamp at the time for the Treasury Department. Scott $9,500
(Image)

Scott $9,500

(Slavery) 1865 U.S. Board of Claims Document for Slave. Certified claim form for Andrew Camper of Co. B 9th Regt. U.S.C.T. (U.S. Colored Troops) was enlisted in service for the State of Maryland on Nov. 11th 1863 and that his prior owner was entitled to $100 as compensation for his war service, attached is certified Proof of Ownership by Fannie Townsend with 5¢ Revenue stamp affixed and cancelled April 1, 1865, Very Fine.
Estimate; $400 - 600. Est. $400-600 (Image)

Est. $400-600

Confederacy, (Documents) 1863 (Feb. 9) Head Quarters, Dist. of Texas, New Mexico and Arizona. Printed General Orders No. 16, two sided 5.35" x 8.25", datelined "Houston, Texas, February 9th, 1863" for a general court martial that convened at Houston Texas on January 20th; small flaws, Fine and scarce District of Texas, N.M. and Arizona document.
Estimate; $200 - 300. Est. $200-300 (Image)

Est. $200-300

Confederacy, (Documents) 1864-65 Confederate States of America Official Documents. Group of three to James S. Turner as administrator of the estate of Thomas Presley, 1864 certificate for $400 of Registered Bonds paying 4% datelined "Depositary Office, Chester SC 9 March 1864" signed by J.L. Hams; 1865 letter datelined "Quartermasters Office, Chester S C March 30th 1865" requesting delivery of corn and fodder; and 1865 official letterhead receipt for the corn and fodder amounting to $4736.13 signed by assist. quartermaster, F.-V.F. trio.
Estimate; $150 - 200. Est. $150-200 (Image)

Est. $150-200

Confederacy, (Documents) John H. Reagan Letter Relating to Appointment as Postmaster General and Capture with Pres. Davis. Postwar Autographed Signed Letter written from his home, datelined "Palestine, Texas, Nov. 21st 1867" to L.G. Cisk, Esq. of St. Louis, Mo., reading in part "In reply to your letter of the 4th instant I wold say that I was appointed Post Master General of the late Confederate States on the 6th of March 1861; and my duties as such were terminated by my capture along with Mr. Davis, by the federal troops, on the 10th of May 1865. Mr. Trenholm resigned his position, as secretary of the Treasury, the day after we left Charlotte North Carolina, but I don recollect the date, and I was, on that day appointed Acting Secretary of the Treasury and continued to perform the duties of this office, in addition to those of Post Master General, until I was made a prisoner, on the 10th of May 1865, Very respectfully, John H. Reagan"; some fold reinforced tape stains, F.-V.F.
Estimate; $750 - 1,000.

John Henninger Reagan (1818-1905) was an American politician from the U.S. state of Texas. A Democrat, Reagan resigned from the U.S. House of Representatives when Texas seceded from the Union and joined the Confederate States of America. He served in the cabinet of Jefferson Davis as Postmaster General. After the Confederate defeat, he called for cooperation with the federal government and thus became unpopular, but returned to public office when his predictions of harsh treatment for resistance were proved correct. Est. $750-1,000 (Image)

Est. $750-1,000

Confederacy, (Documents) South Carolina Pre-Secession Letter. 3-page letter from politician Jno. W. Dargan datelined "Republic of S. Ca., Sumter Nov 29th, 1860" with interesting contents regarding the South Carolina legislature and pre-convention sentiments…The hottest secessionist you ever saw. In fact this District is alost a unit on that question. There is no telling what will be the finale of the present aspect of political affairs - So. Ca. is certainly at this time in a state of revolution - The Bill calling for a convention of the people to take into consideration her withdrawal from the Union passed both branches of the Legislature by a unanimous vote; a thing unprecedented in the history of this Country - The Election for delegates to said Convention comes of on the 6th Decr, & the Convention meets on the 17th And I candidly believe that by the 1st of Jany So.Ca. will be a Republic to herself, as the Conventions in Ga. Ala. Miss. & Florida do not meet until some time in Jany.…A Number of our Federal officers have resigned & the balance will, before Lincoln takes his seat, or I suppose as soon as the State Seceeds - The Stars & Stripes have been hauled down in every portion of the State. And the Old Colonial Flag & the Lone Star & Palmetto ran up instead.; couple reinforced holes along folds and staining, F.-V.F., a fascinating pre-secession letter.
Estimate; $300 - 400.

South Carolina was the first state to secede on December 20th, 1860 and was admitted to the Confederacy on February 4th 1861. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400

Confederacy, (Express) Southern Express, Memphis Tenn. Red double-circle datestamp on orange cover from the Carroll Hoy & Co. correspondence to New Orleans La., endorsed "$50.00" at top left; reduced at top and part of back flap missing, datestamp retouched, Very Fine appearance, a scarce Confederate money letter express use, with 2000 C.S.A. certificate. C.S.A. Catalog No. E $2,500.
Estimate; $300 - 400. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400

Confederacy, (Free Franks) "Free, Alexander H. Stephens, M.C.". Free frank endorsement on folded cover to John L. Stephens at Hamilton Ga., sharp "Warrenton Ga. Oct 9" cds and matching "Free" rating handstamp, pencil 1845 dating, Very Fine.
Estimate; $200 - 300.

A.H. Stephens served as a Whig or Democrat in the House of Representatives 1843 to 1858 and 1873 to 1882. He was also Governor of Georgia from 1882 to 1883. During the Civil War A.H. Stephens was the Vice President of the Confederacy. Est. $200-300 (Image)

Est. $200-300

Confederacy, (Free Franks) William Henry Trescot. Franking signature on legal-size cover carried by military courier to Brig. General Ripley at Head Quarters, Charleston S.C.; some staining, Fine.
Estimate; $200 - 300.

William Henry Trescot (1822-1898) was a Colonel serving as aide-de-camp on the staff of Confederate General Roswell S. Ripley (1823-1887). Ripley was commanding the forces in the Charleston area. He was a native of Ohio and graduated from West Point, he married a Charlestonian and chose to stay and fight for the Confederacy. Trescot was a native South Carolinian, was a former U.S. Diplomat and Asst. Secretary of State. Est. $200-300 (Image)

Est. $200-300

Confederacy, (Local Post) "Strawberry via Monks Corner". Manuscript local post directive on cover to St. John's Berkley S.C. bearing 5¢ dark green (1), four full to large margins, tied by "Charleston S.C. Mar 1" cds; light overall cover toning, F.-V.F.
Estimate; $500 - 750.

After 1801, a private local post was run by Upper Cooper River plantation owners in St. John's Parish, from Strawberry Ferry to Charleston. Charleston postmaster Huger was a member. In the 1850s, when the Northeastern Railroad arrived, mail was left at Strawberry Station, across the river from a Church of England 18th Century Chapel of Ease, although it had no post office. Several Ball family members belonged, and their mail is the chief source of today's covers. There are various routings recorded, but Confederate period letters usually include St. John's Berkeley and Strawberry in the address. Est. $500-750 (Image)

Est. $500-750

Confederacy, (Local Post) "Strawberry via Monks Corner". Manuscript local post directive on cover bearing 5¢ blue (7), deep color, right sheet margin single with large margins slightly folded over edge, tied by "Charleston S.C. May 10, 186" cds to St. John's Berkley S.C.; small edge tear, F.-V.F.
Estimate; $200 - 300. Est. $200-300 (Image)

Est. $200-300

Confederacy, (Naval) 1861 (c.) To John Grimball C.S.N. on CSS Lady Davis. Orange cover addressed to "Mr. Grimball, Lady Davis", carried privately and without postal markings, Fine, an early use to John Grimball on the Lady Davis.
Estimate; $300 - 400.

Midshipman Grimball came back to South Carolina on leave in late 1860 and was in Charleston with his family when S.C. seceded on Dec. 20th. He immediately resigned from the U.S. Navy and joined the South Carolina Navy where he was appointed Master and assigned on Jan. 5th 1861 to the small ship "Lady Davis". Four days later Master Grimball and the "Lady Davis" were at Fort Moultrie in Charleston's harbor area when the first shot of the Civil War was fired from nearby Morris Island at the US merchantmen "Star of the West" when it attempted to resupply the Federal forces on Fort Sumter. The shots from Morris Island were heard at Fort Moultrie where S.C. forces there joined the firing. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400

Confederacy, (Naval) "C.S. Launch No. 1, Grand Caillou, April 1st 1862". Dateline on letter Commander Frederick B. Fladden to Flag Officer C.S. Navy, New Orleans", some interesting military and blockade intelligence… "Since send my last report of the 15th inst. I have almost daily visited Last Island and Ship Island Shoals & vicinity; inspecting the neighboring Bayous with close scouting - Yet I have not seen anything of any of the Enemy's cruisers or boats attached to them. The Schooner "Hermosa" laden with Salt and Coffee seen the blockade on the 19th inst., is now lying with safety four miles above the Fort. I offered to send assistance with the Launch which the Master respectfully declined…part of my Crew wish to be transferred. They are good seamen and used to Gunnery. If you will allow the transfer to be made to some of the Gunboats on the River. I can reduce the expenses of the Launch considerably…", Very Fine.
Estimate; $300 - 400. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400

Confederacy, (Railroads) Bristol, V. & T.R.R. Clear strike ties 10¢ blue (11), huge margins all around showing adjacent stamp at left, on homemade cover to Pickensville Ala.; reduced slightly at bottom, small tone spot, Very Fine.
Estimate; $500 - 750. Est. $500-750 (Image)

Est. $500-750

Confederacy, (Railroads) Office of the No. Ca. R.R. Co., Vance, No. Ca. Printed oval corner card on cover bearing 10¢ blue (11), four margins, tied by partial "Company Shops, N.C." cds addressed to Iron P.O., N.C.; Very Fine.
Estimate; $300 - 400. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400

Confederacy, (Railroads) Wartrace N. & C. R. R. Jun 7, 1863. Route agent's oval datestamp ties 5¢ light blue (6) vertical pair, four margins, on homemade brown cover to Mrs. C.A. Cole at Sheffield P.O., Fayette County, Ala.; some toning affects pair, otherwise Very Fine.
Estimate; $300 - 400. Est. $300-400 (Image)

Est. $300-400

Confederacy, (Waterways) From Steamer Planter, C.V. Wells Master. Beautiful strike of circular handstamp canceling 3¢ red (U27) buff star die entire from the Carroll Hoy & Co. correspondence circa March 1861 to New Orleans La., Very Fine.
Milgram No. 1124; Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.

A RARE USE OF THE STEAMER PLANTER STEAMBOAT HANDSTAMP DURING THE U.S. USED IN THE CONFEDERACY TIME PERIOD.

From Steamboat and River News, March 3, 1861, New Orleans, "…There were only eight arrivals - the Crescent City and J.C. Swan, from St. Louis; the Planter, from Red river…The Planter and T.V. Roberts have been laid up for the present account of scarcity of business…" and advertisement, "Leaves on Thursday, March 7 at 6 P.M. for Arkansas River. For Fort Smith, Van Buren, Ozark, Roseville, Sprada Bluff, Norristown, Dardanelle, Lewisburg, Little Rock, Pine Bluff, New Vanceny and all way and plantation landings in the Bends - The superior and swift-running passenger packet Planter, C.V. Wells, master. For freight or passage apply on board.". Est. $1,000-1,500 (Image)

Est. $1,000-1,500