Major Robert Anderson Turned Cover. Addressed in the hand of Major Robert Anderson, Commander of Fort Sumter, to New York City, franked with 1857, 3¢ dull red (lower right corner nick) canceled by grid handstamp, matching "Charleston, S.C., Feb 6, 1861" cds, with original signed enclosure datelined "Fort Sumter, S.C., Feby. 5, 1861", with inside of cover initially addressed and hand-carried to "Majr. Robert Anderson, Fort Sumter" in the hand of David F. Jamison - President of the Secession Convention; small cover tear at top, accompanied by a second cover addressed in the hand of Major Robert Anderson to Westchester, N.Y. on January 15, 1861 which is probably the first postmark date after mail service resumed from the fort (non-contemporary docketing and slight soiling), F.-V.F., signed Brian Green, with 2014 P.F. certificate.
Scott No. 26; Estimate $2,500 - 3,500.

A RARE AUTOGRAPHED LETTER AND COVER SENT BY MAJOR ROBERT ANDERSON DURING THE SIEGE OF FORT SUMTER.

On December 26, 1860, Major Robert Anderson of the U.S. Army surreptitiously moved his small command from the vulnerable Fort Moultrie on Sullivan's Island to Fort Sumter, a substantial fortress built on an island controlling the entrance of Charleston Harbor. An attempt by U.S. President James Buchanan to reinforce and resupply Anderson using the unarmed merchant ship Star of the West failed when it was fired upon by shore batteries on January 9, 1861. Mail exchange was stopped by the Confederates from Fort Sumter from January 1st to the 14th and resumed thereafter. Est. $2,500-3,500 (Image)

Est. $2,500-3,500