H.R. Harmer GPN, Inc. Sale

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United States of America continued...

Civil War Postal History Union Patriotic Covers continued...

Lot

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Lot Description

CV or Estimate

101

Brief

Bullion State Soldier Motto, multicolored Magnus design with Liberty portrait and aerial view of St. Louis, 3c Rose (65) tied by "Washington D.C. Jun 13 1861" datestamp, addressed to Red Beach, Maine, cover very slightly reduced at right into perforations, very fine and attractive (Image 1) (Image 2)

Get Market Data for [United States 65] Visual Pricing Guide Sample Census

SOLD for $350.00
Will close during Public Auction before Jun-21, 04:28 PM

102

Brief

Sailor Holding Pistol, Dragoon, New York State Seal, and Waving Flag, multicolored Magnus design on rebacked cover front with 3c Rose (65) tied by quartered cork, "Washington D.C. Sep 7" datestamp alongside, addressed to Burlington, New Jersey, very fine appearance (Image 1) (Image 2)

Get Market Data for [United States 65] Visual Pricing Guide Sample Census

SOLD for $1,200.00
Will close during Public Auction before Jun-21, 04:29 PM

103

Brief

For the Union, Maine, two-panel Magnus multicolored design with standing Liberty and flag and Maine state seal, 3c Rose (65) tied by 1862 Washington, DC datestamp, addressed to Camden, Maine, very fine and choice (Image 1) (Image 2)

Get Market Data for [United States 65] Visual Pricing Guide Sample Census

SOLD for $1,400.00
Will close during Public Auction before Jun-21, 04:30 PM

104

Brief

"The Pine against the Palm!", yellow and blue design with verse beneath, franked with three 1c Blue singles (24) each with neat black grid, matching "Saratoga Springs N.Y. Aug 27" datestamp alongside, extremely fine and fresh, very few examples of this design are recorded and this example with the 1c stamp is particularly beautiful, 1988 Philatelic Foundation certificate (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image 3)

Get Market Data for [United States 24] Visual Pricing Guide Sample Census

SOLD for $6,500.00
Will close during Public Auction before Jun-21, 04:31 PM

105

Brief

"Jeff. Davis Going to War, Jeff Returning From War", all-over design in gray-blue, depicting Jeff Davis as a mule when turned upside-down, Rogers imprint, two 3c Rose (65) tied by "Philatelphia Pa May 3 1862" datestamp, addressed to Boston, "Due 3" handstamp alongside, very fine and attractive (Image 1) (Image 2)

Get Market Data for [United States 65] Visual Pricing Guide Sample Census

SOLD for $275.00
Will close during Public Auction before Jun-21, 04:32 PM

106

Brief

"Freemen, to the Rescue!", all-over red and blue patriotic design with Liberty astride an eagle and draped flags, rare "Soldier's Letter, 1st. Regt. Douglas Brigade" circular handstamp endorsed by Major Nathan H. Walworth, Cairo, Illinois datestamp and "Due 3" in circle, reduced at bottom and small stain, otherwise very fine and rare (Image 1) (Image 2)

Get Market Data for [United States "Freemen] Visual Pricing Guide Sample Census

SOLD for $1,000.00
Will close during Public Auction before Jun-21, 04:33 PM

107

Brief

"Union" & "Wisconsin", blue on white cutout from a patriotic envelope pasted onto an orange envelope, 3c Rose (65) tied by "Paid" in circle with "Manitowoc Wis Aug 27 1863" datestamp alongside, additionally with manuscript "The Union Forever, Long May She Wave", addressed in striking penmanship to "Lieut. F. W. Borcherdt, Co. D 21st Rgt. Wis. Vols., Murfreesboro Via Nashville Tenn.", affixed to black construction paper, otherwise very fine and certainly uniqueProvenance: Jon Bischel (Nutmeg Sale 27, 2000) (Image 1)

Get Market Data for [United States 65] Visual Pricing Guide Sample Census

SOLD for $1,100.00
Will close during Public Auction before Jun-21, 04:35 PM

108

Brief

"Long may it wave", verse at left of waving American flag facing right, red and blue patriotic design on cover to Paris, France, 3c Dull red and 12c Black (26, 36) tied by black grid with red "Boston Paid 3 Apr 26" datestamp alongside, 3c also tied by red boxed "PD", French entry and several backstamps, very fine and attractive (Image 1) (Image 2)

Get Market Data for [United States 26, 36] Visual Pricing Guide Sample Census

SOLD for $800.00
Will close during Public Auction before Jun-21, 04:35 PM

109

Brief

Military Officer with Sword and Flag, red and blue design on cover to Milford, New Hampshire, 3c Pink (64) with blue straightline "Paid" and "Andover Depot Mass. Oct 23" double circle datestamp alongside, cover and top of stamp with barest trace of toning, very fine and attractiveProvenance: Jon Bischel (Nutmeg Sale 27, 2000) (Image 1) (Image 2)

Get Market Data for [United States 64] Visual Pricing Guide Sample Census

SOLD for $650.00
Will close during Public Auction before Jun-21, 04:37 PM

110

Brief

Liberty and Flag, red and blue patriotic design with Richards imprint on 1864 cover to Trier, Germany, franked with 5c Buff and 10c Green (67, 68) tied by red grids with matching "New York Hamb. Pkt. Paid 12 Sep 17" datestamp alongside, black straightline "Franco", appropriate backstamps, light overall aging, very fine and attractive, signed Ashbrook who confirms the 5c as Buff (Image 1) (Image 2)

Get Market Data for [United States 67, 68] Visual Pricing Guide Sample Census

SOLD for $2,000.00
Will close during Public Auction before Jun-21, 04:39 PM

111

Brief

"Give this Wreath to the brave, Who their Country would save", verse at top of blue and red arch patriotic design on cover to Weedsport, New York, 3c Rose (65) tied by March 23 Palmyra, New York duplex, Magee imprint at left, barely reduced at right, very fine and choice (Image 1) (Image 2)

Get Market Data for [United States 65] Visual Pricing Guide Sample Census

SOLD for $350.00
Will close during Public Auction before Jun-21, 04:40 PM

112

Brief

"The Union and Constitution", waving flag patriotic design with "T.C. Boyd, 310 Montgomery St., San F." imprint, franked with 10c Green (35) tied by "San Francisco Cal Jul 25 1861" datestamp, addressed to West Cambridge, Massachusetts, very fine and rare patriotic design manufactured in California (Image 1) (Image 2)

Get Market Data for [United States 35] Visual Pricing Guide Sample Census

SOLD for $375.00
Will close during Public Auction before Jun-21, 04:41 PM

Confederate States of America Confederate States Postmasters’ Provisionals Carolina City, NC

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Lot Description

CV or Estimate

113

Brief

118XU1, Carolina City, NC, 5c Black entire, provisional "Paid 5" in circle handstamp at top center, matching "Carolina City, N.C. Oct 7" datestamp and straightline "Carolina City, N.C." control marking, addressed to Sandy Grove, North Carolina, very fine, the earlier of just two recorded provisional entires from Carolina City (Scott $5,000)Provenance: Judge Robert S. EmersonMorris Everett (R.A. Siegel Sale 754, 1993)Alexander Hall (R.A. Siegel Sale 795, 1997) (Image 1) (Image 2)

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SOLD for $4,000.00
Will close during Public Auction before Jun-21, 04:43 PM

Confederate States of America Confederate States Postmasters’ Provisionals Charleston, SC

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Lot Description

CV or Estimate

114

Brief

16X1, Charleston, SC, 5c Blue, two singles, margins mostly full to just into frameline on left stamp, tied by "Charleston S.C. Sep 25 1861" datestamp to cover to "Charles J.C. Hutson, Capt. Haskell's Company, Greggs Regiment, Suffolk, Va", backflap repaired, very fine, just three covers are recorded with two singles of the Charleston provisional (Image 1) (Image 2)

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SOLD for $750.00
Will close during Public Auction before Jun-21, 04:45 PM

Confederate States of America Confederate States Postmasters’ Provisionals Chattanooga, TN

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Lot Description

CV or Estimate

115

Brief

17XU2, Chattanooga, TN, 5c Black entire, "Chattanooga Ten. Paid 5" in circle provisional handstamp alongside "Chattanooga Ten. Jul 17 1861" datestamp on cover to Athens, Tennessee, Ferrary label affixed at bottom left, light stain at left edge, otherwise very fine, just 11 examples recorded in the Crown census (Scott $1,900)Provenance: Count Philipp von Ferrary (Gilbert, 1922)George Walcott (Robert Laurence, 1935)Morris Everett (R.A. Siegel Sale 754, 1993) (Image 1)

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SOLD for $900.00
Will close during Public Auction before Jun-21, 04:45 PM

Confederate States of America Confederate States Postmasters’ Provisionals Christiansburg, VA

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Lot Description

CV or Estimate

116

Brief

99XU2, Christiansburg, VA, 5c Blue entire, provisional "Paid 5 Cents." handstamp at upper right with matching "Christiansburgh Va. Aug 13" datestamp at left, on cover addressed to Lacey's Spring, Virginia, very fine and attractive, signed Ashbrook (Scott $2,250) (Image 1) (Image 2)

Get Market Data for [United States 99XU1] Visual Pricing Guide Sample Census

SOLD for $950.00
Will close during Public Auction before Jun-21, 04:46 PM

Confederate States of America Confederate States Postmasters’ Provisionals Danville, VA

Lot

Symbol

Lot Description

CV or Estimate

117

Briefst

21X1, Danville, VA, 5c Red on wove, cut square with four huge margins, tied to piece by "Danville Va. Oct 3 1861" datestamp, extremely fine, the Crown census records just nine examples of this stamp (four used and five on cover), nearly all of which are either cut to shape or cut in on one or more sides, this is by far the finest known example of the Danville 5c provisional (Scott $7,500) Provenance: Count Philipp von Ferrary (Gilbert Sale 4, 1922) Alfred H. Caspary (H.R. Harmer Sale 989, 1956) Josiah K. Lilly (R.A. Siegel Sale 317, 1967) (Image 1) (Image 2)

Get Market Data for [United States 21X1] Visual Pricing Guide Sample Census

SOLD for $3,250.00
Will close during Public Auction before Jun-21, 04:47 PM

Confederate States of America Confederate States Postmasters’ Provisionals Franklin, NC

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Lot Description

CV or Estimate

118

Brief

25XU1, Franklin, NC, 5c Blue on buff entire, typeset framed design at upper right of 1862 envelope addressed to Waynesville, North Carolina, black "Franklin N.C. Jan 21" datestamp with manuscript date, backflap missing, very fine, the unique example of the Franklin provisional envelope, one of the great rarities of Confederate States philately which has not been offered publicly since 1980 (Scott $30,000)The story of the discovery of the Franklin Provisional was recounted by August Dietz himself in the September 1934 issue of his Stamp and Cover Collecting magazine. Rather than paraphrase, we think it is important to defer to the man's own words (reprinted thanks to the Civil War Philatelic Society):It was in the Spring of 1899. I was in the employ of the J. L. Hill Printing Co. in Richmond, holding the post of foreman, and at the same time publishing, in association with my friends the late Franklin Stearns, Jr. and Frank L. Kerns (the “Uncle Larry'' of Mexican Missionary fame), The Virginia Philatelist, which I edited. The Hill Company printed “The Southern Almanac,” a publication that enjoyed a widespread circulation among the farmers of Virginia and North Carolina. I had inserted a small advertisement in this almanac, offering to buy Confederate postage stamps.On one memorable day there drove up to the shop a middle-age farmer, perched on the board-seat of his canvas-covered, mule-drawn watermelon cart. With a “Whoa!” he alighted, verified the shop number by his copy of the Almanac, and came into the office. By mere chance I had come down-stairs from the composing-room to consult Mr. Hill about an order. “Whar de man what wanta buy old stamps?” Mr. Hill pointed to me, and the following dialog took place.“You de man disher almanac tells ’bout?”“Yes, sir. Have you got anything to show me?”Without reply he drew from his hip-pocket a bundle of envelopes folded in a newspaper, and laid them on the counter. Mr. Hill, curious to see what was going on, stood by.I unfolded the wrapper and began to assort the covers. There were the usual London and Local Fives and the ’63 10-cents, with here and there a green Hoyer & Ludwig five—just the usual crop, plentiful in those days. While assorting I told the visitor “These are worth twenty-five cents a piece; these fifty cents; and”—I stopt suddenly, for I had come to an envelope that bore no adhesive stamp, but instead, the cover, of buff-colored paper, showed on its upper right-hand corner a type-set, press-printed Provisional. It was new to me. It was not listed or illustrated ·in Scott’s Catalog. The postmark was that of Franklin, N.C., manuscript-dated “Jan. 21.” The envelope was in a comparatively good state of preservation. What can this be?…We were not well-informed on Confederate Provisionals thirty-five years ago. Few collectors paid attention to these stamps, particularly in the South. True, Hiram E. Deats and a few others “up North” had taken a fancy to Confederates and even devoted time and means to an investigation—but down here it was more a matter of sentiment that led us to collect them.Slowly the fact dawned on me: this is a new provisional, and promptly I came to a decision.“My friend, I don't know what this envelope is worth, but I’ll offer you twenty-five dollars for it. Leave me your name and address''—as I handed him a small pad and pencil —“and as soon as I find out more about it, I’ll let you hear from me.”“You say you gwine give me twenty-fi’ dollars—shore-nuff money?”“Yes.”“Giftyer!”Turning to Mr. Hill, I asked if he would loan me that amount until tomorrow? “I’ll need what cash I have to buy the other envelopes.” Mr. Hill motioned to me to come into his private office. Placing his hands on my shoulders, he said “Boy, are you crazy? Twenty-five dollars for an old envelope!…Of course, I will let you have the money, but”—shaking his head—“I would have given you credit for better sense.”I remember it distinctly. There were two ten-dollar bills, one two and three ones. I counted the money into the farmer’s hand. There was a strange, doubtful, suspicious and pitying look in his eyes. He had written a name and address on the pad and left it, with my pencil, on the counter. As soon as he held the bills in his hands he literally darted for the door, crossed the street, and swung himself to the seat of his cart and, giving that mule one stinging crack of the whip, he yelled: “Gittup hyer! Gittup hyer!” That was all I heard as I followed him to the door, calling at the top of my voice: “Wait a minute! I haven't paid you for the rest of the stamps!”—but mule and driver were lost in the dust of the distance. I never saw that farmer again.The next day I wrote to my friend, William S.F. Pierce, a prominent lumber dealer of Camden, N.J., enclosing the envelope, and asking what he thought of it. Pierce was one of the earlier collectors of Confederate stamps and Provisionals.Three days later I opened a telegram that read “Offer six hundred dollars—wire reply collect. Pierce.”I beat the time of that farmer’s get-away with my reply: “Your stamp—send check. Dietz.” And I paid for the wire.In due time the remittance came. I showed the telegram and the certified check to Mr. Hill. He was dumbfounded. “Well, Dietz, I’ll take back half of what I said about your sanity, but tell me, are there any lunatic asylums in New Jersey?”…And then my conscience (?) began to trouble me. Looking back across the years I believe I intended to give that farmer another twenty-five. I addressed a letter to the name and place written on that pad of paper, requesting my visitor to call on me the next time he came to town, as I had something interesting to tell him. After thirty days my note was returned from the Dead Letter Office with the notation: “No such party known at this address.” He had been shrewd enough to give me a fictitious name and location, reasoning, I am sure, that: when this fellow sobers up, he’ll want his twenty-five dollars back. And he wasn't taking any chances…But there is a denouement to this story. About three months later I had another letter from Pierce in which he enclosed a well-known British Colonial rarity, cataloged forty dollars at that time, and confessed that his conscience was troubling him, and since he had sold that Franklin, N.C. to Ferrary for one thousand dollars, he wanted to make this offering by way of “easing his mind.”That stamp is still in my collection. And I replied about as follows: “Dear Pierce: I absolve you from all sin. The Franklin cost me twenty-five dollars. You bought it for six hundred. That’s five hundred and seventy-five profit for me. You sold it for one thousand. That’s four hundred profit for you—less this forty-dollar gift stamp—six hundred and fifteen for me and three hundred and sixty for you. If you are satisfied—I am. Go forth and sin some more.”I learned later that Pierce had sold the Franklin to Ferrary through a well-known dealer, sharing the profit.In the Ferrary sale the Franklin brought seven hundred dollars, and is again in a collection in this country. It is the only specimen of its kind in existence and one of the greatest rarities among the press-printed Provisionals of the Confederacy.Provenance: Count Philipp von Ferrary (Gilbert Sale 4, 1922)Alfred H. Caspary (H.R. Harmer Sale 989, 1956)Josiah K. Lilly (R.A. Siegel Sale 317, 1967)"Stonewall" (Edgar Kuphal) Collection (Mohrmann, 1980) (Image 1) (Image 2)

Get Market Data for [United States (Confederate States) 25XU1] Visual Pricing Guide Sample Census

SOLD for $40,000.00
Will close during Public Auction before Jun-21, 04:49 PM

Confederate States of America Confederate States Postmasters’ Provisionals Gonzales, TX

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Lot Description

CV or Estimate

119

Brief

30X2, Gonzales, TX, [10c] Gold on garnet, stamp cancelled with three pen strokes on 1864 folded lettersheet to Houston, Texas, tied by horizontal filing crease, "Gonzales Tex. 1" datestamp, datelined "Gonzales Texas, Nov. 1st 1864", stamp with small corner crease, reverse with typewritten notarized affidavit from T.W. House in 1899 confirming the cover's authenticity, very fine, one of three recorded covers with the Gonzalez provisional stamp on garnet paper (Scott $80,000)Charles Deaton in his 2012 book, The Great Texas Stamp Collection, notes the existence of only three covers bearing this stamp and one additional example off cover. The stamp on all three of the covers is pen cancelled. Gonzales, Texas used advertising labels from the firm of Coleman & Law as provisional stamps twice during the Civil War (first in 1861 and later in 1864-65). John V. Law, co-owner of the firm, also served as the town's postmaster. As these labels were also attached to the insides of books (and perhaps medicine bottles) there have been numerous counterfeits produced over the years, and genuine uses on cover remain exceedingly scarce.Provenance: Alfred H. Caspary (H.R. Harmer Sale 989, 1956)A. Earl Weatherly (Private transaction)Charles E. and Lucy Kilbourne (R.A. Siegel Sale 815, 1999) (Image 1) (Image 2)

Get Market Data for [United States 30X2] Visual Pricing Guide Sample Census

SOLD for $15,000.00
Will close during Public Auction before Jun-21, 04:50 PM

Confederate States of America Confederate States Postmasters’ Provisionals Greenville, AL

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Lot Description

CV or Estimate

120

Brief

33X1, Greenville, AL, 5c Blue & red, uncancelled as always, fresh colors and mostly large margins, on cover to Talladega, Alabama with "Greenville Ala. Nov 1" datestamp at left, very fine, one of just two covers recorded with this beautiful stamp, a remarkable Confederate States rarity (Scott $47,500) Greenville was one of three Confederate municipalities to issue bicolored provisional stamps, alongside Lenoir and Baton Rouge, all of which were among the first bicolored stamps in the Western Hemisphere. In the case of both Lenoir and Baton Rouge, the secondary color was used as a background; Greenville is the one instance in which both colors are fundamental parts of the design. The 5c has a blue frame around red text, while the 10c stamp features an inverted color scheme. Only eight stamps are recorded from Greenville in either denomination: four off-cover 5c stamps, two 5c covers, and two 10c covers. Their combination of beauty and rarity places them amongst the most prized of all Confederate provisional issues. (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image 3)

Get Market Data for [United States 33X1] Visual Pricing Guide Sample Census

SOLD for $20,000.00
Will close during Public Auction before Jun-21, 04:52 PM