United States Stamps continued...

Attractive group of American Civil War Union patriotic covers showcasing the 33 and 34-star American flag across a variety of designs and sentiments with six bearing (26) 1857-61 3¢ Washington Type IV stamps and one with a (26A) Type III stamp used by a combination of black grid and cds cancels. The covers include all-over flag designs and illustrated vignettes—many with accompanying slogans—such as “Death to Traitors,” “Our Flag and Country” used from Litchfield, CT with Sc. 26A, and “Long May It Wave.” One cover features John A. Dix’s famous warning: “If anyone attempts to haul down the American flag, shoot him on the spot,” while another bears a poetic pledge to never forget the Union “until it fade but rend it not.” Finally, a boldly uniformed Zouave soldier holding a sword and U.S. flag, with “One Flag, One Country” printed at top right—especially colorful and visually dramatic. Origins include Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and New York, small faults here and there but overall a fine-v.f. selection, ideal for display and further expansion, presenting a rich and patriotic cross-section of Civil War illustrated envelopes.

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Group of eleven covers each franked by a (26) 1857-61 3¢ dull red Washington Type III stamp and bearing a Union patriotic design. This compelling ensemble highlights a wide range of themes, including military, allegorical, and satirical illustrations supporting the Union cause. Notable examples include a Zouave soldier under a "Washington via Baltimore" sign (Salisbury Centre, NY), a vivid red design titled “Agriculture, Manufactures, Fine Arts” showing a Union figure spinning rope for a traitor’s gallows (Weston, VA.), a multicolor eagle and shield design from Lewistown, Pa, a cover with a patriotic woman holding a flag and a Boston-origin cartoon cover titled “Why Don’t You Take It?” featuring dogs labeled “Scott” growling at a dog with a Confederate flag. Additional covers bear flags, eagles, and slogans such as “Stand by the Union” (Charlestown, NH) and “Union Forever” (Plainfield, NJ). Several of the covers were sent right up to and beyond the mid-August demonetization of the 1857-61 Issue. A rich and diverse representation of Civil War-era patriotic stationery, small faults to covers and their stamps here and there but overall, fine.

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(26) 1857-61 3¢ dull red Washington Type III tied by clear “Charleston S.C. May 13, 1861” cds on cover to Col. D. W. Jordan in Georgetown, South Carolina. Mailed just weeks after the outbreak of the Civil War, this cover represents one of the final uses of U.S. postage in the seceded South before the Confederate postal system began operations on June 1, 1861. Cover missing backflap and small piece out of stamp likely from original separation, otherwise fine.

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(26) 1857-61 3¢ dull red Washington Type III tied by crisp strike of the rare “OLD STAMPS / NOT RECOGNIZED” two-line handstamp on cover from Philadelphia to Long Branch, New Jersey, with matching "Philadelphia Pa. Aug 15 (1861)" cds and "DUE 3" rating handstamp at upper left. The stamp shows minor tears at upper right and left center, barely visible and not detracting from the overall very vine appearance of this example of the demonetization period in the early months of the Civil War.

This cover was sent just two days after Philadelphia’s strict August 13 deadline for accepting 1857 Issue stamps and embossed envelopes. While the new 1861 adhesive stamps had not yet arrived in Philadelphia (not available until August 19), the Post Office nevertheless enforced the demonetization deadline, marking this example with the distinctive “OLD STAMPS NOT RECOGNIZED” handstamp. It is especially scarce when the marking ties the stamp to the cover as is the case here. 

With 1990 Professional Stamp Experts and 1993 Philatelic Foundation certificates, cat. value $12,500.

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(26) 1857-61 3¢ dull red Washington Type II tied to cover by manuscript “Old Stamps” addressed to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, bearing additional manuscript pencil “Due 3” notation at center. Undated but clearly posted after the August 1861 demonetization of the 1851–61 Issue stamps, this letter likely originated from a small post office that had not yet been supplied with new stamps or lacked official handstamps to mark invalid postage. The stamp has a diagonal crease ending in a long tear, cover with edge stains but still an evocative example of transitional Civil War–era postal history showing local improvisation in response to evolving postal regulations and supply constraints.

2025 Philatelic Foundation certificate.

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(26) 1857–61 3¢ Washington Type III tied by bold black route agent marking reading “U.S. Mail Saturday Evening Packet, Str. Natchez Route 8165 April 5” on cover to Maryland. Despite tears at lower right and along the back, and reduction at left, the cover remains a fine appearing and desirable example of this scarce Mississippi River steamboat postmark, fine.

With 2008 Philatelic Foundation certificate.

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(26) 1857-61 3¢ dull red Washington Type II horizontal strip of four tied by pen cancels on cover sent from Honolulu, Hawaii and addressed to Capt. Jacob A. Howland at 42 Smith Street in New Bedford, Massachusetts. Red “U.S. Postage Paid / Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands / Nov 9” cds at upper left and black “San Francisco Cal / Nov 28 1861” transit cds at lower right. The reverse bears a New Bedford Dec. 28 arrival backstamp. This usage represents the 10¢ transcontinental rate from the West Coast to the East Coast, plus the additional 2¢ ship captain's fee required under the U.S.-Hawaiian postal arrangement.

Cover is slightly reduced at left; the strip has minor edge flaws and a small nick at the top right stamp. Still a fine and desirable example of mail sent from Hawaii, showing a desirable intact Honolulu postmark and complete franking.

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(26) 1857-61 3¢ dull red Washington Type II tied by black New York cds on April 25, 1858-dated folded letter addressed to Andreas Neubauer in New Haven, Connecticut and carried privately from Bischwind, Bavaria and entered the U.S. mails in New York, where postage was applied and canceled, likely on or around May 15, 1858. The cover and the stamp both creased diagonally, cover with some additional age toning. No foreign postage markings or transit handstamps are present, consistent with privately carried mail inserted directly into the U.S. postal system—commonly referred to as a “bootleg” cover.

A fascinating example of unauthorized private transatlantic carriage circumventing postal treaties, with full contents still enclosed.

With 2025 Philatelic Foundation certificate.

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Group of seven covers bearing 1857–61 3¢ Issue stamps, mounted on exhibit pages and reflecting diverse and appealing uses of the 3¢ Washington stamp during the final years before the outbreak of the Civil War. The group includes two illustrated hotel advertising covers: one from Taylor's International House and Saloons in New York and another from the Ithaca Hotel. Additional covers include the imprint of Fowler & Wells, Phrenologists and Publishers of New York, the "Rural New-Yorker" newspaper and a striking religiously themed cover sent in the tense months before the Civil War. It bears the Latin phrase “Finis non dum est” ("The end is not yet")—a reference to Matthew 24:6—and alludes to impending national conflict. Final items include a “WAY” handstamp cancel on a New Orleans-bound cover, and a 3¢ Washington showing part imprint at left, tied by a bold fancy “3” cancel on an embossed American Telegraph Company envelope with the original telegraph message enclosed. Faults to be expected but overall fine-v.f.

(25/26) Three 1857-61 3¢ Washington covers exhibiting missent and advertised uses including:

(26) 3¢ deep rose brown Washington Type III tied by indistinct town cds on cover addressed to Mrs. Letitia Fiske, Charlestown, Mass. Bold black “ADV. 1.” handstamp at top, indicating the letter was advertised after failing to be collected. Fine and clean example showing the added 1¢ fee required for advertised letters in offices meeting the $1,000 revenue threshold.

(26) 3¢ dull red Washington Type III tied by black grid cancel on illustrated patriotic cover featuring red and blue Liberty & Flag design at left. Large “Albion NY Aug 29 (1861)” cds at center and matching “DUE 1” with manuscript “Ad” marking at left. Sent to Hudson, incorrectly designated as New York when the recipient was potentially in Hudson, Wisconsin. A late use of the 1857-61 stamp being sent after the demonetization in mid-August. Scruffs on front and tears at bottom of reverse flap. 

(25) 3¢ dull red Washington Type I tied by black "Oct 19 Dryden, N.Y." cds on buff envelope misdirected to Otisco, N.Y., before reaching Otsego and the intended recipient Walter Tunnicliff. Clear manuscript “Missent” and no added fee, as the error was made by the post office department. Repaired tear on reverse and edge damage at bottom left.

Overall a fine appearing and compelling trio exhibiting key aspects of misrouting and redirection procedures in mid-19th century U.S. postal operations. 

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(11A/26) Pair of 1851-61 3¢ Washington covers carried by Wells Fargo & Co. within California during the 1850s, both illustrating intra-state express service:

(11A) 3¢ dull red Washington Type II tied by blue “Wells Fargo & Co. Express, San Francisco” shield handstamp on buff cover to Sacramento. Corner card at upper left from the Daily Evening News printing office, San Francisco, manuscript express routing at top. Likely dated to 1854 based on correspondence and usage context. Cover exhibits edge wear and nicks, but the express handstamp is complete—a scarce and visually appealing example of this Wells Fargo shield express marking.

(26) 3¢ dull red Washington Type III uncancelled with toned perforations on yellow cover with blue “Wells, Fargo & Co. Marysville, Nov 11” double oval handstamp at upper right, addressed to San Francisco. Bold printed corner card for Decker, Jewett & Paxton, Bankers, Marysville, docketed at origin “Nov. 10–1859” at left. A fine cover overall, though the 2008 Philatelic Foundation certificate declined opinion on whether the 3¢ stamp originated. Still presents well as an express usage with clear Wells Fargo handling.

A compelling intra-California express pair mounted on exhibit page—one fully tied and dated, the other showing fine strike and business correspondence context—highlighting West Coast commercial mail handled by Wells Fargo during the gold rush era and before completion of the transcontinental railroad.

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(11A/26) Pair of 1851-61 3¢ dull red Washington covers demonstrating domestic postage due handling, including due-on-delivery and overweight letter charges.

(11A) 3¢ dull red Washington Type II tied by "PAID" in grid cancel with large “BOSTON 21 Feb 5cts” datestamp and matching “DUE 5cts” marking at left. This letter likely exceeded the ½ oz. weight limit, requiring a double-rate charge. As the sender only affixed a single 3¢ stamp, the addressee was charged 5¢ total—3¢ regular postage plus a 2¢ penalty.

(26) 3¢ dull red Washington Type III tied by partial cds on cover addressed to the President of Merchants Bank in Boston.” Prominently struck black “Due 1” handstamp to right of stamp, likely indicating 1¢ due for local delivery. 

A fine and instructive pair of early postage due covers mounted on exhibit page, illustrating two different circumstances under which additional fees were assessed and collected from recipients under the evolving U.S. postal regulations of the 1850s.

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(27) 1857-61 5¢ brick red Jefferson Type I used with partial black cds and red transit cancels, tiny thin at top and a tiny diagonal crease at bottom right with some short perfs at bottom noted, still fine appearance overall.

With 2025 Philatelic Foundation certificate, cat. value $1,700.

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(28) 1857-61 5¢ red brown Jefferson Type I used with partial black cds and red cancels. Some short perfs at bottom, but they don't detract from the overall deep color and f-v.f. centering. 

With 2025 Philatelic Foundation certificate, cat. value $1,225.

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(30) 1857-61 5¢ orange brown Jefferson Type II used with unobtrusive partial black cds cancel and fine-v.f. centering.

With 2025 Philatelic Foundation certificate, cat. value $1,300.

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(28) 5¢ red brown Jefferson Type I horizontal strip of three with deep rich color, tied by black “Richmond, Va Dec 12 1858” cds on cover addressed to Paris. Perfs at top of stamps cut potentially at time of use. Red "New-York Paid 12 Dec 14" (1858) exchange office CDS at right along with French entry marking "Et Unis Serv. Br. A. C. 27 Dec 58" at upper left, indicating British packet entry into France and finally a black circular Jan 30 Paris receiver backstamp. Manuscript directive at top left reads "Per Steamer via Liverpool."

A very fine and attractive U.S.–France treaty-rate cover, featuring a nice 1857-61 5¢ Issue strip, bold postal markings, and desirable Cunard Line routing.

Cat. value $4,000 as strip of three off-cover.

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(28A) 1857-61 5¢ Indian red Jefferson Type I used horizontal strip of three with clipped perfs at bottom of left two stamps, tied to folded letter with "New Orleans La. Jan. 12, 1859" cds cancels sent to Nantes, France. Manuscript instructions at top - "By the first steamer for Liverpool" along with red New York credit and French transit datestamps on front. "Paris A Bordeaux" and Nantes transit backstamps on reverse.

The long letter is written to the sender's mother and referencing the recent receipt of portraits in the first sentence. The letter was carried by the City of Manchester, Inman Line steamer which departed New York on January 15, 1859 and arrived in Liverpool on January 28, 1859. The Calais Railway postmark on the front of the folded letter to the right of the strip of three had the month slug improperly inserted and should be 4 "FEVR" versus 4 "JANV". An overall very fine example of the 1857-60 5¢ Indian red stamps paying the 15¢ French Mail rate. 

With 1982 & 2025 Philatelic Foundation certificates, cat. value $13,000 as strip of three off cover.

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(29) 1857-61 5¢ brown Jefferson Type I vertical pair tied by large black "PAID" in grid cancels on 1860 folded letter from Boston to Calcutta, India, sent by merchant Nathaniel Goddard to his brother Benjamin Goddard. Manuscript docketing at left reads "N. Goddard Boston Sept 14 '60", with matching Boston British Packet circular datestamp on reverse. The pair prepaid the 10¢ U.S. portion of the double 33¢ transatlantic rate to India under the 1848 U.S.–Great Britain Convention. The remainder of the rate—56¢ (2s2d British or 1 rupee/2 annas/9 pies Indian)—was collected on delivery.

The letter departed Boston aboard the Cunard Line’s America on September 19, 1860, arrived in Queenstown on September 29, and continued overland via Southampton, through Egypt and the Suez, reaching Calcutta on November 20, as shown by the bold strike of the boxed “CALCUTTA / STEAM LETTER / 1860 NOV 20” handstamp on the reverse.

Most covers to India franked with 1857-61 5¢ stamps bear the more common Type II, so this double-weight letter to India bearing the scarcer Type I is particularly desirable, fine-v.f. 

With 2025 Philatelic Foundation certificate.

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Pair of U.S. covers to British North America illustrating contrasting prepayment practices for mid-19th century trans-border mail. The first, sent from Suspension Bridge, N.Y. to Lynden, Canada West, is franked with two (30A) 1857-61 5¢ orange brown Jefferson Type II singles, each tied by black target cancels with a matching February 24 cds. A bold red "UNITED STATES / PAID 6" exchange handstamp confirms full prepayment to destination under the U.S.–Canada postal convention, with three backstamps on reverse including Canadian transit and receiving marks. One stamp shows a small piece missing at lower right, likely from pre-use separation. The second cover, from New York to Halifax, Nova Scotia, bears a (11A) 1851-57 3¢ dull red Washington Type II tied by blue pen cancel and matching “New-York 10 cts. Feb 21” (1854) circular datestamp. Red “U. STATES” exchange handstamp and manuscript “6” pence due marking reflect unpaid postage at destination. Sender’s manuscript notations at top and bottom—“Not for England” and “Per ‘America’ from Boston”—identify intended routing by Cunard Line. Backstamped at St. Andrews, N.B. on February 25 and Halifax on March 1.

A fine and educational pair of covers mounted on exhibit page documenting both fully prepaid and postage-due arrangements in U.S.–Canada postal exchange during the pre-1860 treaty era.

With 2025 Philatelic Foundation certificate for Sc. 30A cover.

(31/35) 1857-61 10¢ green Washington Type I, II, III, IV & V used representing a complete set of the 1857-61 Issue perforated types mounted on an exhibit page. The Type I, II & III are each used by a partial black cds cancel, the Type IV with black grid cancel and the Type V with a sharp red partial New York cds. A small pulled perf at right of the Type IV is noted, otherwise a fine-v.f. group.

Cat. value $3,892.50.

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