The Kilbourne Collection of CSA Stamps and Postal History continued...

VERY FINE APPEARING FLAG-OF-TRUCE COVER EXCHANGED VIA FORTRESS MONROE AND NORFOLK, WITH THE SENDER APPLYING TWO HALF DIMES TO PAY THE CONFEDERATE POSTAGE.

It is apparent that when this cover arrived in Norfolk, the bottom Half Dime was removed and the "Paid 5c" handstamp struck. When it was forwarded from Richmond, the top Half Dime was removed and the 5c stamp applied -- partly overlapping the glue from the coin. The sender anticipated exactly this chain of events and planned accordingly. This is a fascinating and very rare use.

Ex Shenfield, Weatherly and Gallagher (acquired by the Kilbournes privately from Scott Gallagher in 1968) (Image)

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VERY FINE MIXED-FRANKING CIVILIAN FLAG-OF-TRUCE COVER FROM SALISBURY N.C. TO WASHINGTON D.C IN JUNE-JULY 1862. A RARE USE AFTER NEARLY ALL OF THIS MAIL WAS ELIMINATED WITH THE FALL OF NORFOLK.

Up until the fall of Norfolk on May 9, 1862, civilian flag-of-truce mail could be sent in an outer envelope with C.S.A. postage paid to the point of exchange (Norfolk and Fortress Monroe). The outer envelope was normally discarded at the exchange point and the inner envelope, addressed to the North, was postmarked at Old Point Comfort. In this case, the sender's note makes it clear that he enclosed the U.S. 3c stamp in the cover for application and cancellation at Old Point Comfort -- eliminating the need for separate outer and inner covers. This is a rare use in June-July 1862, as by this point nearly all civilian flag-of-truce mail was discontinued (until restarting in June 1863). The Salisbury datestamp is unclear but it must be a pre-July 1, 1862 use or the cover would have been paid 10c.

The "Care of Thomas F. Harkness, Esq" notation also appears on a "Southern Letter Unpaid" cover from Salisbury N.C. to Washington D.C. Thomas F. Harkness was appointed as a letter carrier in Washington D.C. on August 30, 1849 (Chronicle 120, p. 243). He is responsible for the "H" cancellations on a 3c 1851 first day cover and on a number of U.S. Eagle Carrier covers from the early 1850's. (Image)

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VERY FINE APPEARANCE. A BEAUTIFUL AND EXTREMELY RARE MIXED FRANKING CIVILIAN FLAG-OF-TRUCE COVER WITH THE 10-CENT PATERSON LITHOGRAPH AND U.S. 3-CENT 1861 ISSUE.

This is a fascinating use, originating in and ending in Tennessee. It was sent from Union-controlled Knoxville to Fortress Monroe and Richmond, in order to reach Confederate East Tennessee. The distance between Knoxville and Carter's Depot (present-day Watauga, Tenn.) is a mere 125 miles. Civilian flag-of-truce mail resumed in June 1863 with the exchange points Fortress Monroe-Old Point Comfort and City Point-Richmond.

The use of the Confederate 10c Blue Lithograph on any mixed-franking flag-of-truce cover with U.S. postage is extremely rare. Only one prisoner-of-war use is recorded (ex Walske, Siegel Sale 988, lot 190). This is the only civilian flag-of-truce use we have encountered with this combination.

With 1967 P.F. certificate issued to Charles Kilbourne (acquired privately from an original find) (Image)

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