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Warrenton, Mississippi free franked folded letter dated “6th May 1849,” written entirely in the hand of and boldly signed Jefferson Davis at the conclusion of the letter, addressed to “Richd. T. Archer, Port Gibson, Missi.” Clear Warrenton cds with matching straightline “FREE” handstamp, the privilege confirmed by Davis’s signature - “Jefferson Davis, U.S.S.” - at upper right as United States Senator, entitling the letter to travel without postage under the congressional franking privilege.
At the time of writing, Davis was serving as United States Senator from Mississippi (1847–1851). The use of the free frank illustrates the practical operation of antebellum congressional postal privileges and Davis’s active correspondence with influential Mississippi associates.
The addressee, Col. Richard T. Archer of Port Gibson, migrated to Mississippi in 1824 and became one of the largest planters in Claiborne County, controlling more than 13,000 acres and over 500 enslaved persons on the eve of the Civil War. Archer ranked among the wealthiest men in the South, and his close political and social relationship with Davis underscores the significance of the exchange.
Overall toning consistent with age, but contents fully legible and signatures strong and intact. An important antebellum political free frank combining clear Mississippi postal markings, intact “FREE” handstamp, with two complete Jefferson Davis signatures. Ex Dabney. (Image)
Est.US$500-750
Opening US$ 500.00
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Sale No: 0626A
Lot No: 2
Symbol: Cover
Warrenton, Mississippi folded letter datelined “Brierfield, 15th Nov 1845,” written entirely in the hand of and boldly signed “Jefferson Davis,” addressed to “Col. R. T. Archer, Port Gibson, Claiborne Co., Mi.” Black Warrenton, Mississippi cds with matching handstamped “5” rate marking, indicating the 5c postage for a single weight letter sent under 300 miles.
The four-page letter opens “My Dear Friend” and concerns political patronage and naval appointments. Davis references an application on behalf of “Mr. J. P. Eggleston,” noting that “by act of Congress a restriction was put on further appointments in the Navy until the existing corps shall have been absorbed,” but adds that Mississippi, “having been much overlooked,” will have “special claims as soon as a vacancy occurs.” He assures Archer that “your friend shall be first in a position to profit by the first change.” The letter further discusses political conversations in Wilkinson County and concludes warmly, expressing regret at missing Archer during a recent visit and affirming “sincere regard… as ever your friend.”
At the time of writing, Jefferson Davis was serving as United States Congressman from Mississippi, elected one year earlier. He was residing at Brierfield, his Warren County plantation. The correspondence offers a revealing glimpse into mid-19th century patronage networks and Davis’s active role in advancing Mississippi interests at the federal level.
The addressee, Col. Richard T. Archer, migrated to Mississippi in 1824 and became one of the wealthiest planters in the South, controlling more than 13,000 acres and over 500 enslaved persons on the eve of the Civil War. His prominence in Claiborne County and close political connections underscore the importance of this exchange.
Overall toning consistent with age, but text fully legible and signature strong. An important pre–Civil War political letter combining clear Mississippi postal markings, intact rate handstamp, and a substantive, fully signed Jefferson Davis letter from early in his political career. Ex Dabney. (Image)
Est.US$500-750
Opening US$ 500.00
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Sale No: 0626A
Lot No: 3
Symbol:
Cat No: ALS
Robert Edward Lee autograph letter signed (ALS), “R. E. Lee, Genl. Commanding,” dated August 3, 1861, headed “Hd. Qrs. Huntersville”, addressed to Samuel Cooper, Adjutant and Inspector General, C.S.A., Richmond, Va. The single-page manuscript letter discusses Confederate troop coordination in western Virginia, referencing William Wing Loring, John B. Floyd, and Henry A. Wise, and expressing concern that their forces “will not prove very effective after a junction is made.” Lee further notes his intention to direct Floyd to move from Sweet Springs toward White Sulphur, anticipating a rendezvous with Wise should Union forces not prevent the occupation of Lewisburg.
The letter bears Lee’s original manuscript endorsement directing the forwarding of letters from Generals Wise and Floyd “relative to their movements to the advance of the enemy,” along with a red manuscript “received Aug. 7” notation on reverse, documenting its receipt in Richmond. Written during the opening months of the Civil War, while Lee was overseeing Confederate operations in western Virginia, the letter provides a candid and contemporaneous glimpse into early Confederate command challenges, inter-general coordination, and Lee’s strategic concerns prior to his later elevation to command of the Army of Northern Virginia.
A fine and scarce 1861-dated Robert E. Lee written and signed letter, notable for its early date, substantive military content, and direct insight into Confederate high-command decision-making at a formative moment in the war. (Image)
Est.US$7,500-10,000
Opening US$ 7,500.00
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Sale No: 0626A
Lot No: 4
Symbol: Cover
Cat No: 11
(11) 1862 10c blue Davis tied by blue "Petersburg, Va. June 6" (1864) cds on cover addressed to (former Virginia) Governor John Letcher, Lexington, Va. The cover bears the manuscript field endorsement “R. E. Lee, Genl” at upper right, identifying official Confederate military usage sent by Robert E. Lee, Commanding General of the Army of Northern Virginia.
This remarkable cover represents one of the rarest and most historically significant categories of Confederate postal history: Lee field endorsements. Surviving examples are exceptionally scarce, reflecting both the limited circumstances under which such endorsements were written and the hazards of wartime transmission and preservation. The addressee, John Letcher, served as Governor of Virginia from 1860 to 1864 and remained closely connected to Confederate civil and military leadership, making this an especially meaningful convergence of Confederate command and governance.
At the time this cover was sent, General Lee was headquartered at Gaines’ Mill, Virginia, positioning the cover squarely within the Richmond–Petersburg operational theater. The June 6, 1864 Petersburg cds places the endorsement just weeks before the opening of the Siege of Petersburg, the prolonged campaign that effectively marked the end of Lee’s ability to conduct large-scale warfare and signaled the Confederacy’s strategic exhaustion in Virginia. As such, the cover is not only a postal rarity with fewer than 20 genuine Lee endorsed covers known, but a document anchored to a decisive moment in Confederate military history.
Accompanied by a Confederate Stamp Alliance certificate stating: “Genuine. Envelope has been cleaned; tears repaired at top and left; envelope reduced at top and right; back flaps re-attached.” Despite these restorations, the cover remains a fine and extraordinarily rare Robert E. Lee field endorsed cover carried through the Confederate postal system. (Image)
