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Confederate States Stamps and Postal History continued...

Blockade-Run, Trans-Rio Grande Mail
Lot Sym. Lot Description  
2606 c Image10c Blue, Paterson (2). Tied by "Charleston S.C. Oct. 13" (1862) circular datestamp on second mailing of turned cover to Mrs. Isabella Woodruff at Equality P.O. S.C., first used as an inbound Royal Victorian Hotel, Nassau, Bahamas, advertising envelope carried by blockade-runner to Charleston, addressed to W. C. Bee & Co. and C. T. Mitchell & Co. as agents, ship-name directive "Per Kate" at top, "6" handstamp for ship-letter rate applied at Charleston, backflap with "From John Fraser & Co." cover with repaired tears at top, stamp with faulty top right corner

VERY FINE APPEARANCE. AN EXCEPTIONAL AND EXTREMELY RARE "TURNED" ADVERSITY COVER, COMBINING INCOMING BLOCKADE-RUN USE OF A HOTEL ADVERTISING ENVELOPE TO CHARLESTON AND THE 10-CENT PATERSON LITHOGRAPH FOR RE-MAILING WITHIN THE CONFEDERACY.

The Royal Victoria Hotel was the center of the social scene in Nassau during the Civil War years. Parties held there were attended by diplomats, Confederate and British officers, captains of blockade runners, and newspaper correspondents.

With 1984 P.F. certificate (Image)

Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com

 E. $ 3,000-4,000

SOLD for $7,500.00
Will close during Public Auction
2607 c ImageCharleston S.C. Jul. 25, 1862. Double-circle datestamp and "Steam-Ship" oval handstamp on incoming blockade-run cover from Nassau, Bahamas, written by John M. Kell to his wife Blanche M. Kell in Macon Ga., pencil "12" for 10c C.S.A. postage and 2c ship fee, top with manuscript "From J. F. & Co." applied by John Fraser & Co. (forwarding agents in Liverpool), opening tears at right and on backflap do not affect markings

FINE. A RARE INCOMING BLOCKADE-RUN COVER FROM LT. JOHN M. KELL, FIRST OFFICER OF THE FAMOUS COMMERCE RAIDER C.S.S. ALABAMA, TO HIS WIFE IN MACON GA. THE ALABAMA CLAIMED 65 PRIZES DURING THE CIVIL WAR BEFORE BEING SUNK BY THE U.S.S. KEARSAGE ON JUNE 19, 1864.

Lt. Kell and most of his shipmates, including Captain Raphael Semmes, survived the sinking of the Alabama. According to Wikipedia, "During her two-year career as a commerce raider, Alabama caused disorder and devastation across the globe for Union merchant shipping. The Confederate cruiser claimed 65 prizes valued at nearly $6,000,000... in 1862 alone 28 were claimed...Ironically, a decade before the beginning of the Civil War, Captain Semmes had observed: '(Commerce raiders) are little better than licensed pirates, and it behooves all civilized nations [...] to suppress the practice altogether.'" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CSS_Alabama)

Ex Dietz (Image)

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 E. $ 3,000-4,000

SOLD for $3,250.00
Will close during Public Auction
2608 c Image10c Blue, Die A (11). Huge margins all around, tied by "Wilmington N.C. Sep. 6" (1864) circular datestamp on incoming blockade-run cover from Nassau, Bahamas, to Charleston S.C., sender's ship-name directive "pr. 'Will o' the Wisp'" at upper left surrounded by receipt docketing in another hand "Jervey & Mueller Nassau 1st Sept. cotton for Gabriel" which also ties stamp, minor ink erosion at top

VERY FINE. RARE USE OF A CONFEDERATE STAMP ON BLOCKADE-RUN MAIL WITH NAME-OF-SHIP ENDORSEMENT.

The Will o' the Wisp arrived in Wilmington on September 5, 1864, after a run from Nassau. The "Dupl" notation at upper right suggests that this duplicate mailing was sent to Charleston via Wilmington (presumably the original was sent directly to Charleston).

Special Routes Census No. BI-WM-94. Ex. Myers. With 1988 P.F. certificate (Image)

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 E. $ 2,000-3,000

SOLD for $1,800.00
Will close during Public Auction
2609 c Image10c Blue, Die A (11). Large to huge margins, beautiful shade and impression, tied by "Richmond Va. Aug. 18, 1863" circular datestamp on cover addressed to "Dr. Jno. Wm. Mallet, late Prof. Chemistry Univ. Ala., Capt. Confede. Artillery, Tuscaloosa, Alabama" with "Southern States" and "Ship Letter" notations in sender's hand, pencil "10" indicating C.S.A. postage rate, minor edge tears and slight toning, small piece out of backflap

VERY FINE. A RARE USE OF A CONFEDERATE STAMP ON AN INCOMING BLOCKADE-RUN COVER FROM ENGLAND AND AN EXTREMELY UNUSUAL ENTRY POINT FOR BLOCKADE-RUN MAIL.

Irish-born John William Mallet was a chemistry professor at the University of Alabama. He enlisted as a private in a troop of C.S.A. Cavalry, but almost immediately was chosen as aide-de-camp on the staff of General Robert E. Rodes. He was transferred to the artillery in May 1862 and by 1865 became lieutenant-colonel and then superintendent of the C.S. Army ordnance laboratories.

Another cover addressed to Mallet in the same hand is shown on page 135 of the Special Routes book. It is the only recorded blockade-run cover with Savannah as the entry point (May 7, 1862). The cover offered here, with the same handwriting, has the "Ship Letter" and "Southern States" written notations and, therefore, must also have originated in England.

According to information received from Steven C. Walske, this cover "was carried on the blockade-runner Venus, which departed Bermuda on August 12 and arrived in Wilmington on August 16. Prior to that, it might have taken the RMSP steamer Africa, which left Liverpool on July 17 and arrived at St. Thomas on July 31. It then took the Cunarder Alpha, which left St. Thomas on August 2 and arrived in Bermuda on August 7. This route was preferred by Condederate government types, since the mail didn't go through New York." (Image)

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 E. $ 2,000-3,000

SOLD for $4,250.00
Will close during Public Auction
2610 c Image10c Blue, Die A (11). Tied by light strike of "Houston Tex. Sep. 12" (1864) circular datestamp on incoming blockade-run cover, sent from Liverpool, thru Havana and Galveston Tex., manuscript "In care of A D Camack Esqr. Havana" at bottom, original four-page letter enclosed datelined ,"Liverpool, Aug. 30, 1864", includes interesting comment "Dear Sir, I have written you by each steamer going hence for Havana. From this point my letters have had to run the gauntlet of the blockade, with what success they have been attended I am in doubt.", stamp with large margins and small scuff at right, some insect nibbling at top edge referred to as "tropical borer holes" on accompanying certificate

VERY FINE APPEARANCE. AN EXTREMELY RARE INCOMING BLOCKADE COVER FROM LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND, SENT THROUGH HAVANA AND GALVESTON, TEXAS. THE SPECIAL ROUTES CENSUS RECORDS ONLY SEVEN GALVESTON BLOCKADE COVERS.

The U.S.S. South Carolina initiated the blockade of Galveston on July 2, 1861. The first arrival of a steamship was on December 29, 1861, from Havana, Cuba. U.S. forces occupied Galveston Bay from September 30, 1863, to January 1, 1864, so no blockade running occurred during that period. Fewer than ten incoming blockade covers are known, all postmarked in Houston, Texas, between January 29, 1864, and March 1, 1865. The surrender of Galveston on June 2, 1865, ended all blockade running. All known incoming blockade-run letters were carried under cover and posted by a forwarder in Houston with 10c C.S.A. postage prepaid, unless the letter was addressed to Houston. A forwarder marking from Havana or Mexico, or a dateline or docket from outside of the C.S.A., are identifying characteristics, along with a Houston postmark. Since the mail was carried under cover, no ship” markings were used and the 2c ship fee was not assessed. (Special Routes book p. 261). This cover was carried on the Zephine from Havana.

Special Routes Census No. BI-Gv-4. With 1985 P.F. certificate (Image)

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 E. $ 2,000-3,000

SOLD for $3,750.00
Will close during Public Auction
2611 c Image10c Blue, Die B (12). Huge margins to clear at right and just touched at upper left, tied by lightly struck blue "Petersburg Va. Aug. 30" (1864) circular datestamp on brown homemade blockade-run cover to Nassau, New Providence (Bahamas), sender's routing "Via Wilmington", clear strike of rare "Ship-Letter Nassau B SP 9 64" circular datestamp applied on arrival, blue crayon "4" pence due, large manuscript "Unclaimed" and red "ADVERTISED" straightline handstamp

VERY FINE. AN OUTSTANDING AND IMPORTANT OUTBOUND BLOCKADE-RUN COVER WITH A CONFEDERATE FRANKING AND THE RARE BAHAMAS SHIP-LETTER MARKING, WHICH WAS USED ONLY FROM JULY TO DECEMBER 1864.

This cover was presumably carried on the Chicora (owned by the Chicora Importing and Exporting Co.), which left Wilmington on September 5. It is one of approximately a half-dozen recorded blockade-run covers that were unclaimed in Nassau and advertised for the recipient's attention. The rare Nassau "Ship Letter" marking was used only on mail addressed to Nassau. The Confederate States 10c postage paid the rate from Petersburg to Wilmington. The "4" marking represents the standard 4-pence ship-letter charge.

Special Routes Census No. BO-NAS-87. Ex Shenfield, Judd and Tobias. Illustrated in the Shenfield book (p. 60). (Image)

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 E. $ 10,000-15,000

SOLD for $17,000.00
Will close during Public Auction
2612 c ImageCharleston S.C. to New York via Nassau. Narrow blockade-run cover to New York City street address, entered Bahamas mails with red "Nassau Paid NO 7 64" circular datestamp, crayon "4" pence rate, manuscript "(2)" (meaning unknown), New York "5" in circle due handstamp, original letter enclosed is apparently missing first page (accompanying P.F. certificate states "Charleston S.C. Oct. 11") and admonishes all Southerners residing in the United States to return to the South immediately or risk having their property taken in sequestration, closes with interesting reference to finishing the letter in haste as "a gentleman is going to Havana tonight in a small schooner" cover with edge repairs at sides, Very Fine appearance, with 1984 P.F. certificate incorrectly stating the year as 1861, Special Routes Census no. BO-Nas-1 (should be BO-Nas-90) (Image)

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 E. $ 1,000-1,500

SOLD for $650.00
Will close during Public Auction
2613 c ImageConfederate States to Connecticut via Nassau and New York. Brown blockade-run cover to Middletown Conn., entered British mails with red "Nassau Paid NO 22 62" circular datestamp, crayon "4" pence rate and "New-York Ship Letter 5 1862 Nov. 29" integral-rate circular datestamp for British Packet mail, scattered stained spots, otherwise Fine, unlisted in Special Routes census, ex Knapp and Gallagher (Image)

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 E. $ 500-750

SOLD for $450.00
Will close during Public Auction
2614 c ImageCharleston S.C. to Liverpool via Nassau. Brown outbound blockade-run cover addressed to Mrs. C. L. Burckmyer, in care of Fraser Trenholm & Co. in Liverpool, England, original letter (no. 44) datelined "Charleston S.C. January 16, 1865", reverse with scarce "Nassau-New-Providence Feb. 4, 1865" rimless datestamp, unpaid with 2sh due, comprising 1sh packet postage to England and 1sh penalty fee, blue crayon "1/5 + 7 = 2/-" accounting (1p plus half of penalty retained by Bahamas P.O.), Liverpool receiving datestamp (Mar. 4), Very Fine, Special Routes Census No. BO-Nas-97 (Image)

Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com

 E. $ 1,000-1,500

SOLD for $550.00
Will close during Public Auction
2615 c Image5c Blue, Stone 3 (4). Vertical pair (noted as Positions 22/32), large margins except touched at lower right, beautiful bright color and fine impression, tied by clear "Eagle Pass Tex. Mar. 28(?)" circular datestamp on blue folded letter originating in Mexico and carried across the Rio Grande to Confederate Texas, dated Mar. 23, 1863, addressed to Francisco de P. Farias in San Antonio, letter in Spanish discusses business matters and mentions Confederate General Magruder, embossed crest "Republica Mexicana"

EXTREMELY FINE. A VERY RARE USE FROM MEXICO TO SAN ANTONIO VIA PIEDRAS NEGRAS AND EAGLE PASS. THE 5-CENT BLUE HOYER & LUDWIG IS EXCEEDINGLY RARE ON TRANS-RIO GRANDE MAIL INTO THE CONFEDERATE STATES.

The Eagle Pass post office was the drop point for mail from Mexico to the Confederate States that crossed the Rio Grande further up the river near Piedras Negras. The typical franking is a pair of the 5c Blue Typograph stamps. This cover bearing the 5c Blue Lithograph is extremely rare and one of the finest trans-Rio Grande covers we have encountered.

Ex Hall (Image)

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 E. $ 2,000-3,000

SOLD for $8,000.00
Will close during Public Auction

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