Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries, Inc. Sale

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United States and Confederate States Postal History continued...

Slavery Related and 1861 Express Co. Mail

Lot

Sym.

Lot Description

2052

(Kings Town, Rhode Island, 1715) Tax Assessment for Slaves. One-page document datelined Feb. 27, 1715, to William Bowers for taxes on property in Kings Town R.I., including "1 male slave between 14 & 45... 2 above 45 years of age... and 2 over 7 years of age" plus horses and cattle, folded to fit neatly on exhibit page, although Rhode Island was the first to outlaw the importation of slaves (in 1774), its plantation business required a large number of slaves during the 18th Century colonial period (Image)

E. $ 200-300

SOLD for $250.00
Will close during Public Auction

2053

Slavery-Related Letters and Covers. Nine mounted on exhibit-style pages from Dr. Robertson's collection, includes seven letters mentioning slaves or referring to the slavery business, 1850 folded letter from Thibodouxville La., 1854-58 3c Nesbitt entires from Miller & Kilpatrick correspondence originating in Tennessee and Mississippi towns (each with original letter), also an 1823 Georgia State Senate resolution regarding importation of slaves (very fragile and falling apart at folds) and 1859 circular regarding annexation of Cuba as another slave state (with free-franked cover), Fine group of Antebellum material related to slavery

E. $ 500-750

SOLD for $750.00
Will close during Public Auction

2054

(Wilmington N.C., 1838) Letter from a Slave Asking Ministers and Parishioners of a New York Church to Buy His Freedom. Remarkable 2-page letter from Joshua D. McGuire, datelined Wilmington N.C. January 17, 1838, to Rev. William W. Niles in New York City, a plea for contributions from various "Coloured" and "African" churches "to buy me and set me at liberty to Preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ...", letter mentions insurrection in 1832 which resulted in a ban on African-Americans from "all privileges in office of a church...", red "Wilmington N.C. Jan. 17" circular datestamp, ms. "25" rate, some separation and wear along folds, Fine and most unusual letter content

E. $ 300-400

SOLD for $1,100.00
Will close during Public Auction

2055

Stephen A. Douglas, Roger B. Taney, 1850's Slavery Debate. Two free franks from the architects of arguably the two most important slavery-related decisions of the 1850's, Senator Douglas, author of the 1854 Kansas-Nebraska act, free frank on cover front only to New York, repaired at top, Chief Justice Taney, author of the infamous Dread Scott decision, free frank on folded cover to Baltimore, faults and toning, Fine appearing pair and great history

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E. $ 300-400

SOLD for $200.00
Will close during Public Auction

2056

The Adams Express Co., Boston, May 13. Neat strike of circular datestamp on red and blue Waving Flag Patriotic cover to 5th Regt. N.Y.S. Volunteers at Washington D.C., opened bit roughly at left where repaired, otherwise Very Fine, scarce use from Boston to the troops guarding Washington D.C. at the beginning of the war, ex Knapp, Emerson, Antrim and Myers (Image)

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E. $ 500-750

SOLD for $700.00
Will close during Public Auction

2057

Adams Express Company N.Y. Blue double-circle handstamp on blue folded letter datelined "New York 27th May 1861", to Henry A. Sand, member of the 7th Regiment N.Y.S. Volunteers in Washington D.C., interesting contents incl. "There was great excitement here on Saturday afternoon by a report from Washington that there was a dreadful battle going on at Alexandria...the whole story was a hoax.", letter also mentions death of Col. Ellsworth, "Yesterday, Col. Ellsworth's funeral took place. His body was placed in the Governor's room, City Hall, where it was open to all who might wish to see it.", other fascinating content, Very Fine, this well-known correspondence provides almost all of the rare Adams Hoey Express covers to troops guarding Washington D.C. during the beginning of the war, this letter contains a rare reference to the martyred Colonel Ellsworth (Image)

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E. $ 750-1,000

SOLD for $750.00
Will close during Public Auction