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The Richard L. Calhoun Collection of Charleston, South Carolina-The First Year of Secession continued...

Provisional Stamps: On-Cover incl. Patriotic & Corner Cards
Lot Sym. Lot Description  
623 c ImageCharleston S.C., 5c Blue (16X1). Mostly large but slightly irregular margins showing outer framelines, just in at upper and lower left, tied by neat strike of "Charleston S.C. Nov. 11, 1861" circular datestamp on red and blue on buff 7-Star Confederate Flag Patriotic cover to Samuel Reid at Pickens C.H. S.C.

VERY FINE. ONE OF ONLY TWO RECORDED EXAMPLES OF A CHARLESTON POSTMASTER'S PROVISIONAL USED ON A PATRIOTIC COVER. ONE OF THE GREAT RARITIES OF CONFEDERATE POSTMASTERS' PROVISIONALS.

C.S.A. catalogue lists this Patriotic design as F7-7b. (Image)

Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com

 E. $ 10,000-15,000

SOLD for $10,000.00
Will close during Public Auction
624 c ImageCharleston S.C., 5c Blue (16X1). Large margins showing outer framelines to just in at top and lower right, tied by neat "Charleston S.C. Oct. 11, 1861" double-circle datestamp on cover to Mrs. A. L. Hershman in Camden S.C. with "Office of the Fire Alarm and Police Telegraph, Main Guard House, Charleston S.C." red imprint, expertly repaired along edges (mostly of a cosmetic nature)

VERY FINE APPEARANCE. THE FINER OF THE TWO RECORDED "FIRE ALARM AND POLICE TELEGRAPH" IMPRINT COVERS WITH THE CHARLESTON POSTMASTER'S PROVISIONAL.

The Fire Alarm and Police Telegraph system was installed in Charleston by John Nelson Gamewell, a Camden S.C. postmaster and telegraph operator who purchased rights to the system in 1855 (the Gamewell Fire Alarm Company still exists). The first city to use a telegraph system to transmit fire and police alarms was Boston in 1852, followed by Philadelphia in 1855, and St. Louis, Baltimore and New Orleans between 1858 and 1860. The city of Charleston started discussions about using Gamewell’s system as early as 1855, but apparently decided against it. In August 1860 the Charleston Courier reported that Gamewell was visiting the city again to demonstrate his product. On September 4 the city council reviewed a detailed proposal from Gamewell, specifying the locations of the telegraph alarms (Charleston Courier, September 6, 1860), and shortly thereafter the city entered into a contract with him. The April 3, 1861, Charleston Courier reported that the system was operational.

Exactly two months after this cover was mailed to Camden S.C., a fire broke out at a window blind and sash factory located at East Bay and Hasell Streets. It was reported to have been caused by a group of slaves who were gathered around a campfire. The fire quickly spread southwest and destroyed about 15% of the city before it was finally extinguished. Some sources say that efforts to control the fire were impeded by the fact that so many firemen had left to fight in the Confederate army. Robert E. Lee was in Charleston that night and observed the conflagration from the balcony of the Mills House hotel before its proximity forced him to leave.

There are two recorded Fire Alarm and Police Telegraph covers, both from the same correspondence. This is by far the finer of the two. The other, postmarked October 2, has a severely defective stamp.

Illustrated in Calhoun book (p. 76). (Image)

Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com

 E. $ 5,000-7,500

SOLD for $4,250.00
Will close during Public Auction
625 c ImageCharleston S.C., 5c Blue (16X1). Large margins showing complete outer framelines all around, tied by "Charleston S.C. Oct. 23, 1861" double-circle datestamp on folded part-printed bill of sale from Railroad Depository with illustration of train, Evans & Cogswell imprint (the printers of the Charleston provisional), to Marion C.H. S.C.

VERY FINE. A RARE USE OF THE CHARLESTON POSTMASTER'S PROVISIONAL ON A FOLDED PRINTED FORM.

The illustration on the printed form was engraved by Evans and Cogswell, the firm that printed the Charleston provisional.

With 2003 C.S.A. certificate. Illustrated in the Calhoun book on p. 111. (Image)

Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com

 E. $ 2,000-3,000

SOLD for $1,500.00
Will close during Public Auction
626 c ImageCharleston S.C., 5c Blue (16X1). Mostly large margins showing outer framelines at sides, just touched at bottom right, tied by well-struck "Charleston S.C. Oct. 1, 1861" double-circle datestamp on buff Hayne & Yates wholesale grocer's corner card cover to Camden S.C., horizontal file crease does not affect stamp, barely reduced at top

VERY FINE EXAMPLE OF THE CHARLESTON POSTMASTER'S PROVISIONAL ON AN ADVERTISING COVER.

The Calhoun census lists approximately fourteen examples on corner card covers. However, many are embossed and do not clearly show the design.

Illustrated in the Calhoun book on p. 75 (Image)

Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com

 E. $ 2,000-3,000

SOLD for $1,500.00
Will close during Public Auction
627 c ImageCharleston S.C., 5c Blue (16X1). Huge margins including left sheet margin and two outer framelines, other sides clear, tied by "Charleston S.C. Sep. 24, 1861" double-circle datestamp on buff J.N. Robson commission merchant's corner card cover to Concord N.C., minor edge flaws expertly restored

VERY FINE. AN ATTRACTIVE SHEET-MARGIN EXAMPLE OF THE 5-CENT CHARLESTON PROVISIONAL ADHESIVE ON AN ADVERTISING COVER.

The Calhoun census lists approximately fourteen examples on corner card covers. However, many are embossed and do not clearly show the design. The example offered here, with sheet margin and clear corner card, is especially desirable.

Illustrated in Calhoun book on p. 74. (Image)

Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com

 E. $ 2,000-3,000

SOLD for $2,100.00
Will close during Public Auction
628 c ImageCharleston S.C., 5c Blue (16X1). Mostly large but irregular margins showing large parts of outer framelines, slightly in where unevenly separated, tied by "Charleston S.C. Nov. 5, 1861" circular datestamp on buff J. N. Robson commission merchant's corner card cover to Concord N.C., trivial overall soiling, Fine, a scarce corner card cover, the Calhoun census lists approximately fourteen examples on corner card covers, but many are embossed and do not clearly show the design (Image)

Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com

 E. $ 1,000-1,500

SOLD for $750.00
Will close during Public Auction
629 c ImageCharleston S.C., 5c Blue (16X1). Huge margins showing outer framelines all around, rich color, tied by "Charleston S.C. Dec. 19, 1861" double-circle datestamp on cover to Rowe's Pump S.C. with embossed corner card for Reeder & DeSaussure, factors and commission merchants at upper left, minor edgewear

VERY FINE. SCARCE USE OF THE CHARLESTON POSTMASTER'S PROVISIONAL ON AN EMBOSSED ADVERTISING CORNER CARD COVER.

Only fourteen corner card covers with the Charleston provisional are recorded in the Calhoun census. This cover is postmarked one week after the Great Fire of 1861 decimated 15% of the city. The General Issues went on sale in Charleston on Dec. 7 and Postmaster Huger announced on Dec. 9 that the "local stamps already sold will be recognized, but no more will be issued" (Calhoun, p. 81).

With 1986 C.S.A. certificate. Illustrated in the Calhoun book on p. 79 (Image)

Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com

 E. $ 2,000-3,000

SOLD for $1,300.00
Will close during Public Auction
630 c ImageCharleston S.C., 5c Blue (16X1). Large margins to just touched, tied by "Charleston S.C. Sep. 4, 1861" circular datestamp, second strike at left, on mourning cover to Columbia S.C., some minor edgewear has been sensibly treated

VERY FINE. THIS IS THE EARLIEST REPORTED USE OF THE 5-CENT CHARLESTON PROVISIONAL ADHESIVE ISSUE AND A RARE USE ON A MOURNING ENVELOPE.

According to the Calhoun book, the first reference to the adhesive provisional stamp appeared in the Charleston Mercury on Sep. 6, 1861, two days after this was used. The next reported date of use is Sep. 6 (stamp not tied) followed by Sep. 7 (see lot 665).

Illustrated in the Calhoun book on p. 57. (Image)

Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com

 E. $ 2,000-3,000

SOLD for $1,800.00
Will close during Public Auction
631 c ImageCharleston S.C., 5c Blue (16X1). Large margins showing two outer framelines to barely touched, tied by bold "Charleston S.C. Dec. 5, 1861" circular datestamp on lady's embossed cover to Spartanburg S.C., some minor soiling, small cover repair at upper left, still Very Fine and scarce use on a lady's embossed cover, illustrated in the Calhoun book on p. 77 (Image)

Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com

 E. $ 1,000-1,500

SOLD for $1,100.00
Will close during Public Auction
632 c ImageCharleston S.C., 5c Blue (16X1). Large margins showing three complete outer framelines and parts of adjoining stamps at top and bottom, tiny nick at top right, tied by "Charleston S.C. Sep. 28, 1861" circular datestamp on buff cover to Petersburg Va., barely reduced at top

EXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE OF THE CHARLESTON POSTMASTER'S PROVISIONAL ISSUE ON COVER.

This is one of the finest Charleston provisional covers we have encountered. (Image)

Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com

 $ 2,500.00

SOLD for $1,600.00
Will close during Public Auction
633 c ImageCharleston S.C., 5c Blue (16X1). Enormous margins showing compete outer framelines and huge sheet margin at right, tied by neat strike of "Charleston S.C. Nov. 8, 1861" double-circle datestamp on cover to Sumterville S.C., expertly cleaned with minor cosmetic improvements

EXTREMELY FINE APPEARANCE. AN IMPRESSIVE SHEET-MARGIN STAMP ON AN ATTRACTIVE COVER.

Ex Emerson and Hill (Image)

Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com

 $ 2,500.00

SOLD for $1,200.00
Will close during Public Auction

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