Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries, Inc. Sale

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United States Postal History and Confederate States continued...

Confederate States: Blockade-Run Mail

Lot

Sym.

Lot Description

4708

10c Blue, Die A (11). Full to large margins, tied by lightly struck "Wilmington N.C. May 29" (1864) circular datestamp on cover to Hill & Norfleet (commission and forwarding merchants), in care of Howell & Harris in Wilmington N.C., pencil "Exd" Provost Marshal censor marking applied at Wilmington, half of backflap removed

VERY FINE. A RARE INBOUND BLOCKADE-RUN COVER FROM BERMUDA WITH CONFEDERATE FRANKING AND EXAMINER'S MARKING APPLIED AT WILMINGTON.

Carried on blockade-runner Lynx, dep. St. Georges May 24, 1864, arr. Wilmington May 28. The Lynx was owned by Fraser Trenholm & Co.; active May 1864 to Sep. 1864, 9 for 10 in successful trips. This cover was hand-carried or carried in another packet from Bermuda. On arrival the letter was examined by the Provost Marshal and marked "Exd". Howell & Harris stamped it and mailed it May 29 (1864).

Ex Walske. With 2010 P.F. certificate (Image)

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E. $ 2,000-3,000

SOLD for $2,700.00
Will close during Public Auction

4709

London to New Orleans via Tampico, Matamoros and Brownsville. Blue legal-size cover with embossed seal on backflap of St. Katharine Dock Company in London, England, to George Gibson, in care of Spotts, Harvey & Company, grocers and commission merchants in Richmond Va., "A. Uhde & Co. Matamoros" forwarder's greenish-blue oval handstamp struck twice, horizontal pair of 10c Dark Blue, Hoyer & Ludwig (2b), full to clear margins, tied by "Brownsville Tex." rimless circular datestamp which is so caked with ink it is unreadable, upper half of backflap removed but the embossing is intact, folded in at left to fit exhibit page, repaired at top with paper added but stamps not touched

A FINE APPEARING AND EXTREMELY RARE EXAMPLE OF TRANSATLANTIC MAIL CARRIED FROM LONDON TO NEW ORLEANS VIA TAMPICO AND BROWNSVILLE DURING THE PERIOD WHEN COSTA'S EXPRESS WAS IN OPERATION.

On October 15, 1861, Antonio Costa announced a post office-endorsed foreign-mail private express service out of New Orleans. In his circular, he stated, "The undersigned, now suffering in common with others, the inconvenience of blockade and non-intercourse with foreign countries; has, by the advice and approval of J. L. Riddell, Post Master at New Orleans, taken all needful measures to establish at his own expense, a monthly mail between New Orleans and the Mexican port of Tampico, to connect with the regular British Mail steamers touching at that port." J. L. Riddell also added a postscript stating that, "Letters intended for this Mail, may be enclosed along with the money required per tariff above, and the outer envelope addressed to Costa's Foreign Mail, care of Postmaster, New Orleans." The tariff indicated was $1.00 to Europe, including C.S.A. postage.

Ex Everett (Image)

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E. $ 2,000-3,000

SOLD for $5,750.00
Will close during Public Auction

4710

Matamoros, Mexico to Texas. Blue folded letter datelined "Matamoros 9th October 1862" and addressed to San Antonio Tex., bold "Brownsville Tex. Oct. 10" rimless circular datestamp with "Paid 10" handstamp, letter is from Droege, Oetling & Co. cotton brokers, some internal restoration along split folds, Very Fine appearance, both sender and recipient were key players in the cotton trade with Europe from the Confederacy via Mexico (Image)

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E. $ 1,000-1,500

SOLD for $2,700.00
Will close during Public Auction

4711

Matamoros, Mexico to Texas. Folded letter datelined "Matamoros January 16th 1865" and addressed to San Antonio Tex., neat "Brownsville Tex. Jan. 20" rimless circular datestamp with "Paid 10" straightline handstamp, also with folded printed circular from Matamoros regarding cotton trade, vertical file folds, some splitting along folds, still Very Fine (Image)

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E. $ 500-750

SOLD for $550.00
Will close during Public Auction

4712

10c Blue, Die A (11). Large margins to in at top, tied by "Brownsville Tex. Apr. 24" 1865 rimless circular datestamp on cover to Austin City Tex., with original 1865-dated enclosure which does not mention the surrender at Appomattox two weeks prior, some wear and soiling, still Fine, unusual late Confederate use after the fall of Richmond and Lee's surrender (Image)

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E. $ 200-300

SOLD for $450.00
Will close during Public Auction