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 ILLEGAL STAMP. Bold strike of straightline handstamp
ties long-demonetized 3c Dull Red, Ty. III (26) on circa 1866 cover from Vera Cruz, Mexico, to Rutson Maury (of the famed Maury family) in New York City, directive "Politeness of Col. Geo. H. Sweet", stamp also tied by "New Orleans La.
Dec. 28" circular datestamp, a different style of New Orleans datestamp struck on back, manuscript "Ship 6", notation "Mexico" on back, receipt docketing "Mrs. Genl. Stevens, Vera Cruz 15 Decr. Recd. 16 Jany.", indicates Vera
Cruz, Mexico origin, opened for display, top flap reattachedVERY FINE. A REMARKABLE USE OF THE EXTREMELY RARE "ILLEGAL STAMP" MARKING APPLIED AT NEW ORLEANS. THIS COVER ORIGINATED FROM EX-CONFEDERATE GENERAL WALTER H. STEVENS' WIFE IN VERA CRUZ
AFTER THE WAR. Based on the docketing, this undoubtedly originated from the wife of Confederate General Walter H. Stevens. After the Civil War, Stevens went to Mexico, where he was superintendent and engineer for the Mexican Imperial Railroad, a
railroad line planned by Emperor Maximilian I of Mexico to run between Vera Cruz and Mexico City, Mexico. Stevens died of yellow fever at Vera Cruz on November 12, 1867. This was mailed either in December 1866, before he died, or in 1867, shortly
after his death. The notation "Politeness of Col. Geo. H. Sweet" refers to Colonel George Henry Sweet, the former Confederate officer who commanded Camp Ford prison camp in Texas and toured Mexico in 1866 after the war. Ex Haas (Image) Search for comparables at
SiegelAuctions.com |
E. $ 3,000-4,000
SOLD for $3,250.00
Will close during Public Auction |
