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The Steven Walske Collection of North American Blockade Run Mail continued...

Civil War, Blockade from and to Bermuda via Wilmington
Lot Sym. Lot Description  
2463 c ImageEurope to Charleston via Bermuda and Wilmington N.C., forwarded to Flat Rock N.C. 1863 cover originating in Europe, carried on Cunarder Asia from Liverpool on Aug. 8, arriving Halifax Aug. 18, then by Cunard branch line's Alpha to Bermuda, departing Aug. 20 and arriving St. George's Aug. 26, placed on blockade runner Robert E. Lee on Sep. 4, arriving Wilmington Sep. 10, "SHIP" handstamp and censored "B. Duncan on back, forwarded by addressee W. C. Bee & Co. (a blockade running operator) to Flat Rock with 10c Blue, Die A (11), full margins except touched at right center, tied by "Charleston S.C. Sep. 12" circular datestamp, stamp affixed over manuscript "12" which was applied in Wilmington, cover with edge faults including mended nicks

VERY FINE APPEARING BLOCKADE-RUN COVER WITH A 10-CENT GENERAL ISSUE STAMP FOR FORWARDING AND A CONFEDERATE CENSOR MARKING. VERY FEW BLOCKADE-RUN COVERS ARE KNOWN WITH CONFEDERATE STAMPS.

The Robert E. Lee was formerly named the Giraffe before being sold to the Confederate States Navy and renamed for the Confederacy's greatest general. She made successful blockade-run trips until she was captured in 1863 and condemned as a prize at Boston. She was subsequently renamed the U.S.S. Fort Donelson and send for duty in the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron.

Illustrated in Shenfield and Special Routes book on p. 122. With 1978 P.F. certificate (Image)

Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com

 E. $ 5,000-7,500

SOLD for $4,500.00
Will close during Public Auction
2464 c ImageLiverpool to Macon Ga. via Bermuda and Wilmington N.C. Cover originating in London on Jan. 23, 1864 (original Fraser Trenholm & Co. letter no longer accompanies), addressed to Confederate superintendent of armories in Macon Ga. on "Official" (business), carried on Cunarder Arabia from Liverpool on Jan. 23, arriving Halifax Feb. 4, then by Cunard branch line Alpha to St. George's, Bermuda arriving Feb. 10, endorsed "Ad Vance" for the blockade runner Advance, departing Feb. 13 and arriving Wilmington Feb. 18, "Wilmington N.C. Feb. 19" circular datestamp and manuscript "12" rate for 10c to Macon plus 2c ship fee, Feb. 26 receipt docketing, Very Fine, the duplicate to the cover offered in the following lot, which was intentionally sent on a different route via the blockade runner Annie, duplicate official communications were sometimes sent to ensure greater security (Image)

Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com

 E. $ 2,000-3,000

SOLD for $1,400.00
Will close during Public Auction
2465 c ImageLiverpool to Macon Ga. via Bermuda, Nassau and Wilmington N.C. Cover originating in London on Jan. 23, 1864 (original Fraser Trenholm & Co. letter no longer accompanies), addressed to Confederate superintendent of armories in Macon Ga. on "Official" (business), carried on Cunarder Arabia from Liverpool on Jan. 23, arriving Halifax Feb. 4, then by Cunard branch line Alpha to St. George's, Bermuda arriving Feb. 10, endorsed "Will O' the Wisp" and carried by that ship to Nassau arriving Feb. 19, then by blockade runner Annie, departing Nassau Feb. 28 and arriving Wilmington with Mar. 3 circular datestamp and manuscript "22" cents rate for double rate to Macon plus 2c ship fee, Mar. 7 receipt docketing, minor edgewear, Very Fine, the duplicate to the cover offered in the previous lot, which was intentionally sent on a different route via the blockade runner Advance, duplicate official communications were sometimes sent to ensure greater security (Image)

Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com

 E. $ 2,000-3,000

SOLD for $1,400.00
Will close during Public Auction
2466 c ImageSt. George's, Bermuda to Macon Ga. via Wilmington N.C. Cover originating in Bermuda on Apr. 18, 1864 (letter no longer accompanies), addressed to Confederate superintendent of armories in Macon Ga. on "Official" (business), endorsed "per Helen" which departed St. George's on Apr. 27 and arrived Wilmington with May 2 circular datestamp and manuscript "12" rate for 10c to Macon plus 2c ship fee, Very Fine, the duplicate to the cover offered in the following lot, which was intentionally sent on a different ship via the blockade runner Atalanta, duplicate official communications were sometimes sent to ensure greater security (Image)

Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com

 E. $ 2,000-3,000

SOLD for $3,000.00
Will close during Public Auction
2467 c ImageSt. George's, Bermuda to Macon Ga. via Wilmington N.C. Cover originating in Bermuda on Apr. 18, 1864 (letter no longer accompanies), endorsed "Duplicate" and addressed to Confederate superintendent of armories in Macon Ga. on "Official" (business), endorsed "per Atlanta" (blockade runner Atalanta) which departed St. George's on Apr. 29 and arrived Wilmington with May 3 circular datestamp and manuscript "12" rate for 10c to Macon plus 2c ship fee, Very Fine, the duplicate to the cover offered in the previous lot, which was intentionally sent on a different ship via the blockade runner Helen, duplicate official communications were sometimes sent to ensure greater security, the Atalanta was a successful blockade runner before it was purchased by the Confederate government for use as a commerce raider and renamed the C.S.S. Tallahassee, then the Olustee and finally the Chameleon (Image)

Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com

 E. $ 2,000-3,000

SOLD for $2,100.00
Will close during Public Auction
2468 c ImageBermuda to Charlotte N.C. via Wilmington N.C. Incoming blockade-run cover addressed to Charlotte N.C., "Forwarded by N. S. Walker St. Georges Bermuda" oval handstamp at top, endorsed "P Flora" and carried by that blockade runner on Dec. 4, 1863, arriving Wilmington Dec. 8, "Wilmington N.C. Dec. 9" circular datestamp and manuscript "12" cents due for 10c rate to Charlotte plus 2c ship fee, minor bit of soiling and backflap tears

VERY FINE. THE ONLY RECORDED STRIKE OF THE NORMAN S. WALKER CONFEDERATE AGENT OVAL HANDSTAMP, ON A BLOCKADE-RUN COVER FROM BERMUDA TO NORTH CAROLINA.

Major Norman S. Walker was the senior Confederate agent in Bermuda from February 1863 until June 27, 1864. The yellow fever epidemic caused him and his family to leave the island; his wife and children for England, and Major Walker to the Confederate States on government business. After an abandoned effort to establish Halifax as a principal port for blockade-running, Major Walker and his family traveled to Bermuda and eventually returned to England (source: Rev. William Parkes, "Per Walker: Major Norman S. Walker and Bermuda Blockade Mail", Confederate Philatelist, May-June 1982 and July-Aug. 1982, Nos. 207-208).

A few covers are recorded in the Special Routes census with manuscript notations from Bermuda containing Major Walker's name. However, this is the only example recorded in the census with the N. S. Walker oval handstamp (Image)

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 E. $ 4,000-5,000

SOLD for $8,500.00
Will close during Public Auction
2469 c ImageHamilton, Bermuda to Wetumpka Ala. via Wilmington N.C. Cover with original letter datelined at Hamilton on Jan. 17 and Jan. 21, 1864, manuscript "DeRosset Brown & Co." and endorsed "pr Dee", carried on that blockade runner which departed Jan. 31, ran aground, caught fire and was destroyed by the U.S.S. Cambridge north of Fort Fisher N.C. on Feb. 6, the mail bags were saved and taken to Wilmington, "Wilmington N.C. 5 Paid Feb 8" circular datestamp with altered "3", manuscript "12" cents due in Alabama, small erosion hole at top

VERY FINE INCOMING BLOCKADE-RUN COVER CARRIED ON THE LAST TRIP OF THE ILL-FATED DEE FROM BERMUDA.

The story of the destruction of the Dee is told in the 1864 Annual Reports of the Navy Department: "Upon the 6th instant the Cambridge discovered a steamer ashore and on fire about one mile south of Masonboro' inlet, which proved to be the blockade running steamer Dee, from Bermuda to Wilmington. Finding it impossible to extinguish the flames or to get her off, Commander Spicer, of the Cambridge abandoned the attempt, and still further destroyed her by firing into her. Seven of her crew were captured, and are now held as prisoners on the Cambridge. From these prisoners I learn that the Dee was commanded by G. H. Bier, formerly a lieutenant in the United States naval service. She was loaded with lead, coffee, and bacon, all of which, with the vessel, was completely destroyed..." (except apparently, the mail) (Image)

Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com

 E. $ 2,000-3,000

SOLD for $2,100.00
Will close during Public Auction
2470 c ImageTours, France to Charleston via Bermuda, Wilmington N.C. and Richmond. Small cover with original letter datelined at Tours, France on June 4, 1864, addressed to Captain Burckmyer at Charleston, "Kindness of Major Pierson", letter no. 45 with the usual cross-written content, carried via Halifax to Bermuda where loaded onto blockade runner Coquette, arrived Wilmington and hand carried to Richmond where Major Pierson, having checked into the Spotswood Hotel, posted the letter with 10c Blue, Die B (12) on back, tied by "Richmond Va. Jul. 15" circular datestamp, minor soiling, Very Fine incoming blockade-run cover from the Burckmyer correspondence and a rare use with the 10c General Issue stamp paying the postage to its destination (Image)

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 E. $ 1,500-2,000

SOLD for $2,100.00
Will close during Public Auction
2471 c ImageParis to Charleston via Bermuda and Wilmington N.C. Small cover with three original letters datelined at Paris, France in Feb.-March 1864, addressed to Captain Burckmyer at Charleston, nos. 34-36 with the usual cross-written content, carried privately from France so no postal markings, transited Bermuda and then to Wilmington N.C. and Charleston S.C., Very Fine incoming blockade-run cover from the Burckmyer correspondence (Image)

Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com

 E. $ 300-400

SOLD for $160.00
Will close during Public Auction
2472° c ImagePetersburg Va. to London via Wilmington N.C. and Hamilton, Bermuda. Blue folded cover docketed Petersburg Jul. 16, 1864, addressed to Rothschild & Sons in London, endorsed "S.S. Old Dominion" and carried on that blockade runner from Wilmington on Jul. 23, arriving at Hamilton Jul. 26, bold "Forwarded by R.S. Musson & Co. Commission Merchants, Bermuda" oval stencil-style handstamp on back, posted unpaid with blue crayon "1/-" shilling due, red "Hamilton Bermuda AU 5" circular datestamp on back, transferred to St. George's to catch the Cunarder Alpha for Halifax, departing Aug. 5 and arriving Aug. 9, then by Cunarder Africa on Aug. 19, arriving Liverpool Aug. 29, red London Aug. 30 arrival backstamp, re-rated "2/-" shillings due, adding 1 shilling for unpaid letter, partly refolded, clip of flap containing small portion of the stencil marking re-attached for complete display

VERY FINE. THIS IS THE ONLY RECORDED EXAMPLE OF THE R. S. MUSSON FORWARDER'S OVAL MARKING, APPLIED TO A BLOCKADE-RUN COVER FROM VIRGINIA TO LONDON.

This is the only example of the R. S. Musson marking listed in the Special Routes census. Ex Ludington (Image)

Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com

 E. $ 7,500-10,000

SOLD for $9,000.00
Will close during Public Auction
2473 c ImageCharleston to Liverpool via St. George's, Bermuda. Blue cover with original 10-page letter from George Trenholm to Liverpool, datelined at Charleston on Mar. 17, 1863, endorsed at bottom "Capt Cox" (Louis Coxetter) for carriage on the blockade runner General Beauregard, which departed Charleston Mar. 20 and arrived Bermuda with clear strike of "St. Georges, Bermuda MR 24" circular datestamp on flap, carried on the HMS Orlando from Bermuda Mar. 31, arriving Portsmouth Apr. 16, red "Ship Letter London AP 17 63" backstamp, rated "1/-" shilling due in blue crayon, "Liverpool AP 17 63" arrival datestamp, couple tiny edge tears

VERY FINE. A SCARCE OUTBOUND COVER TO ENGLAND, SENT VIA BERMUDA ON A BLOCKADE RUNNER CAPTAINED BY THE LEGENDARY PRIVATEER LOUIS COXETTER.

The Special Routes census lists only 13 outbound blockade-run covers carried via Bermuda, versus 99 through the Bahamas. Captain Louis Coxetter was a fascinating and colorful character. He had been a forty-niner” during the California Gold Rush, dividing his time between searching for gold and ferrying miners to and from the diggings. A prominent Charleston citizen, he became the most successful Confederate privateer of the Civil War, with 10 prizes captured as captain of the marauding Jefferson Davis, before that ship was wrecked in August 1861. He then switched to blockade running including serving as captain of the General Beauregard (source: "The Short Life of a Rebel Privateer", New York Times, Aug. 17, 2011).

Illustrated in Special Routes book on p. 141. Ex Ludington (Image)

Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com (imagea)

E. $ 3,000-4,000

SOLD for $3,000.00
Will close during Public Auction

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