SHREVEPORT LA. JAN 1861 double-circle datestamp without day slug tying U.S.12¢ black #36 on buff legal-size courthouse cover to Rusk Tex., docketed with Jan. 27, 1861 receipt date (received after secession but probably mailed from Louisiana before it seceded), reduced at left (also folded to reduce width for display purposes), some wear at bottom, otherwise Fine, scarce use of single 12¢ 1857. Louisiana was only an Independent State for 9 days, Ex Gunter. 

"West Fork P.O. Jany 28 /61" blue ms. postmark on folded letter to London, England, sender's notation "Paid" sufficed without any indication of rate, red "19" credit handstamp and no other markings, slight edge wear, Very Fine, rare transatlantic use during brief Louisiana Independent State period, Ex Gunter.

Paris to New Orleans, May 1861, folded letter with France 80c Napoleon tied by diamond of dots and "Paris 2e / 16 Mai 61" double-circle datestamp, red "Boston Paid 15 Jun. 1" credit datestamp, red "PD" and "Br Service" framed handstamps, "due 10" straightline handstamp applied at New Orleans for Confederate postage, this letter to the western CSA crossed the lines just prior to the June 7 discontinuance order, extensive erosion from writing ink (some pieces are breaking loose - needs restoration) - otherwise Fine, Extremely RARE, Ex Gunter.

US U27, 3¢ star-die entire, size 3, knife 2, tied indistinct 1861 cancel that is either independent state or CSA Use of U.S. rate on cover addressed to “Honr Howell Cobb, Montgomery, Ala”. Howell Cobb served as president of the Confederate Provisional Congress (1861-62) and thus this cover is a use while in that position in Montgomery before June 1, 1861. He was also a distinguished major general of the Confederate army. His personal history is well-known and illustrious.

US U27, 3¢ star-die entire used with grid cancel and SAVANNAH  Ga ( prior owner says JAN but I really can’t so ascertain the month)  21, 1861. More likely U.S. used in the Confederacy. Addressed to “S. F. Dickinson Esq, Macon, Ga.” Georgia seceded from the Union on 19 JAN 1861, and joined the Confederacy on 4 FEB 1861, thus the period of independent use was only 16 days. Minor back flap opening tear otherwise Very Fine. 

US U27, 3¢ star-die entire with weak partial strike of MACON / Ga cancel. Addressed to “Master Andrew J. Cobb, Care of Mrs. Howell Cobb, Athens Georgia”; part of back flap missing and tiny edge faults. Howell Cobb served as president of the Confederate Provisional Congress (1861-62) and a major general of the Confederate army. His personal history is well-known and illustrious. $140.

London E.C. MY 4 61 clear strike of circular datestamp and "19 Cents" debit handstamp on May 4 folded letter to James Thomas in Richmond Va., sender's ship designation in bright magenta manuscript "p. Europa via Queenstown", carried on the Cunarder Europa, departing Liverpool on May 4 and arriving in Boston on May 15, "Br. Packet Boston 15 May 24" 24-cent due datestamp, pencil "/" believed to indicate carrier fee for delivery in Richmond. Very fine. An important cover that passed from the United States to the Confederate States along the Washington-Richmond corridor just before this mail route was suspended by Federal order on May 23. On April 27, 1861, the regular water route to Richmond was suspended by the United States government, leaving only the Orange & Alexandria Railroad open for mail via Richmond. The last route through Virginia was suspended on the evening of May 23. This is the latest recorded example of mail that successfully crossed the U.S.-C.S.A. border via Richmond, probably on May 17, 1861. It is uncertain how the 24¢ postage due to the U.S. government was collected in Richmond.The letter itself, written by James Cameron of the British firm of John K. Gilliat & Co., discusses current events in the U.S., including references to "collision and bloodshed in Baltimore and at Harper's Ferry" and reflections on the state of Civil War and its impact on the commercial markets. The addressee, James Thomas, was a prominent tobacco merchant in Richmond during the antebellum and Civil War period. Ex Birkinbine and Walske.  $3,000.

US U27, 3¢ star-die entire tied grid with matching ATHENS / Ga. // FEB / 9 [1861] cds, addressed to “C.G.W. Cumming, Warthans Store, Ga.”, flap faults otherwise Fine CSA use of US postage.  $160.

US 3¢ Star-die U27 entire tied blue CASSVILLE / Ga. / / MAR / 27 [1861] to Col. J.A.R. Hanks, Dalton, Geo., top back flap faults otherwise Very Fine CSA use of US postage  The Hanks correspondence is well known. Col. Hanks was Asst. Quartermaster in the 22nd Georgia Infantry Regiment.  $180.

US U27, 3¢ star-die entire tied SAVANNAH Ga. // APR / 2 / 1861 cds to Macon, Very Fine CSA Use of US postage.   $200.

US U27, 3¢ star-die entire tied SAVANNAH Ga. // MAR / 18 / 1861 cds to New York, Very Fine CSA use of US postage.   $200.

US U26, 3¢ star-die entire tied neat TALMAGE / GA / / MAR / 7 [1861] cds, addressed to “Mrs. J. P. Welch, Calamutcha, Miss”, tear at top and flap faults otherwise very nice CSA Use of US postage, Ex Agre. $170.

US U27, 3¢ star-die entire tied WARRENTON / GEO. // FEB / 21 [1861] to Ellerton, Ga., flap faults otherwise Fine CSA Use of US postage. $175.

US 26, 3¢ dull red tied SAVANNAH Ga. // MAR / 8 / 1861 cds and grid on folded letter to A E Gowdy Esq, Scitua, Conn. from E. J. Gowdy, a couple of “bites” out of letter, most evident at upper right. Letter mostly business from one brother to another complaining about the high cost of shipping gin from Georgia to New York. The last line is rather telling of what is about to come, “there is not much doing in cotton, they are waiting to see what Mr. Lincoln is going to do.” Full transcription included. $170.

US 30A, 5¢ brown Type II vertical strip of three tied NEW ORLEANS / LA 1861 cds on blue folded letter in lovely French script headed Nouvelle Orleans 20 Mars, 1861 and addressed to Gironde, France, various colorful transit markings front and back, some hinge reinforced file folds but Very Fine and scarce Confederate trans-Atlantic use, ex Myers. $2,000.

US 26, 3¢ dull red top sheet margin copy tied blue NORFOLK / Va. // MAY / ? / 1861 cds on cover to Miss Bell Johnston, Tuskegee, Ala, reduced at left. Cancel day date difficult to determine; it is either Independent State (only 20 days) or CSA Use (25 days) – either way a very short period of time and thus scarce. $200.

US 30A, 5¢ brown type II tied NEW ORLEANS / LA. // ? MAR / [1861] CDS on light blue folded business letter written in Spanish to Barcelona, Spain with red NEW YORK / BR. PKT. APR. 2 [1861] datestamp, bold "8.Rs." due handstamp; backstamped with London Apr. 16, 1861 transit and Spanish receiving datestamps; some cover wear and central file fold, Fine and attractive cover with the U.S. stamp paying the British Open Mail rate to Spain from Confederate Louisiana. $1,500.

US 30A, 5¢ brown, type II tied NEW ORLEANS / LA. // 21 / MAR / [1861] vertical strip of three, scissors-separated perfs leaving portions of stamps at top and bottom but cut into at sides, on blue 1861 folded letter in French  to Gironde, France, red New York Paid 3 Apr. 6 [1861] credit datestamp, various transits, faint horizontal file fold well clear of stamps,blue double-oval advertising handstamp of commission merchants and importers F'do de Fuentes, Scarce use from Confederate New Orleans, ex George E. Hargest and Blake Myers. $1,800.

NEW ORLEANS / LA. // 15 / MAY [1861] CDS and"30" rate handstamp on cover to Monsieur Hypolite Picquet, Caen, France with New York 6 May 22 debit datestamp, red French transit datestamp and "16" decimes due handstamp, Very Fine, scarce transatlantic use from Confederate New Orleans, with 2002 CSA certificate #04185. $1,900.

Incoming Trans-Atlantic use to Independent State of Georgia 3 Jan 1861 (stamps removed). Belleville France to Augusta Georgia carried on Cunard Lines “Asia” to New York. The correct French and US stamps could potentially restore this to original looking use. Ex Berkinshaw-Smith.  $150.

US U26, 3¢ star-die entire used during the Independent States period, tied RICHMOND/ VA. //  APR /22 / 1861 cds, addressed to Dr. Charles C. Cocke, Bremo Bluff, Fluvanna Cty, Va.; Virginia only independent for 20 days. Small neat envelope, Ex Thayer, signed Brian Green. $330.

US 26, 3¢ dull red tied blue COLUMBIA /  S.C. // MAY / 3 / [1861] blue cds on cover to Miss Lizzie N. Craig, Lawrenceville, Georgia., a lovely Confederate States use. $170.

US 26, 3¢ dull red tied neat grid with matching CAMDEN / S.C. // MAR / 9 double circle cancel on neat narrow cover to L. M. Blackford, Staunton, Virginia with contents docketing “Jno Johnson”. CSA use of US postage. Ex John Hill.  $200.

Lancelot Minor Blackford enlisted in the Virginia Rockbridge 1st Light Artillery on 9-2-61 and was later promoted to 24th VA Infantry Field & Staff as adjutant. He was a graduate of UVA and post-war was principal for the Episcopal High School, Alexandria, Va.

US U26, 3¢ star-die entire used with blue grid and PETERSBURG Va. // 3 cts // MAY / 26 [1861] U.S. rated cds, addressed to Mr. Samuel Ford, Hicksford, Greenville, Va.; flap restoration / sealed tears extending slightly over top, Virginia joined the Confederacy on May 7 so had less than a month for scarce CSA Use of U.S. Postage. CCV $250.  $170.

US 26, 3¢ dull red vertical strip of 3 tied by multiple grids on refolded and rebacked legal cover with matching CLINTON / LA // FEB / 27 / 1861 cds addressed to the Clerk 6th Dist Court East Baton Rouge La. with contents docketing at left “Deposition of Franklin Hardesty & G. W., Munday” as well as “Filed Jun 10, 1862. H. Skipwith Week (19). Confederate Use of US Postage. Scarce triple rate.  $400.

US U27, 3¢ star-die entire tied with grid and matching neat CHARLOTTE C.H. / Va. // MAY / 14 [1861] cds which some may declare as brown but I believe is black ink that has disintegrated to brown appearance, addressed to H. G. Jeffress, Esq., Red Oak Grove, Charlotte, Va.; Very Fine CSA Use of US Postage.  $300.

US 26a, type IIa, 3¢ red (frame-line ends at bottom and can’t tell at top as perfs cut design – could be #26 as well, if bottom row) tied bold RICHMOND / Va.  // MAY / 17 / 1861 cds on cover to “Lieut George M. Morgan, Emmet Guards Louisiana Volunteers, Norfolk, Va.” Emmet Guards was the name of Company D of the 1st Louisiana Infantry, which was organized in New Orleans on 28 April 1861. They saw action in the Seven Day’s Battle, Battle of Second Manassas, Sharpsburg, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, the Wilderness and other famous battles. A lovely Confederate Use of U.S. stamps. $300.

US 38, 30¢ orange tied by NEW ORLEANS / LA. // 16 / MAR [1861] cds on cover to “Monsieur Jules Riean a Viella Gers. France” red "Boston Paid 24 Mar. 23" credit datestamp, "Et. Unis Serv. Br. A.C. 6 Avril 61" transit datestamp, boxed "P.D." handstamp, transit and receiving backstamps, some wear and slight soiling, long pencil guarantee, description and signature of Stanley B. Ashbrook, Very Fine Confederate New Orleans use of the US 30¢ stamp on a double-rate cover to France. SCV and CCV $5,000. $4,000.

US 30A, 5¢ brown type II strip of 3 (parts of adjacent stamps at bottom) tied by NEW ORLEANS / LA. // 26 / MAR [1861] cds on COVER TO FRANCE to “Monsieur ?? (partially covered by stamps) Jean Larade Proprietair Estampures, Canton de Cruies, Department Des Hautes-Pyrenees, France“; red "New York Paid 12 Apr. 2" credit datestamp, boxed "P.D." handstamp, transit and receiving backstamps, slight overall soiling and small perf faults; SCV and CCV $1,000 for use of single on cover; strip of 3 not cataloged. Rare and desirable Confederate New Orleans use to France.  $2,000. 

US 26, 3¢ dull red, two singles tied grids with matching postmark of CHARLESTON / S.C. // JAN / 2 / 1861 on pristine cover to Jacob Manle Esq, Colerain, Ohio. Very Fine INDEPENDENT STATE USE double rate with to ms.”1 mo.8.1860” to left of address. $475.

US 26, 3¢ dull red tied CHARLESTON / S.C. // FEB / 2 / 1861 double circle datestamp on outer folded lettersheet to Tobias Hendricks Co., New York with red Mordecai & Co. Charleston company handstamp on back flap. Very Fine Independent State Use. Displays beautifully with flap open. $750.

US 26, 3¢ dull red tied grid with matching dc postmark of CHARLESTON / S.C. // MAR / 1 / 1861 on cover to Mrs. Miriam F. Kennard, 6th between I & K Streets, South Boston, Mass. with Boston carrier backstamp dated March 5; left flap detached for display.Unusual and scarce Confederate States Use of US Postage. $325.

US 26, 3¢ dull red tied CHARLESTON / S.C. // MAY / 18 / 1861 cds on neat small blue cover to J. Edwards Clark, Care Robt Rush & Clark No 215 Pearl Street, New York; part back flap missing, nice black monogram-stamped seal. Confederate States Use of US Postage. $350.

US U26, 3¢ star-die entire tied grid with matching bold CHARLESTON / S.C. // APR / 10 / 1861 cds on cover to P H. Villipique, Camden, SC; file fold across top third through bottom of star-die and cds, CONFEDERATE STATES USE OF US POSTAGE. $120.

CHARLESTON / S.C. // MAY / 31 / 1861 bold strike of circular datestamp with matching "FREE" straightline handstamp on cover addressed to the John Glymph, P.M. [Postmaster] Glymphville, S.C., sent by Charleston postmaster Alfred Huger; missing tiny part of top flap, Very Fine CONFEDERATE STATES USE ON THE DAY U.S. POST OFFICE OPERATIONS IN THE SOUTH WERE TERMINATED and the day before the Confederate postal system was inaugurated, this is the ONLY RECORDED EXAMPLE of the Charleston handstamped "FREE" marking used in the Confederacy.  $1,700.

US 38, 30¢ Orange with vibrant color, tied by grid used with matching CHARLESTON / S.C. // JAN / 1 / 1861 dcds on tissue-thin cover to Mrs. Charles A. Pringle, Frau Professor Becmann, 14 Finks Strasse, Berlin, Prussia, red N. YORK AM. PKT / 7 PAID / JAN 5 credit datestamp, red framed AACHEN FRANCO datestamp, receiving backstamp, few flaws including stamp with piece out at left and cover wear with repaired tear, still Fine and rare INDEPENDENT STATE USE, reported to be ONE OF ONLY TWO EXAMPLES OF THE 30¢ STAMP USED FROM CHARLESTON IN 1861. The Pringle family was Southern slave-holding aristocracy.[GERMANY] SCV $5,000. $2,500.

FRANCE TO NEW ORLEANS, JAN. 1861. Folded letter from Paris to New Orleans with France 80c Napoleon tied by diamond of dots, "Paris 6e / 5 Janv. 61" double-circle datestamp, red "New York Paid 15 Jan. 3" (error date, should be Jan. 23) credit datestamp, red "PD" in frame and "12" handstamps, ultramarine "Am. Service" framed handstamp, Havre backstamp (Jan. 6), Fine, datestamped in New York on Jan. 23 and arrived in New Orleans (addressed to Monsieur Joseph Girod) after secession (probably Feb. 1.) The Joseph Girod Papers, (1816-1899) are in the Louisiana State University Libraries. Ex Howard Green, Rex Felton. $950.

US U27, 3¢ star-die entire tied GREENVILLE C.H. / S.C. // MAR / 25 [1861] cds to Gen. Samuel M. McGowan, Abbeville C.H., So. Ca., at that time in the South Carolina State Militia and later a general officer in the Confederate Army. Slightly reduced at the bottom, fresh, Very Fine CSA Use of U.S. Postage. A short bio of McGowan accompanies. $250.

Samuel M. McGowan, a brigadier general in the Confederate army, commanded a brigade in A.P. Hill's famous "Light Division" and was wounded four times. More information on the linked page.

3¢ Nesbitt entire with manuscript postmark of “Big Bend La. / Feby 4/61” – FIRST DAY of the Montgomery convention that created the Confederate States. Also, UNLISTED in the CSA Catalog under Independent Sate and CSA Use of U.S. Postage. Neither is it listed in the stampless section; it is a SCARCE SMALL TOWN, as further indicated by lack of handstamped markings. Importantly, it is listed as a post office in the 1862 U.S. Postal Register. It still exists today as an unincorporated community in Avoyelles Parish. Its name comes from its location on a meander of the Bayou Des Glaises, which is located about 80 miles north of Baton Rouge. Envelope is addressed to Charles Everett, Liberty, Amite Co[unty] Missi. Slightly reduced at left and couple tiny edge faults. IMPORTANT CSA USE for any exhibit. $950.

US 26, 3¢ dull red used with pen cancel and tied by ornate receiving handstamp of Philadelphia, manuscript town postmark of Sutherland Springs [Texas] 14 April 61 – CONFEDERATE USE of US POSTAGE (listed with CSA catalog value $500) on small lady’s size cover to Dr. W. Irvin Wolfley, Philadelphia, Penn. Slightly reduced at right. Docketing at left “Recd May 12th 61.” Ex Camina. $350.

U.S. 24¢ gray lilac #37, tied MOBILE / ALA // APR / 27 / 1861 double-circle datestamp on folded letter on printed bank letterhead to Liverpool, England with red “3” credit handstamp, red London May 17 transit datestamp and Liverpool receiving backstamp May 18, ms. directive “per first mail Steamer.” Rare Confederate use of U.S. postage on a trans-Atlantic cover, Ex Kilbourne. SCV $5,000. $1,800.

U.S. 3¢ Star-die #U27 entire tied gorgeous bold strike of BOYDTON / Va. // MAY / 7 [1861], First Day of Virginia in the Confederacy – a period of only 45 days. Addressed to Edward Keen, Esq., Christiansville (Mecklenburg County) Va. Slightly reduced at left, Extremely Fine. Ex-Thayer. $2,000.

Edward Keen mini-bio on linked page.

U26, 3¢ star-die entire tied by light blue PORTSMOUTH / Va. // MAY / 22 / 1861 circle datestamp to Mrs. E.G.B. Snead, Milledgeville, Georgia.  Confederate Use of U.S. Postage – this was possible for less than a month as Virginia joined the Confederacy quite late, May 7, 1861. $250.

Elizabeth Georgiana Beverly Washington Snead was the wife of Rev. Tillman Snead - much more info on Snead and Portsmouth on linked page.

US 3¢ dull red #26 tied grid with matching postmark of CHARLESTON / S.C. // MAR / 10 / 1861 CDS on blind embossed Hayden & Whilden Charleston corner card to Rev. James P. Boyce, Greenville C.H., So.Ca., Confederate State Use of US Postage. Ex David Kohn and Doug Baker. $350.

James Petigru Boyce (1827-1888) was an intellectually gifted Southern Baptist pastor, theologian, author, and educator who was a chaplain for a Confederate regiment of volunteers from Greenville Hayden & Whilden were importers of British jewelry and silverware. Much more detail on the linked page. Listed in both Adevertising and Independent State Use, Section 1

US 36B 12¢ black, plate 3, used with US 26, 3¢ dull red, canceled by red grids on folded cover to Monsieur H. J. Seguimeau de Lognac, Chateau de Portets por Cartres, Gironde, France; blue oval New Orleans company origination handstamp, carried outside of the U.S. mails to New York, probably by an express company -- red Kunkelmann & Strecker New York oval backstamp applied; "New York Paid 6 Jun. 15" (1861) credit datestamp, sender's endorsement "Per Steamer Borussia," Calais and red boxed "P.D." handstamps, receiving backstamp, (see back of cover) stamps faulty including perfs trimmed at top and 12¢ with tear at bottom right. Scarce use sent as postal relations were severed between North and South. $500.

US 26, 3¢ dull red (small corner creases at lower left) tied by unusual manuscript cancel that seems to put Washington behind bars, matching Cumberland C.H. Va. April 19th (18)61 manuscript postmark on cover to Miss Mary A. Ralston Care of Peter Ralston Esq., Richmond, Va., on small envelope, Very Fine Independent State use (ISU); Virginia seceded April 17 and joined the Confederacy May 7 – a very short window for ISU; Peter Wyse Ralston (1811-1884) was one of the developers of the Navy Hill neighborhood of Richmond, an early “planned community.” He was Assistant Clerk for the Richmond City Auditor; illustrated in previous edition of Dietz Catalog, Ex Thayer. $375.

US 26, 3¢ dull red, tied neat blue grid with matching double-circle datestamp of FRANKFORT / KY // FEB / 4 / 1861--THE DAY THE CONFEDERACY WAS FORMED on pristine cover. Kentucky did not secede until November 20, 1861; it was admitted into the Confederate States December 10, 1861. Cover addressed to John W. Blue, School Commissioner, Marion, Crittenden Co[unty] Ky., with embossed orange seal on the back flap with motto “United We Stand, Divided We Fall.” Cover opened through the seal and tear repaired with archival document tape. Historic FIRST DAY COVER. $500. Listed in both ISU-1 / MISC-1

Kentucky was torn between her loyalty to her sister slave states and the national Union. They initially tried to remain neutral, but it was much more complicated in practice than in principle. Kentucky’s dual governments and military forces caused many divisions between Kentucky families. It was the definition of a war of brother against brother. As a border state, Kentucky had economic ties to both sides. John William Blue, Sr. (1828-1878) was a prominent lawyer, a graduate of Princeton, and served in the State Legislature. His son, of the same name (1861-1934), was also a lawyer, in politics and served as mayor of Marion. 

U26, 3¢ star-die entire tied neat SAVANNAH GA APR 9 1861 circular datestamp to S F Dickinson Esq., Macon Ga., Very Fine. CSA USE OF U.S. POSTAGE, Ex Ralph Swap. $225.

US 26, 3¢ dull red tied grid with matching CHARLESTON S.C. MAR 17 1861 on fresh laid paper envelope with Bank of Charleston printed ad on top back flap. CSA USE OF U.S. POSTAGE, Ex Ralph Swap. $200.

US U26, 3¢ star-die, pen canceled with two light strikes of tobacco-juice brown PALMYRA VA MAY 2  (1861) CDS on interesting TURNED COVER to Miss Jane E. Sutherland, Howardsville Cty, Va. This is a listed in the CSA catalog as an Independent State Use (CCV $300). Virginia seceded April 17 and joined the CSA May 7. The leftmost CDS shows a clear “2” but is under the flap. The second side is franked with a single CSA 1 on the back flaps with a manuscript Scottsville Va. July 3rd, crossed out and corrected to the 5th. This has to be 1862 so is UNDERPAID, as the rate changed to a universal 10¢ on July 1, 1862. It is addressed to Mr. C.V.Thomas, Richmond to the care of Capt. Ancell Pendleton’s Artilery (sic). Separated on 3 sides with folds to display the uses. Also, a note at bottom “Stamped on back also.” Very interesting cover!  Ex Ralph Swap. $180. Listed in both CSA 1, Section 1 and Independent State-1.