Charleston S.C. Dec. 21, 1860 --
First Day Postmark after Secession. Clearly-struck double-circle
datestamp with matching grid tying 3c Dull Red (26), s.e. at left, on buff
cover to Wiscasset Me., merchant's embossed oval corner card, cover lightly
cleaned with minor edge improvementsVERY FINE. POSTMARKED AT CHARLESTON ON THE FIRST FULL DAY AFTER SOUTH CAROLINA'S SECESSION FROM THE UNION.
Although December 20, 1860, is recognized as the first day of the Southern Rebellion, the secession vote took place at 1:15 p.m., which means that letters postmarked during the morning of the 20th were technically still United States mail. The following day, December 21, is the first full day of South Carolina's status as an independent state, and covers postmarked on the 21st are significant for this reason. (Image)
Charleston S.C. Jan. 11,
1861. Clear double-circle datestamp with matching grid tying 3c Dull
Red (26) on engineer's corner card cover to New York City, with
"U.S." designation, unusual use of country name in address, lightly
cleaned, sealed flap tear touches top of cover, Very Fine
(Image) 
Montgomery Ala. Jan. 12,
1861. Beautiful bold strike of circular datestamp with unusual 5-bar
framed grid tying 3c Dull Red (26) on auctioneer's corner card buff
cover to Hartford Conn., Extremely Fine, very choice usage one day after
Alabama's secession (Image) 
Carrollton Miss. Jan. 12,
1861. Mostly clear strike of circular datestamp ties 3c Dull Red (26)
on buff cover to New Orleans (Louisiana was still in the Union at this
date), Very Fine, used three days after Mississippi's independent statehood
(Image) 
Dalton Ga. Feb. 1, 1861.
Bold circular datestamp during independent statehood, 3c Dull Red (26) with
ms. cancel, addressed to "Macon, Republic of Geo.", an
unusual state designation, forwarded with another 3c Dull Red (26) tied by
"Macon Ga. Feb. 5" double-circle datestamp one day after formation
of Confederate States, expertly cleaned with repairs to the 3c stamps
(small filled spots in righthand stamp), still Very Fine appearance, a
remarkable double usage within Georgia as an independent state (addressed
as "Republic") and then as a Confederate State
(Image) 
Beaufort S.C. Feb. 4, 1861 --
First Dya of the Confederate States. Well-struck circular datestamp
with matching grid tying 3c Dull Red (26) on small cover to Savannah Ga.,
expert stain removal at top away from postmark and stamp, Very Fine
appearance, an attractive example of one of the key dates of Confederate
postal history (Image) 
Bastrop Texas, Feb. 10
(1861). Circular datestamp on 3c Red Star Die entire (U26) to "The
President of the Convention of Seceding States, Montgomery Ala.",
Extremely Fine and an interesting independent usage item
(Image) 
Mobile Ala. Feb. 6, 1861.
Well-struck double-circle datestamp on 3c Red Star Die entire (U26) to
Marion Ala., backflap removed, appears Very Fine
(Image) 
New Orleans La. Mar. 20
(1861). Fully struck circular datestamp ties 1c Blue, Ty. V (24), small
pre-use tear, on printed market report dated Mar. 20, 1861, to Boston
Mass., Very Fine, choice Confederate usage
(Image) 
Charleston S.C. Apr. 27,
1861. Bold double-circle datestamp on 3c Red Star Die entire (U26) to
Madison C.H. S.C., with large oval corner card showing carriage, Very Fine
(Image) 
Brandon Miss. May 3, 1861.
Partly clear circular datestamp with handstamped "Paid" and ms. "3" U.S.
rate on buff cover to Raleigh Miss. with attorney's illustrated corner
card, enclosure mentions "momentous events of the day", Very
Fine (Image)