Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries, Inc. Sale

Confederate States Stamps and Covers continued...

**Southern Express Company:**
Lot	Sym.	Lot Description	Est/Cat	Realized
356		Harnden's Express, Macon Ga. Sep. 28 (1861). Two bold strikes of oval datestamp in green on 3c Red Nesbitt entire to Athens Tenn., from the Cleage correspondence, ms. "Paid R/- H" express charge notation in code EXTREMELY FINE. POSSIBLY THE ONLY GENUINE EXAMPLE OF HARNDEN'S MACON OVAL IN GREEN IN EXISTENCE. A MAJOR RARITY OF CONFEDERATE EXPRESS MAILS. After June 8, 1861, when Adams Express Company sold its interest in the offices operating in seceded states to Henry B. Plant, the Southern Express Company was formed. Offices gradually changed from the old Adams oval markings to the new "Southern Express Co." double-circle datestamps. This green oval from Harnden's Macon office was applied in late September 1861. Although our records contain several covers with Harnden's Macon oval, almost all of these are fakes (in black ink) distributed by John A. Fox in the 1950's and 1960's. Only four or five are genuine, and we record only one other in green that appears genuine. Ex Dale-Lichtenstein. With 1997 P.F. certificate. (Image)	E. 3,000-4,000	4,500.00
357		10c Rose (5). Huge margins to clear at top, tied by blue "Southern Express Co. Augusta Ga. Jul. 1" (1862) double-circle datestamp struck three times on front and two more times on back of brown homemade cover to Atlanta Ga., ms. "Papers Valuable" and "Paid 2/-" express charge (two bits, or 25c) EXTREMELY FINE. THE ONLY RECORDED USE OF THE 10-CENT ROSE ON A SOUTHERN EXPRESS COMPANY COVER. THIS REMARKABLE FRANKING WAS REQUIRED FOR THE NEW 10-CENT RATE, AND THIS COVER IS POSTMARKED ON JULY 1, 1862, THE FIRST DAY OF THE RATE. The absence of a mail-registration system in the Confederacy made it necessary to use express companies to transmit valuable letters. Postage was required on all express letters. This cover is remarkable because the scarce 10c Rose Lithograph is used -- the only express usage of this stamp known to us -- and it is postmarked on July 1, 1862, the first day of the new 10c rate, which it prepays. Ex Richey, Antrim and Simon (Image)	E. 7,500-10,000	10,500.00
358		Adams Express Co. Atlanta Ga. May 24 (1861). Oval datestamp with ms. "Paid R/- Brooks" express charge notation on 3c Red Star Die entire to Howell Cobb as President of the Southern Congress, in Macon Ga., with instructions to forward to Montgomery, flap tear and corner nick at T.R., Fine appearance, very rare Adams Atlanta handstamp, ex Dietz (Image)	E. 750-1,000	650.00
359		Southern Express Co. Augusta Ga. Sep. 2 (1861). Clear blue double-circle datestamp on orange cover to New Orleans, ms. "2/- CHP" express notation, black "Paid" and "10" handstamps indicating prepayment of Confederate postage, as required, skillfully repaired opening tears in flap and along top left, Very Fine appearance, ex Antrim and Everett (Image)	E. 500-750	850.00
360		Columbia S.C. Aug. 13 (1861). Bold blue circular datestamp with matching "Paid" and "5" on buff cover to Leesville S.C. with Adams Southern Express imprint, with letter on Adams stationery -- a well-written letter from a brother to his sister during the early months of the war, telling her that cotton cannot be sold and must be stored until after the war "a few weeks or a few years, nobody knows..." -- Extremely Fine, a superb exhibition pair, ex Birkinbine (Image)	E. 500-750	800.00
361		5c Olive Green, Stone 1 (1c). Ample to large margins, rich color, tied by blue "Columbia S.C. 9 Jan." (1862) circular datestamp on orange cover with Adams Southern Express imprint ("Co." added in manuscript), fresh and Extremely Fine, ex Simon (Image)	E. 750-1,000	1,150.00
362		Adams Express Company, Knoxville Tenn. Aug. 7 (1861). Perfectly clear oval datestamp with "Paid 10" Confederate rate handstamp at upper right on Exchange & Deposit Bank corner card cover to Abingdon Va., sender's ms. routing "pr. Southern Express" with notation "50$" enclosed, ms. "Paid RE" express notation, docketed at right, with original letter enclosure EXTREMELY FINE. AN OUTSTANDING CONFEDERATE EXPRESS MONEY-LETTER USAGE CARRIED OUTSIDE THE MAILS. The threat of war forced Adams Express Company's directors to protect their assets by selling all offices in seceded states to Henry B. Plant on April 8, 1861, who reorganized them as the Southern Express Company. Several Adams offices continued to use the Adams-named markings until Southern Express Co. markings were produced. This cover shows the scarce Adams Knoxville office datestamp in conjunction with the "Paid 10" to indicate that Confederate postage had been paid, as required on all express mail. The sender used the correct "Southern Express" title in the route instruction. There was no registered mail in the Confederate postal system, and valuable letters were entrusted to private express companies. Examples are scarce, and those with the early oval markings are extremely rare. Ex Simon. (Image)	E. 2,000-3,000	5,250.00
363		10c Dark Blue, Hoyer & Ludwig (2b). Ample to large margins, deep shade and proof-like impression, tied by bold "Montgomery Ala. Dec. 17, 1861" circular datestamp on cover to Col. Lomax, 3rd Regt. Ala. Volunteers, Norfolk Va., bold blue "Southern Express Co. Montgomery Ala. Dec. 18" double-circle datestamp and matching "Montgomery Alabama Southern Express" in circle, faint stain touches stamp EXTREMELY FINE. CONSIDERED TO BE THE FINEST OF THE FEW KNOWN COVERS BEARING THE "MONTGOMERY ALABAMA SOUTHERN EXPRESS" HANDSTAMP -- ONLY TWO RECORDED WITH THE 10-CENT GENERAL ISSUE. Although stamped and postmarked by the Montgomery post office on December 17, this letter was handed over to the Southern Express Company for delivery to Colonel Lomax's regiment in proximity to Norfolk, Virginia. We know of three other covers with similar markings, including one with a 10c stamp (Montgomery Dec. 22 datestamp). All are addressed to Col. Lomax. It appears that the Montgomery Southern Express Co. agent (D. H. Brooks) made arrangements with the post office to bring mail to the regiment after it was properly prepaid and postmarked. Ex Lamborn, Dukeshire and Birkinbine. (Image)	E. 10,000-15,000	9,500.00
364		5c Olive Green, Stone A-B (1c). Horizontal pair, large margins, tied by faint black Southern Express Co. double-circle datestamp, blue "Southern Express Co. Montgomery Ala. Nov. 29" double-circle datestamp and matching "Montgomery Ala. Dec. 2" circular datestamp (express agent marking) also ties pair on cover to Col. Lomax, 3rd Regt. Ala. Volunteers, Norfolk Va., some faint stains still visible after cleaning, still Very Fine, an extremely rare express usage with Confederate postage prepaid, carried outside the mails to Colonel Lomax's regiment in proximity to Norfolk, the blue circle tying pair is not recorded and evidently pre-dates the smaller circular handstamp found on other covers from this correspondence (see previous lot), ex Shenfield (Image)	E. 2,000-3,000	1,800.00
365		Southern Express Co. Richmond Va. Jun. 14. Double-circle datestamp on buff cover to Adam's Station Ga. on "South Western Rail Road", ms. "Paid 8/-" (8 bits, or $1.00), "$100-" refers to contents, red wax seals, minor toning and slightly reduced at left, still Very Fine, choice example of a Southern Express Co. money letter with interesting railroad tie-in, from the Eldridge correspondence (addressee's husband was with 16th Ga. Volunteers stationed near Richmond), signed Brian Green (Image)	E. 500-750	450.00
366		Southern Express Company from Savannah Ga. Black on orange glazed label, affixed with brown glue (stains and minor faults) on large buff cover to Vice President Stephens and B. H. Hill at Richmond Va., docketed on back indicating Feb. 4, 1862 origin date from two officers near Savannah, backflap removed as usual for this correspondence, Fine, very scarce label, ex Birkinbine (Image)	E. 400-500	550.00

Southern Express Company:

Lot

Sym.

Lot Description

Est/Cat

Realized

356

Harnden's Express, Macon Ga. Sep. 28 (1861). Two bold strikes of oval datestamp in green on 3c Red Nesbitt entire to Athens Tenn., from the Cleage correspondence, ms. "Paid R/- H" express charge notation in code

EXTREMELY FINE. POSSIBLY THE ONLY GENUINE EXAMPLE OF HARNDEN'S MACON OVAL IN GREEN IN EXISTENCE. A MAJOR RARITY OF CONFEDERATE EXPRESS MAILS.

After June 8, 1861, when Adams Express Company sold its interest in the offices operating in seceded states to Henry B. Plant, the Southern Express Company was formed. Offices gradually changed from the old Adams oval markings to the new "Southern Express Co." double-circle datestamps. This green oval from Harnden's Macon office was applied in late September 1861. Although our records contain several covers with Harnden's Macon oval, almost all of these are fakes (in black ink) distributed by John A. Fox in the 1950's and 1960's. Only four or five are genuine, and we record only one other in green that appears genuine.

Ex Dale-Lichtenstein. With 1997 P.F. certificate. (Image)

E. 3,000-4,000

4,500.00

357

10c Rose (5). Huge margins to clear at top, tied by blue "Southern Express Co. Augusta Ga. Jul. 1" (1862) double-circle datestamp struck three times on front and two more times on back of brown homemade cover to Atlanta Ga., ms. "Papers Valuable" and "Paid 2/-" express charge (two bits, or 25c)

EXTREMELY FINE. THE ONLY RECORDED USE OF THE 10-CENT ROSE ON A SOUTHERN EXPRESS COMPANY COVER. THIS REMARKABLE FRANKING WAS REQUIRED FOR THE NEW 10-CENT RATE, AND THIS COVER IS POSTMARKED ON JULY 1, 1862, THE FIRST DAY OF THE RATE.

The absence of a mail-registration system in the Confederacy made it necessary to use express companies to transmit valuable letters. Postage was required on all express letters. This cover is remarkable because the scarce 10c Rose Lithograph is used -- the only express usage of this stamp known to us -- and it is postmarked on July 1, 1862, the first day of the new 10c rate, which it prepays.

Ex Richey, Antrim and Simon (Image)

E. 7,500-10,000

10,500.00

358

Adams Express Co. Atlanta Ga. May 24 (1861). Oval datestamp with ms. "Paid R/- Brooks" express charge notation on 3c Red Star Die entire to Howell Cobb as President of the Southern Congress, in Macon Ga., with instructions to forward to Montgomery, flap tear and corner nick at T.R., Fine appearance, very rare Adams Atlanta handstamp, ex Dietz (Image)

E. 750-1,000

650.00

359

Southern Express Co. Augusta Ga. Sep. 2 (1861). Clear blue double-circle datestamp on orange cover to New Orleans, ms. "2/- CHP" express notation, black "Paid" and "10" handstamps indicating prepayment of Confederate postage, as required, skillfully repaired opening tears in flap and along top left, Very Fine appearance, ex Antrim and Everett (Image)

E. 500-750

850.00

360

Columbia S.C. Aug. 13 (1861). Bold blue circular datestamp with matching "Paid" and "5" on buff cover to Leesville S.C. with Adams Southern Express imprint, with letter on Adams stationery -- a well-written letter from a brother to his sister during the early months of the war, telling her that cotton cannot be sold and must be stored until after the war "a few weeks or a few years, nobody knows..." -- Extremely Fine, a superb exhibition pair, ex Birkinbine (Image)

E. 500-750

800.00

361

5c Olive Green, Stone 1 (1c). Ample to large margins, rich color, tied by blue "Columbia S.C. 9 Jan." (1862) circular datestamp on orange cover with Adams Southern Express imprint ("Co." added in manuscript), fresh and Extremely Fine, ex Simon (Image)

E. 750-1,000

1,150.00

362

Adams Express Company, Knoxville Tenn. Aug. 7 (1861). Perfectly clear oval datestamp with "Paid 10" Confederate rate handstamp at upper right on Exchange & Deposit Bank corner card cover to Abingdon Va., sender's ms. routing "pr. Southern Express" with notation "50$" enclosed, ms. "Paid RE" express notation, docketed at right, with original letter enclosure

EXTREMELY FINE. AN OUTSTANDING CONFEDERATE EXPRESS MONEY-LETTER USAGE CARRIED OUTSIDE THE MAILS.

The threat of war forced Adams Express Company's directors to protect their assets by selling all offices in seceded states to Henry B. Plant on April 8, 1861, who reorganized them as the Southern Express Company. Several Adams offices continued to use the Adams-named markings until Southern Express Co. markings were produced. This cover shows the scarce Adams Knoxville office datestamp in conjunction with the "Paid 10" to indicate that Confederate postage had been paid, as required on all express mail. The sender used the correct "Southern Express" title in the route instruction.

There was no registered mail in the Confederate postal system, and valuable letters were entrusted to private express companies. Examples are scarce, and those with the early oval markings are extremely rare.

Ex Simon. (Image)

E. 2,000-3,000

5,250.00

363

10c Dark Blue, Hoyer & Ludwig (2b). Ample to large margins, deep shade and proof-like impression, tied by bold "Montgomery Ala. Dec. 17, 1861" circular datestamp on cover to Col. Lomax, 3rd Regt. Ala. Volunteers, Norfolk Va., bold blue "Southern Express Co. Montgomery Ala. Dec. 18" double-circle datestamp and matching "Montgomery Alabama Southern Express" in circle, faint stain touches stamp

EXTREMELY FINE. CONSIDERED TO BE THE FINEST OF THE FEW KNOWN COVERS BEARING THE "MONTGOMERY ALABAMA SOUTHERN EXPRESS" HANDSTAMP -- ONLY TWO RECORDED WITH THE 10-CENT GENERAL ISSUE.

Although stamped and postmarked by the Montgomery post office on December 17, this letter was handed over to the Southern Express Company for delivery to Colonel Lomax's regiment in proximity to Norfolk, Virginia. We know of three other covers with similar markings, including one with a 10c stamp (Montgomery Dec. 22 datestamp). All are addressed to Col. Lomax. It appears that the Montgomery Southern Express Co. agent (D. H. Brooks) made arrangements with the post office to bring mail to the regiment after it was properly prepaid and postmarked.

Ex Lamborn, Dukeshire and Birkinbine. (Image)

E. 10,000-15,000

9,500.00

364

5c Olive Green, Stone A-B (1c). Horizontal pair, large margins, tied by faint black Southern Express Co. double-circle datestamp, blue "Southern Express Co. Montgomery Ala. Nov. 29" double-circle datestamp and matching "Montgomery Ala. Dec. 2" circular datestamp (express agent marking) also ties pair on cover to Col. Lomax, 3rd Regt. Ala. Volunteers, Norfolk Va., some faint stains still visible after cleaning, still Very Fine, an extremely rare express usage with Confederate postage prepaid, carried outside the mails to Colonel Lomax's regiment in proximity to Norfolk, the blue circle tying pair is not recorded and evidently pre-dates the smaller circular handstamp found on other covers from this correspondence (see previous lot), ex Shenfield (Image)

E. 2,000-3,000

1,800.00

365

Southern Express Co. Richmond Va. Jun. 14. Double-circle datestamp on buff cover to Adam's Station Ga. on "South Western Rail Road", ms. "Paid 8/-" (8 bits, or $1.00), "$100-" refers to contents, red wax seals, minor toning and slightly reduced at left, still Very Fine, choice example of a Southern Express Co. money letter with interesting railroad tie-in, from the Eldridge correspondence (addressee's husband was with 16th Ga. Volunteers stationed near Richmond), signed Brian Green (Image)

E. 500-750

450.00

366

Southern Express Company from Savannah Ga. Black on orange glazed label, affixed with brown glue (stains and minor faults) on large buff cover to Vice President Stephens and B. H. Hill at Richmond Va., docketed on back indicating Feb. 4, 1862 origin date from two officers near Savannah, backflap removed as usual for this correspondence, Fine, very scarce label, ex Birkinbine (Image)

E. 400-500

550.00