SOUTHN. LETTER UNPAID.
Blue two-line handstamp with matching "Louisville Ky. Jun. 27"
double-circle datestamp and "DUE 3" straightline on 3c Red Nesbitt entire
to Keene Ky., Confederate "Montinas Ga. June 11 -- 61" ms. pmk. and "Paid
5" across 3c embossed stampEXTREMELY FINE AND FRESH "SOUTHERN LETTER UNPAID" COVER.
By Postmaster General Blair's order of May 27, mail service to disloyal Southern states was discontinued. On or about June 8, mail exchange between Louisville and Nashville was also banned. In early and mid-June, however, a large quantity of mail from the South reached Louisville for delivery to correspondents in the North. However, Federal government postage stamps affixed in the South were regarded as contraband and were refused as prepayment.
On June 24 Dr. J. J. Speed, the postmaster at Louisville was advised to forward letters from the South to the loyal states after removing postage. With approximately 5,000 such letters accumulating at Louisville by this date, Postmaster Speed employed a more practical means of invalidating postage by creating the "Southern Letter Unpaid" handstamp.
Immediately after receiving instructions from Washington to forward mail, the Louisville post office began marking letters. Some of these have circular datestamps (Jun. 27, 28 and 29 being the most common dates).
Ex Weatherly and Wiseman. Illustrated in Shenfield (p. 10) (Image)
SOUTHN. LETTER UNPAID.
Bold two-line handstamp ties 3c Dull Red (26) on cover to Washington D.C.,
stamp slightly gum stained, originated in Confederacy with "Salisbury N.C.
Jun. 6" circular datestamp with pen cancel also tying stamp, blue
"Louisville Ky. Jun. 27" double-circle datestamp and matching "DUE 3"
straightline, water stains at lower left have been lightened, part of
backflap removedVERY FINE WITH ALL MARKINGS CLEARLY STRUCK ON AN ATTRACTIVE COVER. A RARE EXAMPLE OF THE "SOUTHERN LETTER UNPAID" HANDSTAMP USED TO CANCEL THE UNITED STATES 3-CENT 1857 STAMP.
With 1993 P.F. certificate. (Image)