Columbia S.C., 5c Blue entire
(18XU1). Full clear strike of provisonal handstamp used in
combination with 5c Blue, Local (7), three large margins, just barely
into left frameline, tied by blue "Columbia S.C. Sep. 1" (1862) circular
datestamp on brown cover to Shelby N.C., faint crease at top not affecting
stamp or provisional markingEXTREMELY FINE. THE FINEST OF THE THREE RECORDED COVERS SHOWING CONJUNCTIVE USE OF THE COLUMBIA PROVISIONAL AND GENERAL ISSUE -- THIS IS THE ONLY ONE OF THESE FRANKINGS FOR THE NEW 1862 RATE.
There are three recorded covers with the Columbia provisonal used in combination with a General Issue stamp. Each of the other two covers has a 5c Green Hoyer & Ludwig stamp applied to uprate the provisional entire before the July 1, 1862, rate change (one of these is offered in lot 1862). Another cover exists with the 5c stamp affixed over the provisonal, but the latter served no postal duty. This cover is the only Columbia provisional used with a 5c Richmond Local Print stamp, and it is the only one used after the July 1st rate change. The September 1 (1862) date and absence of a due marking indicate Columbia's acceptance of the old provisional entire as part of the 10c rate.
We record a total of eight covers with combinations of Confederate provisionals (either adhesive or handstamped) and General Issue stamps to prepay postage -- we have excluded from this count a few covers on which the provisional served no postal duty. In our opinion, these combination frankings are significant and quite undervalued -- imagine what price would be paid for a Baltimore provisional handstamped entire with a U.S. 5c 1847 stamp, or a St. Louis "Bear" and 1847 combination.
Ex Brooks, MacBride, Judd, Haas and Hill. With 1998 P.F. certificate (Image)
Columbia S.C., 5c Blue entire
(18XU1). Clear strike on buff cover to Atlanta Ga., used in
combination with 5c Olive Green, St. 2 (1c), three large margins,
touched at top, tied by blue "Columbia S.C. 4 Jan." (1862) cds, reduced one
inch at right slightly into provisional handstamp, docketing indicates a
check enclosureONE OF THREE RECORDED COVERS WITH CONJUNCTIVE USE OF COLUMBIA PROVISIONAL AND GENERAL ISSUE. AN OUTSTANDING CONFEDERATE RARITY.
Another cover from a different correspondence, dated Jan. 1, 1862, exists with the 5c Green Lithograph used in combination with the provisional oval. Both of these covers appear to have been up-rated for weight, prior to the 1862 rate change. A third combination cover, offered in the lot 1861, shows a combination of the provisional and 5c Richmond Local Print to make the new 10c rate. A fourth cover exists with the 5c Green Lithograph affixed over the provisional handstamp -- evidently a 5c rate, using an old provisional entire.
Ex Ferrary, Nielsen (Image)
Columbia S.C., 10c on 5c Blue
entire (18XU3). Perfectly clear strike of 5c oval provisional handstamp
overstruck by equally clear "10" rate hs (Dietz Ty. H), matching "Paid" and
"Columbia S.C. 19 Dec." (yeardate unknown) cds on cover to Tappahannock
Va., large opening defects at top have been skillfully repaired -- these do
not affect the markings -- some lightened stains and edge mends (all
cosmetic)ONE OF TWO RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THE RE-RATED COLUMBIA PROVISIONAL ENTIRE.
The other known example of the 10c on 5c re-rated provisional entire is a legal-size cover (Siegel Auction Galleries, May 28, 1974 sale, lot 1012).
Ex Peters, Kohn, Nielsen. Listed but unpriced in Dietz. (Image)
Columbia S.C., 5c Blue
entire, Seal on Front (18XU4). Clear strike of oval provisional seal,
overstruck by blue "5" with "Paid" (Dietz Ty. IA) and "Columbia S.C. Sep.
19 5 cts." (1861) pre-war integral rate cds on Southern Mutual Life
Insurance Co. imprint cover to Sumter S.C., cover lightly cleaned with
some improved edge wear, minor flap tearsVERY FINE. ONE OF SEVEN RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THE COLUMBIA OVAL PROVISIONAL SEAL STRUCK ON THE FACE -- THE ONLY PRINTED ENTIRE AMONG THE GROUP.
Our records contain just seven Columbia provisional entires with the oval seal struck on front and not on the flaps, all dated in August and September 1861 with the pre-war integral rate datestamp. Of these, two have blind-embossed corner cards and one (this cover) has a printed return card.
Ex Kohn, Hall. With 1993 C.S.A. certificate (Image)
Columbia S.C., 5c Blue
entire, Seal on Front (18XU4). Clear strike of oval provisional seal,
overstruck by blue "5" with "Paid" (Dietz Ty. IA) and "Columbia S.C. Sep.
2(?) 5 cts." (1861) pre-war integral rate cds on small narrow cover with
blue interior, to Hendersonville N.C.VERY FINE AND FRESH. ONE OF THE FINEST OF THE SEVEN RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THE COLUMBIA OVAL PROVISIONAL SEAL STRUCK ON THE FACE.
Our records contain just seven Columbia provisional entires with the oval seal struck on front and not on the flaps, all dated in August and September 1861 with the pre-war integral rate datestamp. This example has an interesting feature. The oval and "5" are heavily impressed and indent the paper thru the backflaps, which would not be possible if they were applied to the envelope while the letter was enclosed. The oval and "5" were applied to the empty envelope (provisional usage) and the Columbia cds and "Paid" were applied after mailing.
Ex Worthington, Caspary, Lilly. (Image)
Columbia S.C., 10c Blue
entire, Seal on Back (18XU5). Extraordinarily clear strike on backflap,
matching "Paid" in circle and "10" rate hs (Dietz Ty. IIH) with bold
"Columbia S.C. Jul. 16" (1861) cds on cover to member of 2nd Regt. S.C.V.
at Fairfax C.H. Va., reduced at L., otherwise Very Fine, only four recorded
with 10c rate, ex Caspary, Kohn (Image)
Columbia S.C., 10c Blue
entire, Seal on Back (18XU5). Unusually clear strike on backflap,
matching "Paid" in circle and "10" rate hs (Dietz Ty. IIH) with bold
"Columbia S.C. Jul. 15" (1861) cds on cover to member of 2nd Regt. S.C.V.
at Fairfax C.H. Va., same correspondence as previous lot, reduced and
stained, some edge faults, strikes still Very Fine, only four recorded with
10c rate, ex Matz (Image)
Columbia S.C., 5c Blue
entire, Circular Seal on Back (18XU6). Well-defined strike of circular
seal with negative lettering -- large script "SC" at center with 13
stars above and below, and "POST OFFICE COLUMBIA" around perimeter -- on
side backflap of envelope with bookseller and stationer's blue embossed
corner card in the shape of a book, matching blue "Paid" and "5" rate
handstamps (Dietz IF), blue "Columbia S.C. Jul. 19" (1861) circular
datestamp, to Spartanburg S.C., small sealed tears at upper left and upper
right, flap folded out to show circular sealVERY FINE. THE FINEST OF THREE RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THE COLUMBIA CIRCULAR PROVISIONAL SEAL AND THE ONLY ONE ON A CORNER-CARD ENVELOPE. ONE OF THE MOST DISTINCTIVE OF ALL CONFEDERATE PROVISIONAL HANDSTAMPS.
The 5c rate and July 19 date on this cover indicate 1861 usage. The twelfth and thirteenth Confederate States were not admitted until November and December 1861. The thirteen stars that appear in this handstamp (seven above and six below the "SC") suggest that the postmaster anticipated the secession of all thirteen states, unless the number of stars is purely coincidental.
Ex MacBride, Kohn. Scott value is long outdated (Image)