| Lot | Sym. | Lot Description | Realized |
| 1996 | C |
Mobile Ala., 5c Blue (58X2). Large margins, tied by "Mobile Ala.
Aug. 12, 1861" double-circle datestamp on cover to "Hon. E. Y. Fair,
Montgomery Ala." with addressee's docketing "Brussels 12 July",
back of cover has black wax seal with "MWF" initials of Mrs. Wyatt Fair,
General Elisha Fair's wife, also on back is ms. "Recd. & forwarded by H.
V. H. Voorhies, Consul, 12 Augt. 1861" and large "Consulate Belgique a
Mobile" handstamp with coat of arms, piece torn from front upon opening
(not affecting stamp or markings, back has a light film of brown glue --
these cosmetic problems can be easily treated by a skilled restorer to
improve appearance, but they have been left untreated to show the natural
state of this newly-discovered cover AN IMPORTANT POSTAL HISTORY ARTIFACT. ONE OF TWO NEWLY-DISCOVERED COVERS -- THE ONLY BLOCKADE-RUN COVERS KNOWN FROM BELGIUM AND THE ONLY RECORDED BLOCKADE-RUN COVERS WITH CONFEDERATE POSTMASTERS' PROVISIONALS. This cover originated in Brussels, Belgium, on July 12, 1861. It was sent by Mrs. Wyatt Fair to her husband, Gen. Elisha Y. Fair, who was former U.S. Minister to Belgium and left Brussels in late June 1861 to join the Southern cause. Mrs. Fair was unable to return to her native land until June 1862, due to the Federal blockade of Southern ports. This cover and the following cover have recently surfaced, and they provide heretofore unrecorded examples of blockade-run mail sent from Belgium through diplomatic channels. The relatively early dates coincide with use of postmaster provisional stamps in Mobile and New Orleans. |
$ 7,000 |
| 1997 | C |
New Orleans La., 5c Red Brown on Bluish (62X4). Two horizontal
pairs, full to large margins, cancelled by "Paid" straightline on U.S.
3c Pink entire with obsolete U.S. 3c 1851 stamp, both frankings
correspond to double U.S. and Confederate rates, 3c 1851 tied by "New
Orleans La. 1 Sep." circular datestamp, addressed to "Hon. E. Y. Fair,
Montgomery, Alabama" with addressee's docketing "Brussels 23
July" indicating origin in Belgium, rough opening along top, tearing
away part of embossed stamp but not affecting provisionals or 3c 1851 --
could be restored, but left untreated to show natural state of this
newly-discovered cover THE SECOND OF TWO NEW DISCOVERIES IN CONFEDERATE POSTAL HISTORY. THIS AND THE PREVIOUS LOT ARE THE ONLY KNOWN BLOCKADE-RUN COVERS FROM BELGIUM, AND THEY ARE THE ONLY BLOCKADE-RUN COVERS WITH CONFEDERATE POSTMASTERS' PROVISIONALS. Although related to the Mobile cover from Mrs. Wyatt Fair, the different handwriting suggests that this was sent to Gen. Fair by someone other than Mrs. Fair. It originated in Brussels on July 23, 1861, and was routed through New Orleans, almost certainly through the Belgian consul, J. Deynoot, or his vice-consul, J. Noblom. The unusual franking suggests that the sender used a U.S. entire and 3c stamp in expectation that the letter would travel via the U.S. post office. Most likely, the person responsible for mailing the letter at New Orleans affixed the two pairs of provisional stamps for the double 10c rate to Montgomery. A remarkable example of blockade-run mail through diplomatic channels -- and a unique combination of stamps. |
$ 6,000 |