Corinth Miss. Jul. 3 (1861). Bold strike of circular datestamp with "PAID 5" in oval handstamp on cover to Pleasant Hill Ala. with red and blue 10-Star Confederate Flag, Liberty Cap and "T" for "Tennessee" Patriotic design (F10-7), missing backflap and small edge nicks, small tear at left

VERY FINE APPEARANCE. THIS 10-STAR PATRIOTIC DESIGN, WITH THE "T" FOR TENNESSEE (IN ERROR) IS EXTREMELY RARE -- MUCH RARER THAN THE 11-STAR FLAG WITH THE SAME DESIGN.

The 10-Star flags began with the admission of North Carolina to the Confederacy and ended with the admission of Tennessee (May 27 to July 2, 1861). The matching 11-Star design (F11-8) with the "T" for Tennessee is relatively scarce, but this design, with only 10 stars, is very rare (the previous version of this design, F9-1, lacks the central star and "T"). It may be that the printer was not aware of the admission of North Carolina. Whatever the reason, this design represents a fascinating error.

Illustrated in Wishnietsky's Confederate Patriotic Covers and Their Usages on p. 56

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Corinth Miss. Jun. 1 (1861) -- First Day of the Confederate Postal System. Balloon-style circular datestamp with "PAID" straightline and manuscript "Paid" 5", the "5" written over an apparent "3" on black Jefferson Davis Medallion, 7-Star Flags and Sunburst and "Henry Grays" Regimental Patriotic cover (JD-1A var, Slogan 50) to Abbeville Ala., barely reduced at right, lightly cleaned and corners reinforced -- these minor cosmetic improvements were not noted on the earlier certificate

VERY FINE APPEARANCE. ONE OF THE MOST OUTSTANDING FIRST DAY COVERS OF THE CONFEDERATE POSTAL SYSTEM -- WITH THE JEFFERSON DAVIS MEDALLION PATRIOTIC DESIGN AND HENRY GRAYS REGIMENTAL SLOGAN.

Covers postmarked on June 1, 1861 -- the first day of the Confederate postal system -- are rare and very desirable. Only four Patriotic covers with June 1 postmarks are known to us, including one offered in Kilbourne Part One (Sale 1186, lot 540) and the covers offered in the previous two lots. This cover would make an excellent companion to the outstanding Corinth Miss. Jefferson Davis Patriotic cover used on May 31, 1861, the last day of U.S. rates in the Confederacy (see Siegel Sale 795, lot 36).

With 1999 C.S.A. certificate stating "Genuine June 1, 1861 usage". With 2018 P.F. certificate also confirming the June 1, 1861 usage and noting the reinforced corners

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Corinth Miss. June 1, 1861 -- First Day of Confederate Postal System. Illustrated lettersheet datelined at Corinth Miss. on June 1, 1861, with red and blue 10-Star Confederate Flag and Verse Patriotic design (F10-14, Verse 46), some edge splitting and stained spot in middle, otherwise Very Fine, a rare example of this 10-Star flag design on a letter written on the date the Confederate Postal System began operations, this design is similar to F7-16, F8-12 and F9-3, with stars added to the center and the corners, illustrated in Wishnietsky's Confederate Patriotic Covers and Their Usages on p. 51, where this is described as a 9-Star design (F9-3), but the 10th star is clearly present in the top left corner

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Corinth Miss. Nov. 16 (1861). Circular datestamp with "PAID/5" in oval handstamp on cover to Huntsville Ala. with green "Confederate States of America" Allegorical River Scene and Verse Patriotic design (MS-2, Verse 8), sealed vertical tear at bottom middle, slightly reduced at right

VERY FINE. THIS ALLEGORICAL RIVER SCENE IS ONE OF THE RAREST OF ALL CONFEDERATE PATRIOTIC DESIGNS.

The verse on this design is particularly fervent, with a very questionable sentiment. It reads, "Death to each marauding band, who would defile this glorious land-- The white and black man's Dixie! For e'en our slaves would take a hand, To drive the foe from Dixie!"

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Corinth Miss. Jul. 3 (1861). Bold strike of circular datestamp with "PAID 5" in oval handstamp on cover to Pleasant Hill Ala. with red and blue 10-Star Confederate Flag, Liberty Cap and "T" for "Tennessee" Patriotic design (F10-7), missing backflap and small edge nicks, small tear at left

VERY FINE APPEARANCE. THIS 10-STAR PATRIOTIC DESIGN, WITH THE "T" FOR TENNESSEE (IN ERROR) IS EXTREMELY RARE -- MUCH RARER THAN THE 11-STAR FLAG WITH THE SAME DESIGN.

The 10-Star flags began with the admission of North Carolina to the Confederacy and ended with the admission of Tennessee (May 27 to July 2, 1861). The matching 11-Star design (F11-8) with the "T" for Tennessee is relatively scarce, but this design, with only 10 stars, is very rare (the previous version of this design, F9-1, lacks the central star and "T"). It may be that the printer was not aware of the admission of North Carolina. Whatever the reason, this design represents a fascinating error.

Illustrated in Wishnietsky's Confederate Patriotic Covers and Their Usages on p. 56

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Corinth Miss. Jun. 5 (1861). Clear strike of circular datestamp and "PAID/5" in oval handstamp on red and blue 11-Star Confederate Flag, Verse and "Columbus Rifles" Patriotic cover (F11-19, Verse 46, Slogan 20) to Old Town Creek Miss., nicked at right edge where slightly reduced, still Very Fine example of this rare design, mailed during the first week of the Confederate Postal System, illustrated in Wishnietsky's Confederate Patriotic Covers and Their Usages on p. 77

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Corinth Miss. Jun. 1 (1861) -- First Day of the Confederate Postal System. Balloon-style circular datestamp with "PAID" straightline and manuscript "Paid" 5", the "5" written over an apparent "3" on black Jefferson Davis Medallion, 7-Star Flags and Sunburst and "Henry Grays" Regimental Patriotic cover (JD-1A var) to Abbeville Ala., barely reduced at right and some faint soiling

VERY FINE. ONE OF THE MOST OUTSTANDING FIRST DAY COVERS OF THE CONFEDERATE POSTAL SYSTEM -- WITH THE JEFFERSON DAVIS MEDALLION PATRIOTIC DESIGN.

Covers postmarked on June 1, 1861 -- the first day of the Confederate postal system -- are rare and very desirable. Only two Patriotic covers with June 1 postmarks are known to us (the other is offered in the following lot). This cover would make an excellent companion to the outstanding Corinth Miss. Jefferson Davis Patriotic cover used on May 31, 1861, the last day of U.S. rates in the Confederacy (see Siegel Sale 795, lot 36).

With 1999 C.S.A. certificate stating "Genuine June 1, 1861 usage"

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Corinth Miss. Jun. 15 (1861). Bold circular datestamp with "Paid 5" in oval on dark purple Jefferson Davis Medallion, 7-Star Flags, Sunburst and Verse Patriotic cover (JD-1A, Verse 43) to Handsboro Miss., original enclosure is a matching Jefferson Davis Medallion lettersheet with additional allegorical scenes at sides, cover with manuscript "Via New Orleans", tiny corner repair at bottom left

VERY FINE MATCHING JEFFERSON DAVIS MEDALLION PATRIOTIC COVER AND LETTERSHEET.

Although Jefferson Davis Medallion covers are relatively available due to widespread use at the beginning of the war, this is the only one we can recall that has the matching lettersheet, which is original to the envelope.

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Corinth Miss. Jun. 1 (1861) -- First Day of the Confederate Postal System. Balloon-style circular datestamp with "PAID" straightline and manuscript "Paid" 5", the "5" written over an apparent "3" on Jefferson Davis Medallion, 7-Star Flags, Sunburst and "Henry Grays" Regimental Patriotic cover (JD-1A var) to Abbeville Ala., barely reduced at right and some faint soiling

VERY FINE. ONE OF THE MOST OUTSTANDING FIRST DAY COVERS OF THE CONFEDERATE POSTAL SYSTEM -- WITH THE JEFFERSON DAVIS MEDALLION PATRIOTIC DESIGN.

A review using Power Search failed to find another June 1, 1861, First Day of Confederate Postal System cover with any type of Patriotic design. This cover would make an excellent companion to the outstanding Corinth Miss. Jefferson Davis Patriotic cover used on May 31, 1861, the last day of U.S. rates in the Confederacy (see Siegel Sale 795, lot 36).

With 1999 C.S.A. certificate stating "Genuine June 1, 1861 usage"

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Corinth Miss. Jun. 13 (1861). Bold circular datestamp with matching "Paid 5" in oval on dark purple Jefferson Davis Medallion, 7-Star Flags and 10-Star Sunburst Patriotic cover (JD-1B) to Early Grove Miss., trivial edgewear, Very Fine and scarce, ex Dr. Agre, with 1991 C.S.A. certificate

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