10c Blue, Frameline (10). Large top and bottom margins showing two full framelines, ample at sides, tied by clear strike of "Mobile Ala. Jul. 28" double-circle datestamp on blockade-run cover originating in Havana and carried to Mobile, addressed to "C. Emile Le Blanc, Care of J. D. B. DeBow, Mobile, Ala." with Mobile crossed out in another hand and redirected to Uniontown Ala., the back of the cover has "JCD/PM" censor mark applied by Mobile Provost Marshal Jules C. Denis, additional notation in French "expedie par Contin" ("sent by Contin") and receipt docketing "letter 14 July, recd 3 Augst/63", sealed flap tears, faint toned spots

VERY FINE. ONE OF THREE RECORDED BLOCKADE-RUN COVERS WITH CONFEDERATE POSTAGE PAID BY THE 10-CENT FRAMELINE.

Based on another cover from the same correspondence, this cover to C. Emile LeBlanc originated in Havana, Cuba, and reached LeBlanc in Columbus, Mississippi (see Robert G. Kaufmann sale, Oct. 10, 1987, lot 625, for a cover containing a letter in French datelined Havana, Oct. 23, 1863). An entry from the Louisiana State University library provides a picture of LeBlanc's activities during the war: "LeBlanc, C.E. Papers, Mss. 1315, 1864-1865 [Columbus, Mississippi]. Location: Reel 12, Confederate Military Manuscripts, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge: This collection consists of six items, papers, 1864-1865, of C. E. LeBlanc, deputy Confederate government agent for the purchase of cotton. Papers concern the sale of certain Confederate property in Columbus, Mississippi, and its subsequent confiscation by a U.S. Treasury agent. Additional items include a promissory note, a contract for the delivery of cotton, and a broadside announcing a lecture to be presented by J. D. B. DeBow in Columbus, Mississippi."

This cover was carried on the blockade-runner Fanny, dep. Havana Jul. 24, 1863, arr. Mobile Jul. 27. The Fanny was active Apr. to Sep. 1863 with 4 for 5 in successful trips. She was captured by the U.S. Navy in April 1862 in New Orleans, then recaptured on Apr. 12, 1863, by C.S.A. raiders at the mouth of the Mississippi River. On her last trip she was pursued by the U.S.S. Calhoun, but burned to prevent capture on Sep. 12, 1863.

James D. B. DeBow, to whose care this cover was directed, was an American publisher and slavery advocate best known for his influential magazine DeBow's Review. A resident of New Orleans, DeBow was exiled to Mobile after the capture of New Orleans in April 1861. He later became one of the founding members of the Louisiana Relief Committee.

The three recorded 10c Frameline blockade-run covers in the Special Routes book are Census Nos. BI-Wm-28, BI-Mob-2 and BI-Mob-3 (this is No. 3).

Image Magnifier / Download

Power Search for Comparables