9th Floor
New York, NY 10036
Sale 1073 — The Brandon Collection, Part 1: Postmasters Provisionals
Sale Date — Tuesday, 24 June, 2014
Category — Mobile Ala. thru New Orleans La.
Mobile Ala., 2c Black (58X1). Large top sheet margin, ample margins other sides to just in at lower left, tied by incredibly bold "Mobile Ala. Oct. 1" double-circle datestamp on narrow blue cover to Capt. D.F. Holland, 2c drop rate, stamp with small scuff in "L" of "Mobile", faint toning from the strongly inked datestamp, backflap tearsVERY FINE APPEARANCE. A RARE AND ATTRACTIVE EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT MOBILE PROVISIONAL PAYING THE DROP RATE.
The Crown census records only 23 covers with the 2c Mobile provisional.
Mobile Ala., 5c Blue (58X2). Horizontal pair, large margins, dark shade, uncancelled but required by postal regulations, used with vertical pair of United States 3c Dull Red, Ty. III (26), centerline margin at right, slightly torn at left before use, affixed over black "Paid" in circle handstamp, tied by "Adams Ex. Co. * Louisville, Ky. * Jul. 23, 1861" circular datestamp on orange legal-size cover to United States Circuit Court in Louisville, ms. "Paid 4/6" (four bits, equal to 50c double rate), reduced approximately 1-1/2 in. at rightVERY FINE. ONE OF THREE RECORDED MOBILE POSTMASTER'S PROVISIONAL COVERS CARRIED ACROSS THE LINES BY EXPRESS. THIS IS THE ONLY COMBINATION WITH THE UNITED STATES 3-CENT 1857 ISSUE, THE ONLY DOUBLE-RATE FRANKING AND THE ONLY SOUTH-TO-NORTH USE AMONG THE THREE KNOWN. AN OUTSTANDING COVER.
Our records contain just three thru-the-lines express covers with the Mobile postmaster's provisional:
1) North to South, Adams Ex. Co. Philadelphia Jul. 18 (1861) datestamp, 58X2 tied by Mobile Jul. 30, 1861 datestamp on U.S. 3c Star Die entire to Leonard Cornish, Demopolis Ala., ex Mason, Haas
2) North to South, Mobile Jul. 22, 1861 datestamp ties 58X2 on U.S. 3c Star Die entire from New York City to Leonard Cornish, Demopolis Ala., Adams Ex. Co. NYC oval backstamp, ms. "Paid 2/-" rate, ex Mason, Haas
3) South to North, Adams Ex. Co. Louisville Jul. 23, 1861 datestamp ties U.S. 3c 1857 pair used with uncancelled 58X2 pair on cover originating in Mobile, addressed to U.S. Circuit Court in Louisville, the cover offered here, ex Richey, Meroni, Dr. Graves and Dr. Green.
The black "Paid" in circle beneath the 3c pair on this cover is found on very few Adams thru-the-lines covers and was applied to mail handled by the Mobile office. When this cover left Mobile, it had the 5c pair affixed, the manuscript "Paid 4/-" marking and the "Paid" in circle. Adams carried it outside the mails to their office in Louisville (presumably via Nashville) and delivered it locally. Therefore, we have a cover on which 10c Confederate and 6c U.S. postage, together with the 50c express charge -- all double rates -- are correctly prepaid. The "6" of the "Paid 4/6" is evidently a code used by Adams agents.
Very few covers are recorded with Confederate provisional stamps or markings used in conjunction with thru-the-lines express service. This group includes the provisionals of Atlanta (handstamp), Houston (handstamp), Lynchburg (press-printed entire), Memphis (adhesive), Mobile (adhesive), Montgomery (handstamp), Nashville (adhesive and handstamp) and New Orleans (adhesive). To the best of our knowledge, this is the only double-rate Mobile thru-the-lines express use, and it is the only cover franked with a combination of the U.S. 3c 1857 Issue and Mobile provisional.
Illustrated in Shenfield book (p. 19). Ex Richey, Meroni, Dr. Graves and Dr. Green
Mobile Ala., 5c Blue (58X2). Four margins, bright color on fresh paper, tied by Mobile Ala. 1861 double-circle datestamp on Wm. C. Strong & Co. grocer's green embossed cameo corner card cover to Aberdeen Miss., reduced at left slightly into the corner card, small sealed cover tear at right, still a Very Fine stamp on an attractive cover
Mobile Stamp Money. 50 x 27mm thick card with printed "Post Office, Mobile. Good for 1 Cent.", manuscript name, back with two strikes of Mobile double-circle datestamp, date unclear, split vertically thru "Office" and hinged together, Fine appearance and most unusual, we have encountered examples of stamp money from New Orleans but this is the first we have offered from Mobile
Montgomery Ala., 10c on 5c Red entire (59XU1a). 5c provisional handstamp over-struck twice by red "Paid" straightline, clear strike of 10c provisional handstamp to left, "Montgomery Ala. Jul. 10, 1861" circular datestamp on large portion of cover front only to Norfolk Va., slight thinning under 5c handstamp, repair at top left into datestamp, otherwise Fine and rare, only eight revalued entires are recorded in Crown (this example included and pictured on p. 236), ex Walcott, with 1976 P.F. certificate, Scott Retail as full cover $2,750.00
Nashville Tenn., 3c Carmine (4AX1). Horizontal strip of four, showing four of the five varieties, unused (without gum as issued), ample to clear margins all around, small thin spot in Position 4 and small natural inclusion between Positions 4 and 5, Very Fine appearance, Scott Retail as singles
Nashville Tenn., 5c Carmine (61X2). Large margins to full at upper left, beautiful intense shade, tied by blue "Nashville Ten. Aug. 9, 1861" circular datestamp on cover to Bellfonte Ala.VERY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE OF THE NASHVILLE 5-CENT CARMINE PROVISIONAL NEATLY TIED ON COVER.
Most of the used Carmine stamps are dated in August 1861.
Nashville Tenn., 5c Brick Red (61X3). Huge margins to touching bottom frameline, lovely shade, bold strike of blue "Nashville Ten. Aug. 7, 1861" circular datestamp, fresh and Fine
Nashville Tenn., 5c Brick Red (61X3). Large to full margins including bottom sheet margin, tied by blue “Nashville Ten. Sep. 26, 1861" circular datestamp with matching "Paid" straightline on orange cover to Castalian Springs Tenn., original enclosure an ornately printed "Nevins, Keith & Co. Wholesale Grocers" receipt dated Sep. 25, 1861, missing backflap and small inconsequential repair to top left of cover far from stamp and markingsEXTREMELY FINE ON-COVER EXAMPLE OF THE NASHVILLE 5-CENT PROVISIONAL IN THE BRICK RED SHADE.
Ex MacBride, Muzzy and Buchanan
Nashville Tenn., 5c Gray (61X4). Large to ample margins all around but repaired with bottom 2.5mm of stamp replaced, light strike blue Nashville circular datestamp, Very Fine appearance
Nashville Tenn., 5c Violet Brown (61X5). Ample margins to touched at top and right, rich grayish brown color, tied by "Nashville Ten. Oct. 16, 1861" circular datestamp on cover to Memphis Tenn., original letter enclosure dated Oct. 15, 1861, missing part of backflapVERY FINE EXAMPLE OF THE NASHVILLE 5-CENT VIOLET BROWN ON COVER.
Ex Matz
Nashville Tenn., 5c Violet Brown (61X5). Full margins to slightly in at bottom, unusually intense shade, affixed over U.S. 3c Red on Buff Nesbitt entire (U10) and tied by blue "Nashville Ten. Oct. 14, 1861" circular datestamp, matching "Paid" straightline, printed address to David Cleage in Athens Tenn., embossed Planter's Bank return card on backVERY FINE COVER BEARING THE 5-CENT VIOLET BROWN NASHVILLE PROVISIONAL AFFIXED OVER AN OBSOLETE 3-CENT UNITED STATES ENTIRE.
Dietz backstamp
Nashville Tenn., 10c Green (61X6). Large top and bottom margins, full at left and slightly irregular but clear at right, intense color, tied to small piece of cover by unusually clear strike of "Nashville Ten. Jul. 27, 1861" circular datestampVERY FINE EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT NASHVILLE PROVISIONAL WITH A CLEAR JULY 27, 1861 NASHVILLE TOWN CANCEL. THIS IS THE EARLIEST RECORDED USE OF THE 10-CENT.
Only approximately 25 examples of the 10c Nashville are known, most of which are faulty. A review using Power Search and our Levi records reveals how rare this stamp is with any sort of identifiable dated cancel. We located only one other off-cover example with a recognizable date (also July 27). The six recorded full covers with 61X6 are all dated in August or September.
Ex Caspary
Nashville Tenn., 5c Blue entire (61XU1). Clear strike of provisional handstamp with bold strike of blue "Nashville Ten. Jul. 7, 1861" circular datestamp on cover to Lenoir N.C., scattered toning spots and slightly reduced at left, otherwise Very Fine and rare, only approximately twelve are known
Nashville Tenn., 10c on 5c Blue entire (61XU2). Blue "Nashville T. Paid 5" in circle with matching "10" struck over value on red and blue 11-Star Confederate Flag patriotic cover to Austin Tex., Nashville stationer's imprint, mostly clear blue "Nashville Ten. Jul. 2, 1861" circular datestamp, slightly reduced at right, tiny soiled spot at topVERY FINE. THE ONLY RECORDED CONFEDERATE PATRIOTIC WITH THE RE-RATED NASHVILLE PROVISIONAL MARKINGS.
Ex Rudy and Boshwit
New Orleans La., 2c Blue (62X1). Margins all around, deep rich color, tied by "New Orleans La. 31 Aug." (1861) circular datestamp on dark buff cover to Pleasant Hill La., with "New Orleans Commercial Intelligencer and Merchant's Transcript" prices current dated Aug. 31, slight cover wrinkling and missing backflapVERY FINE. A CHOICE FOUR-MARGIN EXAMPLE OF THE 2-CENT BLUE NEW ORLEANS POSTMASTER'S PROVISIONAL ON A CIRCULAR RATE COVER.
Approximately 30 covers are known with the 2c Blue (27 in Crown census), including circular and drop rates. More than half of the covers have stamps without four margins or faults in the stamp or cover
New Orleans La., 2c Blue (62X1). Five singles arranged as a horizontal strip, mostly clear margins, small flaws which accompanying certificate states are from being lifted and replaced, left stamp small repair at bottom but all stamps originate, bold strikes of "Paid" straightline handstamp tie stamps together and to cover (between stamps and at left), "New Orleans La. 26 Jul." (1861) circular datestamp on yellow cover to Hartsville Tenn., paying the 10c over-500 miles rate, edgewear and small cover repair at lower rightVERY FINE APPEARANCE. ONE OF ONLY TWO RECORDED COVERS WITH FIVE NEW ORLEANS 2-CENT BLUE PROVISIONAL STAMPS. AN EXCEPTIONAL RARITY.
Our records contain four covers franked with three or more 2c Blue New Orleans Provisional stamps -- two with five stamps, one with three stamps and a 5c Red Brown provisional, and one with three stamps, as follows:
1) Horizontal strip of five, tied by Oct. 12 (1861) New Orleans circular datestamp to Augusta Ga., paying over-500 miles 10c rate, ex Caspary and Meroni
2) Five singles, tied by "Paid" straightlines, Jul. 26 (1861) New Orleans circular datestamp, to Hartsville Tenn., paying over-500 miles 10c rate, the cover offered here, ex Hessel
3) Three singles and 5c Red Brown (62X4), tied by "Paid" straightlines, New Orleans Oct. 1 (1861) circular datestamp, to Orange C.H. Va., paying over-500 miles 10c rate (1c overpayment), ex Seybold, Needham, Grant, Dr. Skinner and D.K. collection (Siegel Sale 1022, lot 1078)
4) Three singles, tied by Dec. 1 (1861) New Orleans circular datestamp, to Woodville Miss., paying 5c under-500 miles rate (1c overpayment), ex Emerson, Caspary, Muzzy, Siegel 1970 Rarities and Kilbourne (Siegel Sale 815, lot 110)
Ex Hessel. With 1976 P.F. certificate
New Orleans La., 2c Red (62X2). Horizontal pair, unused (no gum), ample to large margins, right stamp vertical crease and Very Fine appearance, left stamp Extremely Fine Gem, ex Hessel
New Orleans La., 2c Red (62X2). Deep shade, tied by part strike of New Orleans circular datestamp on drop cover front only to Miss. Susanne Bein in New OrleansVERY FINE. A RARE USE OF THE 2-CENT RED NEW ORLEANS POSTMASTER'S PROVISIONAL ON A DROP COVER FRONT. WE RECORD ONLY TEN FULL COVERS.
New Orleans postmaster, J. L. Riddell, prepared provisional stamps in June 1861 and advertised them for sale on June 12th. The 2c Red stamps were printed without the marginal inscription "Usable exclusively in the New Orleans Post Office". The 5c and subsequent 2c Blue printings all have the imprint. It is the accepted theory that the 2c Red stamps were printed first, before Riddell added the imprint, and were withheld from use until January 1862 when the supply of 2c Blue stamps was exhausted. The Crown book lists six 2c Red covers, while Dr. Hubert C. Skinner (Congress Book, 1978) recorded eight covers. We have located ten covers plus this front.
Ex Worthington, Shenfield and Weatherly. "New England Stamp Company, 3/9/07" notation on back. With 1972 P.F. certificate. Scott Retail for full cover $25,000.00
New Orleans La., 5c Brown on White (62X3). Four singles, margins essentially all around, tied by two strikes of "New Orleans La. 7 Dec." (1861) circular datestamp on blue cover to Bonham Tex., original thick letter enclosure datelined Nov. 30, reduced at left, couple tiny stamp flaws and right stamp corner crease from heavy enclosure, Very Fine appearing and scarce double-weight over-500 miles use to Texas
New Orleans La., 5c Red Brown on Bluish (62X4). Two singles, both with large left margins, ample to touched other sides, tied by "New Orleans La. 23 Sep." (1861) circular datestamp and between stamps by two strikes of "Paid" straightline on orange-buff cover to Liberty Hill S.C., reduced at left, slight gum staining at left edges of stamps, otherwise Very Fine over-500 miles use
New Orleans La., 5c Red Brown on Bluish (62X4). Enormous margins all around, deep rich color on strongly blued paper, tied by "Southern Express Co. New Orleans Oct. 27" (1861) double-circle datestamp on buff cover to Memphis Tenn., City Hotel embossed oval corner card, manuscript "Important, Paid 2/-" express charge (two bits, or 25c), blue pencil express notation, with original enclosure from a merchant in New Orleans on business, opened a bit irregularly along topEXTREMELY FINE. A VERY RARE USE OF THE NEW ORLEANS POSTMASTER'S PROVISIONAL ON A SOUTHERN EXPRESS COMPANY COVER.
Due to the disruption of rail lines and mail service, and the absence of a Confederate registration system, merchants turned to expresses for urgent or valuable letters. However, examples of postmasters' provisionals used to pay the required postage on express letters are rare.
Ex Emerson and Hall. Illustrated in Special Routes book (p. 190)
New Orleans La., 5c Brown on White (62X3). Large margins to full at top, rich color, tied by "New Orleans La. 13 Jul." (1861) circular datestamp on cover to local address with red and blue 11-Star Confederate Flag and Cannon Patriotic design, Geo. Ellis, Bookseller imprint, original letter enclosure, stamp with corner crease, cover with edgewear, Very Fine appearing and colorful use of the New Orleans 5c Provisional on a Patriotic cover
New Orleans La., 5c Yellow Brown on Off-White (62X5). Two singles, right stamp enormous margins on three sides incl. part imprint at top, full at bottom, left stamp large margin at left to touched at bottom, tied by clear "New Orleans La. 12 Dec." (1861) circular datestamp on orange-buff cover to Bayou Sara La., some cover edgewear, Very Fine and attractive cover paying 10c for double weight
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