Sale 1238 — Civil War Special Mail Routes
Sale Date — Wednesday, 23 June, 2021
Category — Express Mail in Confederate Territory
Montgomery Ala., 10c Blue entire (59XU4). Perfect strike of provisional handstamp in intense dark shade, blue "Montgomery Alabama Southern Express" in circle handstamp, lighter blue "Southern Express Co. Montgomery Ala. Oct. 25" (1861) double-circle datestamp on cover to Col. Tennent Lomax, 3rd Regt. Ala. Volunteers, at Norfolk Va., top left corner slightly nicked from opening, few faint toned spotsVERY FINE. THE ONLY RECORDED EXAMPLE OF THE 10-CENT MONTGOMERY POSTMASTER'S PROVISIONAL USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE RARE SOUTHERN EXPRESS COMPANY HANDSTAMPS.
The only intra-CSA Southern Express Company covers known from Alabama are addressed to Colonel Tennent Lomax, a Confederate officer who was killed at the Battle of Seven Pines on June 1, 1862. Colonel Lomax, a resident of Montgomery, led the 3rd Alabama Regiment during the war. His regiment was detailed to defend the naval yard at Norfolk Va., which was held by Confederate forces until May 1862. While in Norfolk, Colonel Lomax received letters and express mail from his wife.
Although handstamped with the Montgomery provisional, this cover was not datestamped by the post office and appears to have been carried exclusively by the Southern Express Company (prepayment of Confederate postage was a requirement on all express mail in any case). It was probably given directly to the Southern Express Company for delivery to Colonel Lomax's regiment at Norfolk, Virginia. The circumstances of mailing are mentioned in the letter written by Mrs. Lomax to her husband. At the close of her letter, she is rushing to meet the departure of the "cars". In a postscript she writes: "Well Honey I hurried my letter to death to send by Mr. Faulkner and then he did not go. I will send you a box by Phill Sayre..." The letter also describes whipping a female slave who appeared to be running away.
Ex Brown and Hall. Illustrated in Special Routes book (p. 192, census no. SOU-1)
10c Dark Blue, Hoyer & Ludwig (2b). Ample to large margins, deep shade and proof-like impression, tied by perfectly struck "Montgomery Ala. Dec. 17, 1861" circular datestamp on cover to Col. Tennent Lomax, 3rd Regt. Ala. Volunteers, at Norfolk Va., bold blue "Southern Express Co. Montgomery Ala. Dec. 18" double-circle datestamp and matching "Montgomery Alabama Southern Express" in circle, faint stain touches stampEXTREMELY FINE. CONSIDERED TO BE THE FINEST OF THE FEW KNOWN COVERS BEARING THE "MONTGOMERY ALABAMA SOUTHERN EXPRESS" HANDSTAMP -- ONLY TWO ARE RECORDED WITH THE 10-CENT GENERAL ISSUE.
The only intra-CSA Southern Express Company covers known from Alabama are addressed to Colonel Tennent Lomax, a Confederate officer who was killed at the Battle of Seven Pines on June 1, 1862. Colonel Lomax, a resident of Montgomery, led the 3rd Alabama Regiment during the war. His regiment was detailed to defend the naval yard at Norfolk Va., which was held by Confederate forces until May 1862. While in Norfolk, Colonel Lomax received letters and express mail from his wife.
This cover was carried by the Southern Express Company to Colonel Lomax's regiment in proximity to Norfolk, Virginia. We record five Southern Express Company covers from Montgomery -- all from the Lomax correspondence -- including four with the distinctive "Montgomery Alabama Southern Express" circle, which is unlike any other marking used by express companies throughout the Confederacy. Two have 10c Hoyer & Ludwig stamps: the Dec. 18 cover offered here and the Dec. 22 cover from our Kilbourne sale (Sale 1186, lot 851). The presence of post office markings on these covers, including datestamps dated the day before the Southern Express datestamp, indicates that the Southern Express agent made arrangements with the post office to carry mail after it had been properly prepaid and postmarked.
Illustrated in Special Routes book (p. 192, census no. SOU-4). Ex Lamborn, Dukeshire, Birkinbine and Walske. With 2000 P.F. certificate
5c Olive Green, Stone A-B (1c). Horizontal pair, large margins, tied by faint black Montgomery circular handstamp and by blue "Montgomery Ala. Paid 2" 2c Postmaster's Provisional handstamp (59XU7A), matching "Southern Express Co. Montgomery Ala. Nov. 29" (1861) double-circle datestamp on cover to Col. Tennent Lomax, 3rd Regt. Ala. Volunteers, at Norfolk Va., some faint stains still visible after cleaningVERY FINE. THE ONLY RECORDED USE OF THE MONTGOMERY 2-CENT PROVISIONAL HANDSTAMP ON AN EXPRESS COVER -- AN OUTSTANDING RARITY FROM THE LOMAX CORRESPONDENCE.
The only intra-CSA Southern Express Company covers known from Alabama are addressed to Colonel Tennent Lomax, a Confederate officer who was killed at the Battle of Seven Pines on June 1, 1862. Colonel Lomax, a resident of Montgomery, led the 3rd Alabama Regiment during the war. His regiment was detailed to defend the naval yard at Norfolk Va., which was held by Confederate forces until May 1862. While in Norfolk, Colonel Lomax received letters and express mail from his wife.
Only one demonstrably provisional use of the Montgomery Ala. blue "Paid 2c" handstamp (entire) is recorded, and it is not an express cover (Siegel Sale 860, lot 533). The strike on this cover is from the same device, but was used to tie the adhesive stamps. This is the only example of that handstamp struck on an express cover.
Illustrated in Special Routes book (p. 193, census no. SOU-2). Ex Shenfield and Walske. With 2000 P.S.E. certificate
5c Light Green, Stone 1-2 (1a). Three large margins, touched at top, bright shade, uncancelled, used on small cover to Savannah Ga. with green "Southern Express Co. Macon Ga. Mar. 6" (1862) double-circle datestamp with date changed to "7", manuscript "$20.00 Paid R/W" express notation indicating money contents, pencil docketing, backflap removed, still Very Fine, this green marking used by the Macon office is extremely rare, the Special Routes census records only five examples (this no. SOU-25), ex Hall
5c Green, Stone 1-2 (1). Large margins at top and bottom, manuscript cancel, bold strike of red "Southern Express Co. Savannah Ga. Apr. 20" (1862) double-circle datestamp on blue folded letter datelined "Camp Altahama April 17 the 1862" (on the Altahama River near Fort Pulaski Ga.), addressed to Hogansville Ga., pencil "Paid R/- from #5", stamp edges with toning and small nicks, horizontal pre-use crease, Very Fine appearance and a scarce use, letter includes writer's expectation of being mustered out of service in a week, then being told that the Confederate Conscription Act, which had passed the day before this letter was written, required that all state volunteer troops be turned over to Confederate authorities for three years, ex Hughes
5c Dark Green, Stone 1-2 (1b). Margins to touched, deep intense shade, tied by red "Southern Express Co. Savannah Ga. Mar. 24" (1862) double-circle datestamp on cover to Macon Ga., large manuscript "Pd R/-" express rate notation, very minor gum toning along two edges of stamp, Very Fine, ex Brown and Tate, with 1976 P.F. certificate
5c Green, Stone 1-2 (1). Margins to in, tied by bold manuscript "Southern Express Co. Savannah" with "Paid R/-" at top on small cover to Macon Ga., manuscript "Care of Col John B Lamas", Very Fine and unusual Southern Express Co. use, Special Routes census no. SOU-41
5c Blue, Stone 2 (4). Two singles, each with clear to large margins, tied together by blue crayon, matching but lighter "Pd-CHP" manuscript endorsement by Southern Express Augusta Ga. agent Charles H. Phelps on oatmeal cover to Vicksburg Miss., Extremely Fine, a beautiful cover, a cover with similar Phelps initials is pictured in the Special Routes book (p. 185), ex Felton
Southern Express Co. Savannah Ga. Nov. 9 (1862). Red double-circle datestamp with day in manuscript and matching "Paid D/-" express rate (code letter "D" -- other covers from Savannah use the code letter "R") and "$30" contents notation on gray and white wallpaper cover to Athens Ga., a bit worn as usual, still Fine, wallpaper covers are rarely seen with express markings, ex Hahn, illustrated in Special Routes book (p. 199, census no. SOU-39)
Adams Express Co., New Orleans La., Jul. 2 (1861). Well-struck green oval datestamp with day inverted on turned adversity cover made from a printed form to Augusta Ga., with part of blue Adams Augusta office oval struck on same side, inside bears 10c Blue, Die A (11) tied by "Greenville S.C. Aug. 30" circular datestamp to Macon Ga., clearly struck "ADVERTISED" handstamp, opened for displayVERY FINE AND EXTREMELY RARE. THIS IS THE ONLY RECORDED EXAMPLE OF THE ADAMS EXPRESS NEW ORLEANS OVAL HANDSTAMP, MADE EVEN MORE DESIRABLE BY THE USE OF GREEN INK AND SUBSEQUENT TURNED USE WITH A 10-CENT ENGRAVED STAMP INSIDE.
The Adams office in New Orleans used a circular handstamp early in the war. This is the only recorded example of the Adams New Orleans oval, used in this instance as a datestamp on a company receipt or bill of lading in 1861 -- then turned, made into an envelope and mailed in 1863 or 1864.
Illustrated in Special Routes book (p. 190, census no. SOU-44). From our 2008 Rarities sale. With 2008 P.F. certificate
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, Hall and Dr. Brandon. Illustrated in Special Routes book (p. 190, Census SOU-45)
Southern Express Co. Knoxville Tenn. Apr. 21. Bold double-circle datestamp on ca. 1862 buff cover to Lynchburg Va., manuscript "32c" express charge, "D.H." ("Dead Head" or free) and "TM" at bottom left for initials of T. Murrah, Knoxville agent, red Southern Express Co. wax seal, slight edgewear, still Very Fine, only five examples of the Knoxville datestamp are recorded in the Special Routes census (this no. SOU-52), ex Hahn
Southern Express Co. Knoxville Tenn. Sep. 3. Double-circle datestamp on ca. 1862 oatmeal cover to Cartersville Ga., manuscript "75$" refers to money enclosed, matching "Paid/EK/M" express rate notation ("M" could be the initial of T. Murrah, Knoxville agent), sender's forwarding notation at lower left, five neat wax seals on back, Very Fine and rare, only five examples of the Knoxville datestamp are recorded in the Special Routes census (this no. SOU-54), ex Hall and Felton
Adams Express Co. Memphis Sep. 20 (1861). Oval datestamp struck at origin with "Adams, Express Co. Chattanooga Sep. 20" red oval datestamp stuck in transit on 3c Red on Buff Nesbitt entire (U10) to Col. William M. D'Antignac, President of the Augusta Insurance and Banking Co., Augusta Ga., pencil "Free DH" express notation meaning "Dead Head" or free, tiny bit reduced at left, Very Fine, the Adams devices were used into September and October 1861 before the Southern Express handstamps became widely available, William D'Antignac died in mid-September 1861, the use of the term "Col." also points to 1861 -- this was probably sent from the Adams Memphis office on express business, Special Routes census no. SOU-55, from our 1988 Rarities sale, with 1986 P.F. certificate
Adams Express Co. Memphis, Jun. 20 (1861). Mostly clear strike of red oval datestamp on legal-size buff cover to Governor Isham G. Harris in Nashville Tenn. with purplish-black Jefferson Davis Medallion, 7-Star Flags and 10-Star Sunburst Patriotic design (JD-1B), "DH" express notation meaning "Dead Head" or free, cover refolded at right to fit on an album page, minor staining spots at left, Very Fine appearance and a likely unique use of the rare Adams Express Memphis datestamp on a Patriotic cover, Tennessee seceded on June 8, 1861, 12 days before this cover was sent, it likely originated in Memphis and was handed directly to the Adams office in that city, ex Kilbourne
Memphis Tenn., 5c Red (56X2). Huge margins to barely touched including sheet margin at bottom, tied by red "Southern Express Co., Memphis, Oct. 23" (1861) double-circle datestamp on "Adams Southern Express" imprint buff cover to Columbia Tenn., manuscript "Paid 2/- OB" (25c express fee and initials of Michael J. O'Brien, an express manager and clerk in the Memphis office), opened a bit roughly at top where restored in places, stamp with light creasesVERY FINE APPEARANCE. AN EXTREMELY RARE EXAMPLE OF A CONFEDERATE POSTMASTER'S PROVISIONAL USED OUTSIDE OF THE REGULAR CONFEDERATE MAILS. ONLY THREE 5-CENT MEMPHIS EXPRESS COVERS ARE RECORDED.
The cover was entrusted to the Southern Express Co.'s Memphis office for delivery to Columbia Tenn., which lies east of Memphis. It traveled northeast to Nashville, then south to Columbia, accompanied by a Southern Express Co. agent along connecting railroad lines. Independent expresses were often used to carry valuable mail. Express covers involving Confederate postage of any kind are scarce, and those with Postmasters' Provisionals are very rare. The Special Routes census records only three with the Memphis Provisional (this census no. SOU-56).
Ex Pope and Boshwit
Southern Express Co. Nashville Tenn. Nov. 12 (1861). Bold strike of blue circular datestamp on buff cover to Courtland Ala., blue crayon "Paid 2/-" (two bits, or 25c) express charge, backflap missing and unobtrusive sealed tear into the marking, Fine and attractive, the only recorded example of the Nashville office datestamp recorded in the Special Routes census of C.S.A. internal private express covers (census no. SOU-61), ex Gallagher and Rudy
Southern Express Co. Richmond Va. Apr. 3. Mostly clear strike of double-circle datestamp (ca. 1862) on "Confederate States of America Treasury Department" imprint entire to C.H. Sutton in Clarksville Ga., care of Pitner & England, manuscript "$215.00" money contents noted at top and "1.50" express charge, some inconsequential age spotting and small corner repair, still Very Fine, an extremely rare use of an official imprint entire with a Southern Express marking, this is reported to be the only known Southern Express example with the Treasury Department imprint, Special Routes census no. SOU-68, ex Antrim and Felton
Southern Express Co. Richmond Va. Jun. 14 (1862). Double-circle datestamp on buff cover to Adam's Station Ga. on "South Western Rail Road", manuscript "Paid 8/-" (8 bits, or $1.00), "$100" refers to contents, red wax seals, minor toning and slightly reduced at left, still Very Fine, a choice example of a Southern Express Co. money letter with interesting railroad tie-in, from the Eldridge correspondence (addressee's husband was with 16th Ga. Volunteers stationed near Richmond), Special Routes census no. SOU-70, signed Brian Green
Adams Southern Express. Nine covers, including six with Adams imprint (two in red, four in black), one with Office Virginia Central Railroad imprint, docketing indicates all from Sgt. Walker G. Twyman, one dated July 18, 1862 from "Chimboraso Hospital No. 5" at Richmond Va. to Earlysville Va., some edgewear and the two non-imprint covers with faults, overall Fine-Very Fine, Sgt. Twyman's father was W. R. Twyman, who was the express agent in Richmond and supplied his son the envelopes
Express Business. Imprint on oatmeal cover with printed "So. Express Co." address to James P. Hawkins at Staunton Va., manuscript "Vital Importance", slightly reduced at top, Very Fine, Hawkins was the Southern Express Company agent who kept diaries and a detailed account of the evacuation of Richmond in April 1865
"Mrs. Don. P. Halsey, Care Col. K. Otey, Adams Express, Lynchburg Va." Address on cover with manuscript "Col. Otey sir please deliver immediately as it is important business", Very Fine, both Major Don P. Halsey and Colonel Kirkwood Otey fought at Gettysburg
Virginia Express Company. Imprint at top of orange-buff cover to Lewisburg West Va., missing part of top flap, Very Fine and rare