Sale 1260 — 2022 Rarities of the World
Sale Date — Tuesday, 28 June, 2022
Category — Civil War and Confederate States: General Issues, Flag-of-Truce, Blockade


VERY FINE APPEARANCE. A RARE NAME-OF-BOAT HANDSTAMP ON A CONFEDERATE 5-CENT FIRST ISSUE LITHOGRAPH COVER, POSTED IN NEW ORLEANS AND CARRIED UP THE RIVER TO JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI, BY THE STEAMER EMPIRE PARISH.
According to the Naval History and Heritage Command, the Empire Parish was built in 1859 to operate out of New Orleans, where she served as a tow and dispatch boat for the Confederacy at the beginning of the Civil War. On June 23, 1863, she carried dispatches from Semmes' famed Confederate raider Sumter into New Orleans. Empire Parish came into Union possession with the fall of New Orleans in April 1862 and was taken into the United States Navy for duty as a towboat of the West Gulf Blockading Squadron.




EXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB ORIGINAL-GUM BLOCK OF FOUR OF THE 10-CENT BLUE PATERSON LITHOGRAPH.
With 2018 P.F. certificate for a block of six (this the left block of four).


EXTREMELY FINE APPEARING UNUSED BLOCK OF THE 10-CENT ROSE LITHOGRAPH.
Scott value $12,000.00 E. 2,000-3,000


VERY FINE. A REMARKABLE USE OF TWO STRIPS OF FIVE OF THE 2-CENT GREEN ON A COVER TO FAMED CONFEDERATE NAVAL OFFICER CATESBY JONES. THIS IS THE LARGEST RECORDED FRANKING WITH THE 2-CENT LITHOGRAPH.
The absence of a cancellation on the second strip on back indicates that the Mobile post office either weighed the letter and determined that it was under the half-ounce limit (for the 10c rate) or that the postal clerk never looked for additional stamps on back. The two strips definitely join together to form a complete row from the original sheet.
Catesby ap Roger Jones was an officer in the U.S. Navy from 1836-61. He became a commander in the Confederate Navy during the Civil War and assumed command of the Virginia (formerly the Merrimack) during the Battle of Hampton Roads and engaged the Monitor in the historic first battle of the two ironclads.
Ex Knapp and Hall. Illustrated in 1929 Dietz book (p. 125).




EXTREMELY FINE AND RARE DROP-RATE USE OF THE 2-CENT "RED JACK" ON A CONFEDERATE NAVY DEPARTMENT IMPRINT COVER.
Ex Hall.






EXTREMELY FINE. ONE OF THE FINEST OF THE FEW 10-CENT FRAMELINE PAIRS KNOWN ON COVER -- ESPECIALLY DESIRABLE ON A NORMAL SIZE ENVELOPE.
Accompanied by biographical information on the addressee, George William Bagby. Ex Dr. Green and Gross. Scott value for pair on cover is $7,250.00


FINE APPEARANCE. A DESIRABLE FULLY INTACT EXAMPLE OF THE CUSHING TRANS-MISSISSIPPI EXPRESS TYPE III LABEL ON COVER, WHICH ENTERED THE MAILS AT MOBILE.
Edward Hopkins Cushing, publisher of the Houston Daily Telegraph, commenced his express service after New Orleans fell to Federal forces in April 1862. In an effort to improve communications between Texas regiments in the East and their relations at home, as well as secure safe lines for news transmission, Cushing established routes with pony riders and other means of conveyance necessary to cross the Federal lines. Cushing's agents affixed labels to envelopes carried by express, usually on the backs. These were intended to inform patrons and advertise the service. Approximately 20 examples (of all varieties) are believed to exist.
Ex Knapp and Finney. C.S.A. Catalog value $5,000.00






THE ONLY RECORDED EXAMPLE OF FLAG-OF-TRUCE MAIL SIGNED BY BRIGADIER-GENERAL G. F. SHEPLEY, MILITARY GOVERNOR OF LOUISIANA. ALSO BELIEVED TO BE THE ONLY KNOWN 2-CENT GREEN ON A COVER FROM FEDERAL-OCCUPIED NEW ORLEANS.
During the Federal occupation of New Orleans, mail between residents in the city and correspondents in the Confederacy was either smuggled or carried by flag-of-truce, including under the auspices of the Louisiana Relief Committee. This cover is the only one known with the endorsement "Allowed to Pass the lines", and it is also the only flag-of-truce cover signed by George F. Shepley (1819-1878). Shepley was appointed Military Governor of Louisiana in June 1862 and served in that capacity until 1864. On July 18, 1862, Shepley was made brigadier-general of volunteers. Although General Benjamin "Beast" Butler is historically charged with excessively harsh actions against the resident public in New Orleans, Brigadier-General Shepley shares some of that responsibility.
Ex Walcott and Hall.


A RARE EARLY 1862 MIXED-FRANKING NORTHBOUND CIVILIAN FLAG-OF-TRUCE COVER SENT VIA NORFOLK AND OLD POINT COMFORT. FEW MIXED-FRANKING COVERS ARE KNOWN FROM THIS PERIOD AND REPRESENT THE EARLIEST EXAMPLES OF MIXED UNITED STATES AND CONFEDERATE STATES POSTAGE. IN THIS CASE THE LETTER WAS SENT AFTER SUCH MAIL WAS BANNED AND IT ENTERED THE DEAD LETTER OFFICE.
Mixed-franking U.S.-Confederate States covers are rare and highly sought after by collectors. For a short window, mixed frankings on civilian flag-of-truce covers were possible via the Norfolk-Old Point Comfort route. Shortly before this cover was mailed however, an announcement in the January 1862 U.S. Mail & Post Office Assistant stated, "The facilities afforded by sending letters to the rebel states under a flag-of-truce are not intended, and cannot be permitted, to cover general correspondence." (U.S. General Order No. 7). Therefore, this civilian flag-of-truce cover was diverted to the U.S. Dead Letter Office.