Sale 1238 — Civil War Special Mail Routes

Sale Date — Wednesday, 23 June, 2021

Category — Blockade-Run Mail

Lot
Symbol
Photo/Description
Cat./Est. Value
Realized
352
c
Sale 1238, Lot 352, Blockade-Run MailCharleston S.C. to Liverpool, England, via Wilmington and Nassau, Bahamas. Small cover addressed to Mrs. C. L. Burckmyer, in care of Fraser Trenholm & Co. in Liverpool, England, censor marking on back "B. Duncan ADC" applied by Col. B. Duncan at Wilmington (Provost Marshal until Sep. 12, 1863), entered British mails with red "Nassau Paid OC 24 63" circular datestamp, prepaid 1sh with red crayon "11" credit and blue crayon "1" (1p retained by Bahamas P.O.), Liverpool Nov. 14 receiving backstamp

EXTREMELY FINE AND RARE CENSORED OUTBOUND BLOCKADE-RUN COVER TO ENGLAND.

The letter that was contained in this envelope (number 17, which no longer accompanies) is datelined "Charleston 23 Sep. 1863" from Cornelius L. Burckmyer. Carried on blockade-runner General Beauregard, dep. Wilmington Sep. 30, 1863, arr. Nassau Oct. 4; held by agent until next New York steamer departure; carried on Cunarder Corsica, dep. Nassau Oct. 26, arr. New York Oct. 31; then Cunarder Scotia, dep. New York Nov. 4, arr. Queenstown Nov. 13; forwarded to France by Fraser Trenholm & Co. outside of mails and received at Tours Nov. 18 (according to correspondence history). The General Beauregard was purchased in Oct. 1862 by Fraser Trenholm & Co.; active Feb. to Dec. 1863, 16 for 17 in successful trips; Captain Louis Coxetter was a famed Confederate privateer and blockade-runner; chased ashore and destroyed by U.S.S. Howquah at Wilmington on Dec. 11, 1863.

Special Order 156 requiring censorship of blockade-run mail took effect Aug. 11, 1863, at Charleston and Sep. 1, 1863, at Wilmington.

Illustrated in Special Routes book (p. 121, census no. BO-Nas-45). Ex Birkinbine and Walske

Sale 1238, Lot 352, Blockade-Run Mail
Image 2
E. 1,500-2,000
1,100