US U27, 3¢ star-die entire tied RICHMOND / Va. // APR / 30 / 1861 cds, pristine watermarked USPOD entire addressed to Mr. Edward Wood, Edenton, N. Carolina; Scarce Independent State Use (only independent for 20 days), CCV $250. Extremely Fine. Ex Thayer. $300.

Hayes Plantation (or Hayes Farm) is a historic plantation near Edenton, NC that belonged to Samuel Johnston (NC Governor 1787-89) Much more information on linked page.

US 26 or 26a, 3¢ dull red (type IV cannot be determined – trivial defects) tied RICHMOND / Va. // MAY / 4 / 1861 cds on pristine cover; Scarce Independent State Use (only independent for 20 days) addressed to Dr. J. S. Davis, University of Va. Dr. John Staige Davis was a Professor of Anatomy and Medicine at UVA and intermarried with the Blackford, Landon and Minor families as well as a direct descendant of the famous Washington family. Much information to be found online. Ex Thayer. $250.

US 26 or 26a, 3¢ dull red (type IV cannot be determined as is top right margin – small defects) tied RICHMOND / Va. // MAY / 5 / 1861 cds on clean cover; Scarce Independent State Use (only independent for 20 days); addressed to Col. A[ndrew] McAlister, Suffolk, Va. The Suffolk Va. Masonic Lodge is named after McAlister. Ex Thayer  $250.

US U26, 3¢ star-die entire tied blue NORFOLK / Va. // APR / 23 / 1861 dcds on fresh USPOD watermarked entire addressed to Edwd Wood Esq, Edenton, N.C. Scarce Independent State Use (only independent for 20 days), Ex Thayer. CCV $300.  $300.

Hayes Plantation (or Hayes Farm) is a historic plantation near Edenton, NC that belonged to Samuel Johnston (NC Governor 1787-89) Much more information on linked page.

US 26, 3¢ dull red tied lightly struck EATONTON / GA // APR / 9 / 1861 dcds on cover addressed to Messrs. Thomas Prosser & Son, No. 28 Platt Street, New York, N.Y.; some mounting adherence on back flap. Confederate Use of US Postage. CCV $200. $160.

US U27, 3¢ star-die entire tied grid with matching FARMVILLE / Va. // MAY / 27 / [1861] cds on clean USPOD watermarked entire addressed to Dr. Henry A. Mettauer, Macon, Georgia. Confederate Use of US Postage (only 3 weeks possible). CCV $300. Mettauer was an eminent surgeon and botanist. Detailed medical and military biography from unpublished database, included with lot courtesy Hambrecht & Koste biographical register of physicians who served the Confederacy in a medical capacity. $250.

Dr. Henry Archer Mettauer (1826-1913) was a surgeon with the 6th Georgia, Maj. M.A. Rowland’s Battalion Conscipts, Staff of General A.H. Colquitt.  Much more information on linked page.

US U27, 3¢ star-die entire used with manuscript cancel of “Clear Branch Va / April 25 [1861]”, addressed to Bettie D. Booker, Sunny Side, Cumberland County, Virginia with senders note at lower left “N.E.P.B.” (unknown meaning, perhaps initials of another Booker), edge tear at top into postmark but not readily apparent, slightly reduced at left. Independent State Use (only independent for 20 days). Scarce small town use. CCV $300. Ex Thayer $250.

US U26, 3¢ star-die entire tied large blue NORFOLK / Va. // APR / 19 / 1861 cds, nicely watermarked USPOD, addressed to Edward Wood, Edenton, N. Carolina; Independent State Use (only independent for 20 days and this just shortly after secession), CCV $250. Extremely Fine, Ex Thayer. $300.

Hayes Plantation (or Hayes Farm) is a historic plantation near Edenton, NC that belonged to Samuel Johnston (NC Governor 1787-89) Much more information on linked page.

US U27, 3¢ star-die entire tied RICHMOND / Va. // MAY / 11 / 1861 cds, pristine watermarked USPOD entire addressed to Mr. Edward Wood, Edenton, N. Carolina; Confederate Use of US Postage (only 45 days possible), CCV $200. Very Fine, Ex Thayer. $300.

Hayes Plantation (or Hayes Farm) is a historic plantation near Edenton, NC that belonged to Samuel Johnston (NC Governor 1787-89) Much more information on linked page.

US 26, 3¢ dull red tied RICHMOND / Va. // APR / 26 / 1861 cds on clean cover to R. D. Buford Esq., Liberty, Va. from John Goode, Jr. (docketed up the left side), fresh, slight wrinkling and tiny tear at bottom otherwise Very Fine. Independent State Use (only independent for 20 days). CCV $250. $200.

US #26, 3¢ dull red tied beautifully struck BENNETTSVILLE / S.C. // MAY / 31 [1861] cds on back flaps of cover addressed to Mr. William R. Abernathy, Lenoir, N.C., with two blue receiving cancels of Lenoir dated both Jun 5 and Jun 10 – we can only speculate for what reason they are different dates. Docketing on the back with the stamp shows “Recd June 12th 1861 / Answered June 15th 1861”. It is possible that the letter was advertised for collection in the local paper on June 5 and again June 10. LAST DAY of Confederate Use of US Postage. A wonderful example of a KEY DATE for any Confederate collection with an unusual twist on the dates. $750.     

US 26, 3¢ dull red tied grid with matching CHARLESTON / S.C. // MAR / 28 / 1861 cds on folded business letter dated March 26th to Honbl Wm. Elliott, Adams Run, SC from W. C. Bee & Co. regarding sale of rice and cotton. Confederate Use of US Postage. The Confederacy took over their own postal affairs a few days later on June 1, 1861. Faint filing crease at top across stamp otherwise Very Fine, nice clean use. $200.

US U27, 3¢ star-die entire tied RICHMOND / Va. // MAY / 24 / 1861 cds, pristine watermarked USPOD entire addressed to Mr. Edward Wood, Edenton, N. Carolina; Confederate Use of US Postage (only 3 weeks possible), CCV $200. Very Fine,  Ex Thayer $275.

Hayes Planation (or Hayes Farm) is a historic plantation near Edenton, NC that belonged to Samuel Johnston (NC Governor 1787-89) Much more information on linked page.

US U27, 3¢ star-die entire tied grid and matching boldly struck neat SAVANNAH Ga. // FEB / 15 / 1861; fresh entire addressed to S. F. Dickinson, Macon, Geo; Extremely Fine Confederate Use of US Postage. $250.

US U27, 3¢ star-die entire (USPOD watermarked with patent lines) tied lightly struck SCUPPERNONG / N.C. cds with May 27 [1861] in manuscript at center. This is the FIRST DAY of NC in the Confederacy and quite scarce. The Confederate Post Office Department took over on June 1, 1861, thus is easily the state with the shortest amount of time for Confederate Use of US Postage. Addressed to William S. Pettigrew, Raleigh, NC and docketed as from Malachi J. White, May 25, 1861. Will be the subject of one of my columns. $2,000.

William Shepard Pettigrew (1818-1900) and Malachi J. White were neighbors.  White was enlisted by Pettigrew to oversee work at Pettigrew’s plantation while Pettigrew was in Raleigh serving as representative to the NC Secession Convention.

Much more information on linked page.

US 37, 24¢ gray lilac used on cover to George B. Weston, Care of John Gibson, No 53 Inverleith Row, Edinburgh, Scotland; origin cds of GEORGETOWN / S.C. // APR / 24 / 1861; stamp tied by red grid applied in New York with matching 19¢ New York credit circular datestamp, Liverpool transit, magenta "24", minor soiling, Very Fine, Confederate State Use of US Postage, with 1981 PF certificate which states two tiny tears at bottom which is serious description overkill (they are virtually invisible) and that “N.Y. ship was cancelled out since cover missed that ship and went via British packet.” Scarce and lovely use. SCV $5,000. $2,500.

CHARLESTON / S.C. '24' // MAR / 8 / 1861, clear strike of cds with 24¢ integral due rating on folded letter to Messrs. John Jeffrey & Co., Edinburgh, Scotland; blue A. Tobias’ Sons company oval, "N. York Br. Pkt. '5' " integral exchange cds, although endorsed per Cunard Line Australasian, actually carried by Galway Line Adriatic from New York Mar. 13th to Queenstown arriving Mar. 23rd; Edinburgh (3.25) backstamp and manuscript "1/-" shilling packet due rating; usual expected file folds. Letter written only four days after Lincoln took office, "…On 4th March President Lincoln of the United States delivered his Inaugural & from its tone regarded by many as a declaration of war. The commissioners from Southern Confederacy are now at Washington to demand the surrender of all the forts held by United States in our Territory & upon result this mission hangs either a peaceable separation or a bloody one. Since our last report the State of "Texas" has also seceded & joined the "Confederate States" & then "Arkansas" seceded, we will have all the cotton producing states with us…" The Cunard Liner Australasian broke down en route to New York and returned to Queenstown. Her mails were transferred to Arabia. Cunard Line engaged Galway's Adriatic to carry mails for the scheduled return trip eastbound. A RARE CONFEDERATE USE TO SCOTLAND WITH EXCELLENT CIVIL WAR CONTENT. US Postage Used in the Confederacy. $1,500.

US U27, 3¢ star-die entire to Wm. S. Pettigrew, Esq., Scuppernong, No. Ca. used with duplexed grid and CHARLESTON / S.C. // MAR / 25 / 1861 as well as red crayon “Due 3” for overweight letter, colorless fancy embossed business advertising of Butler & Bee, Charleston, S.C. Docketing up left side re sales and monies paid to William, Bee & Co., N. York. CSA Use of US Postage. Ex Karrer. $280.

US U26, 3¢ star-die entire tied AUGUSTA / Ga. // MAR / 1 [1861] (inverted day date) addressed to Mrs. Isabella Woodruff, Care of Mrs. Roberts, Orphans House, Charleston, South Carolina where readdressed to Care of W. L. Easterlin Esq, Bamberg, S.C., C.S.A. and FORWARDED with US 26, 3¢ dull red tied grid duplexed with CHARLESTON/ S.C. // MAR / 4 / 1861 dcds. The insightful Isabella Woodruff papers are in the Manuscript Division of Duke University. Isabella was a widowed slave holder and school teacher. The Charleston Orphans House is the oldest public orphanage in the United States, established in 1790 and in operation at that location until 1951 when it was moved to a more home-like setting for the children; it continues today. Stamp and cover with small faults, CSA Use of US Postage, Ex Karrer. $250.

US 3¢ star-die entire #U27 tied with grid and matching CHARLESTON / S.C. // JAN / 30 / 1861 cds, addressed to Orangeburg C.H., S.C. Part of back flap missing otherwise Very Fine Independent State Use, ex Kohn. (CCV $200). $200.

US 26, 3¢ star-die tied RICHMOND / Va. // MAY / 17 / 1861, CSA Use of US postage, addressed to E& I Harding, Pleasant Grove, Va. $250.

“Oak Grove Ark Mach 20th” all in manuscript on 3¢ star-die #U27 with no evidence of Confederate postage rate. Docketing of “1862” at left which leaves current postal historians with a dilemma. If it is indeed 1862, then there is a missing rate. However, it is not impossible that the docketing should have been 1861. Either way, this is a Confederate use as Arkansas seceded May 6, 1861 and joined the Confederacy May 18, 1861. Interesting use UNLISTED IN ROBERTS CENSUS EITHER WAY. Slightly reduced at left and top as well as replaced bottom right corner; addressed to [Rev] A. R. Banks, Tulip, Dallas Co Arkansas, Ex Marcus White and George Clippert. $450.

Rev. A. R. Banks organized the Tulip Presbyterian Church around 1840. The original Church building was destroyed in 1959 by a tornado, and was rebuilt the same year. Banks divided his time between the Tulip and Princeton congregations.

Listed in both Independent-2 and Arkansas Stampless sections

US #26, 3¢ dull red tied boldly struck neat MOBILE / ALA // MAY / 21 / 1861 double circle on small narrow blue-lined cover to Miss S. M. Hayt, Care William Curtis Esq. No 98 East 15th Street, New York; small sealed cover tear at lower left. CSA Use of US Postage. $150.

US U27, 3¢ star-die, tied neat KINGSTON / GA. // FEB / 15 [1861] cds on USPOD watermarked entire to J.E. Hagood, Esq., Pickens C.H., S.C. Confederate Use of US Postage. Plantation Collection. $250.

James Earle Hagood was in the mercantile business and Clerk of Circuit Court during the War, frequently called upon to perform services for soldiers away in the army and their families.

More information on the linked page.

NEW ORLEANS pristine folded business letter in French headed 12 February 1861 to Messrs B. Fould & Co., Paris, France, through New York // 6 / Feb / 19 [1861] "Et. Unis Serv. Br. A.C. / 4 / Mars / 61," French transit datestamp and "16" decimes due handstamp, Paris receiving backstamp, Extremely Fine. Choice TRANS-ATLANTIC CONFEDERATE USE OF US POSTAGE carried on Cunarder Arabia, which departed New York on February 12 and arrived at Queenstown on February 23. Plantation Collection. $750.

US U27, 3¢ star-die tied neat light MILLEDGEVILLE / Ga. // MAR / 7 [1861] cds on neat entire with patent lines, addressed to E. D. Barrow, Griffin, Ga., nice CSA Use of US Postage.  $180.

France, 40¢ orange (Scott 18) Emperor Napoleon III on colorful incoming Trans-Atlantic outer folded lettersheet (no content) to Confederate New Orleans; posted from Bordeaux, France, on February 24, 1861, tied diamond grids, with backstamp of Paris February 21, 1861, red “Br. Service” framed cancel for British packet service; red manuscript “3” at left is the French credit to the United States of 3-cents. Of the 15-cent convention rate (paid with the two 40-centimes stamps), the United States was entitled to only 3-cents since a British packet carried the letter from England across the Atlantic. Boxed “PD,” received at Boston with red PAID 15 cds on March 11 (Cunard steamer Niagara); addressed in French to “Monsieur Le Consul de France, a New Orleans;” minor opening tears on verso. Count Eugène Méjan was French counsel at New Orleans from 1856 to 1863. He was very pro-Confederate. Lovely and rare inbound Confederate use. $1,000.

 US 26, 3¢ star-die entire tied CHARLESTON / S.C. // APR / 10 / 1861 double circle datestamp, to W. W. Renwick, Maybinton, Newberry, So. Ca. FEWER THAN 5 COVERS REPORTED TO MAYBINTON AS A DESTINATION, Ex Littlejohn and Wayman. Nice CSA Use of US Postage. $150. 

3¢ star-die entire #U27 with patent lines and USPOD watermarks, tied by target with matching SELMA / ALA / 3 PAID // FEB / 22 / 1861] pre-war cds, to C. Coffee, McMinnville, Tennessee via Montgomery, Ala. Confederate Use of U.S. Postage. CCV $250. Ex Daniel C. Warren.  $250.

3¢ star-die entire #U27 with USPOD watermarks, tied by grid and matching BATON ROUGE / La. // MAR / 3 (?) 1861 cds to Messrs. J. T. Hardie & Co., N. Orleans, La. Confederate Use of U.S. Postage. Sealed flap tear and trivial nick at upper right, CCV $300. Ex Daniel C. Warren.  $250.

3¢ star-die entire #U26 with USPOD watermarks, tied by boldly struck grid and matching clear SOCIETY HILL / S.C. // APR / 15 [1861] cds to A. T. Dargan, Esq., Darlington, S.C. Sealed opening flap tear, pencil docketing on verso that letter is from W. H. Evans inquiring about Binnet (sic) charity fund. Confederate Use of U.S. Postage. Ex D.C. Warren. CCV $300. $325.

3¢ star-die entire #U27 with USPOD watermarks, tied by grid and matching SAVANNAH Ga. // MAR / 6 / 1861 cds to S. F. Dickinson, Macon, Ga. Confederate Use of U.S. Postage. Ex D.C. Warren. CCV $200. $225.

3¢ dull red #26 tied by strike of unclear WETUMPKA / ALA // FEB / 15 / 1861 double circle datestamp with second clear strike at right, used on delightful embossed ladies cover to Mr. G. W. Yarborough, Warrington, Florida (misspelled), Confederate Use of U.S. Postage. 1988 CSA certificate. Ex D.C. Warren. CCV $350. $400.

US 3¢ dull red #26 tied RICHMOND / Va. // APR / 8 / 1861 on cover from Albert C. Skaden to his sister Maria Skaden in Stockbridge, NY, mailed nine days before Virginia seceded. Accompanied by nice article by the late Herbert P. McNeal in a 2000 AP about the Skaden correspondence, much of which originated in Florida. $180.

Incoming trans-Atlantic folded letter from London to New Orleans bearing portion of 1d British stamp with barred numeral cancel, ms. “P[er] New York Steamer from Southhampton” to Edwd. Menlove, Esq., New Orleans, La. CSA Use of US postage period. Although President Lincoln ordered a naval blockade against Southern ports on April 19, 1861, the letter, mailed on May 14, 1861, was forwarded by the USPO to the CSA per agreement between the two warring nations before the blockade become effective. Letter extensively deteriorated with adhesive tape repairs to file splits. Ex Kaplan and Fisher. $325.

US U26, 3¢ star-die entire tied NEW-YORK // MAY / 4 / 1861 duplex, to Mess. Carroll Hoy & Co., New Orleans, La., with filing pin-holes at upper left usual to this well-known correspondence, sealed flap tears. CSA Use of US Postage. Ex Fisher. $250.

US 26, 3¢ dull red tied by SAINT LOUIS / MO. // AUG / 2 / 1861 cds on cover to S. C. Treat Esq, Decorah, Iowa; slightly and irregularly reduced at right. Missouri was a border state that sent men, armies, generals and supplies to both sides, had governments representing each side and more. It seceded October 31, 1861, and was admitted to the Confederacy November 28, 1861. While there may be an example of independent state use from Missouri, none is listed in the CSA catalog. Most who want Missouri represented in their Confederate collections do so by with one of the few POW covers from Gratiot Street Prison in Saint Louis, which housed Confederate prisoners. Ex Fisher. $230. 

LETTER headed DECEMBER 21, 1860 from Charleston from C. J. Cudworth to her brother Arthur G. Cudworth in Adams Run, So Ca – hand-carried cover “Politeness of Mr. McGee.” She writes, in part, “I presume you have heard that the State has seceded.” The State officially seceded from the Union the evening previous, after the post office had closed. So, this was actually “POSTED” THE FIRST DAY THE LOCAL POST OFFICE OPENED IN THE NEWLY INDEPENDENT SOUTH CAROLINA. This is the beginning of the period that defines the collecting of Confederate postal history. Ex Karrer and Fisher. Arthur G. Cudworth served as a 2nd Lieut. in Co. I, 27th Regt SC Volunteers. $450. 

US 26, 3¢ dull red cancelled by grid on embossed Valentine cover to Miss Mag Cranford, Columbia, So Ca. with delightful ornate original Valentine enclosure “To Miss Mag” dated “Athens Ga 14th Feb 1861” and opening “O Idol of my dreams!” Top back flap missing and some back-flap adhesions of little consequence, 1980 PF Certificate. Rare Confederate State use of US postage on a Valentine, difficult to find covers and Valentines which truly belong together. A total charmer! $750. 

US 26, 3¢ dull red tied RICHMOND / Va. // APR / 18 / 1861 cds on cover to George Baughman, Box No 4145, New York City, N.Y. -- the first full day as an Independent State. Virginia seceded on April 17 and was admitted to the Confederacy on May 7, a very short time as an independent state, Very Fine, CSA Catalog Value $250. $250.

US 26, 3¢ dull red tied FORT SMITH / ARK // FEB / 12 / 1861 double-circle datestamp on fresh cover to Hon. Howell Cobb, President of the Southern Congress, Montgomery, Ala. Restored along the right side to Very Fine appearance. Arkansas did not secede until May, thus this is a Union use to the South but rare nonetheless and with a great address. Ex Doug Baker. $800.

Arkansas Secession and Howell Cobb information on linked page. Listed in both Independent State-2 and Miscellaneous-1

US 3¢ star-die entire tied NEWNAN / Ga. // MAR / 12 (1861) to James P. Boyce, Greenville, S.C., with contents docketing of H.J. Tangent and Ker Boyce 11th March 1861. Confederate State Use of US Postage. Ex Doug Baker. $180.

James Petigru Boyce and Major Ker Boyce biographical info on linked page.

US 26, 3¢ dull red just tied grid cancel with CHARLESTON / S.C. // FEB / 22 / 1861 double-circle datestamp on small commercially-made cover to Adam Seabury, Hempstead, L.I. N.Y. Slightly reduced at right. Nice CSA Use of US Postage. $110.

U27 3¢ star-die tied with grid with faint matching ATHENS / Ga. CDS at left, addressed to Doct. E.D. Newton, Portsmouth, Va. Care of Capt. Todd, 4th Regiment Ga. Volunteers. CSA Use of U.S. Postage. $90.

Dr. Edwin Dorset Newton who served as Surgeon and Assistant Surgeon in the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia. Biographical info on linked page.

US 26 and 36 with SHREVEPORT / LA Feb 13 (?) double-circle postmark tied grids and March 2, 1861, transit marking, CSA Use with direct French mail rate, narrow tissue-paper thin envelope to Dr. David F. Potter, are Messrs Van der Brock Bros & Co., Paris, France. SCV $1,000 for 36B. $700.

US 26, 3¢ dull red tied neat RICHMOND Va. APR 25, 1861 CDS on cover to Messr. Hibble & Stubbs Cappahosic Glocester (sic) County (Va.) Independent State Use. Virginia was only independent for a short time, from April 17 through May 6, 1861. Ex John Vagnetti. $190.

The Stubbs family traces back to the 1600s in Virginia. Cappahosic was near Gloucester in Gloucester County, Virginia. A ferry was established there early in the 18th century. This Indian district lay between Werowocommoco and Timberneck Creek. Powhatan is said to have offered it to Captain John Smith for “two great guns and a grindstone.” John Stubbs patented the Cappahosic tract in 1652. Between 1702 -1751 (differing sources), he built the historic Cappahosic House with eight unique corner fireplaces.

U.S. 26, 3¢ dull red (tiny UR corner perf fault) tied neat ALEXANDRIA VA APR 17 1861 double-circle datestamp on the FIRST DAY OF VIRGINIA INDEPENDENCE cover with spectacular blue advertising cover of Green’s Mansion House on verso, addressed to Miss Mary F. Kagey, New Market, Shenandoah Co. Virginia. Virginia was only independent for a few short weeks before she joined the Confederacy May 7, 1861. This cover will be featured in my column in the September 2023 issue of the American Stamp Collector & Dealer. $3,000. Listed in both Independent-2 and Advertising

Green’s Mansion House was converted to a Union hospital during the Civil War. Alexandria was captured very early on May 24, 1861, and remained in the Union the remainder of the war. It was the largest hotel in Alexandria; in early November 1861, Green received notice stating he had three days to vacate. On December 1, 1861, Mansion House Hospital was opened as a General Hospital. Parts of nearby buildings were also used as part of the hospital. The facility could hold up to 700 patients, sick and wounded soldiers. In 2016, PBS broadcast a miniseries, Mercy Street, set in the hospital in 1862. Baroness Mary Phinney von Olnhausen (1818–1902) was an American nurse, abolitionist, and diarist who served as a nurse there. She also served as a nurse in the Franco-Prussian War for which she was awarded a Cross of Merit for Women and Girls in 1873 by Kaiser Wilhelm I (similar to an Iron Cross). It was torn down in 1973 due to deterioration and to reveal an unobstructed view of the historic Carlyle House. Mary F. Kagey (1832-1911) had a brother, David Franklin Kagey (1834-1923), who served as a hospital steward with the 25^th Virginia Infantry. Their wartime correspondence is archived at the Library of Virginia.

U.S. 26, 3¢ dull red tied BERRYVILLE Va. MAY 9 1861 CDS on cover to Mr. Jones Esq. Winchester Va. with short letter of same date from George Dunn worriedly inquiring about the status of both his son and daughter; Very Fine SECOND DAY OF VIRGINIA IN THE CONFEDERACY, a period of only 45 days. Berryville is in the Shenandoah Valley near Winchester. $225.

U27, 3¢ star-die entire with neat SAVANNAH Ga APR 29 1861 duplex to Charles Manigault Esq Care of Messrs Middleton & Co. Charleston, South Carolina. Nice CSA Use of US Postage. CCV $200. $120.

U26, 3¢ star-die entire with blue ALBANY Ga MAY 1 1861 CDS to Charles Cannon, Savannah Ga. Slightly reduced at left with small nick out of left edge. CSA Use of US Postage. CCV $200. $60.

US 26, 3¢ dull red tied bold CULPEPER C.H. Va. APR 17 1861 circular datestamp on neat cover to famed nurseryman Franklin Davis Staunton Va. FIRST DAY COVER of VIRGINIA DAY OF SECESSION. Small part of top back flap missing, o/w Very Fine. Said to be only five recorded Virginia secession day covers. Ex John Vagnetti.  $2,200.

US U27, 3¢ star-die tied CULPEPER C.H. Va. MAY  31  1861 cds - THE LAST DAY OF U.S. POSTAGE IN THE CONFEDERACY. Fresh entire addressed to Mrs. Lucetta Y. Bouton, Rochelle, Madison Co[unty] Va. Ex Wulfekuhler, MacBride (his long penciled description on verso), and John Vagnetti. Lynchpin date in any Confederate collection. $500.

US 26, 3¢ dull red used with pen cancel and matching “Hague Va May 11/61” ms. postmark on cover to Wilbur F. Davis Esq, Care Rev. J.H. Davis, Mechum’s River Depot P.O. Albemarle County, Virginia. Docketed at left “1861 Mar & R.B.D.;” Very Fine Confederate Use of US Postage, Ex Thayer and John Vagnetti.  $260.

FREE straightline with RICHMOND, VA., JUN 17, 1863, cds on Confederate States of America, Post Office Department, Official Business, Chief of the [Co]ntract Bureau imprint (CON-06c variety NOT LISTED in CSA catalog on 3¢ envelope) with “CO” of Contract omitted, on US U27, 3¢ star-die, H. St. Geo. Offutt signature, to William B. Stubb, Contractor, Oak Shade, Culpeper Co Va., part of top back flap missing. Ex John Vagnetti. $450.