Mobile, Ala. 2¢ black #58X1, irregularly separated at top corners, tied MOBILE / ALA // OCT / 1 / 1861 double circle datestamp on legal cover addressed locally to Major Thos. A. Hamilton, Asst. Adjt. Genl. 9th Brigade A.M. (Alabama Militia), Mobile with directive “Militia Service” at lower left. Contents docketing along left end “Report of 9th Regt Recd. Oct 1, 1861.” Typical file folds well away from adhesive. Crown census only records 23 covers with the 2¢ Mobile provisional, Ex Matz. SCV $6,000. $1,500. Much more information on linked page.

Nashville, Tenn. 5¢ carmine #61X2, plated by previous owner as position 1 with sheet margin at top, scissor cuts in left margin, tied by bold strike of blue PAID and matching NASHVILLE / Ten. // AUG / 25 / 1861 cds on cover to T. S. Sutterloh, Esq, Fayetteville, North Carolina; missing lower back flap, signed Dietz, Ex Agre and Powell. 1992 CSA certificate, SCV $3,500. $2,500.

Nashville, Tenn. 5¢ violet brown (61X5) horizontal pair tied by usual blue town postmark with matching PAID straightline on cover to Honl Bedford Brown, Locust Hill, Caswell County, NC; cover with expert repairs, Ex Seybold and Powell. SCV $6,000. $2,300.

Honorable Bedford Brown (1795-1870) was a US Congressman.When President Lincoln request troops from NC to serve in the Union Army, Brown, along with most of his colleagues, supported secession. Much more information on linked page.

New Orleans, La. 2¢ blue #62X1 with very large margins including part of adjoining stamps at top and left, tied by 31 Aug town postmark on cover to M. D. Cooper Esq, Columbia, Tenn, light vertical file fold well away from stamp. Very Fine. A choice four-margin example on a circular-rate cover, signed Dietz, Ex Powell. SCV $5,000. $4,500.

Matthew Delamere Cooper of Columbia, Maury County, Tennessee was a wealthy planter and highly successful businessman with a large commission house in New Orleans. Much more information on linked page.

Petersburg, Va. 5¢ red #65X1, position 10, tied by blue PETERSBURG / VA. // 5CTS. / NOV / 30 [1861] integral-rate cds on Peebles, Plummer & Co. grocer and commission merchant's blue cameo corner card cover to Wm. Wyatt, Poplar Mount P.O. Va., stamp with pre-use crease at bottom, SCV $2,500 without premium for the corner card. Ex Powell. A beauty! $2,500.

Listed in both Postmasters’ Provisionals and Advertising Cover sections

Charleston, S.C. 5¢ blue #16X1 tied neat Sept 25, 1861, cds on cover to Henry Summer. Esq, Newberry, S.C. Cover tear across bottom left corner ending in erosion at bottom. SCV $2,500. $950.

Henry Summer was an attorney in Newberry, born into a family of slave-holding planters. Five generations of the Summer family papers (1753-1937) are available in the University of South Carolina.

TULLAHOMA / Ten. 10¢ black #111XU1 handstamped provisional, the EARLIEST OF ONLY TWO RECORDED in the Crown Surveys. Addressed to Duncan A. McDonald, Esq. Eucheeanna, Mushy Bend, Walton County, Florida. Eucheeanna was the first Scottish settlement in territorial Florida,  named in honor of the Euchee Indians. Light vertical file folds. Rare provisional. Ex Bogg and Haub. SCV $6,000. $4,500.

Atlanta, Ga., 1861, 5¢ black (6XU2, CV $1,000), well struck provisional handstamp addressed to Messr. John Shelby & Co., Memphis, Tenn. ATLANTA / Ga. // DEC / 16 / 1861 cds at upper right, Very Fine. $600.

MARIETTA / GA 5¢ black provisional entire #53XU1 used with Marietta Oct 22 [1861] cds on cover to Thomas Nesbitt, Berzelia P.O. with contents docketing from Mrs. M.D. Nesbitt Oct 21, 1861. Interesting scheduling notes / names on back flaps in same hand. Plantation Collection, 2017 CSA certificate, SCV $500. CCV $750. $500.

Dalton, Ga., 10¢ black #20XU2, clear strike of provisional handstamp, Jan. 10 [1862 cds on entire to Mrs. Mary Ann E. Harden, Athens, Georgia., Very Fine, ex Judd, 1987 and 2017 CSA certificates. SCV $1,250. $850.

Mary Ann Elizabeth (Randolph) Harden (1794-1874) was the second wife of Edward Harden (1784-1849), planter and politician; a prominent slave-owning rice plantation owner.

MARIETTA / Geo. 5¢ black (Scott 54X71 /CSA catalog MARGA-E02) used with Oct / 7 double circle postmark on handstamped provisional entire, addressed to Miss S. Claudia Heard, Sand Fort, Russell County, Alabama. Professionally sealed flap tears extending over top edge into rate marking. Very Fine appearance. 2017 CSA Certificate. CCV $750. $350.

Jonesboro, Tenn., 5¢ dark blue provisional entire (Scott 45XU2) EARLIEST RECORDED USE / NEW DISCOVERY. Bears no postmark but is considered postally used, as noted in the CSA catalog. Addressed to Mrs. Ellen R. Middleton, Lexington, Virginia, with pencil docketing “Aug 17th, 1861.” Lot includes photocopy of original letter, which no longer accompanies, from John W. Middleton who was in Company H, 27th Virginia Infantry, On the organization of the Stonewall Brigade, it was assigned with nine other Companies to the 5th Virginia Infantry Regiment. Slightly reduced at left, impression somewhat muddy but unmistakable. Military records list Middleton’s residence as Jonesboro, E. Tenn.; others in the Middleton family lived in Lexington, Va. Much more information on linked page.

Incredibly interesting backstory on this cover which appears in the March 2018 edition of the American Stamp Dealer and Collector. ONLY TEN JONESBORO 5¢ BLUE PROVISIONALS RECORDED IN CROWN, the prior earliest recorded was October 1861. SCV $5,000.  $3,500.

Nashville, Tenn., 5¢ violet brown #61X5 (in at right and bottom), tied by blue NASHVILLE / Ten. // SEP / 22 / 1861 cds on "Morgan & Co., Importers and Dealers in Foreign and Domestic Dry Goods" illustrated building corner card cover to Thomas H. Caldwell, Shelbyville Tenn.; large and detailed depiction of the building at 49 Public Square with horses and wagons on street. Stamp has tiny sealed pre-use tear at lower right and cover with small stain at bottom that could easily be cleaned by a professional. Only four advertising covers are recorded bearing singles of Nashville provisionals, as well as two with pairs. Ex Boshwit, DK Collections, and Schopp; 2012 CSA certificate. SCV for stamp on ordinary cover is $4,250. SPECTACULAR RARITY. $4,750.

Hon. Thomas H. Caldwell was a lawyer by profession. He was attorney general and reporter for the State of Tennessee. More info on linked page. Listed in both Provisionals-2, and Advertising

Petersburg Va., 5¢ red #65X1, position 1 with "PETERSBURC" spelling error, early state with "e" of "Office" still present, top sheet margin, rich color, tied by blue Dec 8 town CDS on fresh cover to Thomas Webb Esq., Cashr (cashier), Hillsboro N.C., accompanying certificate irrelevantly notes a small paper fold in the stamp at right, still Extremely Fine, although unlisted in Scott, this "C" for "G" spelling variety is very scarce and desirable, ex Judd and Dr. Green, 2000 PF certificate. SCV $2,250 as regular issue. $2,000.

Thomas Webb biography on linked page.

Spartanburg S.C., 5c Black #78X1 tied by PAID straightline with SPARTANBURG / S.C. double-circle datestamp and manuscript "June 22" [1861] date on cover to Rev. A. Nettles, Summerville S.C. Extremely fine. One of the finest of the approximately twenty recorded covers. Ex Ferrary, Hind, Hall and Gross. SCV $20,000. $13,000. Spartanburg S.C. takes its name from the "Spartan Rifles," a group of militia soldiers during the Revolutionary War. The name was adopted by Confederate soldiers from Spartanburg during the Civil War. John A. Lee was a prominent merchant who served as postmaster of Spartanburg from 1850 through the end of the war. Residents of Spartanburg remembered him as the "Wartime Postmaster." (John B. O. Landrum, History of Spartanburg County). Postmaster Lee created his provisional stamps by applying the "5" numeral rate marking inside the "Spartanburg S.C." double-circle datestamp on a sheet of paper, which were then either cut to shape or cut square.

Reverend Abraham Nettles (1808-1889) was a Methodist preacher born in Summerville and lived there all his life. He was married with four children. He died of typhoid fever.

Charleston, S.C., 5¢ blue #16X1 (sealed tear at LL) tied by Sep 28 / 1861 double-circle town datestamp on cover with embossed corner card of Hayden & Whilden, 250 King Street, Charleston, SC., to Thomas H. Connors, Friendship P.O., S.C., restored section at top and back flap replaced, Dietz signature on back, Ex Northcutt. SCV $2,250. $600. Listed in both Provisional-2 and CSA 3 Sections

Hayden & Whilden was a mercantile firm. Company history on linked page.

Montgomery, Ala., 10c¢ blue entire #59XU4 cover to Col. Howell Cobb, Yorktown Va., while a colonel of the 16th Georgia Infantry, used with MONTGOMERY / ALA. // OCT / 24 /1861 CDS, reduced slightly reduced at top, Very Fine, ONLY 5 RECORDED IN CROWN SURVEY, SCV $1,250. $975.

Howell Cobb (1815-1868) was a founder of the Confederacy who served as president of the Confederate Provisional Congress (1861-62), as well as a major general of the Confederate army. His personal history is well-known and illustrious. 

Uniontown, Ala., 5¢ green on gray blue #86X3, position 3, even margins mostly clear of ornaments all around, excellent impression on deeply blued paper, tied by Uniontown, Ala. circular datestamp on blue laid-paper cover to Mrs. R. A. Cobbs, care of Rev. J. M. Mitchell, Montgomery, Ala. ONLY 13 ON-COVER EXAMPLES OF THE UNIONTOWN POSTMASTER’S 5-CENT PROVISIONAL ON GRAY BLUE PAPER ARE RECORDED in CROWN CENSUS. Ex Caspary, Hart, Telep, Dr. Maffeo and Sharrer. 1990 P.F. certificate. SCV $15,000. $12,000.

The Cobbs correspondence was found by R. S. Nelson of Birmingham, Alabama. Per reports at the time of the discovery, Mrs. Cobbs had been ill in a Montgomery hospital, and her husband wrote to her from Uniontown “daily, and sometimes twice a day, for some three weeks.” (Crown, p. 344).

Columbus, Ga. 5¢ blue 19XU1 handstamped postmaster’s provisional which were only intended for local use. As this letter was traveling outside of Columbus, a Confederate stamp was affixed and canceled with a town postmark. The letter was addressed to Amos Sawyer, Esq., Berlin, Mass via Norfolk & Flag of Truce. At the exchange point, the Confederate stamp was removed, as required (but often ignored) and it made its way through the U.S. mail with a US 65, 3¢ rose, postmarked OLD POINT COMFORT / VA // JAN / 28. Verso has an offset of the Columbus provisional handstamp, sealed tear at bottom. This cover is a perfect demonstration of how the postal system was supposed to work. $800.

Amos Sawyer, Jr. was the proprietor of the Berlin stage line - much more info on linked page.

Baton Rouge La., 5¢ green & carmine, 11X2 tied by light strike of BATON ROUGE / LA // DEC / 16 / 1861 circular datestamp on cover to New Orleans with part of address cut out and piece put in its place, fresh, scarce, Scott value $5,000. $1,800.

Mobile, Ala., 5¢ blue (58X2) with full margins to just in at top left, rich color, creased by light file fold, tied by MOBILE / ALA. // SEP / 2? /1861 double-circle datestamp on cover to Miss Virginia Carleton, Bashi, Clarke Co(unty) Ala.; slightly reduced at right, edge wear and replaced bottom right corner, ex Przybyl, SCV $1,750. $525.

Nashville, Tenn., 5¢ carmine (61X2) deep rich color affixed over U.S. 3c Pink entire (U35) and tied by blue NASHVILLE / Ten. // SEP / 16 / 1861 circular datestamp with matching PAID handstamp; addressed to K.M. Murchison, Care G.W. Williams & Co., Fayetteville, N.C., Unusual use of the provisional over a U.S. entire, ex Boshwit and Felton, SCV $3,500 on a normal cover. $1,750.

Kenneth McKenzie Murchison served in Co. E, NC 8th Infantry, Co. C, NC 54th Infantry, and Co. F, NC 15th Infantry. More detailed information on thumbnail-linked page.

Charleston S.C., 5¢ Blue 16X1 with huge margins showing outer frame lines all around, rich color, tied by CHARLESTON S.C. DEC 19 1861 dcds on cover to Mrs. Susan Dukes, Rowe's Pump S.C. with EMBOSSED ADVERTISING CORNER CARD FOR REEDER & DESAUSSURE, FACTORS AND COMMISSION MERCHANTS at upper left, Very Fine. Only 14 corner card covers with the Charleston provisional are recorded in the Calhoun census. This cover is postmarked one week after the Great Fire of 1861 decimated 15% of the city; with 1986 CSA certificate. Illustrated in the Calhoun Charleston book on p. 79. Listed in both Provisonal Covers, Section 2 and Advertising Covers. $2,800.

Charleston S.C., 5¢ blue (16X1) with large even margins and framelines almost complete on four sides, tied by bold CHARLESTON S.C. OCT 3, 1861 CDS on advertising cover to J.A. Broady, Greenville S.C.., Hamilton & Smith’s Grocery corner card, pencil docketing, light wrinkles and slight wear, Very Fine, with 1956 P.F. certificate. Ex Ferrary, Kilbourne and Raysor. $2,000. Listed in both Postmasters' Provisionals Covers, Section 2, and Advertising.

New Orleans, La., 5¢ yellow brown Scott 62X5 Scott 62X4 tied bold NEW ORLEANS LA 14 NOV (1861) cds on cover to N. Jefferies Esq Port Gibson Missi with ms. note “Mail” small piece out at front left. $200.

Nashville, Ten., 5¢ carmine 61X2, tied by blue town postmark AUG 13 1861 on cover to E. Cooper Esq, Shelbyville Ten., large professionally sealed tear at left as well as tiny one at upper right; fresh, great looking cover and scarce use. SCV $3,500. $1,500.

Edmund Cooper (1821-1911) was a US Representative from Tennessee. A thorough bio on linked page.

Columbia, S.C. 5¢ blue handstamped provisional entire 18XU1, envelope is a bit war-weary with addressee crossed out, addressed to Charleston So. Ca., SCV $1,500. $250.

Petersburg, Va., 5¢ red (65X1), fresh and bright, tied by blue PETERSBURG, VA. CDS to folded lettersheet datelined Jan. 6, 1862 – a business letter from McIlwaine Sons & Co. addressed to Colle & Co., Hartshorn, N.Ca., light horizontal file crease at top; "Position 4" and dealer "E.N. Sampson" penciled on back, small wax-seal loss, Fine - Very Fine, SCV $2,000.  $1,000.

Charleston S.C. 16X1, 5¢ blue type E with huge margins all around showing three outer frame lines and top sheet margin, tied by perfect bold CHARLESTON S.C. SEP. 23, 1861 circular datestamp on small narrow cover to Miss Alicia Middleton, Flat Rock No Ca. Extremely fine. A choice example of the Charleston provisional. Ex Gehrmann, Emerson and Hall. SCV $1,750. $2,500.

Middleton correspondence info on linked page.

Mobile, Ala. 5¢ blue 58X2 (small faults) tied by Sep 18 1861 town postmark on 2-page folded letter to B. Conley Esq. Montgomery Ala. The handwriting is rather unnatural which is explained in his letter as he has lost the use of his right arm (stroke?) and is thus using his left. I tried it...difficult! Ex Paul Boschung. CCV $1,500. $650.

Columbia, S.C. 5¢ blue handstamped provisional entire 18XU1, envelope is a bit war-weary with addressee crossed out, addressed to Charleston So. Ca., SCV $1,500. $250.

New Orleans, La., 5¢ red brown on bluish 62X4, 2 singles canceled with straightline PAID (right one tied, left with slight abrasion), neat 15 SEP town postmark on fresh cover to David Cleage Esq Cashier Athens Tenn., part of top back flap missing,2000 CSA certificate 03734. SCV $700 for pair on cover. Ex David Burton. $425.

Fredericksburg, Va, 5¢ blue, CSA 26X1, (4 margin including top sheet margin, plated as position 3) Minor faults including small sealed tear at left, tied by usual somewhat weak strike of the town postmark. Addressed to W. R. B. Wyatt, Junction P.O., Hanover Co, Virginia. Listed on page 431 of the Crown Surveys. Cover professionally and lightly cleaned to Very Fine appearance.  Ex Caspary and Hill. SCV $5,000.  $3,000.

Columbia SC 5¢ blue entire 18XU1 with COLUMBIA SC SEP 25 5 cts, addressed to G. J. Sheppard, Longmires Store, Edgefield Dist. S.C., slightly reduced at left, fresh, Very Fine. Crown census shows 21 COVERS RECORDED with no control (normal for this type), SCV $1,500, Ex David Burton. $900.

Memphis Ten. 5¢ red 56X2 (insect erosion, mostly around top right corner) tied town postmark, to W.M. Dantignac Esq Bailey Springs Alabama, Ex Billy Matz and David Burton. William Michael D’Antignac (1806-1861) was president of the Augusta Insurance and Banking Company. SCV $1,750. $750.

Mobile, Ala., 5¢ blue 58X2 tied neat AUG 17 1861 double-circle town cancel on cover to Elra Bland Esq Orrville Dallas Co Ala., flap tears. Click here to see the original letter (image edges clipped because is slightly too large for the scanner bed) to Bland from John J. Walker. Strong dark ink has left some erosion, especially on the file folds, but excellent content concerning the war which the writer feels will be over in a few months. Delusion statements such as “The South will be the most prosperous nation on earth, after she achieves her independence, and that is near at hand.” (not). Ex David Burton, SCV $1,750. $750.

Knoxville, Tenn. 5¢ brick red on grayish laid 47X1 (full margins almost all around), manuscript cancel not tied but used on cover to James A. Coffin Esq Madisonville E. Tenn., slightly reduced at top. Pencil note on back stating this cover was sold by J.C. Morgenthau in 1928 in the collection of Isaac Cook. Also that it was passed as genuine by August Dietz in 1926. CWPAS cert (not included but easily researched) 03441 stating the stamp is genuine but no opinion as to whether it belongs (common when not tied). This is Crown Census item 22. There are at least 4 Knoxville provisionals from the same correspondence and with pen cancels. The vast majority of Knoxville provisionals are pen canceled; some are tied and some not. There are 23 recorded on cover by Crown. Ex Billy Matz and David Burton. SCV $1,900. $1,000

Lynchburg, Va. 5¢ black 52XU1 unused entire with partial black postmark on verso. Addressed to Mrs. E. R. Woodson, Pamplin’s Depot, Virginia. In 2013 CSA Certificate 05838, it notes that stamps were originally affixed to the back to pay the postage and that (a small) part of the upper back flap of the envelope is torn off. Quite scarce. SCV $3,000. Ex David Burton. $1,000.

Charleston, S.C. 5¢ blue 16X1, Calhoun type E, large to ample margins showing outer framelines on three sides, just into frameline at left, tied by CHARLESTON S.C. OCT 18 1861 double-circle datestamp on Charleston Hotel, D. Mixer, Charleston S.C. overall lithographed advertising cover to Col. Montgomery Moses, Sumter So. Ca., W. Eaves N.Y. imprint at bottom and on back flap, sealed tear at top and on back flap from opening, tiny gum spot on stamp, Very Fine. The Calhoun census lists approximately fourteen examples on corner card covers -- some embossed without color. This is the only example identified in the census with an overall advertising design. Great provenance of Ex Edward Knapp, Dr. Ralph Brandon, Clovis (Kenneth Schopp), and David L. Burton. Listed in both Postmaster Provisionals, Section 2, and Advertising, Section 2. $1,250.

Montgomery Moses bio on linked page.

Charleston, S.C. 5¢ blue 16X1, tied by one of two complete strikes of CHARLESTON S.C. OCT 6 1861 double-circle datestamp on J. N. Robson commission merchant's corner card cover to Mess. Phifer York, Concord N.C., minor edge flaws and soiling. The Calhoun census lists approximately fourteen examples on corner card covers, however, many are embossed and do not clearly show the design. 1997 CSA certificate. Ex Clovis (Ken Schopp) and David Burton. Listed in both Postmaster Provisionals, Section 2, and Advertising, Section 2. $550.

Petersburg Va. 5¢ red 65X1 tied blue PETERSBURG Va. 5 cts. DEC 61 town postmark on blue embossed Peebles, Plummer & C. Commission Merchants & Grocers cameo corner card to P.L. Derby, Crimea PO Va. Ex Moody, Emerson, Swap, and David Burton. Listed in both Postmaster Provisionals, Section 2, and Advertising, Section 2. $2,000.