ADAMS RUN / S.C . // AUG / 12 PAID (no rate) to "Mrs. J.B. Grimball, Spartanburg, So. Carolina", slightly reduced at top with top back flap missing, Very Fine, Ex Zimmerman.

John Berkley Grimball (1800-1892), The Grimballs were prominent planters and owners of Pinebury and Grove plantations near Charleston, SC. Their well-known correspondence is in the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and particularly known to postal historians for blockade-run covers.

"Zeno, SC July 12th [1861] Paid 5" all in manuscript on cover to Williams Mills, NC, slightly reduced at right, Scarce and attractive. Rarity 8 on the SC towns scale.

Zeno, S.C., Nov 15th (1861), manuscript postmark with matching "Pd 5" rate on small embossed ladies cover to Miss Violet A. Sifford, Catawba Springs, small edge tear at top, Very Fine, town is Rarity 8, Ex Wm. A. Fox.

Zeno, S.C., April 17th, manuscript postmark with matching "Paid 10" rate on small buff homemade cover to Killians Mills, N.C., Very Fine, town is Rarity 8.

COLUMBIA / S.C. handstamped PAID 10 bold neat strikes in blue on pale green homemade cover to Greenwood, So. Ca., ms “Charge Key Box 75 CW S.C. R.R. A”, signed Dietz on back with part of top back flap missing. 

CHARLESTON / S.C. // AUG / 19 / 1861 double circle cancel with handstamped PAID 5 in circle, type III, addressed to “J. E. Hagood, Esq, Pickens C.H., S.C.”  Bio of Col. James Earle Hagood accompanies. Fresh, Very Fine.

Green Pond, SC manuscript cancel with matching “Due 10” on small homemade soldier’s cover addressed to "Miss Sue Louisa Reeder, Manning, So. Ca." and “Care W. B. Reeder, Esq.” at lower left with “Soldier’s Letter” endorsement but no name/rank contrary to mandate to do so. Luckily, it is a turned use with a MANNING / SC / SEP / 16 (1862) cds and handstamped PAID10, type I (this alone cats $140 in out of date 1986 New Dietz) addressed to "Mr. William Reeder, Palmetto Guard Artillery, Green Pond, So Ca". The sender endorsed "Care of Capt. Webb”. William Reeder is listed as having served in "A" Co. Wonderful soldier’s turned adversity use with full flaps intact. Ex Sam Zimmerman. $400.

GEORGETOWN / S.C. // JUL / 17 / 1861 cds with matching handstamped PAID 10 to Col. A. P. Calhoun, Richmond, Virginia. A[ndrew].P. Calhoun (1812-1865) was the son of the famous pro-slavery Southern statesman John C. Calhoun, whose portrait appears on the Confederate 1¢ Orange CSA 14 stamp. $200.

SOCIETY HILL / S.C. // JAN // 11 [1862] cds with matching PAID / 5 (ms.) (type A, CV $200) on folded letter to Messrs F&H Fries, Salem, N.C. with a request from C. Coker & Brother to said textile firm for more yardage and enclosed a check for $2,005. The Coker general store was established in 1828 by Caleb Coker, Jr. and Eli Gregg, the latter leaving in 1839. Photo of the store included along with more info. Ex Kathleen Staples. $200.

Information on F&H Fries Cotton and Woolen Mills on linked page.

MANNING S.C. MAR 6 circular datestamp with matching PAID. 10 (CC type A, CV $250) on homemade cover made of thick paper, to Major T.B. Fraser, Sumter, S.C. with clipped letter heading “Manning SC March 5th 1864.” $150.

Thomas Boone Fraser Sr. served in the Confederate Quartermaster’s Department, 9th South Carolina Brigade, Longstreet’s Division, Potomac District of the Army of Northern Virginia. More information on thumbnail-linked page.

BLACK MINGO S.C. JAN  3 cds, beautiful bold strike of this BALLOON postmark with matching PAID (no rate – CSA Catalog Type A, CV $350) on fresh TURNED COVER to Miss Emelia Henning, Darlington C.H., S.C.; inside franked with CSA 11c, 10¢ bluish green tied somewhat blurry DARLINGTON C.H. / S.C. cds, to Miss Eliza Greene, Black Mingo, SC; sealed flap tears. A Beauty! $450.  Listed in SC Stampless-1 and CSA 11 Covers, Section 2

FLORENCE S.C. PAID (CC type A, CV $250), no rate, on homemade cover fashioned from pale blue lined paper, addressed to Gen. W.W. Harllee, Columbia, S.C. Manuscript "Pd. J N MC" at top left. $180.

William Wallace Harllee bio on linked page.

CAMDEN SC DEC (1864) indistinct circular datestamp with matching light PAID 10 in circle that matches CSA Catalog type E; adversity cover fashioned from New York legal form or checks (click to see verso) and addressed to Mrs. Adéle Allston, Extr (executrix) of R.F.W. Allston, Society Hill, S.C. with docketing up left side “Mrs. Kershaw 19 Dec” ad pencil docketing Dec 16, 1864. Maj. Gen. Joseph B. Kershaw was from Camden and the letter was likely from his wife as Kershaw was similar South Carolina elite. $250.

Robert Francis Withers Allston was the 67th governor of South Carolina. Short bio on linked page.

CHARLESTON S.C. APR 24 186- circular datestamp with soldier‘s (due) 10 on fresh cover to Josiah M. Barkley Williamston Anderson Dist(rict) So Ca; with mandated endorsement of M.V. Barkley, Co. D, 18th S.C.V. $110.

CHARLESTON S.C. SEP 17 1861 boldly struck circular datestamp with matching PAID 2 (type C) handstamp on cover to Gen. W.G. de Sausseur, Charleston, light horizontal file fold, Extremely Fine local drop rate cover, rare in such pristine condition, ex Judd.  $1,000.

Wilmot Gibbes de Sausseur bio on linked page.

CHARLESTON S.C. NOV 16 circular datestamp with large bold (due) “2” (type H, CV $3,500 as Penny Post) on local cover to Miss Mary Mahoney No 8 Montague Street Charleston SC with scarce manuscript directive at lower left “Care of Penny Post.”

Charleston Penny Post Service detailed explanation on linked page.

5 Forks July 6, manuscript postmark with matching Paid 10 on TURNED COVER to Robert M. Hamilton, Orr's Rifle Regt. S.C.V., Company D, McGowans Brigade, Richmond Va., turned and sent back to 5 Forks, franked with CSA  12, 10¢ blue(irregular right sheet margin folded over top edge), tied by partial RICHMOND VA cds, Stets & Teal Rarity 9, the listing copy for the CSA Catalog (CV $500). Ex R. Murphy, $500.

Robert M. Hamilton served in Company D, 1st S.C. (Orr’s) Rifles. Brief bio on linked page.

CHARLESTON S.C. JAN 7 (1862), cds with integral “Paid” (2¢), Welch type AN-18 indicates the marking was used in 1860-61 (Calhoun book on Charleston), but this is more likely for the February 1862 Episcopal Convention held in Charleston. On neat UNSEALED CIRCULAR with pencil notation "Convention." Addressed to C.C. Pinckney Jr., at Charleston, son of Pinckney Sr., a U.S. founding father and signer of the Constitution. Pinckney Jr. was an Episcopal priest. Extremely Fine, scarce and lovely use – likely the only one recorded past 1861. Consultation with Rick Calhoun confirms a likely 1862 date. The 1860 and 1861 uses all include the full year date. The Charleston type A-26a also eliminates the year date. Ex Karrer and Murphy. $400.

Cowpen Branch (S.C.) May 30th, with manuscript Paid 10 on TURNED COVER to Mrs. Lucie E. Naudin (or Nandin?), Dalton, Geo., Click here to see inside use: CSA 12-ADa, 10¢ milky blue (4 margins) tied by DALTON, Ga. JUL 10 cds addressed to Miss Emmala T. Reid, Anderson C.H., So. Ca., pencil manuscript 10 Due, flap detached but accompanies cover, otherwise Very Fine, This is the listing cover for the CSA Catalog and THE ONLY KNOWN STAMPLESS EXAMPLE FROM COWPEN BRANCH, S.C. Ex R. Murphy. $280.

Dacusville, S.C. Nov 3 Paid 5 manuscript postmark (CCV $250) on cover to J.E. Hagood, Pickens Court House, PO SC; cover tear at left edge, creases at lower right and light staining. Ex R. Murphy. $130.       

James Earle  Hagood bio on linked page.

Dacusville, S.C. Feb 22 (1863) Paid 10 manuscript postmark (CCV $250) on folded letter to James E. Hagood Esqr., Pickens Court House, S.C., contents docketing on back from John Smith, Dacusville. Letter to Hagood explaining the necessity of proving the age of his son William L. Smith who is in the Confederate service near Pocotaligo. He asks that Hagood sign the enclosed probation and mail it back to him directed to his son at Co. B. Sharp Shooters Care of Capt. Allston, Pocotaligo, S.C. He also enclosed stamps for postage and urged haste. Nice use! Ex Cantey and R. Murphy. $250.  

James Earle Hagood bio on linked page.

Flat Shoals (SC) Jun 5 (1861) Paid 5 manuscript postmark on cover to Francis J. Anderson Esq Glenwood Rockbridge Co Virginia; contents docketing up left end of Wm W. Alexander June 5/61, small flap faults and tear at top. Stets and Teal Rarity 10 – EXTREMELY RARE TOWN, Ex Cantey and R. Murphy. $400.

Francis Thomas Anderson, Sr. bio on linked page.

GEORGETOWN, S.C., APR. 1, bold circular datestamp with day slug inverted, PAID and 2 (type C, CV $500) handstamps on cover to Honbl R.F.W. Allston, Plantersville (SC), manuscript. "O.B." at top right, slight edge wear including small tear at top, otherwise Very Fine, SCARCE 2¢ CIRCULAR RATE, Ex Zimmerman, Cantey and Murphy. $400.

Robert Francis Withers Allston bio on linked page.

Gourdin, S.C. Nov. 11, manuscript postmark on soldier's cover endorsed from J Ward 2d S.C.C. (Second South Carolina Cavalry), to Miss Bettie Floyd Cavins Old Field Post, Spartansburg Dist. S.C., cover a bit edge worn with light staining, a VERY RARE TOWN MARKING not listed in Dietz or Teal & Stets. Gourdin was first listed in the 2012 CSA Catalog (CV $250), the town post office was first established by the Confederates. Ex Murphy. $350.

HAMBURGH S.C. PAID (2) APR 13, red CDS (CSA Catalog type A, CV $1,250) on cover to A.B. Springs, Fort Mills, S.C.paying the 2¢ circular rate for enclosed ornate edge-embossed circular re March 20, 1864, meeting of the Bank of Hamburg, circular printed with colorless embossing, envelope unsealed as mandated for circulars. The postmark spells the town which an H, while the bank circular spells it without the H. Extremely Fine, Ex Littlejohn and Murphy. $950.

Col. Andrew Baxter Springs detailed biography on linked page.

Sparta S.C. Aug 17th 64 manuscript postmark with matching Paid 10 on small cover to Lizzie Tucker, Clinton P.O. Lorence (sic – Laurens Dist. S.C., ms. "in Hast(e) if you pleas(e)," sealed flap tear otherwise Very Fine, QUITE RARE TOWN (Stets & Teal Rarity 9) CCV $250. Ex Murphy. $300.

(Greenville C.H., S.C.) addressed cover endorsed "Politeness of Wm. Pickett" with bold "Due 2" drop rating (CCV $500), with 4-page letter from private Thomas Goodlett to his father with interesting content, in part…"We are under orders to march at a minutes warning. General Longstreet sent a dispatch to General Bonham last night that the Yankees was burning up Alexandria. We can hear them firing cannons at Washington every day." Light cover wear. Two full exhibit pages include full letter transcript – see the linked pages below. Ex Zimmerman and Murphy. LL $675.

Click here to see pages 2-3 of letter.
Click here to see page 4 of letter. 
Click here to see exhibit page.
Click here to see transcript of letter (second exhibit page).

CHARLESTON S.C. JUN 25 1861 cds with matching PAID handstamp (CSA type A, CV 300) and red crayon "15" cent triple rating on cover to W. F. B. Haynesworth, Esq., Sumter S.C., manuscript charge box notation at top left, some top edge wear and flap faults, SCARCE TRIPLE RATE COVER. Charleston did not have a 15¢ rate handstamp. This is the earliest recorded wartime Charleston charge account letter, and THE ONLY PAID 15 example. Ex Karrer and R. Murphy. $250.

MANNING SC AUG 16 circular datestamp, no rate (CSA CV $200), year date determined from “Taxes 1861 Y N Butler” docketing, addressed to Genl. P.H. Nelson, Stateburg S.C.  Cover with piece out at upper left. Ex Cantey and Murphy. $60.

General Patrick Henry Nelson bio on linked page.

MANNING SC APR 30 (1861) circular datestamp with ms. “Paid 3¢” CSA Use of U.S. Postage (CV $300) on cover to Hon. Ex. Gov. J.L. Manning, Charleston, S.C., flap tear. Ex Murphy. $120.

John Lawrence Manning served as the 65th Governor of South Carolina 1852-54. Bio on linked page. 

ABBEVILLE C.H. S.C. OCT 26 circular datestamp with matching PAID 10 (type B, CCV $250) on tiniest of adversity covers measuring 1 ½” x 3 ½” fashioned from partial printed form and slightly reduced at right; addressed to Cha(r)les Holst Esq. Chester Court Ho., South Carolina. Ex Kohn and Murphy. Said to be ONLY 3 RECORDED. Click here to see the other side. $300.

 Charles Ferdinand Holst bio on linked page.