Sale 1139 — U.S. Treasures of Philately from The Irwin Weinberg Inventory
Sale Date — Wednesday, 9 November, 2016
Category — Confederate States
Jefferson Davis. Free frank "Jeffers. Davis, Sec. of War" as Secretary of War on legal-size cover to Rev. J. W. French at West Point N.Y., neat "Washington Cy. D.C. Dec. 22" circular datestamp, accompanied by 18-page letter from recipient and small booklets made by French, and by copy of Davis's reply, some edgewear, still Very Fine
Atlanta Ga., 10c on 5c Black entire (6XU2a). Boldly struck provisional handstamp and "Atlanta Ga. Jul. 18, 1861" circular datestamp on yellowish-buff cover to Confederate Vice President Alexander H. Stephens in Richmond Va., Atlanta & West Point Railroad Co. embossed cameo design with locomotive on backflap, flap is removed as usual for Stephens covers but the central portion with the design is preserved and neatly hinged over the frontEXTREMELY FINE. A SPECTACULAR USE OF THE ATLANTA 10-CENT ON 5-CENT HANDSTAMPED PROVISIONAL ON A RAILROAD CAMEO DESIGN COVER. BEAUTIFUL IN EVERY RESPECT.
The docketing on back indicates the letter was from Richard Owens, Atlanta, July 18, soliciting the influence of Mr. Stephens to have the writer receive a military appointment. Only four examples of the 10c on 5c revalued Atlanta provisional are recorded in the Crown Survey.
Ex Muzzy and Dr. Brandon
Baton Rouge La., 5c Green & Carmine, Maltese Cross Border (11X2). Position 6, Type B, full to large margins all around, tied by "Baton Rouge La. Sep. 16, 1861" circular datestamp, second strike to right on brown cover to Capt. H. M. Favrot, Delta Rifles, Ocean Springs Miss., some edgewear and sealed backflap tear, very fresh stampVERY FINE. AN ATTRACTIVE COVER WITH A FOUR-MARGIN EXAMPLE OF THE BATON ROUGE 5-CENT PROVISIONAL WITH MALTESE CROSS BORDER.
The addressee, Capt. Henry M. Favrot, was born in West Baton Rouge parish in 1826 and died there in 1887. He served as a member of the Louisiana legislature in the 1850's and was opposed to secession. However, with the outbreak of the Civil War he joined the Confederate Army and became captain of the "Delta Rifles," 4th Louisiana Infantry, and served throughout the entire war. Capt. Favrot participated in the Battle of Shiloh, was stricken with typhoid fever at Corinth and later returned to New Orleans. After his recovery he was sent to northern Virginia with rank of colonel to gather all the records of the Army of Northern Virginia. He remained on active duty until the close of the war, when he returned home on mule-back, bringing with him the army records he was sent to compile.
Ex Dr. Brandon
Bluffton S.C., 5c Black entire (124XU1). Clear strike of provisional handstamp with "Bluffton S.C. Oct. 8" (1861) circular datestamp on yellow cover to Col. E. M. Seabrook in Charleston S.C., manuscript "To the care of George Bryan" at bottom, cover tears into both handstampsVERY FINE APPEARANCE. THIS IS THE UNIQUE EXAMPLE OF THE BLUFFTON S.C. POSTMASTER'S PROVISIONAL ENTIRE.
The Crown survey, C.S.A. and Scott catalogs all state that this is the only recorded example of the Bluffton Postmaster's Provisional.
Ex Mueller, Bogg and Dr. Brandon. Accompanied by a handstamped "Paid" rebacked cover front from Bluffton to Charleston dated Nov. 2 with "5" rate handstamp. Both covers with 1995 C.S.A. certificates
Chapel Hill N.C., 5c Black entire (15XU1). Bold strikes of provisional handstamp, "Paid" and "Chapel-Hill N.C. Nov. 4" (1861) circular datestamp on buff cover to Hillsborough N.C., with original enclosure, slightly reduced at topVERY FINE. ONLY SIX EXAMPLES OF THE CHAPEL HILL POSTMASTER'S 5-CENT PROVISIONAL ENTIRE ARE RECORDED -- A MUCH UNDERRATED RARITY.
Our records contain only six examples of Scott 15XU1, including three on patriotic covers.
Ex Dr. Howard Green and Dr. Brandon
Charleston S.C., 5c Blue on Orange entire (16XU3). "Charleston S.C. Sep. 5, 1861" double-circle datestamp, addressed to Camden S.C., half of bottom flap removed, tiny erosion holes in address, still Very Fine, ex Dr. Brandon
Columbia S.C., 5c Blue entire (18XU1). Clear strike on small buff cover to Charleston S.C., used in combination with 5c Green, Stone 1-2 (1), full margins to barely touched, tied by blue "Columbia S.C. 1 Jan." (1862) circular datestamp, some restoration at lower and top right corners just outside the provisional handstamp, sealed flap tear, staining removed from bottomVERY FINE APPEARANCE. ONE OF THREE RECORDED COVERS WITH CONJUNCTIVE USE OF A COLUMBIA S.C. PROVISIONAL ENTIRE AND A GENERAL ISSUE STAMP.
Another cover from a different correspondence, dated Jan. 4, 1862, exists with the 5c Green Lithograph used in combination with the provisional oval. While an argument can be made that the adhesive paid the entire postage (accompanying C.S.A. certificate states this is the case) they could also have been uprated for weight, prior to the 1862 rate change. A third combination cover, offered in our Sale 810, shows a combination of the provisional and 5c Richmond Local Print to make the new 10c rate. A fourth cover exists with the 5c Green Lithograph affixed over the provisional handstamp -- more clearly a 5c rate, using an old provisional entire. In addition to the three mentioned above, we record only six other conjunctive uses of a Confederate provisional and adhesive on cover.
Illustrated in Crown Survey on p. 80. Ex. Dr. Brandon. With 2009 C.S.A. certificate stating the opinion that it is not a conjunctive use
Columbia S.C., 5c Blue entire, Seal on Front (18XU4). Clear strike of oval provisional seal at upper right corner of orange-buff cover, provisional overstruck by “5” numeral handstamp and "Paid" in circle, “Columbia S.C. 5 cts. 10 Aug. 28” pre-war integral-rate circular datestamp, all markings in blue, addressed to "Mr. Robert Beaty, Santuc, Sou. R.Rd., S.C.," missing backflap and slightly reduced at topVERY FINE AND RARE. ONLY EIGHT EXAMPLES OF THE COLUMBIA S.C. 5-CENT PROVISIONAL ENVELOPE WITH THE OVAL SEAL STRUCK ON FRONT ARE RECORDED.
Harry L. McDowell records eight Columbia provisional entires with the oval seal struck on front and not on the flaps, all dated in August and September 1861 with the pre-war integral-rate datestamp. The oval and "5" were applied to the empty envelope (provisional), and the Columbia circular datestamp and “Paid" were applied after mailing.
Ex Hessel and Dr. Brandon
Dalton Ga., 5c Black Entire (20XU1). Clear strike with Apr. 17, 1862 circular datestamp on adversity cover made from bank checks with tiny illustration of dog's head, to Rural Hall, N.C., age speckles, still Very Fine and attractive use, ex Dr. Brandon
Danville Va., 5c Black entire (21XU var). Clear strike of "Southern Confederacy Paid 5 Cents" handstamp with type set in 19.5 mm circle of ornaments, light strike of "Danville Va. Aug. 23" (1861) circular datestamp, "Paid" straightline with manuscript "5", "WBP" initials for Postmaster William B. Payne, addressed to Henry C.H. Va., docketed "Jones & Clarke, 24 August 1861" at topVERY FINE. THIS IS THE ONLY RECORDED EXAMPLE OF THE DANVILLE "SOUTHERN CONFEDERACY PAID 5 CENTS" CIRCULAR HANDSTAMP POSTMASTER'S PROVISIONAL. AN OUTSTANDING RARITY.
Ex Caspary and Dr. Brandon. With 2014 P.F. certificate. Unlisted in Scott, but listed in C.S.A. Catalog
Danville Va., 5c Black on Yellow entire (21XU1 var). Press-printed illustrated design on right side of envelope with Flippen, Redd & Co. Tobacco Manufacturers, Danville Va. corner card, addressed to Mrs. Jno. H. Redd in Talcott (West) Virginia, docketing at left erased but "1861" still visible, no other postmarks, backflap tears from openingVERY FINE. A RARE EXAMPLE OF THE DANVILLE TYPOGRAPHED POSTMASTER'S PROVISIONAL ON YELLOW ENTIRE.
The Danville post office issued provisional adhesive and press-printed envelopes in close proximity. William D. Coleman, editor of the Democratic Appeal newspaper, had been Danville's postmaster from September 14, 1860, to March 12, 1861. William B. Payne was appointed by the U.S. Post Office on March 12, 1861, but he served a very short term (Richard L. Calhoun, The Confederate Postmaster Provisionals of Virginia). Coleman enlisted in the army, but served only a few months before he was asked to replace Payne as Danville's Confederate postmaster. Coleman was officially appointed on August 2, 1861, but his recollection was that he took over in October 1861 (Crown book, pages 85-87).
The press-printed provisional envelopes bear Payne's name, and the adhesive bears Coleman's name. Coleman stated that his stamps were printed at the offices of the Democratic Appeal. Philatelic authors have reported that the envelopes were also printed at the newspaper offices, but no proof of that claim has been offered. Postmaster Payne also sold handstamped envelopes with his initials.
The Danville press-printed envelopes are among the most unusual of all Postmasters' Provisionals. A stock typographic engraving was used with loose type set inside the blank oval. The illustration depicts a shoe fitting for an Antebellum lady. She is seated, while another woman kneels before her with shoe in hand, and a gentleman stands over her, also holding a shoe. It is reported that this engraving was used in advertisements for ladies' shoes and boots. Another unusual feature of this provisional is the use of the slogan "Southern Confederacy" in addition to the post office and postmaster names, and the denomination. The word "Southern" is set in either a nearly straight line or slightly curved line.
The envelopes were printed with two different denominations: the 5c in Black, and the 10c in Red. The 5c envelopes properly used as provisionals are datestamped in July, August and early September. None of the 10c press-printed envelopes has been found properly used in that period. Both the 5c and 10c envelopes are found with later dates, sometimes with General Issue stamps affixed for postage (or removed), but these envelopes were used as stationery and not as provisional postage.
The Calhoun census lists 24 envelopes, but nearly half are not proper provisional uses (either lacking a Danville postmark or used with adhesive postage). While this cover lacks the postmark, the docketing clearly indicates an 1861 use and there is no indication that a General Issue stamp has been removed. The classification of envelope colors, including Buff versus Amber, is also questionable. We think it is quite probable that all of the other genuine July-September envelopes are more or less the same shade of Dark Buff (21XU3). While clearly not Buff, this envelope is closer to Lemon than Amber (which is listed as 21XU2 in Scott, but questioned by the editors in a footnote). We classify it here as Yellow (21XU1 var). It is the same shade as another example we offered, mailed in 1862 with a General Issue stamp applied to pay the postage (Siegel Sale 787, lot 3212).
Ex Dr. Brandon. With 2014 P.F. certificate
Danville Va., 10c Black entire (21XU4). Bold strikes of provisional handstamps at right, "Danville Va. Jan. 12" (1862) circular datestamp on homemade cover to Hugh Hamilton in Union Mills Va., some minor staining and backflap tear, otherwise Very Fine and extremely rare, the Calhoun census records only three examples (one with a General Issue stamp), only two are recorded in Crown which illustrates this example on p. 420, the other example in Crown has the provisional handstamp struck partly off the cover, ex Mueller and Dr. Brandon
Demopolis Ala., 5c Black entire, "Jno. Y. Hall" (22XU1). Clear strikes of "Paid" and "5" in circle provisional handstamps with postmaster's signature, bold "Demopolis Ala. Jan. 28" (1862) circular datestamp on entire to Cadet James Whitfield in Tuscaloosa Ala., backflap tears including one that extends just into postmaster signature on front, light toningVERY FINE APPEARANCE. ONE OF FOUR RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THE DEMOPOLIS, ALABAMA, POSTMASTER'S PROVISIONAL ENTIRE OF ANY VARIETY. THIS IS THE ONLY EXAMPLE WITH THE "JNO. Y. HALL" SIGNATURE (SCOTT 22XU1).
The complete story of the discovery of the three Demopolis entires is told in the Crown book (p. 94). Three entires were discovered in 1899 by Robert S. Nelson among Dr. Whitfield's papers. Two have the handstamped "5" marking and the postmaster's signature "J. Y. Hall" (Scott 22XU2). One is ex Ferrary, Knapp and Hall (Siegel Sale 823, lot 403, Hall purchased from Knapp in 1925). The other is ex Ferrary, Knapp, Hall and Dr. Agre (Siegel Sale 850, lot 5692). The third has the "Jno. Y. Hall" spelling and is the example offered here. A fourth entire was later discovered (pictured in Crown, p. 665) and listed in Scott as 22XU3; it is a third variety with "5 cts" in manuscript and signed "J. Y. Hall".
Ex Walcott and Dr. Brandon. Pictured in Crown on p. 95
Georgetown S.C., 5c Black entire (28XU2). Clear strikes of "PAID" straightline and "5" handstamps with control mark on back as usual, "Georgetown S.C. Jul. 20, 1861" circular datestamp on narrow cover to Scuppernong N.C., couple minor toned spots and sides of backflap removed, still Very Fine and much rarer than the Georgetown "Paid 5" in circle (28XU1), the Crown Survey contains no examples of this type nor does Power Search, our Levi records contain only two others, ex Matz and Dr. Brandon
Greensboro Ala., 10c on 5c Black entire (31XU4). Provisional handstamp with “Greensboro” spelling and “Ala.” upper/lower case in a single circle, “Paid 5” boldly overstruck by “10” handstamp, “Greensborough Ala. Dec. 18” (1861) circular datestamp on cover to Vice President Stephens in Richmond Va., summary on back states letter related to sender Jabez Curry’s views on the present state of the country and Confederate policy, backflap removed as usual, small tear at top and top right corner mended slightly into the provisional handstampVERY FINE APPEARANCE. THIS IS THE UNIQUE EXAMPLE OF THE GREENSBORO 10-CENT ON 5-CENT BLACK PROVISIONAL.
Illustrated in Crown on p. 678, in Confederate Bulletin (Feb. 1951) and the listing illustration in Scott. Ex Kimmel and Dr. Brandon
Laurens Court House S.C., 5c Black entire (116XU1). Clear strikes of framed "Paid", and "5" handstamps, "Laurens C.H. S.C." control handstamp on backflap, bold "Laurens C.H. S.C. Jul. 4" (1861) circular datestamp on yellow cover to Cassville Ga., minor wearVERY FINE. THIS IS ONE OF ONLY TWO RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THE LAURENS COURT HOUSE 5-CENT POSTMASTER'S PROVISIONAL WITH THE FRAMED "PAID", SCOTT 116XU1.
The Federal and re-appointed Confederate postmaster at Laurens C.H. was Edward Anderson. Only a small number of his provisional covers are known and this is one of only two examples recorded with the framed "Paid".
Ex Judd and Dr. Brandon. Illustrated in Crown on p. 671. With 1975 C.S.A. certificate
New Orleans La., 5c Brown on White (62X3). Position 6, full to huge margins with sheet margin at top with inverted "New Orlea(ns)" part imprint, tied by light "New Orleans La. 15 Nov." (1861) circular datestamp on small pieceEXTREMELY FINE. THIS IS THE UNIQUE EXAMPLE OF A NEW ORLEANS POSTMASTER'S PROVISIONAL STAMP WITH THE INVERTED IMPRINT.
Ex Brown, Knapp, Caspary, Skinner and Cunliffe
Petersburg Va., 5c Deep Red (65X1). Two singles, Positions 1 and 4, left stamp with enormous top left corner margins, ample to full other sides, right stamp with large top sheet margin, ample to clear other sides, tied by blue "Petersburg Va. Sep. 24" (1861) circular datestamp on yellow cover to New Orleans with "P. H. Booth Commission Merchant" red embossed cameo corner card, Carroll, Hoy & Co. correspondence, some slight gum staining and the typical filing holes found on covers from this correspondenceVERY FINE. THIS IS THE FINER OF ONLY TWO SEPTEMBER 24, 1861, EARLIEST RECORDED USES OF THE PETERSBURG 5-CENT POSTMASTER'S PROVISIONAL. A BEAUTIFUL CORNER CARD COVER.
The census compiled by Richard L. Calhoun in The Confederate Postmaster Provisionals of Virginia records two September 24, 1861 covers, which are the earliest known uses. The other is addressed to Jackson Miss. and bears a single stamp. This cover is in far better condition.
Ex Caspary and Dr. Brandon
Ringgold Ga., 5c Blue Black entire (71XU1). Clear strike of triple-ring provisional handstamp with "Ringgold Geo. Aug. 15" (1861) circular datestamp on buff cover to Augusta Ga., with original enclosure datelined Aug. 14th, 1861, mended erosion spots and some waterstainingFINE APPEARING EXAMPLE OF THE RARE RINGGOLD, GEORGIA, PROVISIONAL ENTIRE. ONLY FIVE OR SIX ARE KNOWN.
The Crown survey and our own records of the Ringgold provisional contain five full entires, one of which is a late use with 5c Local Prints paying postage. A piece is also recorded and there may be a sixth entire.
Ex Meroni, Kimmel and Dr. Brandon. Illustrated in Crown Survey on p. 313
5c Green, Stone 1 (1). Positions 22-26/32-36/42-46, block of fifteen with bottom sheet margin, unused (no gum), large margins to ample, few faults including toning and light creases, a scarce large block of the first Confederate Issue, Scott Retail as two blocks of four, three pairs and one single