Spartanburg S.C., 5c Black, Ruled Lines (78X1 var). Three clear light blue ruled lines, cut circular with large margins to clear at bottom, uncancelled, "Spartanburg S.C. June 18, 1861" double-circle datestamp with complete date in manuscript, "Paid" straightline on orange-buff cover to "Corpl. Edward J. Dean, 'Spartan Rifles', 5th Palmetto Regt. So. Car. Volunteers, Col. M. Jenkins, Commanding, Richmond Virginia., Care Capt. Jos. Walker", slightly rough opening at top with sealed tears just touching markings

VERY FINE ON-COVER EXAMPLE OF THE SCARCE SPARTANBURG POSTMASTER'S PROVISIONAL ON RULED WHITE PAPER. APPROXIMATELY TWENTY COVERS ARE KNOWN .

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, available at Google Books -- thanks to Vince King for this citation).

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. The stamps are known cut square and cut to shape. As one might imagine, the stamps come on a variety of papers. Two types of "5" markings were used, and one example is known with the denomination omitted. Most of the paper and numeral varieties are listed separately in the C.S.A. and Scott catalogues. However, the ruled paper variety is not listed in Scott (although it was in 1967 when this cover was last certified). It is mentioned in the C.S.A. Catalog as "unconfirmed with conflicting auction descriptions."

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.

Corporal Edward J. Dean and the Dean correspondence were the subjects of an article by the late Daniel M. Gilbert, published in the Confederate Philatelist.

Joseph Walker was enrolled as captain of the Spartan Rifles on April 13, 1861. Micah Jenkins, a resident of Yorkville, South Carolina, was mustered into service as colonel of the 5th South Carolina Volunteer Infantry Regiment in June 1861. He was elected colonel of the Palmetto Sharpshooters Regiment, South Carolina Volunteers, on April 13, 1862, and promoted to brigadier general in July 1862.

Ex Meroni, Lilly and Dr. Brandon. Raymond H. Weill backstamp. With 1967 P.F. certificate as Scott 78X1a, which at the time was the Scott listing for "with blue ruled lines"

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