Mobile Ala., 5c Blue (58X2). Large margins, tied by "Mobile Ala. Aug. 12, 1861" double-circle datestamp on cover to "Hon. E. Y. Fair, Montgomery Ala." with addressee's docketing "Brussels 12 July", back of cover has black wax seal with "MWF" initials of Mrs. Wyatt Fair, General Elisha Fair's wife, also on back is manuscript "Recd. & forwarded by H. V. H. Voorhies, Consul, 12 Augt. 1861" and large "Consulate Belgique a Mobile" handstamp with coat of arms, expertly repaired with piece added at top left and staining removed from back (not affecting stamp or markings)

AN IMPORTANT POSTAL HISTORY ARTIFACT. THE ONLY RECORDED EXAMPLE OF THE MOBILE POSTMASTER'S PROVISIONAL ON A COVER ORIGINATING IN EUROPE. THIS WAS SENT FROM BRUSSELS TO WASHINGTON D.C., THEN CARRIED BY DIPLOMATIC POUCH ON A UNITED STATES NAVY VESSEL TO THE BELGIAN CONSUL AT MOBILE, WHO MAILED IT TO GENERAL ELISHA Y. FAIR IN MONTGOMERY.

This cover originated in Brussels, Belgium, on July 12, 1861. It was sent by Mrs. Wyatt Fair to her husband, Gen. Elisha Y. Fair, who was former U.S. Minister to Belgium and left Brussels in late June 1861 to join the Southern cause. Mrs. Fair was unable to return to her native land until June 1862, due to the Federal blockade of Southern ports. This cover and the New Orleans provisional cover offered in lot 753 surfaced in 1999 and provide heretofore unreported examples of mail brought into the Confederacy through diplomatic channels. If this was sent by regular transatlantic steamer, then it was carried on the Cunarder Arabia, departing Queenstown July 14, 1861, arriving Boston July 25.

Ex Walske

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