John McIntosh Kell. Mexican War officer, member of Commodore Perry's 1853 Japan expedition, commander Confederate Navy, first officer of the famed commerce raider Alabama, two covers, first small mourning-bordered cover addressed to "Commander J.M. Kell C.S. Navy, Richmond Virginia" from his wife, 10c Blue, Die B (12) with large to full margins, tied by "Macon Ga." double-circle datestamp, Extremely Fine, second cover with pair 10c Blue, Local (7), tied by "Savannah Ga." circular datestamp and addressed to Mrs. Kell in Macon, probably in the hand of Commander Kell, flap tears but still Very Fine, any mail to or from Kell is scarce, his is an illustrious name in Confederate naval history, his ship, the raider C.S.S. Alabama claimed 65 prizes valued at nearly $6,000,000 -- in 1862 alone 28 were claimed, Alabama was finally sunk by the U.S.S. Kearsarge in 1864, Kell survived the sinking and lived until 1900

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