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Sale 34: The Westpex Sale - Outstanding Confederate States

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Confederate States: The Ballard Collection: Steamboat, Railroad & Trans-Miss Ex.

Lots 2834-2837

Lot 2834    

Confederacy, Steam Boat. Bold straight line handstamp on "Soldier's Letter" (endorsed in top left corner) cover with Savannah, *Geo*/Sep. 9 (1861) small size cds & red "Due 5" in oval, light vert. fold, Very Fine.
Estimate    $1,000 - 1,500.

A very rare Confederate Steam Boat marking which is listed, but unpriced in the Dietz catalog.
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Realized: $2,100

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Lot 2835    

Confederacy, E.T & G. R.R., R.S. Rushton, Agt/Dalton/Aug. 10, 1861. Bold strike of the East Tennessee & Georgia Railroad Station Agent on cover to Railroad Agent in Sweetwater, sent free as this was Company business from one agent to another, sealed tear at top left, Extremely Fine and rare, a lovely example of this seldom seen marking.
Estimate    $750 - 1,000.

Realized: $725

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Lot 2836    

Confederacy, (Trans-Mississippi) - Army of Tennessee, "Nov. 2, 1863" Date Handstamp. "Chicamauga" Field Cancel tying 1863-64 10¢ blue, block of 4 (small corner nick at top left, right pair with small fault) on Trans-Mississippi cover to Fairfield, Texas with pencil manuscript "Via Meriden, Miss." routing instruction and soldier endorsement at left, cover with small corner repair at bottom right, Very Fine, ex-Solomon; with clean 1982 C.S.A. certificate.
Scott No. 11    Estimate $7,500 - 10,000.

The Mississippi River and inland waterway routes were essential lifelines within the Confederacy. Early in the war, Federal naval strategy focused on control of the Mississippi, and, by the spring of 1862, key port cities were captured by Federal forces, giving them control of the river. With the Southern states divided between East and West, the Confederate government was forced to devise special measures to maintain transportation and communication along the trans-Mississippi routes. Surreptitious traffic across the river was carried on by private and government couriers, and the post office was authorized to appoint agents to ensure that the mail lines remained open. In April 1863 the Confederate Congress authorized a "preferred mail" across the Mississippi River and established a 50¢ rate per half-ounce. The act was revised to create an "express mail" without a fixed rate of postage, but instead limited to no more than a dollar per half ounce. By October 1863, Postmaster General Reagan secured a contract to have mail carried across the Mississippi at the rate of 40¢ per half ounce. Meridian and Brandon, Mississippi, were chosen as the eastern terminal points. Shreveport and Alexandria, Louisiana, were chosen as the western terminal points.

One of the most Important Trans-Mississippi covers in existence! The combination of a block of 4 paying the 40¢ rate tied by the Army of Tennessee Date handstamp on a Trans-Mississippi cover is a unique usage.
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Realized: $6,000

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Lot 2837    

Confederacy, (Trans-Mississippi) - Scarborough, Ga./Jun. 19 (1863). Tying 1863-64 10¢ blue (large even margins, trivial margin stain) on pristine cover addressed to Col. Wm. Wadley, Monroe, La. flap torn, Extremely Fine and choice.
Scott No. 11    Estimate $500 - 750.

A very interesting cover used to Louisiana after the Trans-Mississippi rate was in established, but before it was enforced. The majority of the other covers from the "Wadley" correspondence are 40¢ rate.
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Realized: $1,500

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Lots 2834-2837

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