Lot
2134 
Confederacy, Charleston S.C. to Liverpool via Wilmington and Nassau, cover originating in Charleston S.C. to John Grimball, in care of Fraser Trenholm & Co. in Liverpool, England, left Wilmington, N.C. on the blockade runner Syren on February 25 and arrive in Nassau with light "Bahamas, Mr 1, 1864" transit backstamp applied upon arrival, sent unpaid with blue crayon "1/5 + 7 = 2/" (two shillings due) and "2/-" due rating handstamp, Liverpool (4.3) arrival cds; slight rough opening at top, Very Fine. Estimate $500 - 750.
AN EXCEPTIONALLY RARE OUTBOUND BLOCKADE-RUN COVER.
Lieutenant John Grimball's early career included service on the C.S.S. "Arkansas", an ironclad operating near Vicksburg and reputed to be the most feared ship of the C.S. Navy. The Arkansas ran aground and was burned by the crew. Lt. Grimball was assigned to service abroad on Jan. 6, 1864, and this cover was sent by Grimball's father.
The "Syren" belonged to the Charleston import & Export Company. She made 33 round trips through the blockade, the most of any blockade runner and came through the blockade to Charleston her last time on February 16, 1865, two days before Charleston fell to Union forces. She was tied up in the Ashlet River and set afire when the Feds arrived.
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Realized: $575