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Sale 104: The Alan Parsons Collection

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Prisoner of War Covers

Lots 2063-2072

Lot 2063    

Confederacy, Elmira Prison, N.Y., orange-buff cover to Petersburg Va. with "Prisoner's Letter, Elmira, N.Y., Examined" examiner's oval handstamp and bearing U.S. 3¢ rose (65), scissors-trimmed perfs at top, tied by "Elmira N.Y. Aug 25, 1864" cds, "Richmond Va. Sep 8" cds also ties 3¢ and matching "10" rate handstamp adjacent for C.S.A. postage due, Very Fine, ex-Hall.
Estimate    $300 - 400.

Realized: $475

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Lot 2064    

Confederacy, Elmira Prison, N.Y., 1864 incoming cover addressed to "Barracks No 3, Ward No 8" with "Prisoner's Letter, Elmira, N.Y., Examined" examiner's oval handstamp, manuscript "Mitchellsville, Ten, Sept 19/64" origin postmark with matching "Paid 3" rating, with magenta "10 cents" notation, "Elmira, N.Y., Oct 4" receipt notation; reduced slightly at right, Very Fine, an interesting incoming letter from the Confederacy with postage paid in cash, ex-Myerson.
Estimate    $150 - 200.

Realized: $525

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Lot 2065    

Confederacy, Elmira Prison, N.Y. - P.O.W. Mail, the correspondence of Sgt. Robert A. Davidson, 5th Cavalry, 63rd N.C. State Troops; three 1864 covers with family letters: the first to Davidson, via Flag of Truce (stamp missing) at Point Lookout Md., Apr 23; other two from Davidson at Elmira, N.Y., Sep 22 and Nov. 4, the former (envelope falling apart) also via Flag of Truce with Richmond c.d.s. and both with oval "Prisoner's Letter/ Examined" handstamps; the last two letters reporting on his health and requesting article of clothing, one suggesting the possibility of a prisoner exchange, letters are Very Fine.
Estimate    $200 - 300.

Ironically, despite reporting in these letters that he was in good health, Davidson would die in prison before the end of the war.

Realized: $475

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Lot 2066    

Confederacy, Elmira Prison, Elmira, N.Y., prisoner cover bearing U.S. 1861, 3¢ rose (65) tied by partial Elmira c.d.s., Nov 4 (1864) to Washington D.C., mostly complete "Prisoner's Letter, Elmira, N.Y., Examined" examiner's oval handstamp; includes original letter from A.B. Covington (21st Regt., S.C. Volunteers) asking a friend to send warm clothing for the winter, F.-V.F.
Estimate    $150 - 200.

Realized: $270

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Lot 2067    

Confederacy, Elmira Prison, N.Y., prisoner of war cover addressed to Spartanburg, S.C., with oval "Prisoner's Letter, Elmira, N.Y., Examined" examiner's handstamp, franked with U.S. 1861, 3¢ rose (65) tied by "Elmira, N.Y., Sep 24, 1864" cds, sent flag of truce via Port Royal and Pocotalico where it entered the C.S.A. mails with 1863, 10¢ blue tied by "Charleston, S.C., Oct 20, 1864" cds, Very Fine, illustrated in S. Walske & S. Trepel Special Mail Routes of the American Civil War (pg 232), ex-Kohn & Walske.
Scott No. 12    Estimate $1,500 - 2,000.

A RARE ELMIRA PRISON COVER SENT VIA PORT ROYAL AND POCOTALIGO AND ENTERING THE MAILS IN CHARLESTON, S.C.

Mail from northern prisons sent to the south normally went via Fortress Monroe and Richmond. Only a very small amount of mail destined for the eastern seaboard states were sent via Fort Royal.

Realized: $950

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Lot 2068    

Confederacy, Elmira Prison, N.Y., cover addressed to Saint Paul, N.C. and endorsed "Via Fortress Monroe By Flag of Truce" at lower left, franked with U.S. 1861, 3¢ rose (65) tied by "Elmira, N.Y., Sep 14, 1864" cds with oval "Prisoner's Letter Examined, Elmira N.Y." examiner's handstamp alongside, entered the C.S.A. mails with 1863, 10¢ blue tied by "Richmond, Va., Sep 27" cds; overall cover soiling and 3¢ stamp with small flaws, Fine appearance, ex-R. Brandon; with 2014 P.F. certificate.
Scott No. 11    Estimate $500 - 750.

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Lot 2069    

Confederacy, Elmira Prison, N.Y., Prisoner-of-War buff cover with "Prisoner's Letter Examined Elmira N.Y." censor handstamp to Cussetta Ga. bearing U.S. 3¢ rose (65) tied by "Elmira, N.Y. Sep 22, 1864" cds for U.S. postage and C.S.A. 20¢ green (13), corner margin single with huge margins at left and bottom, ample to clear other sides, tied by "Richmond Va. Jan" cds, transcript of letter included (original no longer present); soiling and wear including some repaired nicks at bottom where opened, Very Fine appearance; with 2014 P.F. certificate.
Estimate    $3,000 - 4,000.

AN EXTREMELY RARE MIXED-FRANKING PRISONER-OF-WAR COVER WITH THE 20¢ GENERAL ISSUE, ONLY FOUR P.O.W. COVERS ARE RECORDED WITH THE 20¢ STAMP.

We have records of four prisoner-of-war covers with a 20¢ general issue stamp as follows:
1. 1864 Sep. 24, Elmira N.Y. to Cussetta Ga. with US 3¢ #65, CSA 20¢ #13, the cover offered here.
2. 1864 Oct., Camp Asylum, Columbia S.C. to Dennysville Me. with uncanceled CSA 20¢ #13, ex-Walske.
3. 1864 Oct. 21, Elmira N.Y. to Gloucester Va. with US 3¢ #65, CSA 20¢ #13, ex-Kilbourne.
4. 1864 Nov. 5, Delaware City Del. to Augusta Ga. with US 3¢ #65, CSA 20¢ #13, ex-Myerson, Walske.

Realized: $2,800

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Lot 2070    

Confederacy, Elmira Prison, Elmira, N.Y., prisoner cover bearing U.S. 1861, 3¢ rose (65) tied by "Elmira, N.Y., Dec 31, 1865" c.d.s. (year date incorrect - should be 1864) to Washington D.C., complete sharp strike of "Prisoner's Letter, Elmira, N.Y., Examined" examiner's oval handstamp, Very Fine and choice.
Estimate    $200 - 300.

Realized: $260

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Lot 2071    

Confederacy, Elmira Prison, Elmira, N.Y., prisoner cover bearing U.S. 1862, 2¢ black (73) tied by "Elmira, N.Y., Jul 28, 186?" cds with partial oval "Prisoner's Letter, Elmira, N.Y., Examined"; manuscript "Due 1", the "1" changed to "2" for double the 1¢ underpayment; unclear address to the Postmaster at Shoholey, Pa.; small opening tear at top, Very Fine and rare Black Jack POW cover, an unusual short-paid P.O.W. cover franked with the 2¢ Blackjack, ex-Haas, Faust.
Estimate    $500 - 750.

Realized: $800

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Lot 2072    

Confederacy, Elmira Prison, N.Y. cover balance, group of 13 Prisoner-of-War covers, twelve with "Prisoner's Letter, Elmira, N.Y., Examined" oval handstamp and bearing U.S. 3¢ rose (65) franking, one incoming letter from the South; some flaws, F.-V.F. group.
Estimate    $500 - 750.

Realized: $450

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Lots 2063-2072

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