Sale 127: The December Sale

Lot 2549    

U.S. Gunboat Currituck, cover addressed to "Surgeon's Steward on Board of the U.S. Gunboat Currituck, Potomac Flotilla, via Washington, D.C.", cover with all-over shaded advertising of N.Y. Clothier and franked with 1861 3¢ rose (65) tied by radial Patent cancel with New York Mar 13 double circle postmark alongside, slightly reduced at left, Very Fine.
Estimate    $150 - 200.

USS "Currituck" was a steamer acquired by the Union Navy for use during the American Civil War. Her duties as a gunboat included river patrols, guard duty, and other duties as assigned.

Assigned to duty with the Potomac Flotilla, "Currituck" spent her entire service in the Chesapeake Bay and tributary waters cooperating with Army movements ashore. She performed guard and picket duty, capturing or destroying Confederate property and engaging Southern land forces frequently.

Realized: $260

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Lot 2550    

U.S.S. Acacia, Off Charleston, S.C., 11-4-64, manuscript notation on cover to Connecticut, franked with 1861 3¢ rose (65) tied by fancy geometric with "New York Nov. 9" double circle postmark, Very Fine.
Estimate    $100 - 150.

USS "Acacia" was a steam-powered tugboat in the service of the United States Navy during the American Civil War, named after the Acacia tree.

The tug served in the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron, spending most of her time near Breach Inlet in the line of Union warships outside Charleston Bar. From time to time during her deployment, she had brushes with blockade runners, occasionally forcing the escaping ships to turn back into port and compelling vessels attempting to enter back out to sea.

Realized: $110

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Lot 2551    

U.S.S. Grand Gulf, W.G. B. Squadron, Off Galveston, May 2nd '65, manuscript endorsement on 1865 cover to Boston franked with 1861 3¢ rose (65) tied in transit by large target cancel & "New York May 14" cds, Very Fine, ex-Walske.
Estimate    $150 - 200.

The "Grand Gulf", a screw steamer, was purchased on September 14th 1863 by the U.S. Navy. October 20th she joined the North Atlantic Blockade Squadron at Wilmington. The Grand Gulf had a long and storied career capturing three different Blockade Runners, the "Banshee", the "Mary Ann" and the "Young Republic". Later in 1865vshe was assigned to the West Gulf Blockade Squadron at Galveston.

Realized: $200

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Lot 2552    

U.S.S. Housatonic, manuscript endorsement at top left on cover to Long Island, N.Y., franked with 1861 3¢ rose, horizontal pair (65, right stamp with corner fault) tied by grid cancels & "New York Nov. 19, 1862" double circle postmarks, Very Fine.
Estimate    $150 - 200.

The "Housatonic" with a complement of 160 men, was commissioned in August of 1862 and assigned to the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron. She operated with the outer Charleston harbor blockade and participated in attacks on Charleston. On February 17, 1864, she was sunk by the "New Ironsides", the first ship to be sunk by a submarine. The writer was one of 21 officers and 129 men rescued by the "Canandaigua" following the sinking of the "Housatonic".

Realized: $130

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Lot 2553    

A Bird's Eye View of the Great Southern Loan., blue humorous design showing eagle flying off with Jeff Davis, on cover to Reading, Mass., with "G.B.D., Oct. 5" two-line postmark (General Banks Division) with matching "Paid" handstamp above, Very Fine, a very rare design; with 2014 P.F. certificate.
Estimate    $400 - 600.

Realized: $400

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Lot 2554    

"Army Rash-Uns.", design showing Union soldiers charging into battle, on cover to Foxboro, Mass., manuscript "J. Buffinton, M.C." congressional free frank with light "Washington D.C., Feb 28, 1864" cds over frank; some light corner wear, Very Fine, a very rare design.
Estimate    $400 - 600.

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Lot 2555    

Ass in Lion's Skin, humorous caricature with verse below and W. Ridenburg imprint at left, on cover to Coxsackie, N.Y. franked with 1857, 3¢ dull red (26) canceled by circle of wedges handstamp, matching "Walton, N.Y., Sep 21" (1861) cds, Very Fine; with 2015 P.F. certificate.
Estimate    $500 - 750.

Realized: $725

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Lot 2556    

Berlin & Jones, patriotic covers unused, group of 5 showing various designs, Extremely Fine, a very pleasant quintet.
Estimate    $150 - 200.




Complete images:
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Realized: $100

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Lot 2557    

Eagle & Shield - "Signal Corps U.S.A.", patriotic design with banner below, on cover to Dayton, Pa. franked with 1861, 3¢ rose (65) tied by indistinct Tennessee cds and target duplex postmark; stamp flaws, F.-V.F.
Estimate    $150 - 200.

Realized: $150

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Lot 2558    

Evacuation of Harper's Ferry, patriotic design showing oxen pulling wagon full of evacuee's, on cover to Schenectady, N.Y. franked with 1861, 3¢ rose (65) tied by "Washington, D.C., Oct 2" cds and quartered cork duplex, Very Fine and choice, Bischel catalog lists this design as rare; with 2021 P.F. certificate. Bischel No. 2003.
Estimate    $500 - 750.

Realized: $750

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