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Sale 94: The Fall Sale

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Postmaster's Provisionals

Lots 1964-1972

Lot 1964    

Confederacy, Darlington, S.C., group of 3 stampless "Paid" framed uses comprising "Darlington C.H. S.C., Apr 2" cds and "3" cent rating h.s. (CSA unlisted) on 1861 cover to Sumter; "Darlington C.H., S.C., Apr 16" cds and "5" cent rating h.s. (CSA B) on circa 1862 cover to Grindals Shoals S.C.; and "Darlington S.C., C.H. Nov 12" cds with "10" rating rating h.s. (CSA C) to Centreville Va.; few flaws, F.-V.F. and attractive trio.
Estimate    $300 - 400.

Realized: $700

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Lot 1965    

Confederacy, Darlington, S.C., 1861, 3¢ black, entire with framed "Paid" and "3" handstamps, entered mails with 5¢ blue (7) horizontal pair, large to huge margins all around, small surface flaw, tied by "Darlington C.H., S.C., Aug 16" cds from the C.B. Law correspondence to care of Capt T.T. Warley, Lawar's Battalion, Charleston S.C.; pair lifted and hinged for display, minor wear and soiling, Very Fine and unique; with 2018 C.S.A. certificate.
Scott No. 1AX1    $3,500.

THE ONLY RECORDED DARLINGTON 3¢ PROVISIONAL ENTIRE, A NEW DISCOVERY BY TEAL.

This cover represents an adversity use of a Darlington S.C. "Paid 3" provisional entire that was prepared in advance in early 1861 for use during the Confederate period when the United States rates were still in effect. The "Paid 3" in this instance was never used for its intended purpose. The date and address on this cover indicate the Darlington C.H. militia unit, the Darlington Guards, had been deployed to Morris Island three days before Fort Sumter surrendered to Confederate forces.

Realized: $2,400

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Lot 1966    

Confederacy, Williston S.C., 10¢ brown, mint provisional entire with brown "Paid 10" stampless handstamp (CSA type A) on gray adversity envelope made from printed form; small edge flaws at top right, F.-V.F.; with 2020 C.S.A. certificate.
Estimate    $750 - 1,000.

THE ONLY RECORDED EXAMPLE OF THIS UNLISTED WILLISTON S.C. PROVISIONAL ENTIRE FROM A NEW DISCOVERY.

Realized: $725

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Lot 1967    

Confederacy, Beaufort, S.C., 1861, 5¢ black, lemon provisional entire with "Paid 5" provisional handstamp crossed out and updated with manuscript "Due 5" rating, "Pocotaligo S.C., 17 Nov" cds endorsed from "Lt. Witherspoon, Co. A. 12th Regt. S.C.V." and addressed to his wife at Yorkville S.C.; reduced slightly at right, Very Fine; with 2018 C.S.A. certificate.
Scott No. 150XU1    $3,500.

ONE OF ONLY TWO RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THIS NEW C.S.A. PROVISIONAL ENVELOPE, THE ONLY USED FROM THE POCOTALIGO POST OFFICE.

By November 16, 1861 Lieutenant Witherspoon had moved from Beaufort S.C. to a camp 20 miles north near Pocotaligo S.C. On that date, he mailed this cover and the Pocotaligo Postmaster did not accept the Beaufort "Paid 5" provisional entire as prepaid. In the original letter that no longer accompanies he wrote, "There is no mail on the Savannah [Rail] road on Sundays and hence I can't forward you another letter until Monday." The following lot has another Beaufort "Paid 5" provisional entire that he wrote on Monday Nov. 17th and it was hand delivered without post office marking (someone docketed "November 17, 1861" in pencil). Lt. Witherspoon must have acquired these Beaufort 5¢ Provisional entires two weeks earlier and used them from his camp near Pocotaligo two weeks later.

Harvey Teal acquired the balance of the 117 Witherspoon correspondence envelopes from a direct descendant in 2018. This is the first time this material is being offered at auction.

Realized: $1,600

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Lot 1968    

Confederacy, Beaufort, S.C., 1861, 5¢ black, lemon provisional entire with "Paid 5" provisional handstamp from Lt. Witherspoon, Co. A. 12th Regt. S.C.V. at Pocotaligo S.C. to his wife at Yorkville S.C., hand carried and pencil "November 17th 1861" docketing; knife slit at left; accompanied by "Beaufort S.C. Oct 30, 1861" cds and "Paid 5" rating handstamp correspondence use to his wife at Yorkville S.C., otherwise Very Fine and rare; with 2018 C.S.A. certificate.
Scott No. 150XU1    $3,500.

ONE OF ONLY TWO RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THIS NEW C.S.A. PROVISIONAL ENVELOPE, CONSIDERED UNUSED AS IT DID NOT ENTER THE CONFEDERATE MAIL SYSTEM AT POCOTALIGO.

Apparently, Lt. Witherspoon was at Beaufort S.C. on October 30, 1861 when his mailed the stampless use offered in this lot. Two weeks later by November 16, 1861, Lieutenant Witherspoon had moved from Beaufort S.C. to a camp 20 miles north near Pocotaligo S.C. Lt. Witherspoon must have acquired these Beaufort 5¢ Provisional entires two weeks earlier and used them from his camp near Pocotaligo two weeks later.

Harvey Teal acquired the balance of the 117 Witherspoon correspondence envelopes from a direct descendant in 2018. This is the first time this material is being offered at auction.

Complete images:
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Realized: $1,150

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Lot 1969    

Confederacy, Athens, Ga., 1861, 5¢ purple, large margins all around, cancelled by light strike of grid cancel, matching clear strike of "Athens Ga., Paid, Jan 14" cds on small cover with military address to Lieut. J.D. Witherspoon, Comp. A. 12th Reg S.C. Vol., Pocotaligo Beaufort District, S.C.; cover was folded for filing causing ghost stamp image at center, Very Fine and attractive lady's envelope use.
Scott No. 5X1    $2,250.

This cover was purchased a few years ago from a descendant of Lt. J.D. Witherspoon. The cover was found amongst the correspondence still folded in half. Accompanied by copy of one-page Teal article "The Story of an Athens, Ga. Provisional Stamp 'Reproducing' Itself".

Realized: $850

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Lot 1970    

Confederacy, Memphis, Tenn., 1861, 5¢ red, bottom sheet margin single, tied by "Memphis Ten., Nov 25" cds on orange buff cover to Genl. A. T. Robertson at Bolivar Tenn., original enclosed slave letter reads "Memphis Nov 24th/61, Gen'l A T Robertson, Dr Sir, This is to notify you that after the expiration of Ellen's month for which I have paid you, I shall not want her anymore. Most Respectfully Yours, W.P. Hastings", F.-V.F.
Scott No. 56X2    $2,000.

Realized: $400

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Lot 1971    

Confederacy, Mobile, Ala., 1861, 5¢ blue, margins large to touching, tied by central strike of "Mobile, Ala., Sep 4, 1861" cds on cover to Mississippi; cover with light soiling and enhanced reduction at lower right, stamp with small tear, Fine.
Scott No. 58X2    $2,000.

Realized: $290

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Lot 1972    

Confederacy, Montgomery, Ala., 1861, 5¢ red, neatly struck provisional handstamp on orange cover with "Montgomery Ala., Aug 31, 1861" cds to Greenville S.C.; bit of flap missing, Extremely Fine and choice, ex-Myerson.
Scott No. 59XU1    $1,100.

Realized: $675

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Lots 1964-1972

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