Lot 3140
1861, 3¢ rose, vibrant shade, tied by blue circular grid cancel duplexed with "Chicago, Illls. Sep 27" double-circle datestamp on "Let Me Alone, Jeff Davis & Co. 'Seeing the Elephant'" black patriotic design (Walcott 1038) with Wells imprint at left on cover to Camp Butler, Springfield Ill., black "Advertised" straightline; small edge tear at top, Extremely Fine and extremely rare humorous Civil War patriotic design showing Uncle Sam as the elephant lifting Jefferson Davis off the ground with his trunk, ex-Gabriel, Erivan Haub; with 2020 P.F. certificate.Scott No. 65 Estimate $3,000 - 4,000.
During the Civil War, Camp Butler was the second largest military training camp in Illinois, second only to Camp Douglas in Chicago. Camp Butler was located 5½ miles east of Springfield, Ill., planned as a military instruction camp that was later converted into a prison. Shortly after opening, it was quickly pressed into service to house the approximately 2,000 Confederate soldiers who had been taken prisoner at the surrender of Fort Donelson, in Tennessee on February 16, 1862.
Realized: $14,000