Lot
316 
Confederacy, Salem, N.C., 1861, 5¢ black, perfect strike of "Post Office, Salem, N.C. O.A. Keehln, P.M." circular provisional handstamp with manuscript "Paid 5" C.S.A. rating on 1862 yellow cover with clear strike of "Salem N.C. Jan 18" cds to Hon. R. Puryear at Richmond Va., original enclosed Jan. 18th 1862 letter; missing part of backflap from opening, Extremely Fine and choice, ex-Wishnietsky; with 2014 P.F. certificate. Scott No. 73XU1 Estimate $3,000 - 4,000.
AN OUTSTANDING EXAMPLE OF THE SALEM, NORTH CAROLINA POSTMASTER'S PROVISIONAL IN THE FINEST POSSIBLE CONDITION.
Richard Clauselle Puryear (1801-67) served as a militia colonel and the magistrate of Surry County N.C. before being elected to the North Carolina House of Commons. He was elected to the United States House of Representatives in 1852 serving as a Whig and again in 1854 as a "Know Nothing", before serving in the Provisional Confederate Congress in 1861.