The NAPEX Sale

Atlanta, Ga., 1861, 2¢ black, bold provisional handstamp on unsealed buff cover to Macon Miss. paying the 2¢ circular rate; tiny edge tear, some minor wrinkles, Very Fine and rare, ex-Emerson, Brooks .

Scott No. 6XU4   ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $2,750.

ONE OF ONLY THREE RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THIS ATLANTA GA. 2¢ PROVISIONAL ENVELOPE.

During the five months after the C.S.A. Post Office assumed control over the southern postal system until the issuance of the Confederate general issue in October, many postmasters printed stamps and made handstamped provisional envelopes. This "Paid 2" stamped envelope was made by the Atlanta Ga. postmaster for sale to patrons while he waited for the new Confederate stamps.

Charleston, S.C., 1861, 5¢ blue, full margins showing some outer framelines, tied by partial "Charleston S.C. Jan 26 1862" cds on local cover addressed to Col. Joseph Abney at the Charleston Hotel, F.-V.F., ex-Karrer .

Scott No. 16X1   ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $1,750.

A RARE USE OF THE CHARLESTON 5¢ BLUE PROVISIONAL ON A DROP COVER OVERPAYING THE 2¢ LOCAL RATE.

This early in the war, such a 3¢ overpayment was still quite significant. The Charleston Postmaster did not issue a 2¢ provisional stamp.

Chattanooga, Tenn., 1861, 5¢ on 2¢ black, orange-buff entire with clearly struck 2¢ provisional handstamp at top right, "Chattanooga Ten. Oct 13 1861" cds and re-rated with matching "Paid 5" circular handstamp to Athens Tenn.; small repairs along top of cover and part of flap replaced, Very Fine appearance, ex-Walcott, Everett, Boshwit .

Scott No. 17XU3   ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $5,000.

THIS IS THE ONLY RECORDED CHATTANOOGA 2¢ PROVISIONAL COVER AND THE BASIS OF THE SCOTT AND CSA CATALOGUE LISTINGS.

The Chattanooga Postmaster prepared this "Paid 2" envelope for drop and printed matter mail prior to the distribution of CSA general issue stamps. The envelopes were prepared using a pre-war undated postmark in which the date slugs were replaced by "Paid" and "2" rate markings.

Memphis, Tenn., 1861, 5¢ red, four clear to large margins, tied by "Memphis Ten. Oct 1861" cds on yellow cover with blue embossed "Mcnutt, Trotter & Bailey, Cotton Factors, Commission & Forwarding Merchants, Memphis, Tenn." cameo corner card to Humboldt Tenn.; reduced at left just into cameo, top left corner mend.

Scott No. 56X2   ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $1,750.

Mobile, Ala., 1861, 2¢ black, ample to large margins on three sides showing part of adjacent stamps at right and bottom, in at left and partly drawn in, tied by "Mobile Ala." double-circle datestamp struck partly off cover used locally, endorsed "Care Wm Marshall" indicates it was privately carried to Mobile and dropped in the mails; slightly reduced at right, light file fold affects stamp, Fine appearance, a rare 2¢ drop-rate use , ex-Seybold .

Scott No. 58X1   ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $6,000.

New Orleans, La., 1861, 2¢ blue, four margins, tied by partial "New Orleans La. Jul 14" cds on 1861 gray wrapper to Charleston S.C.; some small edge flaws, Very Fine; with 2014 P.F. certificate.

Scott No. 62X1   ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  Estimate $5,000 - 7,500.

THE EARLIEST USE OF THE NEW ORLEANS LA. 2¢ PROVISIONAL STAMP, AMERICA'S FIRST GOVERNMENT ISSUED 2¢ DENOMINATED STAMP.

This wrapper contained a newspaper or other printed matter that weighted up to 3 ounces.

Six Confederate cities issued a 2¢ postmasters provisional stamp for drop letters, circulars, pamphlets and newspapers. The U.S. Government did not issue a 2¢ stamp until July 1863.

New Orleans, La., 1861, 5¢ brown, vertical pair, large margins to in, tied by "New Orleans La. Jun 21" cds on blue printed prices current to Charleston S.C.; light file folds through stamps, F.-V.F., ex-H. Green ; with 2000 C.S.A. certificate.

Scott No. 62X3   ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  Estimate $400 - 600.

This prices current did not qualify becuase it was sealed and also included a written note to the addressee. The sender thus paid 10¢ instead of the 2¢ printed circular rate.

New Orleans, La., 1861, 5¢ red brown, margins to touched, rich color, tied by "New Orleans La. 12 Sep" on buff cover locally addressed, pencil receipt docketing "Rec'd 23 Sept 1861"; flap missing and reduced slightly at top, F.-V.F., a rare overpaid drop letter use , ex-Zimmerman ; with 2007 C.S.A. certificate.

Scott No. 62X4   ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  Estimate $400 - 600.

New Orleans, La., 1861, 2¢ black, full strike of " Pd 2 Cts/N.O.P.O. " two-line provisional handstamp and "New Orleans La. Jan 21, 1862" double-circle datestamp on turned buff cover to Pendleton S.C., other use with blue "Pendleton S.C. Jun 4" cds and "Paid 5" rating handstamp to Athens Ga.; small tear, piece replaced on back, opened to show both sides, F.-V.F. and scarce provisional use on a turned cover, ex-MacBride; with 1984 C.S.A. certificate.

Scott No. 62XU3   ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $8,500.

ONE OF ONLY 7 RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THE 2¢ NEW ORLEANS PROVISIONAL ENTIRE, THIS BEING USED ON THE FIRST DAY OF USE.

*Our records of New Orleans 2¢ handstamped provisional entires include the following seven examples:

1. Jan. 21, 1862, circular rate to Rev. T. Lynch, Mebanesville N.C., with printed enclosure from Domestic Missions of the Confederate States, ex Walcott
   
2. Jan. 21, 1862, turned cover to McByrde, Pendleton S.C., inside with Pendleton "Paid 5", ex MacBride, the cover offered here.
   
3. Jan. 21, 1862, usage to Mint Spring Va.
   
4. Jan. 24, 1862, circular rate to J. Shelby & Co., Memphis Tenn., ex Judd, Skinner, Agre
   
5. Feb. 12, 1862, cover to Judge Buchanan in New Orleans.
   
6. Apr. 7, 1862, circular rate to County Court, San Antonio Tex.
   
7. Jun. 22, 1862, inbound cover from Galveston Tex. to Carroll Hoy & Co. in New Orleans, ex Knapp and Hall.*