Sale 103: The APS Auction

Lot 1169    

Confederacy, (Adams Express Across-the-Lines) 1861 (Jun. 16) New Orleans La. to Bordeaux, France, blue folded cover with part letter and origin docketing, embossed Rochereau New Orleans corner card to Bordeaux, France, carried north by Adam's Express to New York City, entered mails with U.S. 5¢ brown (30A) and 10¢ green (35), straddle-line margin, minor perf toning, tied by New York foreign mail grid cancels, red "New York 'Paid 12' Jun 25" credit datestamp, carried by Cunard Line Arabia from Boston Jun. 26th to Queenstown arriving Jul. 6th, red "Etats-Unis Serv. Br. Pkt., Calais, 9 Juil. 61" transit datestamp and matching "P.D." in frame, Paris (6.9) and Bordeaux (6.10) backstamps, Very Fine and colorful, ex-Noel, Walske; signed Ashbrook.
Estimate    $3,000 - 4,000.

A CHOICE COVER SENT FROM CONFEDERATE NEW ORLEANS TO FRANCE USING ADAMS EXPRESS TO CROSS THE LINES.

This letter was from Albin Rochereau, a merchant and battalion chief in the French Legion. The Legion was an organization of French citizens in New Orleans who defended the city during the Civil War.

Although Adams Express Company typically put mail into the post office at Louisville, there are examples of mail that was carried by Adams all the way to New York City. This cover does not have express markings since it was carried inside another envelope.

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Lot 1170    

Confederacy, Pioneer Exp., Columbus, Miss., Aug 26, 1865, double-circle datestamp ties 3¢ rose (65) on Whitfield, Billups & Co. Cotton Factors corner card cover to Gen. J.V. Harris, Columbus, Mississippi; small edge tear at left; no backflap, a Very Fine and rare use.
Estimate    $750 - 1,000.

Jeptha Vining Harris (1816-1899) was a Brigadier General (Aug. 1862 - Aug. 1863) and later, after a year in private life, a colonel (Aug. 1864 - 1865) in the Mississippi militia, who fought in conjunction with the Confederate Army in Mississippi during the Civil War. His militia brigade served at Vicksburg, Mississippi during the Siege of Vicksburg. Harris and the brigade were part of the Confederate army surrendered to Union Army forces under then Major General Ulysses S. Grant on July 4, 1863. After being exchanged in July and mustered out in August, 1863, Harris returned to civilian life. On August 26, 1864, Harris was commissioned as a colonel of militia and given command of forces at Macon, Mississippi.

Reference: Daniel Knowles, "The Pioneer Express Company", Civil War Philatelist, Vol. 66 No. 3, 3rd Qtr 2021, pp. 14-27, Census #10.

Realized: $525

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Lot 1171    

Confederacy, Pioneer Express Co., Selma Ala., circular handstamp ties 3¢ rose (65), s.e. on 3¢ pink (U58) entire circa 1865 to College Hill, Ohio, endorsed "Mail at Mobile, 10 Cts Paid" beneath 3¢ rose (65) tied by "Mobile Ala., Jul 31" duplex upon entering U.S. mails; reduced at right, some light staining and small edge tears, Fine and rare use.
Estimate    $750 - 1,000.

Reference: Daniel Knowles, "The Pioneer Express Company", Civil War Philatelist, Vol. 66 No. 3, 3rd Qtr 2021, pp. 14-27, Census #9.

Realized: $550

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Lot 1172    

Confederacy, Pioneer Express Company, Mobile Ala., blue printed corner card on U.S. 3¢ pink (U59) buff entire to Wahalak Station, M & O R.R., Miss.; some soiling, no flap, Very Fine and rare.
Estimate    $750 - 1,000.

ONE OF ONLY TWO RECORDED PIONEER EXPRESS COMPANY ADVERTISING USES.

The Pioneer Express Company was the third most important express company in the Confederate States, behind Adams Express and the Southern Express. The first announcement of services was in the April 12th and Apr. 24th 1862 Times-Picayune (New Orleans). They announced in the Jun. 26th 1862 Mobile Register that it was operating over the Mobile and Ohio Railroad, which operated from Mobile Ala. to Jackson Miss. through Meridian and Corinth Miss. Later they advertised service over all stations on the Alabama and Tennessee Railroad in the Aug. 27th 1862 Mobile Register.

Reference: Daniel Knowles, "The Pioneer Express Company", Civil War Philatelist, Vol. 66 No. 3, 3rd Qtr 2021, pp. 14-27, Census #20.

Realized: $525

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Lot 1173    

Confederacy, Columbia, S.C., 1861, 5¢ blue, seal on back, clear strikes with blue "Columbia S.C., Jul 9" cds on light buff cover with blind embossed "James G. Gibbes & Co." oval corner card to Gainesville, Florida; flap and top edge mends affecting seal on back, Very Fine appearance.
Scott No. 18XU13a    $1,500.

Realized: $300

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Lot 1174    

Confederacy, Nashville, Tenn., 1861, 5¢ brick red, three huge margins, right clear to just shaving frameline, tied by blue "Nashville, Ten., Sep 10, 1861" cds (day inverted), matching "Paid" handstamp adjacent on light buff with military address to Capt. S.R. Bachman, A. Coms. Genl, Cumberland Gap, Tennessee, a Very Fine and attractive use, ex-Antrim.
Scott No. 61X3    $3,500.

A RARE EXAMPLE OF THE NASHVILLE 5¢ PROVISIONAL IN THE BRICK RED SHADE.

Realized: $800

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