Lot
3045 
Confederacy, 1863, 20¢ green, bottom margin block of 8 with imprint, o.g., clear to ample margins, bold color, flaws including sealed tear in selvage, light creasing and pinhole, Very Fine appearance.Scott No. 13 Estimate $400 - 600.
Lot
3046 
Confederacy, 1863, 20¢ green, horizontal pair, margins large to into left stamp at bottom left, manuscript canceled with matching "Homer, La., Feb 28/65" postmark alongside on turned cover to Paris, Miss., with via Shreveport & Brandon, Miss. routing endorsement at bottom left, inside initially sent to Homer, Miss. franked with 1862, 5¢ blue, Archer & Daly printing, horizontal pair (7) tied by "Nacodoches, Tex." cds; cover flaws including slightly reduced at left with repaired nick at bottom left, F.-V.F.Scott No. 13 Estimate $1,500 - 2,000.
A RARE DOUBLE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI TURNED COVER WITH SECOND USAGE PAYING THE EAST TO WEST EXPRESS RATE.
The Mississippi River and inland waterway routes were essential lifelines within the Confederacy. Early in the war, Federal naval strategy focused on control of the Mississippi, and, by the spring of 1862, key port cities were captured by Federal forces, giving them control of the river. With the Southern states divided between East and West, the Confederate government was forced to devise special measures to maintain transportation and communication along the trans-Mississippi routes. Surreptitious traffic across the river was carried on by private and government couriers, and the post office was authorized to appoint agents to ensure that the mail lines remained open. In April 1863 the Confederate Congress authorized a "preferred mail" across the Mississippi River and established a 50¢ rate per half-ounce. The act was revised to create an "express mail" without a fixed rate of postage, but instead limited to no more than a dollar per half ounce. By October 1863, Postmaster General Reagan secured a contract to have mail carried across the Mississippi at the rate of 40¢ per half ounce. Meridian and Brandon, Mississippi, were chosen as the eastern terminal points. Shreveport and Alexandria, Louisiana, were chosen as the western terminal points.
Lot
3047
Confederacy, 1863, 20¢ green, clear to ample margins, rich deep color, tied by "Charleston, S.C., Oct 3" cds on double rate cover to Columbia, S.C.; cover with even allover toning, otherwise Very Fine.Scott No. 13 Estimate $400 - 600.
Lot
3048
Confederacy, 1863, 20¢ green, clear margins and deep color, tied by "Richmond, Va., Oct 24" cds cover to Weslyan Female College in Staunton, Va.; cover tears and backflap replaced, otherwise Fine to Very Fine; with 1997 C.S.A. certificate.Scott No. 13 Estimate $300 - 400.
Lot
3049
Confederacy, 1863, 20¢ green, clear t mostly large slightly irregular margins, deep color, tied by manuscript cancels in turned cover to captain in Petersburg, Va. in care of Maj. Gen'l Pickett, manuscript "Lloyd's, Va., 3 May" postmark, inside initial use addressed to Lloyds, Va. with blue "University of Va., Apr 26" cds (missing stamp), Very Fine; with 2019 C.S.A. certificate.Scott No. 13 Estimate $300 - 400.
Lot
3050
Confederacy, 1863, 20¢ green, clear to mostly large margins, tied by Goldsborough, N.C. cds on legal size cover to Dundarrach, N.C.; cover lightly cleaned and slightly reduced at right, Very Fine.Scott No. 13 Estimate $300 - 400.
Lot
3051
Confederacy, 1863, 20¢ green, right margin single, tied by "Goldsborough, N.C., Feb 20" cds on legal size cover to postmaster J.M. Wootin in Catherine's Lake, N.C., manuscript "O.B." endorsement at top left; some cover wear an extraneous comp temporary addition, F.-V.F.Scott No. 13 Estimate $300 - 400.