Lot
3129 
Confederacy, Libby Prison, Richmond, Va., immaculate cover with manuscript "By Flag of Truce" and "Prisoner's Letter" notations at top to Norwich, Conn., postmarked "Old Point Comfort, Va. Nov. 14" double circle with "Due 3" straight line handstamp, Very Fine.Estimate $750 - 1,000.
AN OUTSTANDING PRISONER OF WAR POSTAL HISTORY ITEM FOR THE SPECIALIST.
The cover is sent from Lieut. Rockwell to his Mother in Connecticut with original printed enclosure "The Libby Prison Minstrels" playbill showing the lighter side of prison life. The playbill is dated Christmas Eve, "Thursday Evening, December 24th, 1863" and sender appears on playbill for a Violin and Flute Duet. (Lt. Rockwell).
Lot
3130
Confederacy, Libby Prison, Richmond, Va., manuscript notation "Soldiers letter Prisoner of War" and manuscript endorsed by another prisoner "Wm. D.Wilkins Capt U.S.A. & A.A. Genl", bold "Due 3" straightline on cover to Trenton, N.J., additional "Exd HW." (Henry Wirz, later commanding Andersonville Prison), Very Fine, Illustrated on page 92 of "Prisoners' Mail From The American Civil War" by Galen Harrison; signed Brian Green.Estimate $500 - 750.
After the war, Wirz was tried and executed for conspiracy and murder relating to his command of Andersonville; this made him the highest-ranking soldier and only officer of the Confederate Army to be sentenced to death for crimes during their service.
Lot
3131
Confederacy, Libby Prison, Richmond, Va., choice cover with overall illustrated advertising on reverse (musical school), franked with U.S.A. 1¢ blue (63, 2 singles) + 3¢ rose (65) on cover addressed to P.O.W. "Lieut. John T. Meaginnis, Libby House, Richmond, Va.", all tied by target cancels with "Salem, Ct. Jul. 20" cds, manuscript "Exd. F.R.K." examiner's endorsement. stamps with minor perf flaws, Very Fine and attractive, an unusual 5¢ franking which was often confused with the 5¢ ship rate.Estimate $500 - 750.
Cover from Lieut. Meaginnis' wife, Elizabeth, who was a music teacher at Music Vale Seminary and Normal Academy of Music.
Lot
3132
Confederacy, Libby Prison, Richmond, Va., two nearly identical covers from Pvt. Lucian Scott, 1st Vt. Cavalry, one to his brother in New York city, other to his father in Johnson, Vt., each with "(Federal Prisoners letter)" manuscript notation at top, additional manuscript "Exd Mg" (Lt. M.H. Gibbs) censors initials, both with "Due 6" in circle and "Old Point Comfort, Va." double circle postmark's, one dated "Jan. 17", other dated "Jan. 18", Very Fine and a lovely pair.Estimate $400 - 600.
Lot
3133
Confederacy, Libby Prison, Richmond, Va., exceptionally attractive pair of covers from Lt. Frank Spencer, 17th Ohio Inf., addressed to his wife in Wilmington, Ohio, one pencil endorsed "Prisoner's Letter" and with handstamp "Due 3" straight line with "Old Point Comfort, Va Jan 21" double circle postmark; other cover nearly identical with handstamp "Due 6" in circle (his failure to endorsed as "Prisoners Letter" caused a rate for civilian unpaid letter), postmarked "Old Point Comfort, Va. Feb 1" double circle, Very Fine.Estimate $400 - 600.
Lt. Spencer was cited for gallantry at the battle of Chickamauga, where he was captured.
Lot
3134
Confederacy, Libby Prison, Richmond, Va., manuscript notations "Officers Letter Prisoner of War" and "Per Flag of Truce, via Fortress Monroe" on tiny ladies cover to Philadelphia, postmarked "Old Point Comfort, Va. May 10" double circle with complete "Due 3" handstamp, included is original enclosure datelined "Libby Prison, Richmond, Va. April 25, '64", which mentions, mystery that we have not been released and that the weather is getting warm and if we are not released soon certainly some disease will break out among us., Very Fine and choice, Believed to be the smallest known prisoner of war cover, Illustrated on page 94 of "Prisoners' Mail From The American Civil War" by Galen Harrison.Estimate $300 - 400.
Lot
3135
Confederacy, Libby Prison, Richmond, Va., prisoner of war cover with manuscript endorsement "From Capt John F. Porter Jr., 14th N.Y. SC Vols, Prisoner of War Richmond, Va." at top on cover to New York City, bold "Due 3" straight line with Old Point Comfort, Va. Dec. 25 double circle postmark, minor corner wear, still Very Fine.Estimate $300 - 400.
On Jan. 29th, Porter escaped by putting on a Confederate uniform and boldly walking out the door. He was hidden by Elizabeth Van Hew until he could make his way to the Union lines.
Lot
3136
Confederacy, Libby Prison, Richmond, Va., small ladies cover addressed to "C.T. Simpers, Asst. Sgn, 6th Reg. Md. Vols., Libby Prison Richmond Va., Via Fortress Monroe", endorsed "Per Flag of Truce" at lower left, franked with 1861, 3¢ rose (65) tied by "North East, Md. Aug 23" (1863) cds, manuscript "Exd E.N.S." (Edward N. Strong at Fortress Monroe), Very Fine, Seldom seen usage of a small ladies cover to a POW, Illustrated on page 93 "Prisoners' Mail From The American Civil War" by Galen Harrison.Estimate $200 - 300.
Lot
3137
Confederacy, Libby Prison, Richmond, Va., cover with original letter enclosed dated "Libby Prison Richmond, Va. April 22, 1864", cover franked with 1861, 3¢ rose (65, tiny tear) tied by segmented cork on to St. Louis with blue crayon "Chattanooga" routing instruction, postmarked "Old Point Comfort, Va. May 2" (1864) double circle, diagonal cover fold across part of top, Fine.Estimate $200 - 300.
Contents of letter include "I received the box you sent me 10 days ago for which you have my warmest thanks".
Lot
3138
Confederacy, Libby Prison, Richmond, Va., two covers from Asst. Surgeon Josiah L. Brown to his wife, addressed to "Mrs. Mary Brown, Green Spring, Ohio", first is cover from franked with 1861, 3¢ rose (65) tied "Winchester, Va. Apr. 21, 1861" cds prior to his capture, and second cover franked with 1861, 3¢ rose (65) tied by "Old Point Comfort, Va. Jul. 16" double circle with somewhat light but discernable manuscript censor endorsement "Exd T.P.T. Capt, C.S.A." (Capt Turner was Commander at Libby Prison), Very Fine.Estimate $200 - 300.