Lot
4031 
(Hampton Roads Routes 2087 & 1380) Norfolk Va. "Steam", two covers, first circa 1830 showing red "Norfk. Va. Nov 12" cds with matching "Steam" handstamp and red manuscript "37½" cent rating to Fortress Monroe, endorsed "Steam Boat", originated up to 400 miles south of Norfolk and put onto Route 2087 for the 12 mile passage across Hampton Roads; second letter datelined "Richmond Sept. 27th 1836" to Norfolk where red "Steam" handstamp and red manuscript "12½" cent rating for the 117 mile route, carried prior to the awarding of the contract, the addressee Capt. James Drummond was Master of the English Brig Caledonia of 299 tons, a Very Fine pair. Estimate $150 - 200.
(Maryland & Virginia Steamboat Company) A number of routes provided passage between Norfolk and Old Point Comfort (Fort Monroe) from as early as 1830. The Baltimore to Norfolk Route 2087 included the Post Office at Old Point Comfort in its schedule of offices for a three-times a week service at an undisclosed rate of pay.
(William Edloe) William Edloe operated Route 1380 between Richmond and Norfolk from September 1838 but was active prior to that date. He was paid $3,949 a year for a twice weekly service using four horse post coach to Old Point Comfort and then steamboat to Norfolk.
Realized: $80
Lot
4032
Baltimore to Norfolk Civil War Interrupted Route 4149, two patriotic covers, first Massachusetts "The War for the Union" all-over design bearing 3¢ rose (65) tied by "Old Point Comfort, Va, Feb 17" cds circa 1862 to Limerick Me. via Route 4149 to Baltimore, other New York 50th Vol. Regt. with Camp Yorktown Va. 1862 endorsement to Caroline Depot N.Y. bearing 3¢ rose (65) tied by "Old Point Comfort Va. May 5" cds, Very Fine pair. Estimate $300 - 400.
In June 1861, Confederate forces took control of the Norfolk Navy Yards whilst the Union controlled Fort Monroe at Old Point Comfort where Route 4149 terminated. The route was returned to Norfolk after the Yards were abandoned by the Confederates in May 1862.
Realized: $400
Lot
4033
(Civil War Port Royal Va. to New York Route 5780) 1864 (Feb. 8, circa) Port Royal S.C. to Kimberton Pa., red white and blue "United Forever" Magee flag patriotic bearing 3¢ rose (65) tied by target cancel to Kimberton Pa., "Port Royal S.C. Feb 8" cds, carried on Route 5780 to New York, edge flaws including separation and repaired right edge, Fine. Estimate $300 - 400.
In October 1861, the forts and naval yards at Port Royal on the Beaufort River S.C. were captured by the Union and used as a support base for the Atlantic Blockade Squadron. From July 1st 1862, J.J. Wright of New York was contracted for a year to carry the mails on Route 5780 twice a month between Port Royal and New York. Wright was paid the net postage of the letters he carried on the route as compensation.
Lot
4034
(Civil War Port Royal Va. to New York Route 5780) 1863 (Mar. 24) Port Royal S.C. to Newfield Me., blind embossed CSA 11-star and bars flag patriotic (CSA F11-unlisted) design on cover bearing 3¢ rose (65) tied by target cancel, matching "Port Royal S.C. Mar 24 1863" cds; small stain and reduced a bit at right, F.-V.F. Estimate $300 - 400.
A RARE CAPTURED CONFEDERATE PATRIOTIC USE ON THE PORT ROYAL TO NEW YORK ROUTE.
Realized: $190
Lot
4035
(Restored Norfolk-Baltimore Route 4973) 1862 (Jun. 13) Norfolk Va. to Fredonia N.Y., circa 1862 cover with red white and blue patriotic design (Walcott 2412) bearing 3¢ rose (65), natural s.e. at right, tied by blue "Norfolk Va. Jun 13" cds, put onto Route 4973 after the restoration of the route from Norfolk to Baltimore; small edge tear at left, Very Fine. Estimate $150 - 200.
When Confederate forces abandoned Norfolk on May 19th 1862, the Union Acting Postmaster, Stanley G. Trott took control of the post office restoring the Baltimore route. A new contract.
Realized: $280
Lot
4036
(Restored Norfolk-Baltimore Route 4973) 1862 (Oct. 22) Old Point Comfort Va. to North Leverett Mass., red and blue patriotic design showing Gen. Rosecrans portrait on circa 1862 cover to North Leverett Mass. bearing 3¢ rose (65) tied by target cancel and with matching "Old Point Comfort Va Oct 22" cds, put onto Route 4973 after the restoration of the route from Norfolk to Baltimore; reduced slightly at right, Very Fine, ex-Stephen Brown. Estimate $300 - 400.
Realized: $600
Lot
4037
(Route 2451) Chespk. Bay Route, route agent cds on two 1848 covers, first datelined "Old Point Comfort Sunday" with blue Jul. 24th cds and matching "5" rating handstamp to Washington D.C., light stain; other folded cover with blue Oct. 24th cds and matching "10" rating handstamp to New York City, F.-V.F. Towle No. G-20-a Estimate $200 - 300.
When the Maryland & Virginia Steamboat Company failed in September 1841, their steamboats were purchased by the newly incorporated Baltimore Steam Packet Company and the contract for route 1848 was transferred to them. They then gained all subsequent contracts between Norfolk and Baltimore. The route agent at Old Point Comfort used both a "5" and "10" cent due rating handstamps.
Lot
4038
Chesapeake Bay Route Agents on Routes 4973 & 4415, two covers, first bearing 3¢ rose (65) tied by "Balt. & Norflk Jan 14" cds (Towle G-20-C) on orange cover to Philadelphia Pa. carried on route 4973 to Baltimore and transferred to Route 3101 by rail car to Philadelphia; other bearing 3¢ rose (65) cancelled by grid, "Balto. & Norfolk Boat Sep 25" cds (Towle G-20-b) adjacent to Sunbury Pa. carried on Route 4415 to Baltimore, stamp possibly doesn't originate on letter, F.-V.F. Estimate $200 - 300.
Route 4973 was shortened to Old Point Comfort employed a Route Agents cds between 1862 and 1865. A new contract was awarded as Route 4415 commencing July 1st 1866 between Baltimore and Virginia at $18,000 a year for a daily service excluding Sundays. A new route agent cds (Towle G-20-B) was employed on this route.
Realized: $190
Lot
4039
(Chesapeake Bay) Baltimore "Way", blue handstamp on cover bearing 1852, 3¢ dull red, position 99L3, two extra vertical lines outside of left frameline, mostly four margins tied by matching strike of circled "40" cancellation on cover to Baltimore Md., Very Fine, ex-Wagshal; with 1985 P.F. certificate. Estimate $300 - 400.
Realized: $280
Lot
4040
(Old Point Comfort to Baltimore Route 4973) Richland Jail, Columbia S.C., cover with "Old Point Comfort Va. Jan 21" cds and "Due 6" in circle handstamp to Hannover Pa., carried by Route 4973 from Old Point Comfort to Baltimore, manuscript "Examined R.D. Senn Capt. Gd." examiner's marking at left, endorsed "For Flag of Truce" at top, with original letter datelined "Richland Prison, Columbia S.C. Dec. 13, 1863"; cover with few light creases, Fine, Harrison records 39 covers for Richland Jail. Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.
Letter was from Lt. Charles L. Bittinger from Company D of the 76th Pennsylvania Infantry. Bittinger was wounded and captured at Gettysburg and sent to Richland Jail in Columbia, S.C. He mentions, "Our Gov. has sent to that to that place some ten thousand suits, for the clothing of our destitute soldiers in confinement there. We have heard that the Rev. H. Clay Trumbull, Champlain of the 10th Conn. Regt. has reached his home in Hartford, Conn.; and that the letters we entrusted to his care have been forwarded by him to their respective destinations… Do not forget to enclose a dime for postage through the Confederacy…".
Realized: $850