Lot
4364 
Confederacy, 1861 (May 21) Charleston S.C. to Longport, England, cover with original letter endorsed "To introduce, Thomas M. Horsey Esq.", this Charleston merchant hand-carried most likely on Bremen Bark Gause departing Charleston May 24th to Amsterdam, likely not stopped because she was flying a foreign flag and left within the 15-day grace period for foreign ships to clear blockaded ports, Very Fine, a scarce use during the "Paper Blockade" period. Estimate $400 - 600.
A week after Fort Sumter was fired upon President Lincoln proclaimed a blockade of southern ports. This was a "Paper Blockade" as the U.S. Navy had few assets to enforce it. The first U.S. ship did not arrive off Charleston until May 11th, and it could not cover the four harbor entrances. However, over time their numbers increased and passage became more difficult. Another letter datelined May 21st 1861 to Holland was also carried by Thomas M. Horsey.
Realized: $290
Lot
4365
Confederacy, 1862 (Apr. 16) Charleston S.C. to Portland Me. via New York, light buff cover endorsed "Care Geo W Woodman Esq", entered U.S. mails with "New-York Ship Letter '5' May 19" cds, forwarded to Gorham Me. with U.S. 3¢ rose (65) tied by "Portland Me May 27 1862" cds, there is no sign of censorship, F.-V.F. Estimate $400 - 600.
The letter outlines how such mail was handled in the South: "If you desire to write… use tissue paper & a small light envelope sealed and directed to her and then enclose it in another envelope sealed & directed to me. This may be addressed to my wife at No. 3 Hoyt Street, Brooklyn, who understands the complications of the mode of sending it.".
Lot
4366 ()
Confederacy, 1862 Incoming Blockade Cover to New Orleans La. via Charleston, cover front with "Charleston S.c. Mar 6 186" cds and matching "Steam-Ship" oval handstamp with red crayon "12" due rating; some address erosion, Fine. Estimate $200 - 300.
This letter was carried by "Nelly" from Havana, Cuba to Charleston S.C. "Nelly" left for Havana on Mar. 25th, but she was wrecked trying to re-enter Charleston on May 25th.
Realized: $290
Lot
4367
Confederacy, 1863 (Aug. 18) Inbound Blockade cover from Westminster, England to Charleston, cover with original 1863 enclosure addressed to Major John Mallett at either Charleston or Macon, carried by Fox into Charleston, entered mails with "6" rating handstamp for post of arrival rate, sent to Macon with "Charleston S.C. Sep 28" cds and rate deleted in pencil and re-rated "12" for the beyond port rate, meaning of additional pencil "2" unknown, original; some edge wear, separated three sides, F.-V.F., Walske No. BI-Ch-45. Estimate $1,500 - 2,000.
AN IMPORTANT INBOUND BLOCKADE COVER FROM THE MALLET CORRESPONDENCE WITH SOME INTERESTING CONTENT.
Major John Mallet was the brilliant English chemist appointed by Gorgas to head the Central Laboratory at Macon, Ga. In the autumn of 1861 he enlisted as a private in a troop of Confederate Cavalry, but almost immediately was chosen as aide-de-camp on the staff of General Robert E. Rodes. He was transferred to the artillery in May 1862 and by 1865 became lieutenant colonel and then superintendent of the ordnance laboratories of the Southern States.
Letter from his father reads in part, "…The news from the seat of war during the last three weeks, as we get them from Northern channels, looks gloomy enough, however it is not all to be credited. In any case, with the united heart and head of the South, 'de pepublican non desperandum Estimate" but I think it may be predicted as but too probable, with all its waste and carnage, will be prolonged at least to the term of Lincoln's going out of office draws near, and then it is hoped that the anarchy and dissension will so paralyze the North that peace will somehow come about…". He also describes the difficulty with getting the mails into the South by 1864.
Realized: $1,400
Lot
4368
Confederacy, 1863 (May 12) Outbound Blockade cover from Charleston S.C. to Paris, France, cover with original datelined letter from the Burckmyer correspondence, carried by Britannia from Charleston via Nassau in a closed bag, at London a 1d red was affixed (stamp replaced) and tied by "London JY 10 63" duplex, two-line "Insufficiently / Prepaid" handstamp, Calais (7.11) entry cds and ms. due ratings; tiny edge tear, Fine, a scarce outbound blockade cover. Estimate $500 - 750.
Realized: $1,600
Lot
4369
Confederacy, 1863 Charleston S.C. to New York N.Y. via Nassau, cover from the Wells correspondence to New York, carried by Fannie from Wilmington to Nassau, clear strike of red "Nassau Paid A Ja 6 64" cds and red crayon "4" rating for British packet service to New York, bold black "5" in circle due handstamp; professionally restored, Very Fine appearance, Walske No. BO-Nas-55. Estimate $400 - 600.
Realized: $550
Lot
4370
Confederacy, 1864 Inbound Blockade cover to Savannah Ga. via Charleston, legal size orange cover endorsed "p S.S. 'Fox' " at top left and "Official Business, In Hase" at bottom left, carried by Fox from Nassau to Charleston, entered mails with "Charleston S.C. Nov 5" cds and matching "Steam-Ship" oval and circled "22" rating handstamps, additional pencil "22"; small part of flap missing, F.-V.F., Walske No. BI-Ch-72. C.S.A. Catalog $7,500.
THIS IS THE ONLY RECORDED AND LISTING EXAMPLE OF THE CHARLESTON "22" CENT DOUBLE RATEMARKER.
Realized: $1,900
Lot
4371
Confederacy, 1864 circa Outbound Blockade Cover from Charleston S.C. to New York N.Y., blue adversity cover made from a printed Confederate court house form, this was likely carried on an outbound blockade runner and given to an agent bound for New York at Bermuda or Nassau, entered mails bearing 3¢ rose (65) tied by "New-York Mar 25" cds duplexed with circle of wedges, fresh and Very Fine. Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.
A REMARKABLE OUTBOUND BLOCKADE USAGE TO NEW YORK CITY MADE FROM A CONFEDERATE COURT HOUSE PRINTED FORM.
This cover addressed to Stephen W. Cary is from a known correspondence originating in Charleston S.C.
Realized: $700
Lot
4372
Confederacy, 1864 Inbound and Outbound Burckmyer Correspondence Blockade Covers, two covers with letters comprising Jan. 9th from Paris addressed to C.L. Burckmyer at Charleston S.C., forwarded to England for transmission by blockade runner into Charleston, other Nov. 16th from Greenville S.C. to Mrs. Burckmyer in care of Messrs. Fraser Trenholm & Co. in Liverpool by same means, missing backflap, F.-V.F. Estimate $750 - 1,000.
A SCARCE INBOUND AND OUTBOUND CORRESPONDENCE PAIR OF BLOCKADE COVERS.
These Burckmyer letters show private carriage by agents and are examples of both incoming and outbound mail that successfully evaded the Union blockade.
Realized: $600
Lot
4373
Confederacy, 1864 (Jan. 14) Inbound Blockade cover from England via Wilmington, datelined letter stating it was going via "Nassau on the monthly mails", carried by Fannie from Nassau, Bahamas arriving Feb. 13th, "Wilmington N.C. Feb 12" cds with manuscript "12" cent rating (beneath stamp), forwarded to Greenville S.C. with 10¢ blue (12), four mostly large margins, tied by "Charleston S.C. Feb 15 186" cds; edge nick and tear, F.-V.F., Walske No. BI-Wm-59. Estimate $1,500 - 2,000.
A RARE INBOUND BLOCKADE COVER FORWARDED WITH C.S.A. POSTAGE.