Lot
4388 
Confederacy, 1863, 10¢ blue, "T-E-N", four enormous margins all around, intense shade, tiny scrape at lower right, tied by blue "Richmond Va." dateless circle on cover to New Market Va. with route instructions "Please forward by Mill Way Carrier", pencil "May 10" (1863) date, faint overall toning & slight edge restoration (not mentioned on cert), Extremely Fine appearance, ex-Murphy; with 1997 C.S.A. certificate.Scott No. 9 Estimate $500 - 750.
This unusual route endorsement is found on a limited number of covers to New Market during this timeframe. Its significance in relation to contracted mail routes was confirmed by the late Richard Krieger (Confederate Philatelist Nos. 243-244). This represents a rare instance of a "TEN" usage featuring the Mill Way Carrier designation.
Realized: $525