Lot
3156 
Confederacy, Richland Jail, Columbia, S.C. "Earliest Known Usage", prisoner of war cover from Dr. C.C. Gray to Geneva, N.Y., prisoner of war cover from Dr. C.C. Gray to Geneva, N.Y., franked with CSA 1861 5¢ green (1) tied by blue "Columbia, S.C." cds, manuscript endorsement "From Dr. C.C. Gray USA, Prisoner of War, Columbia S.C.", additional endorsed "Prison Letter Maj vHerrmann USA" at top, postmarked "Old Point Comfort, Va. Feb 4" double circle with "Due 3" straight line, Confederate censor's "Exd by WS" (Capt. Wm. Shiver, Jail Commander) pencil marking, adhesive partially torn away (most probably caused by censors attempt to remove), ex-Antrim and pictured in his book, "Civil War Prisons and Their Covers" on pg. 130.Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.
AN IMPORTANT PRISONER OF WAR RARITY WHICH G. HARRISON RECORDS AS THE EARLIEST KNOWN COVER FROM RICHLAND JAIL.
Antrim writes in his book, "From a prisoner in Columbia, S.C. early in the war, January 27, 1862. Only four prisoners' covers are known used with the 5¢ green lithographed stamp. The Yankees tried to tear off the "Rebel" stamp; this was quite often done in the early part of the war." .
Current Opening Bid: $500