Lot
1651 
Union Soldier's Letter, from John C. Cleveland datelined "Camp near Teneytown (D.C.), April 4th 1863", an underage 16 year old Canadian national in the 138th New York, who enlisted with 2 friends from Onondaga, NY; the cover itself is a very rare Home Made Hand-Painted Water Color Anti-War Propaganda Patriotic Protesting Conscription; transcription accompanies, F.-V.F. Estimate $1,500 - 2,000.
The cover has been featured in several philatelic publications including Milgram's Abraham Lincoln Illustrated Envelopes and David L. Jarrett's November 2008 article in The Chronicle of the U.S. Classic Postal Issues. Given the content of the letter, fame of this cover and the uniqueness of the writer provide a major Civil War collectible item.
Realized: $2,200