Lot
2263 
Confederacy, Nashville, Tenn., 1861, 5¢ Carmine, Three huge margins, top frameline cut in, tied by blue "POSTAGE/PAID" rimless handstamp applied by Nashville office of Adams Express Company, also tied by black "Adams Ex. Co. * Louisville, Ky. * Aug. 21, 1861" circular datestamp on 3c Red Star Die entire to St. Paul Minn., ms. "2/-" (two bits or 25c), Adams Louisville office affixed the 3c Dull Red (26) over invalid embossed stamp and placed letter into mails, tied by blue "Louisville Ky. Aug. 22" double-circle datestamp, upon arrival at St. Paul the 3c 1857 was considered demonetized and "DUE 3" handstamps were applied, light fold in cover at left, part of backflap missing, repaired, F.-V.F. appearance; with 2009 P.F. certificate. Scott No. 61X2 Estimate $6,000 - 8,000.
THIS IS THE ONLY RECORDED NASHVILLE 5¢ CARMINE PROVISIONAL USED IN COMBINATION WITH U.S. POSTAGE.
Adams Express Company was required to ensure the prepayment of government postage (Federal and Confederate), although the letter was carried outside the regular mails. The letters never actually entered the mails at Nashville, and instead, the blue "Postage Paid" marking was used to indicate prepayment. Very few covers are recorded with Confederate provisional stamps or markings used in conjunction with thru-the-lines express service.
Of the Nashville provisional express combination covers, seven are known with the 5¢ and three with the 10¢.
Realized: $9,500