Lot
1826 
Confederacy, (Naval) C.S.S. Lady Davis, "Savannah Geo., Paid, Jan 24" partial cds and complete "Paid 10" oval rating handstamp on large size orange buff cover addressed to Lieut. John Grimball C.S.N., C.S.S. "Lady Davis", Charleston S.C. original enclosure actually datelined "Savannah, Feby 8th 1862" from Lt. John Rutledge C.S.N. questioning an inconsistency in the number of loaves of bread (22 very scarce. 32) furnished to the "Lady Davis" for which the C.S. Navy in Savannah was being billed, the different in dates may indicated the large envelope was purchased as a prepaid provisional envelope and used later for this letter; some faults, Fine. Estimate $500 - 750.
John Grimball was promoted to Lieutenant in Sept. 1861. Two months later a U.S. Navy task force led by Admiral DuPont captured the Port Royal-Beaufort-Hilton Head area. The Confederate "Mosquito Fleet", including Lt. Grimball's "Lady Davis" was no match for the U.S. forces and withdrew to the Savannah Ga. area where they engaged in harassing Dupont's ships. While not evident, this large-size envelope was an early non-imprinted semi-official usage by the Confederate State Navy unit in Savannah Ga.