Lot
1869 
General Winfield Scott "Why don't you take it?", black cartoon patriotic design showing Winfield Scott and Jefferson Davis as dogs with Washington D.C. in the middle, on yellow cover bearing 3¢ dull red (26) tied by blue circular grid cancel, matching "Elmira N.Y., Jun 16, 1861" cds to Georgetown N.Y.; reduced at right, some wear, F.-V.F. Estimate $150 - 200.
The cartoon and other similar representations were created early in the war when General Winfield Scott commanded U.S. forces protecting the nation's capital from the threat of Confederate invasion. It depicts General Scott as a bulldog wearing Scott's military hat and Jefferson Davis as a frightened dog dressed in a Confederate flag and wearing a plantation owner's hat. Scott dares Davis, "Why Don't You Take It?", with Washington D.C. shown as a prime rib cut of meat between them. In April 1861 the isolated U.S. capital was exposed to invasion until sufficient U.S. forces arrived and secured the surrounding region.
Realized: $130