CSA 3, 2¢ green L-shaped strip of 4 and a single (bottom stamp with sharp broken crease) tied by triple strike of SHREVEPORT / LA // JAN / 22 /1863 (year date inverted and appears more like 1853) double circle cancel on homemade cover to  Mrs. Sarah Cole, Marion La.; missing bottom back flap. Only three covers with the 2c Green used from Louisiana are listed in the Warren census. Census no. La-003. Pictured in 2011 Congress Book on p. 41. Ex Felton, SCV  $13,500.  $4,500

CSA 3, 2¢ green (tiny scissor s cut lower right margin) tied by blue COLUMBIA / S.C.  NOV  / 15 cds on drop cover, top back flap missing, addressed to Gov. Gist, Columbia with docketing on verso that is from Col. Preston and is to be answered. The Warren census records only seven examples of the 2¢ lithograph used from Columbia, including three circulars, one of which was used locally. This is the only recorded drop-letter use in the census. Warren Census # SC-029. Pictured in 2011 Congress Book on p. 49; 1982 P.F. certificate #105 224. Ex Felton, SCV  $3,500.  $2,750

William Henry Gist, Governor South Carolina 1858-1860, left office the same day the Secession Convention met to consider the question of secession following Lincoln's election as President of the United States.

CSA 3, 2c Green with 4 margins  tied by light SAVANNAH / GA. // JAN / 15 star cancel on charming diminutive homemade drop cover addressed to Mr. W. O. Von Voorst, Savannah, Very Fine. Delightful and scarce cover, probably Warren Census No. GEO-43 (no photo record of this entry and missing referenced enclosure), classic tiny Dietz guarantee on back flap. SCV $3,500. $2,500.

CSA 3, 2¢ green tied BLACKVILLE / S.C. // AUG / 24 cds on small pink cover to Miss Laura Waldron, Augusta, Georgia; with manuscript “Due 8 cts” written over 10 cts for correct rate, bit reduced at top with flap tear, ex Keeling. RARE USE. Sold in 1986 Frajola sale for $2,730 – almost 30 years ago. Ex Brandon. SCV $3,500.  $2,000.

CSA 3, 2¢ green, three singles, each with full margins (one has pre-use crease), used with CSA 7, 5¢ blue, tied by double strike of MACON / GA. // NOV / 14 double-circle on small cover to Miss A. F. Powell, Thomasville Ga.; minor faults including small piece out of top and flap missing, ink smears, one stamp partly eroded and reinforced, nevertheless a wonderfully restorable cover, EXCEEDINGLY RARE COMBINATION, OVERPAYING THE 10¢ RATE, signed Dietz, ex Keeling and Brandon. $1,900.

CSA 3, five singles (couple with small edge faults) tied triple strike of bold MARIETTA / GEO. // APR / 16 [1864] cds on legal sized cover to Wm. F. Ritchie, Esq, Richmond, Va. with manuscript “Due 10” for underpayment. Docketing on back flap indicates it was sent from “S. Isidor[e] Guillet, Lieutenant & Post Adjutant, Marietta, Geo Ap[ril] 16/64.” FASCINATING BACK STORY of young officer killed at the Battle of Columbus on the same horse on which three of his brothers were also killed. Story in one of my upcoming columns. Cover with strip of five CSA 3 catalogs $13,500. $5,500.

Guillet, S. Isidore was killed in action at the Battle of Columbus on April 16, 1865, the last formal battle of the war. William F. Ritchie was a printer and publisher in Richmond and served as the Public Printer for the state of Virginia. Much more information on both men on linked page.

CSA 3, 2¢ green, large margins all around, some gum staining, tied by RICHMOND / Va. // DEC/ 26 / 1862 cds on legal-size drop cover with scarce "Confederate States of America Adjutant and Inspector General's Office" semi-official imprint (CSA Catalog type WD-AG-07), addressed to [Col] William H. Hidell who was private secretary to Confederate Vice President Alexander Stephens, docketing on reverse "Gen. S. Cooper Adjt. & Insp. Gen. Dec. 26, 1862", missing back flap as usual for this correspondence, some wear and staining, still a very presentable and extremely rare use. It appears that a pair of stamps was originally under the 2¢ stamp. It was not uncommon for pairs of 5¢ stamps or single 10¢ issues to overpay the drop use when carried to Richmond from out of town by courier and dropped in the mail for local delivery. My personal speculation is that a pair of uncanceled stamps was removed for use elsewhere and the appropriate 2¢ drop rate stamp use instead. Fascinating backstory which will be written up in one of my columns. $1,850.

General Samuel Cooper was adjutant and inspector general of the Confederate States army throughout the entire war. When President Davis fled Richmond after Lee's surrender to Grant at Appomattox, Cooper fled with him. Much more information shown on linked page.

Colonel William Henry Hidell (1843-1906) served as the personal secretary to Alexander Hamilton Stephens, Vice President of the Confederate States of America. Much more information shown on linked page.

Listed in both Imprints and CSA 3 Covers

CSA 3, 2¢ green right sheet margin, tied bold blue ALBANY / Ga. // SEP / 16 / 1862 cds on homemade cover to Capt. Wm. E. Smith, Albany, Geo with docketing from James Briggs, Newton Ga, slightly reduced at left. Nice drop use with sheet margin copy. Ex Brandon. SCV $3,500. $1,900.

CSA 3, 2¢ green tied by bold CHARLESTON / S.C. // FEB / 7 / 186- cds on CIRCULAR RATE semi-official cover with manuscript endorsement "Medical Purveyors Bureau, Charleston S.C. Official", to A. A. Surgeon James Morrow, Bee's Cross Roads, St. Andrews Parish, S.C., with original 1863 official enclosure referring to enclosed invoices from Francis Lee, Surgeon & Medical Purveyor, to Acting Assistant Surgeon James Morrow, slight edgewear and minor toning spots, Very Fine. The envelope is unsealed, as mandated for a circular, because St. Andrews Parish was considered part of Charleston – but it was not properly a circular, rather a drop use. Warren census No. SC-009 and illustrated in his 2011 Congress Book article, ex Keeling, 2005 PF certificate. $3,000. Listed in both CSA 3 and Imprints, Section 2

CSA 3, 2¢ green (tiny sealed tear and faint crease) tied on drop cover by CHARLESTON / S.C. // JUN / 9 (Henry Welch Type A-25 and RARE USE of this prewar canceling device during the war per Richard Calhoun book on Charleston), addressed to S.D. Kirk, Esqr, Care of Macbeth & Binse, Charleston, S.C. with docketing up left end, sealed tear at upper right, 1980 PF Certificate 82043, Ex Wm. A. Fox. SCV $3,500. $1,600.

Charles Macbeth (1805-1881) was the 37th mayor of Charleston, serving 3 full terms and a partial term 1857-1865

CSA 3, 2¢ green (raggedly torn at right) tied RICHMOND / Va. CDS on narrow cover to Miss Joyce Clopton Care Mrs Judge Clopton, Richmond, Va. 1984 and 1999 CSA certificates. Judge John B. Clopton (1789-1860) was an American politician and jurist from Virginia. Joyce was one of his daughters. SCV $3,500. $1,400.

CSA 3, 2¢ green, tied neat GREENSBOROUGH / Ga. // SEP / 25 CDS on large part of folded letter showing all of address panel, Molesworth pencil description on verso calling it a small cover but old 1994 CSA certificate describes it as used on piece, SCV used $750 or SCV used on cover $3,500. No mention of substantial replaced portion at top clear of stamp. $750. Listed in both CSA 3 stamps and CSA 3 covers sections

CSA 3, 2¢ green (minor scuffs), canceled by grid on unsealed wrapper fashioned from printed form for Army rations, addressed to Miss Mary Lomax, Cokesbury, Abbeville District, S.C., This possibly held a newspaper or some other printed matter, the Army form is also doubtless an adversity use rather than the intended subject of the communication as the form is not filled out, with 2007 CSA certificate, Scott value as normal use $3,500. $1,900. 

CSA 3, 2¢ green with 4 great margins, tied by neat MACON GA double-circle datestamp on NEWSPAPER WRAPPER. To N.M. Crawford, Penfield, Geo. Wrappers are much scarcer than drop uses. SCV as drop use $3,500. 1986 CSA certificate 01580. Ex Ralph Swap. $4,500.

 N.M. Crawford was a Baptist minister in Penfield, accepting the position in 1850 but resigning in 1852 due to ill health. He joined Shiloh Church in 1853.

CSA 3, 2¢ green tied by bold CHARLESTON / S.C. // FEB / 7 / 186- cds on CIRCULAR RATE semi-official cover with manuscript endorsement "Medical Purveyors Bureau, Charleston S.C. Official", to A. A. Surgeon James Morrow, Bee's Cross Roads, St. Andrews Parish, S.C., with original 1863 official enclosure referring to enclosed invoices from Francis Lee, Surgeon & Medical Purveyor, to Acting Assistant Surgeon James Morrow, slight edgewear and minor toning spots, Very Fine. The envelope is unsealed, as mandated for a circular, because St. Andrews Parish was considered part of Charleston – but it was not properly a circular, rather a drop use. Warren census No. SC-009 and illustrated in his 2011 Congress Book article, ex Keeling, 2005 PF certificate. $3,000. Listed in both CSA 3 and Imprints, Section 1

CSA 3, 2¢ green tied MOBILE ALA JUN 27 1863 double-circle datestamp on cover to Gaius Whitfield Esq Demopolis Ala. with ms. “Printed Circular” at top – the scarcer of two possibilities, other being a drop cover. Envelope somewhat rumpled and stamp with horizontal crease, nonetheless scarce and attractive use. SCV $3,500. $1,800.

Gaius Whitfield - fascinating bio on linked page.

CSA 3, 2¢ green tied RICHMOND VA. DEC 26 1862 circular datestamp with month inverted on neat cover to Lewis D. Crenshaw Esq. Richmond. SCV $3,500. $2,500.

Lewis Dabney Crenshaw bio on linked page.

CSA 3, 2¢ green, right margin strip of 3, tied by grid handstamps on 1862 folded letter to the Central Committee of Relief in Seguin, Guadalupe City, matching NEW BRAUNFELS, TEX., DEC 5 CDS. Letter gives information regarding distribution of relief funds to aid families of newborn children and other charitable purposes; cover with stamp missing at right and natural paper wrinkle in right stamp, Very Fine appearance, accompanied by transcript and historical background; with 1998 CSA certificate plus detailed extra information on the Central Committee, Ex Gallagher. Scarce. $2,500.

CSA 3, 2¢ green (in at top but shows part of two stamps at sides) tied bold RICHMOND Va. OCT 3, 1862, (type 3g – only used in October 1862) cds on legal-size drop cover to Thomas H. Ellis, President Hollywood Cemetery Co., Richmond Va. Cover worn with sealed tear and small piece out at bottom. Ex Harry Muldrow. SCV $3,500. $800.

CSA 3, 2¢ green, Left Top Knot variety, position 31R, two huge margins, right side ample and barely touched at top right, tied by bold RICHMOND VA. MAR 16 (1863) circular datestamp on linen-lined blue envelope (usually used for money letters) with manuscript "Treasy. Dept. C.S., 2nd Auditors Office, Official" endorsement, addressed to Maj. William Leigh, Richmond, Virginia. Lovely drop-rate use with left top knot variety and a Treasury Department official endorsement. Ex Brugh, Birkinbine, and Hill. With 1979 PF certificate. SCV $3,500 as an ordinary stamp on an ordinary cover which this is anything but. $4,500. Listed in both CSA 3 covers and Official & Semi-Officials, Section 1.

CSA 3, 2¢ green pair - rare double circular rate (small faults), tied double strike of neat blue RALEIGH N.C. double-circle datestamp, on legal-size circular wrapper cut-down to 4 ¾” x 7 ¼”. Addressed to Miss Annie Pettigrew, Haywood, Chatham County, NC. Mounted on David L. Burton album page. SCV $5,000. LL $1,100.

William S. Pettigrew bio on linked page.

CSA 3, 2¢ green (4 margins) tied RICHMOND VA. OCT 11 1862 CDS on legal-size cover to Surgeon J R Raine or Surg Attending 45th N.C. Regt. Drewry’s Bluff Richmond (Va.), reduced slightly at top and left, 2007 APS certificate stating “much of (top) flap gone.” SCV $3,500. Ex Sam Zimmerman and David Burton. LL $1,300.

Dr. John R. Raine (1837-1892) received his medical degree from Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, Pa. in 1857.  Click here to see the various military medical entries from NARA detailed on FindAGrave

CSA 3, 2¢ green (4 margins), tied by bold strike of RICHMOND Va. OCT 12, 1862, CDS on large part of multicolored floral wallpaper wrapper to Miss Hattie S. Armistead, Thomasville N.C., bottom portion of wrapper missing, though well clear of address and stamp – giving the appearance of a narrow full cover, Very Fine, Ex Murphy, Zimmerman, Brandon, and Burton. $2,000. Listed in both CSA 3 and Wallpaper sections LL

CSA 3, 2¢ green strip of 5 (faulty – creased prior to use) to make up the 10¢ rate, used with manuscript Brandon Church (Va) April 25 (likely 1863) postmark on cover “To Mr. Henry E. Coleman, Jr., Care of Capt R. D. Baskerville, 14 Regt Va Volunteers, Near Jamestown Island, Va.” with “By Servant Bob” routing at lower left (undoubtedly a slave) SCV $13,500. Ex Rex Felton, Harold Katz, and David Burton. $4,000.

Robert Dortch Baskerville bio on linked page.

CSA 4b, 5¢ light milky blue vertical pair (3 margins) tied RICHMOND Va. JUL 25 1862 CDS on fresh cover with manuscript “Official” at upper right, addressed to A. Donnan, Esq., Attorney at Law, Petersburg, Va, light file fold across bottom of cover, Very Fine $450.

Alexander Donnan bio on linked page.

CSA 3, 2¢ green. “pre-use creases and pinhole” are mentioned on the accompanying 1996 CSA certificate. It is possibly the “creases” are double pen strokes, and the stamp was used again [speculation]. Stamp tied RICHMOND VA. FEB 6 1863 circular datestamp on neat commercially made cover to John W. Rutherfoord, House of Delegates, Richmond (Va.) on drop cover. Contents docketing up the left side “Dr. R.R. Welford Med. Bill. 6 Feb 1863, answered by check 16 Feb.” Ex David Burton. SCV $3,500. $750.

John Rutherfoord and Ann Seddon (Roy) Rutherfoord bios on linked page.

CSA 3, 2¢ green (slight creasing and toning) tied by blue PETERSBURG Va. cds on cover to Mrs. Julian C. Ruffin in care of Col. R. M. Harrison, Petersburg, Va; reduced at top and left. Scarce and attractive drop-rate use. Julian Ruffin was the son of Edmund Ruffin who is credited with firing the first shot of the Civil War at Fort Sumter. SCV $3,500. Ex Tobias and Burton. $1,700.

CSA 3, 2¢ green tied CHARLESTON S.C. FEB 11 circular datestamp on inside use of a TURNED COVER. Top of stamp expertly replaced with CDS drawn in. Inside drop use addressed to John R. Dukes, Charleston So Ca; outside use franked with a pair of CSA 7-R local prints tied CHARLESTON S.C. FEB 18 double-circle datestamp to Thomas P. Lide Esq. Darlington So Ca.; tiny edge repair on right stamp. RARE COMBINATION. Ex David Kohn and David Burton. $950.

CSA 3, 2¢ green (light crease) tied RICHMOND Va. JUN 17 1863 CDS on drop-use cover to Mr. Joel Haden Care Capt. A Hardon 4th Va. Heavy Artillery Richmond Va. Most of address is written in pencil on lined paper glued to the cover. 1982 PF certificate 0113340; slightly reduced at right and light cover creasing at top either of which are mentioned on the certificate. Very unusual and scarce. SCV $3,500. Ex David Burton. $1,000.

CSA 3, 2¢ green, pre-use tear, used in combination with CSA 4, 5¢ dark blue, approximately one-third of stamp has been replaced with a piece in identical shade, both stamps tied by blue PETERSBURG Va. DEC  23 cds on cover to Mrs. E. H. Harding, Care of Mrs. C. H. Richmond, Milton, N.C. Manuscript "Due 3¢" FOR 10¢ RATE, minor wear, nicely restored, A REMARKABLE MIXED FRANKING, Ex Keeling and Burton. $1,800.