CSA 1, 5¢ green (4 margins) tied FREDERICKSBURG VA MAR 2 1862 circular datestamp on tiny mourning cover to Major R.L. Maury, 24th Va. Reg. Early’s Brigade, Manassas Junction. Customary sequential Roman numeral CVIX (109); included in the Paul Bearer census of the Maury Mourning Covers in chronological order.  Click here to see the census, survey and history of Maury, son of Navy Commodore Matthew Fontaine Maury. The Paul Bearer mourning cover exhibit is also available on the Exhibits page on this site. Reduced at right on opening, customary for this correspondence, with stains and edge erosion. Ex Renate Thayer. $150. 

CSA 1, 5¢ green (4 margins) tied FREDERICKSBURG VA MAR 2 1862 circular datestamp on tiny mourning cover to Major R.L. Maury, 24th Va. Reg. Early’s Brigade, Manassas Junction. Customary sequential Roman numeral CVIII (108); included in the Paul Bearer census of the Maury Mourning Covers in chronological order. Click here to see the census, survey and history of Maury, son of Navy Commodore Matthew Fontaine Maury. The Paul Bearer mourning cover exhibit is also available on the Exhibits page on this site. Reduced at right on opening, customary for this correspondence. Ex Renate Thayer. $350. 

FREDERICKSBURG 5 VA PAID (integral postmark) AUG 12 with manuscript revalued “10” on small mourning cover to Lieut. R.L. Maury, Charleston, South Carolina from his wife, and Chg. Box 41 W.T.H. (likely William T. Herndon, close relative of Ann Maury). No customary sequential Roman numeral but included in the Paul Bearer census of the Maury Mourning Covers in chronological order. Click here to see the census, survey and history of Maury, son of Navy Commodore Matthew Fontaine Maury.The Paul Bearer mourning cover exhibit is also available on the Exhibits page on this site. This cover pictured in Mourning Covers: The Cultural and Postal History of Letters Edged in Black by Ernest A. Mosher, page 246. Reduced at right on opening, customary for this correspondence. Ex Renate Thayer. $300. 

FREDERICKSBURG 5 VA PAID (integral postmark) JUN 14 (1861) circular datestamp with matching PAID straightline on small mourning cover to Lieut. R.L. Maury, Smithfield, Isle of Wight Co., Virginia and Chg. Box 41 W.T.H. (likely William T. Herndon, close relative of Ann Maury). Sequential Roman numeral XXXIV (34) at top and included in the Paul Bearer census of the Maury Mourning Covers.  Click here to see the census, survey and history of Maury, son of Navy Commodore Matthew Fontaine Maury. The Paul Bearer mourning cover exhibit is also available on the Exhibits page on this site. This is the listing illustration for the CSA Catalog stampless cover listing type A. Reduced at left on opening, customary for this popular correspondence, edge wear. Flap tip embossed and sealed with intact black wax seal. Ex Renate Thayer. $200.

FREDERICKSBURG 5 VA PAID (integral postmark) JUN 14 (1861) circular datestamp with matching PAID straightline on small mourning cover to Lieut. R.L. Maury, Lexington, Virginia. Sequential Roman numeral XXIV (24) at top and included in the Paul Bearer census of the Maury Mourning Covers. Click here to see the census, survey and history of Maury, son of Navy Commodore Matthew Fontaine Maury. The Paul Bearer mourning cover exhibit is also available on the Exhibits page on this site. This is the listing illustration for the CSA Catalog stampless cover listing type A. Reduced at left on opening, customary for this popular correspondence. Ex Renate Thayer. $250.

CSA 11, 10¢ blue tied grid with matching blue UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA VA OCT 8 double-circle datestamp on tiny mourning cover to Lt. Col. R.L. Maury, 24th Va. Inft., Kemper’s Brigade, Pickett’s Division, Hanover Junction from his wife. Sequential Arabic number “12” at top, one of only 3 recorded with an Arabic instead of Roman numerals. Included in the Paul Bearer census of the Maury Mourning Covers. Click here to see the census, survey and history of Maury, son of Navy Commodore Matthew Fontaine Maury. The Paul Bearer mourning cover exhibit is also available on the Exhibits page on this site. Ex Brian & Patricia Green (Kaufmann) and Renate Thayer. $500. 

“Mount Pleasant Va Paid 5 June 11 (1861)” manuscript postmark on tiny mourning cover with black embossed wafer closure and flap tip embossing, fully intact flaps to Lieut. R.L. Maury, Lexington, Virginia. Not opened at an end, as was typical for this correspondence. Sequential Roman numeral XXIII (23) at top and included in the Paul Bearer census of the Maury Mourning Covers. Matching 3-page letter on black-edged stationery from his girlfriend who later became later wife (1862). Click here to see the census, survey and history of Maury, son of Navy Commodore Matthew Fontaine Maury. Click here to see letter pages 2-3. The Paul Bearer mourning cover exhibit is also available on the Exhibits page on this site. Ex Renate Thayer. $400. 

CSA 11a, 10¢ milky blue (4 huge to ample margins) tied with pen cancel and manuscript Winterpock (Va) April 30th postmark which is illustrated in the VPHS Catalog as the listing example. Population 656 in 1900; today it is an unincorporated community in western Chesterfield County that does not have its own post office. 1863 per contents docketing on verso. Shown by VPHS as used from Dec. 4, 1861 to July 28, 1863. Used on mourning cover to Rev. Thomas H. Early, Petersburg, Virginia, with unusual “pinking shears frilly” edges and an embossed seal; some opening faults but still quite lovely. Click here to see the back of the cover. Ex Renate Thayer. $400.

CSA 11c, 10¢ bluish green (cut to shape), pen canceled with light strike of blue WAYNESBORO Va. Sept 28 CDS (1863) circular datestamp on small highly unusual mourning cover in that it is on gray paper with embossed stationer’s imprint under the flap “From Jarrett’s 66 Regent St. & 37 Poultry, London.” Addressed to Miss Ellen Rives, Cobham Depot, Albemarle Co(unty) Va. Flap edges are also edged in black with unusual stylized initials on the top back flap tip where it has been opened but is still spectacular. I make them to be LXK or LXR. Click here to see the back of the cover. Ex Renate Thayer. $600

TAYLORSVILLE VA JU- (1861) double strike of circular datestamp with matching PAID 5 (type B with only a tracing for the image indicating editors had no access to one, this will help) as well as manuscript “Paid 5” on small fresh mourning cover to James D. Jones, Charlottesville, Va. Small part of back flaps missing. Taylorsville had a listed population of 28 people in the 1900 census. Scarce small town postmark. Ex Renate W. Thayer. $300.

CSA 11c, 10¢ bluish green (4 large even margins) tied neat RICHMOND VA NOV 4 1863 circular datestamp on small wide-bordered mourning cover to Lieut. Duncan G. Campbell Care of Col. Harris, Charleston So Ca. Click here to see the back of the cover which is noted as “Recd at Signal Office Novr 3rd 1863. Light penciled “Ex” above address – perhaps indicating examined soldiers’ mail. Small stain at center otherwise Extremely Fine, Ex David Kohn and Renate W. Thayer. $500.

Duncan Green Campbell (1835-1888) was the only son of John Archibald Campbell (1811-1899), who was Associate Justice of the US Supreme Court (1853-1861) and Assistant Secretary of War in the Confederate government (1862-65), and Anne Esther Goldthwaite (1804-1883). He was probably named for his paternal grandfather Duncan Green(e) Campbell for whom Campbell County, Georgia was named. This Duncan married Ella S. Calvert (1840-1902) in 1861; they had four children together. She probably lived in Richmond with her father-in-law during the war. He served as a lieutenant in the Confederate Engineer Corps. He was promoted to captain in March 1864, and he served until April 1865. He settled in New Orleans after the war.

CSA 12, 10¢ dark blue (small faults) tied RICHMOND VA. MAR or MAY  9 (1864) circular datestamp on charming small mourning cover to H.C. McKee Jr., Terrell Light Artillery, Savannah, Georgia. There are very few mourning covers used this late in the war for various reasons from desensitization to war-related fatalities due to repeated exposure to such news to the difficulty finding stationery due to the blockade. Embossed initial on flap tip and display beautifully with flap up. Click here to see the back of the cover which is contemporaneously docketed “Savh (Savannah) Ga Received May 10 1864.” Ex Renate W. Thayer. $550.

Terrell (Georgia) Light Artillery was formed during the winter of 1861-1862 with men from Terrell County. It was attached to the Department of South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida, and was active on the Georgia and South Carolina coast. During December, 1864, the company was engaged in the defense of Savannah. It later served in the North Carolina Campaign and surrendered with the Army of Tennessee. Private Hockley Cloyd McKee Jr. of Columbus, Ga., served in Company C.

CSA 11c, 10¢ bluish green (4 margins) tied light RICHMOND VA NOV 23 (1863) circular datestamp on small wide-bordered mourning cover to Lieut. Duncan G. Campbell Care of Col. Harris, Charleston So Ca. Click here to see the back of the cover. Ex David Kohn and Renate W. Thayer. $500.

Duncan Green Campbell (1835-1888) was the only son of John Archibald Campbell (1811-1899), who was Associate Justice of the US Supreme Court (1853-1861) and Assistant Secretary of War in the Confederate government (1862-65), and Anne Esther Goldthwaite (1804-1883). He was probably named for his paternal grandfather Duncan Green(e) Campbell for whom Campbell County, Georgia was named. This Duncan married Ella S. Calvert (1840-1902) in 1861; they had four children together. She probably lived in Richmond with her father-in-law during the war. He served as a lieutenant in the Confederate Engineer Corps. He was promoted to captain in March 1864, and he served until April 1865. He settled in New Orleans after the war.

CSA 11, 10¢ blue (4 margins) tied light RICHMOND VA AUG 17 (1863 or 1864) circular datestamp on small mourning cover to Hon. Wm. Porcher Miles, Richmond, Va. Overpaid drop use. Shows beautifully with top back flap open. Click here to see the back of the cover. Ex Renate W. Thayer. $550.

William Porcher Miles (1822 –1899) was an ardent fire eater, states’ rights advocate and supporter of slavery. He is notable as the designer of the Confederate battle flag, the most popular variant of the Confederate flag that was adopted as the battle flag by the Army of Northern Virginia under General Robert E Lee. He represented South Carolina in the Confederate Congress. Prior to the war, he was elected mayor of Charleston in 1855 for a two-year term, and served in the United States House of Representatives from 1857 until South Carolina seceded in December 1860.

CSA 2-P, 10¢ light blue (4 margins, couple corner creases at upper right), tied RICHMOND VA. DEC 3 1862 circular datestamp on small mourning cover to Mrs. Fannie Redwine, Jackson Hill PO, Davidson County, N.C.  a bit of staining of little consequence, bit of flap opening damage, Ex Harold Babb, Robert Frailey, and Renate W. Thayer. $300.

CSA 12c, 10¢ bluish green (small faults) tied RICHMOND VA. SEP 9 1863 circular datestamp on small mourning cover toLieut. Duncan G. Campbell Care of Gen’l J.F. Gilmer Charleston South Carolina. Displays beautiful with top flap open. Click here to see the full back of the cover. Stationer’s imprint under top flap: PHILP & SOLOMONS  AGTS WASHINGTON D.C. Light contemporaneous pencil “Ex” at upper left. Ex Renate W. Thayer. $400.  

Extensive biographies on the linked page for Duncan Green Campbell, Maj. Gen. Jeremy Francis Gilmer, and Adolphus Simeon Solomons of Philp & Solomons.

CSA 7-R, 5¢ dark blue pair tied neat RICHMOND Va. JUL 24 circular datestamp on small mourning cover to Mrs. J.W. Shacklock Newbern Alabama. Ex Renate W. Thayer. $350.  

CSA 4, 5¢ blue (2 singles, small faults) tied together by RICHMOND VA. MAY circular datestamp on small mourning cover to S. M. Craig Pinckneyville Ala., cover somewhat tatty with missing top flap. Ex Renate W. Thayer. $150.

CSA 11c, 10¢ bluish green tied neat bold RICHMOND VA. AUG 26 (1863 or 1864) circular datestamp on small mourning cover to Mrs. John S. Palmer Sr. St. Stephens Depot, N.&R.R. S.C. Ex Renate W. Thayer. $300.  

RICHMOND Va. JUL 1 1861 circular datestamp with matching PAID 5 (type E) on small mourning cover to John D.H. Ross, Virginia Military Institute, Lexington Virginia. Ex Robert S. Emerson and Renate W. Thayer. $300.  

John DeHart Ross (1840-1912) was a wartime professor of French, Mathematics and Tactics at VMI from which he graduated in 1859. In July 1861, he was lieutenant of engineers on Gen. Loring's staff. He was promoted to major in the 52nd Virginia infantry August 1, 1862. He was then promoted to Lt. Colonel on June 6, 1863, and promptly wounded in action at the battle of Cross Keys on June 8; he resigned his commission on December 19, 1864, and became an enrolling officer at Staunton, Virginia.

CSA 1, 5¢ green (4 margins) tied RICHMOND Va. JUN 17 1862 circular datestamp on small mourning cover to Charles H. Winston Esqr President Female Ins. Richmond (Va.), top back flap missing, Ex Howard P. Green and Renate W. Thayer. $350.  

Charles Henry Winston was Superintendent of the Confederate Nitre Bureau. See linked page for much more biographical information.

CSA 12, 10¢ blue tied bit indistinct RAPID ANN STATION VA APR 29 (1864) circular datestamp on small mourning cover to Mrs. Mary J. Wise, Churchville Augusta Co. Va. with lovely edged back flaps and embossed tip. Click here to see the back of the cover. There are very few mourning covers used this late in the war for various reasons from desensitization to war-related fatalities due to repeated exposure to such news to the difficulty finding stationery due to the blockade. Ex Renate W. Thayer. $400.   

CSA 4b, 5¢ milky blue pair tied blue PETERSBURG Va. JUL 5 on small mourning cover to Thaddeus McGee, Raleigh N Carolina, Via Richmond. Click here to see the back of the cover. Ex Renate W. Thayer. $650. 

Thaddeus McGee (1827-1874) was a merchant, trading as MeGee & Williams from Raleigh, NC. The family papers at the Southern Historical Collection of UNC at Chapel Hill. Many items relate to the difficulties experienced in trying to locate goods to sell.

NORFOLK Va. JUL 5 1861 circular datestamp with matching blue PAID 5 (type D) on small mourning cover to Doctor Euclid Borland Suffolk Virginia, top back flap missing under which was note “Ma asked me to send her love to Pa.” Tiny repair at left edge, almost invisible. Ex Renate W. Thayer. $250.

CSA 9a, 10¢ milky blue (faulty) tied neat NELSONS STATION VA MAR 1 (1864) on small mourning cover to Miss M. Bodie Jones, Dixie PO, Fluvanna County Virginia, vertical fold at left, top flap can be displayed up and is delightful with the embossed flap tip. There are very few mourning covers used this late in the war for various reasons from desensitization to war-related fatalities due to repeated exposure to such news to the difficulty finding stationery due to the blockade. Click here to see the back of the cover. Ex J.R. Keeling and Renate W. Thayer. $750.

CSA 11, 10¢ blue canceled pen with matching manuscript Millers Tav(ern Va.) Nov 20/63 on mourning cover with wonderful military address to Joseph McMurran, Sergeant Major 4th Va. Infantry “Stonewall Brigade” Gen. Edward Johnson’s Division, Ewell’s Corps. Click here to see the back of the cover. The population of Miller’s Tavern was 78 in the 1900 census. Ex Renate W. Thayer. $550.

Sgt. Maj. Joseph McMurran served in the renowned "Stonewall Brigade." Bio on linked page.

CSA 2-Pb (Scott 2b) 10¢ dark blue Paterson (pre-use horizontal crease) used with light pen cancel and matching Macon Va Feb 18th (1864) manuscript postmark on folded mourning lettersheet to John W. Wilson, Farmville (Va.) Light staining and file splits reinforced with archival tape. The letter is from Elizabeth F. Amos (doubtless a widow) asking Wilson to collect what is owed her and send.Click here to see the cover panel.  Ex Renate W. Thayer. $150.

LYNCHBURG Va. SEP 9 (1861) circular datestamp with matching PAID 10 (type F) used on small lady’s mourning cover to Mrs. M. Evatt, Waltonsford Habersham County Georgia. Top back flap missing, heavily stained and faulty back and front, but markings and address strong. Ex Renate W. Thayer. $100.

LYNCHBURG Va. SEP 9 (1861) circular datestamp with matching PAID 5 (type D) used on small lady’s mourning cover to Mrs. Matilda B. Estes, Danville, Virginia. Top back flap missing. Ex Renate W. Thayer. $250.

CSA 1, 5¢ green tied neat LIBERTY Va. 3 APR circular datestamp on ladies mourning cover to Dr. James H. Oley, Blacksburg Montgomery Va. Vertical cover crease at left. Ex Renate W. Thayer. $250.

LIBERTY Va. 9 OCT (1861) neat 34 mm circular datestamp with matching woodcut PAID 5 over ms. Paid 5 cts(illustration of this marking used in the CSA Catalog) on small ladies mourning cover to Mrs. Fannie Chalmers Care of Dr. James Saunders, Lynchburg (Va.). Slightly reduced at right upon opening. A beauty. Ex Renate W. Thayer. $300.

LEWISBURG (WEST) Va. circular datestamp with matching PAID 5 altered from PAID 3 on fresh mourning cover to Miss Mary Davidson, Care of J.D. Davidson, Lexington Va. Opened by reduction at left, Ex Renate W. Thayer. $350.

Mary Davidson (1833-1909) never married. Her grandfather was John Davidson, a Revolutionary soldier. She was born near Timber Ridge and educated at the Anne Smith academy. When she was a girl, the family moved to Lexington, which became her home for the rest of her life.

LEWISBURG (WEST) Va. FEB 5 (1862) circular datestamp with matching PAID 5 altered from PAID 3 on fresh mourning cover to Miss Mary Davidson, Care of J.D. Davidson, Lexington Va. Opened by reduction at right, Ex Harvey Sheppard, Wayne Farley, and Renate W. Thayer. $325.

Mary Davidson (1833-1909) never married. Her grandfather was John Davidson, a Revolutionary soldier. She was born near Timber Ridge and educated at the Anne Smith academy. When she was a girl, the family moved to Lexington, which became her home for the rest of her life.

CSA 7-L, 5¢ blue pair tied neat HALIFAX Va. JUL 26 on lovely small mourning cover to Thaddeus McGee, Raleigh N Carolina, Via Richmond. Ex Renate W. Thayer. $500.

Thaddeus McGee (1827-1874) was a merchant, trading as MeGee & Williams from Raleigh, NC. The family papers at the Southern Historical Collection of UNC at Chapel Hill. Many items relate to the difficulties experienced in trying to locate goods to sell.

CSA 1, 5¢ green, 2 singles, used with two strikes of GREENWOOD DEPOT Va JUL 23 balloon postmark on mourning cover to Hanover Court House (Va.) Ex Conrad Bush, Richard Hall, Ernest A. Mosher, and Renate W. Thayer. $350. 

FREDERICKSBURG 5 VA PAID (integral postmark) circular datestamp (double strike AUG 24) and second FREDERICKSBURG PAID VA integral postmark with hand-struck “10” on small mourning cover to Lieut. R.L. Maury, Savannah Georgia and Chg. Box 41 W.T.H. (likely William T. Herndon, close relative of Ann Maury). Opened at right, as usual for this popular correspondence, lovely embossed seal on flap tip and opens beautifully to display. Sequential Roman numeral XLVI (46) at top (illustrated as listing copy for type B in CSA Catalog); included in the Paul Bearer census of the Maury Mourning Covers. Click here to see the census, survey and history of Maury, son of Navy Commodore Matthew Fontaine Maury. The Paul Bearer mourning cover exhibit is also available on the Exhibits page on this site. 1992 CSA Certificate stating genuine but not mentioning it has BOTH 5¢ AND 10¢ RATES, Ex Alexander Hall and Renate W. Thayer. $500.

FREDERICKSBURG 5 VA PAID (integral postmark) circular datestamp (double strike AUG 24) and second FREDERICKSBURG PAID VA integral postmark with hand-struck “10” on small mourning cover to Lieut. R.L. Maury, Savannah Georgia and Chg. Box 41 W.T.H. (likely William T. Herndon, close relative of Ann Maury). Opened at right, as usual for this popular correspondence, lovely embossed seal on flap tip and opens beautifully to display. Sequential Roman numeral XLVI (46) at top (illustrated as listing copy for type B in CSA Catalog); included in the Paul Bearer census of the Maury Mourning Covers. Click here to see the census, survey and history of Maury, son of Navy Commodore Matthew Fontaine Maury. The Paul Bearer mourning cover exhibit is also available on the Exhibits page on this site. 1992 CSA Certificate stating genuine but not mentioning it has BOTH 5¢ AND 10¢ RATES, Ex Alexander Hall and Renate W. Thayer. $500.

CSA 1, 5¢ green tied FREDERICKSBURG VA PAID circular datestamp on small mourning cover to Major R.L. Maury 24thVa. Reg., Early’s Brigade, Manassas Junction (Va.). Opened at right, as usual for this popular correspondence, and expertly repaired along the right edge. Sequential Roman numeral LXX at top (70), included in the Paul Bearer census of the Maury Mourning Covers hosted on the Frajola website. Click here to see the census, survey and history of Maury, son of Navy Commodore Matthew Fontaine Maury.The Paul Bearer mourning cover exhibit is also available on the Exhibits page on this site. Ex Renate W. Thayer. $200.

CSA 5, 10¢ rose (4 large even margins) tied light blue DANVILLE Va. AUG 2 (1862) circular datestamp on neat mourning cover addressed to Peter B. Law, Richmond, Virginia Box No 352. 1981 PF certificate. Under the back flap is written. Acquired from the Shreves Philatelic Galleries sale of the “Champion Collection” (Charles J. Pietsch III) in 1997 for $1,600. Ex Renate W. Thayer. A Beauty. $1,250.

CSA 1, 5¢ green pair canceled pen strokes with matching Dillard’s Depot (Va.) June 12 1863 manuscript postmark on small neat mourning cover to Mrs. Jennie M. Waller Care of William Waller Esq Lynchburg Virginia. The town of Dillard’s Depot only had a population of 82 in 1900. The town name was changed to Tye River Depot during the war. The image used in the VPHS Catalog came from this cover. It only notes uses from June 12, 1863, to Aug. 29, 1863. Scarce small town. Ex Don Preston Peters and Renate W. Thayer. $600.

William Griffin Waller (1843-1894) served as a 2nd Lieutenant in the 2nd Regiment, Virginia Cavalry, Company I. He was married to Jennie Kent Howell, a sister to Varina Howell Davis, wife of CSA president Jefferson Davis.

CSA 1, 5¢ blue (4 large margins) tied by light CHULA DEPOT VA JAN 30 circular datestamp on small mourning cover to Charles H. Winston Esq. Richmond, Va. with black-edged flaps. Click here to see the back of the cover. Ex Renate W. Thayer. $300.

Charles Henry Winston was Superintendent of the Confederate Nitre Bureau. Extensive bio on linked page.

CSA 11, 10¢ blue (4 large margins) tied by black CHARLOTTESVILE VA double-circle datestamp on small mourning cover to Mrs. Alfred L. Rives Castle Hill Cobham Depot Albemarle (County Va.) Ex Bruce E. Engstler and Renate W. Thayer. $350.

Alfred Landon Rives was born in 1830 in Paris, France, the son of William Cabell Rives, the distinguished minister to France. During the War, Alfred was acting chief engineer for the State of Virginia and later for the Confederate States, which position he held until the end of the War as a Colonel. He was one of the two Chiefs of the Corps of Engineers to General Robert E. Lee.

US 26, 3¢ dull red tied by blue concentric circles with matching blue CHARLOTTESVILE VA MAY 18 1861 double-circle datestamp on small mourning cover to Hon. A.N.H. Stuart, Staunton Va. Small sealed tear at top reinforced with archival tape. CSA Use of US Postage. Virginia joined the Confederacy on May 7, 1861. Ex Bruce E. Engstler and Renate W. Thayer. $250.

Alexander Hugh Holmes Stuart (1807-1891) was Gen. J.E.B. Stuart’s cousin. Although he initially opposed secession, he signed the Virginia Ordnance of Secession. He was a prominent political figure and worked towards Virginia’s reconciliation after the war.

CSA 7-R, 5¢ blue pair tied blue CHARLOTTESVILE VA FEB 11 1863 double-circle datestamp on small mourning cover to Mrs. Rebecca Meade Care of Julian Ruffin Esq Prince George Ct. House, Virginia. A couple cover stains. Ex Renate W. Thayer. $250.

CSA 11, 10¢ blue (4 large to huge margins) tied by blue CHARLOTTE C.H. Va. JUL circular datestamp on small mourning cover to Mrs. Mattie G. Steger, Buckingham Court House Virginia. Light stains. Click here to see the back of the cover. Ex Renate W. Thayer. $275.

CSA 12, 10¢ blue used with faint pen cancel and matching manuscript postmark of Cascade Va. Feby 25th (1864) on small wide-bordered mourning cover to W. Gaston Henderson, Okolona Miss. Upper right corner a bit rounded, otherwise Fine. The VPHS Catalog shows a manuscript postmark used only between Dec. 12, 1861, and June 18, 1863; population not listed in the 1900 census. Click here to see the back of the cover. There are very few mourning covers used this late in the war for various reasons from desensitization to war-related fatalities due to repeated exposure to such news to the difficulty finding stationery due to the blockade. Ex Wm. A. Fox and Renate W. Thayer. $300.

William Gaston Henderson (1828-1901) was the postmaster at Biloxi, Mississippi, from 1897-1902, followed by his daughter, who completed his unexpired term.

BUCKINGHAM C.H. Va. JAN 5 red circular datestamp with matching PAID and ms. 10 on small wide-bordered mourning cover to Miss Annie E. Wise, Brandy Station Culpeper Co. Va. Back flaps also beautifully edged in black and shows wonderfully with top back flap raised. Click here to see the back of the cover. Extremely Fine Gem. Ex Renate W. Thayer. $650.

Governor Henry A. Wise was a prominent figure in the secessionist movement in Virginia and played a significant role in the state joining the Confederacy. He later became a brigadier general in the Confederate Army. Annie (1837-1914) was one of his daughters.

CSA 1, 5¢ green pen canceled on small mourning cover with matching Barksdale Va Nov 12^th 1861 manuscript postmark. The VPHS Catalog shows manuscript postmarks (and no handstamped ones) for the town of Barksdale from 1828 until July 1867; no population listed in the 1900 census. The cover is addressed to Mrs. Phoebe Baily (sic – Bailey), Scottsburg, Halifax (County), Va. Back flaps also edged in black. Click here to see the back of the cover. The family correspondence is housed at the Virginia Historical Society. Ex Renate W. Thayer. $300.

CHARLESTON S.C. JUL 15 1861 neatly struck CDS on mourning cover with matching PAID 5 (type E), addressed to Mrs. George S. Jackson, Augusta, Ga. Opened at left and regrettably trimming off left-most black border, couple top back flap tears. $200.

CSA 13, 20¢ green tied by RICHMOND / VA. // OCT / 10 CDS on thick bordered MOURNING cover to Edward S. Brown, Ballsville, Powhatan County, Va. Ex Henry G. Gibson (Ward sale 12). $1,000.

Listed in both Mourning Cover and CSA 13 sections

GB 33, 1p Red tied duplex on mourning cover to Lieutenant E.E. Fairfax Williamson, Conf. States Army, No. 15, Warwick Cresent (sic), Kensington, London with House of Commons embossed seal on back of black-edged flaps. Williamson was NOT in the Confederate Army. He was a FEDERAL SPY POSING AS A CONFEDERATE ARMY OFFICER IN ENGLAND. This intriguing cover was written up in a Daniel T. Gilbert article in the July-August 1980 Confederate Philatelist, a copy of which is included. Secretary of State Judah P. Benjamin urgently wrote to Henry Hotz in London on September 24, 1862, warning him that: “One E.E. Fairfax Williamson who has just gone to England and whose address is to be found at Peabody’s banking house is a Federal spy. Please write a warning at once to all our agents and officers in Europe. Williamson is about twenty years of age, fair complexion, blue eyes, bad teeth.” $1,250. Listed in both Miscellaneous-2 and Mourning Covers

CSA 7-R, 5¢ blue pair tied STAUNTON Va. JAN 29 on small mourning cover to Charles M. Hoyt, Charlottesville, Virginia; small edge tears at top, part top flap missing, and light rumpling/soiling. Ex Harrison. $275.

CHARLESTON S.C. JUN 30 1861 double-circle datestamp with matching PAID 5 (CC type E) on tiny black-edged mourning cover to Mrs. I. Woodruff Care of John Esterling Esq Graham’s Turnout Barnwell’s District (SC). $250.

CSA 11-AD, 10¢ light blue tied bold BALLOON postmark of LOVINGSTON / Va. // JUN / 29 on spectacular MOURNING COVER with full edged back flaps and second full postmark on verso, addressed to L. L. Loving, Esqr. Care Robert A. Matthews, Comptrollers Office, Richmond, Va. $1,100. 

CSA 7-R, 5¢ blue pair tied by double-circle datestamp of MOBILE ALA MAR 17 1863 on a commercially made envelope with black-edged mourning borders on back flaps (top flap opening tear), addressed to Hon. Thos. S. Gholson Petersburg Virginia with indication in ms. this was from Wm. McRae. Ex Alex Hall and Paul Boschung. $125. Listed in both Mourning Covers and CSA 7, Section 2, sections.

CSA 2-P, 10¢ light blue, Paterson with large even margins all around, small scuff in top margin, tied by bold ORANGE C.H. Va. OCT 8 circular datestamp with day in manuscript on small black-bordered mourning cover to Mrs. Warren C. Smith, “New Market” Millwood P.O. Clarke Co. Va; forwarding request at top for the postmaster at Winchester to forward this to Millwood. “New Market” is not the site of the skirmish during the war, which was in Shenandoah County. Millwood is only 12 miles south of Winchester and doubtless the “New Market” in the address occasionally caused postal confusion. Click here to see back of cover. Handsome use. Ex Mandel. $650.

CSA 4, Stone 2, 5¢ light blue pair tied blue DANVILLE VA. 12 JUL (1862) circular datestamp on lovely mourning cover to Peter B. Law Richmond Virginia, Box No. 352, Very Fine. Ex David Burton. $500.

CSA 12-ADc, 10¢ bluish green (4 margins) tied neat blue TUSKEGEE ALA MAR  28 cds on black-edged mourning cover with edged back flaps and tip embossing (opening tears), large sealed tear at left end, to Mrs. Mary May Bell, Care Dr. James May Sr, Petersburg, Va. Ex Roger Ballard and David Burton. $200.

CSA 7-R, 5¢ blue pair used with manuscript postmark of Shufordsville NC Dec 28 on narrow-bordered mourning cover to Miss Cora Jordan St. Mary’s Institute Raleigh NC with embossed initials “AW” on top back flap. A total charmer and a SCARCE small town in the mountains of western North Carolina near Asheville. St. Mary’s School was founded in 1842, operational even during the Civil War, and is Raleigh’s old private educational institution for girls. $550.

Cora Rebecca Jordan and Shufordsville, N.C. history/bio on linked page.