Lot 838
Confederacy 1861 Virginia Day of Secession cover, 3¢ dull red (26), grid cancel, neat "Staunton Va. Apr 17" c.d.s., on small mourning cover to "Keezeltown", Rockingham, Va.; small ink stain ties stamp, Very Fine, an important piece of Civil War postal history.
Estimate 1,500 - 2,000
ONE OF ONLY FIVE RECORDED SECESSION DAY COVERS FROM VIRGINIA AND THE ONLY ONE FROM STAUNTON WITH THE ADDED RARITY OF ITS BEING A MOURNING COVER.
The enclosed 3-page letter, dated April 16, mentions "…the attack of the South Carolinians upon Fort Sumpter and the surrender of Maj. Anderson. The fleet sent by Lincoln to aid him could, or would, not render any assistance. Report said yesterday Virginia would secede today. May our Gracious God and Father prevent, by His interposition, the harroes [sic] of Civil War" and "Great excitement prevails. Our volunteer Companies are holding themselves ready to march to Richmond." Apparently the writer's son "…begs to join the V.A. Guards, says he will be obliged to go anyhow and prefers being a volunteer company." The letter also mentions that if the word "yes" is written on the envelope [it is below the stamp] "send the cotton you have ready to Mr. Trout".
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| Realized $2,800 |
