THE CIVIL WAR SESQUICENTENNIAL SALE

During the Civil War, the scarceness of basic resources led to creative methods of making envelopes. This was particularly true in the South, where envelope manufacturers used wallpaper, which was in relatively plentiful supply, when their normal paper stock ran out. In the case here, the soldier had just finished fighting in "The Seven Day Battles" and wanted to write home to his mother. Not having the normal paper and envelope material available, he took a paper shirt collar, wrote the letter in pencil on the inside, then addressed and affixed the stamps on the outside. It was accepted in the postal system and delivered to his mother in Philadelphia. The letter, datelined "Headquarters 2nd Regiment Banks James River Jul 4, 1862" mentions the battles "Dear Mother, We have fought five battles and won five victories. They took place on the 26th, 27th, 30th and 1st & 3rd...", also talks about Generals McCall and Reynolds being taken prisoner, and various officers being killed or wounded. Toward the end he notes "We have been driven from the rights to the left of our line, which has been completely broken up, but our confidence in McClellan is such that we believe it to be a great strategic movement and expect to enter Richmond soon in triumph..."

A spectacular and unique usage that is certainly one of the most outstanding 1861 One Cent Blue covers in existence. Accompanied by a 2010 PF certificate. (Image)

This collection was formed by the foremost student on Civil War labels, Dr. Arthur Groten. Dr. Groten has published several articles on the subject, the latest being found in the March-April 2011 edition of The Collector's Club Philatelist. Most of the labels are known in quantities of less than ten, and a good number in the collection are in fact unique. Anyone who has tried to find just one of these labels on cover knows what a challenge it really is. It would literally take decades, if not a lifetime, to search through dealer's stocks and auction houses big and small to replicate this impressive collection.

An incredibly rare opportunity to obtain an award winning exhibit collection completely intact and could certainly be a strong basis for further research and development of this intriguing area. (imagea) (imageb) (imagec) (Image)

The date of the piece from the diary, September 19, 1861, is the same date as the issue of the Lenoir postmaster provisional, the piece reads in part "that he retained and pasted in his Diary at the time, the first good impression made from the die, the he had said Diary and the stamp attached in his possession since Sept 19/1861". The Lenoir provisional was impressed from a pear-wood device carved by the Postmaster's son, G.W.F. Harper. The Lenoir provisional is rare, with this particular example, being the first impression made, being particularly desirable.

Accompanied by a 2009 PF certificate. Ex-Caspary, Muzzy and Birkinbine, as well as illustrated in the Crown book. (Image)

Aylett was a Confederate officer and great-grandson of Patrick Henry. He was also a lawyer in King William County, Virginia, where he lived on his plantation "Montville". He reached the rank of Colonel during the Civil War and was wounded at Gettysburg on July 3, 1863. He assumed command of Gen. Lewis Armistead's Brigade, was captured in 1865 and spent time on Johnson's Island prison. (imagea) (imageb) (imagec) (Image)

The surfaces, like many of the surviving examples, are darkly patinated with dusky-tan patina on both sides with flashes of multicolored iridescence throughout. Interestingly, close inspection with a loupe reveals evidence of the Union reverse underneath the Confederate overstrike and as Walter Breen noted in his Complete Encyclopedia of U.S. and Colonial Coins, several prototype restrikes (Breen-8001) were made previous to the regular restrike (Breen-8002). While it's not inconceivable that the present is a prototype, the weight of 12.1gms and lack of Union design presence in the centers suggest that the preparation process was just incomplete, leaving parts of the legends. While examples of this restrike can be found at the Mint State level, specimens often appear to have light circulation although much of this can actually be attributed to an incomplete strike and the quality of the Seated half it was paired with. Today, examples in all conditions remain scarce and are in constant high demand from both Confederate historians and 19th century restrike enthusiasts. For the collector interested in obtaining an example, no time is better than the present.

Ex. Coin Galleries - February 14, 1996. (Image)

The present example is one of the several splashers known, and its existence eludes most of even the most seasoned numismatists as a result of its extreme rarity. While considered a uniface strike, the opposite side of the present does show an incuse strike of an 1861 obverse half dollar suggesting that a half was used to help bring up the intended design on the thin brass flan. The present is the second of two examples (and possibly all that exist) that were in Part One of the landmark Americana sale of the John J. Ford, Jr. Collection in 2003. The surfaces retain a bright golden color with several specs of light browning as is typical of brass. Attractive iridescence color is also apparent in the fields and increases the inherent eye appeal. For the historian who finds this era of civil unrest in our nation particularly appealing, this striking is certain to carry heightened significance as the rarity is unmatched among obtainable Confederate relics and it could very well have been the very last striking from the iconic Confederate half die. An incomparable opportunity that will surely not present itself again anytime soon. Ex. Elliot Smith; F.C.C. Boyd Estate; John J. Ford Jr. Collection; private collection. (Image)