Macon Ga., 2c Black on Gray
Green Wove (53X5). Margins clear to just touching ornamental frame,
neatly tied by "Macon Ga. -- 7" double-circle datestamp on small drop-rate
cover to Dr. G. E. Carleton in Macon, some writing erased from left
sideEXTREMELY FINE. ONE OF FOUR RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THE MACON 2-CENT PROVISIONAL (THREE ON COVERS) AND THE FINER OF TWO COVERS ON WHICH THE STAMP IS TIED BY THE TOWN DATESTAMP. ONE OF THE RAREST STAMPS IN THE WORLD -- FAR RARER, IN FACT, THAN A HAWAIIAN 2-CENT MISSIONARY.
The Macon 2c is one of six 2c provisional stamps issued by Confederate post offices, and it is the rarest of the group (the Uniontown 2c is represented by two covers and the unique sheet of four, unused). Our records contain only four examples of the Macon 2c, including another cover to Dr. Carleton with the stamp tied by the double-circle ("2" but no month visible) -- the cover has a large piece torn from the front of the envelope (ex Caspary). The third cover is addressed locally to Col. Jno. B. Lamar with the stamp tied by a "Paid" straightline and no other markings (ex Caspary). A fourth stamp is known on piece tied by the "Paid" straightline (ex Deats, P.F. photo files).
The Crown book lists a fourth 2c cover addressed to Mrs. Howell Cobb, Athens Ga., which was attributed to the Meta Heathcote collection, but the accuracy of this listing is questionable. There is no photographic confirmation of the Heathcote cover, and, if addressed to Mrs. Howell Cobb in Athens, it should have a 5c stamp, not a 2c. A few Macon covers to Mrs. Cobb in Athens do exist (all 5c), and we feel certain that the fourth 2c cover in the Crown census is based on one of these 5c covers, which was entered with erroneous data in one of the earlier surveys. Of course, if someone can produce the fourth 2c cover, we stand corrected.
Of the three confirmed covers, this and the "Paid" cover are in comparably choice condition. Use of the town datestamp to cancel (and tie) the stamp is a desirable feature of this cover. Although the month is not visible, it is very likely to be July or August, based on other recorded covers. It is a peculiarity of the Macon datestamp that the day numeral is strongly impressed, while the month is weakly struck or altogether absent.
Ex Ferrary, Hind and Brooks. Upon dispersal of the Brooks collection, it was sold privately to A. Earl Weatherly and then privately in 1963 to the Kilbournes, therefore, this cover is offered in the open market for the first time since the 1933 Hind auction. (Image)
Macon Ga., 5c Black on Yellow
Wove (53X4). Full margins to just touching at bottom right, tied by
"Macon Ga. Jun. 9" double-circle datestamp on 1861 blue-lined folded letter
to vigilant secessionist and Georgia governor Joseph E. Brown,
Milledgeville Ga., docketed "Military Election", Very Fine, the 5c
with plain ruled border is the first Macon provisional and, based on a
cover dated June 1st, it is probably the first provisional stamp issued in
the Confederacy -- Crown records 14 covers (all June 1861 dates), ex
Caspary and Weatherly (Image) 
Macon Ga., 5c Black on Yellow
Wove (53X3). Huge margins including top sheet margin, tied by "Macon
Ga. Jun. 29" (1861) double-circle datestamp on cover to Mrs. Howell Cobb,
Athens Ga., some insignificant staining, Extremely Fine stamp and
attractive cover, ex MacBride (Image) 
Macon Ga., 5c Black on Yellow
Wove (53X3). Horizontal pair with bottom right corner sheet margin,
large to huge margins on other sides, dark shade on bright paper, tied by
large "Macon Geo." circular datestamp on small cover to Richmond, from the
Cobb correspondence, backflap removed and reduced at top, lightened stain
at upper left corner and tiny edge tear, none of these minor flaws affects
the provisional pairEXTREMELY FINE PAIR AND ATTRACTIVE SMALL COVER. ONE OF FIVE RECORDED COVERS WITH A PAIR OF THE MACON 5-CENT FLORAL-BORDER PROVISIONAL.
Ex Caspary and Meroni (Image)
Macon Ga., 5c Black on Light
Blue Green Wove (53X1). Large margins, very choice except for faint gum
stains, tied by "Macon Ga. Nov. 12" (1861) double-circle datestamp on cover
to Vice-President A. H. Stephens at Augusta, redirected to Crawfordville
Ga. with ms. "Ford 5c" forwarding charge, backflap removed as usual
for the Stephens correspondence, neatly docketed on back, Very Fine, the
stamp is on bluish paper (as opposed to the brighter green paper -- see
next lot), ex Caspary (Image) 
Macon Ga., 5c Black on
Gray-Green Wove (53X1 var, formerly 53X2). Comma after "Office",
enormous margins showing parts of three adjoining stamps, bright green
paper, tied by "Macon Ga. Dec. 30" (1861) double-circle datestamp on buff
cover to Griffin Ga., fresh and Extremely Fine, a superb stamp and choice
cover, ex Brown and Wickersham -- the Scott Catalogue values the Comma
after "Office" positions somewhat lower than the Period positions, although
numerically the Comma examples are twice as rare (Crown census: 12 Comma,
25 Period) (Image)