Memphis Tenn., 2c Blue
(56X1). Three full to large margins, clear at left, deep shade, tied by
"Memphis Ten. Nov. 12, 1861" circular datestamp on yellow drop-rate cover
locally addressed to James Pettit, designated "Box 664", backflap
removed, mildew stains on back and small spot on front at leftVERY FINE. AN EXTREMELY RARE AND DESIRABLE 2-CENT MEMPHIS PROVISIONAL USAGE -- AMONG THE FINER HALF OF THE FIFTEEN COVERS RECORDED BY CROWN.
The 1967 census by Billy Matz (Confederate Philatelist, Mar. 1967) identified twelve 2c Memphis provisional covers, and the Crown book reported an additional three covers.
Acquired by the Kilbournes directly from Warren H. Colson in 1958 (Image)
Memphis Tenn., 2c Blue, 5c Red
(56X1, 56X2). Unused (no gum), 2c slight crease, 5c margins clear,
Fine, accompanied by 5c Upham counterfeit
(Image) 
Memphis Tenn., 5c Red
(56X2). Large margins to clear at left, rich color, tied by "Memphis
Ten. Oct. --" circular datestamp on cover to Oglethorpe University, Talmage
Ga. "DUE 5" two-line handstamp applied at Memphis, couple soiled spots,
Very Fine, ex Seybold and Caspary (where acquired by the Kilbournes) (Image) 
Memphis Tenn., 5c Deep Red
(56X2). Large margins, intense shade and impression, tied by "Memphis
Ten. Oct. 4, 1861" circular datestamp on yellow cover to Athens Ga., neat
docketing, "DUE 5" two-line handstamp applied at Memphis, slightly reduced
at top, Extremely Fine stamp and colorful cover, ex Caspary (where acquired
by the Kilbournes) (Image) 
Memphis Tenn., 5c Pale Rose
(56X2). Large margins to just in at bottom scalloped border, tied by
bold "Memphis Ten. Nov. 21 (1861) circular datestamp on buff cover to
Hollow Springs Miss., Very Fine, ex Knapp
(Image) 
Memphis Tenn., 5c Deep Red
(56X2). Vivid shade, large side margins, barely in at top and bottom,
slight creasing, tied by bold "Memphis Ten. Sep. 6, 1861" circular
datestamp on cover to Monticello Ark., Fine, scarce shade (Image) 
Memphis Tenn., 5c Red
(56X2). Two, each has large margins to just touched around scalloped
border, paper wrinkles from gum, tied by "Memphis Ten." circular datestamp
(date unreadable) on cover to Middleburg Va. with Gayoso House brown
woodcut corner card, some faint scattered toned spots, part of back
flap removed, Very Fine, ex Caspary and Muzzy (where acquired by the
Kilbournes) (Image) 
Memphis Tenn., 5c Red
(56X2). Horizontal strip of four, large to huge margins except where a
bit uneven at bottom, tied by "Memphis Ten. Nov. 9, 1861" circular
datestamp on yellow cover to Petersburg Va., repaired at upper left and
significantly reduced, still Fine and attractive, the largest recorded
multiple of the Memphis 5c provisional
(Image) 
Memphis Tenn., 5c Red
(56X2). Partly cut to shape at upper right, other sides clear to
slightly in, tied by "Memphis Ten. Jul. 15(?), 1861" circular datestamp on
North-to-South thru-the-lines cover, addressed to Greenwood Tenn.,
clear strikes of "The Adams Express Co. Boston Jul. 6" circular
datestamp and "Paid J.W.R." double-circle with ms. "25", the Paid
marking applied at Boston to indicate prepayment of 25c express charge,
vertical fold and slight wear at upper left cornerVERY FINE. THE ONLY RECORDED EXAMPLE OF ANY CONFEDERATE POSTMASTER'S PROVISIONAL ON AN ADAMS EXPRESS COVER FROM BOSTON.
Very few covers are recorded with Confederate provisional stamps or markings used in conjunction with thru-the-lines express service. This group includes the provisionals of Atlanta (handstamp), Houston (handstamp), Lynchburg (press-printed entire), Memphis (adhesive), Mobile (adhesive), Montgomery (handstamp), Nashville (adhesive and handstamp) and New Orleans (adhesive). To the best of our knowledge, this is the only Memphis thru-the-lines express usage, and it is the only provisional/express usage from the Adams Boston office (whose markings are rare in their own right). (Image)
Memphis Tenn., 5c Red
(56X2). Three full margins, just touching bottom scalloped frame, tied
by red "Southern Express Co. Memphis Tenn. Dec. 18" (1861)
double-circle datestamp on cover to Columbia Tenn., blue "Southern
Express Co. Nashville Tenn. Dec. 19" double-circle datestamp applied in
transit, ms. "2/- CP" (two bits, or 25c) express charge notation,
faint toning, small edge tears at topVERY FINE. AN EXTREMELY RARE EXAMPLE OF A POSTMASTER'S PROVISIONAL USED OUTSIDE OF THE REGULAR CONFEDERATE MAILS. AT LEAST ONE COVER (POSSIBLY TWO OR THREE) IS KNOWN WITH THE MEMPHIS PROVISIONAL, BUT THIS COMBINATION OF NASHVILLE AND MEMPHIS MARKINGS COULD WELL BE UNIQUE.
The cover was entrusted to the Southern Express Co.'s Memphis office for delivery to Columbia Tenn., which lies east of Memphis. It travelled northeast to Nashville, then south to Columbia, accompanied by a Southern Express Co. agent along connecting railroad lines. Independent expresses were often used to carry valuable mail. Express covers involving Confederate postage of any kind are scarce, and those with postmasters' provisionals are very rare.
With 1969 P.F. certificate (Image)
Memphis Tenn., 5c Red entire
(56XU1). Mostly clear "Memphis Ten. Jul. 4, 1861" circular datestamp,
most of address scraped away and re-written in pencil, backflap partly
removed, otherwise Fine (Image) 
Memphis Tenn., 5c Red on Orange
entire (56XU3). Mostly clear "Memphis Ten. Oct. 15, 1861" circular
datestamp, addressed to Lieut. P. G. Pettit, 8th Regt. Ark. Vol., Bowling
Green Ky., sender's notation "Genl. Hardee's Division" and care of
Capt. Gray and Col. Patterson, pressed vertical fold, Extremely Fine,
superb condition and desirable military address in Confederate-occupied
Kentucky, ex Emerson and Brooks (Image)