Mobile Ala., 2c Black
(58X1). Horizontal pair, three large to huge margins, clear to ample at
bottom, deep shade, fine impression, tied by bold "Mobile Ala. Sep. 7,
1861" double-circle datestamp on blue folded printed prices-current to
Burn's Bluff Va., double circular rate, right stamp has very slight pre-use
diagonal crease at lower right, lettersheet has some nibbled areas on
inside and back (tiny spot at lower right)EXTREMELY FINE. BY FAR THE FINER OF THE TWO RECORDED COVERS BEARING A PAIR OF THE RARE MOBILE 2-CENT PROVISIONAL. ONE OF THE MOST OUTSTANDING CONFEDERATE ITEMS, IN TERMS OF RARITY AND CONDITION.
The other pair on cover -- in vertical format with part of the imprint at bottom -- is used with a single, the stamps are seriously defective.
Illustrated in Crown book (p. 221). Ex Caspary (Image)
Mobile Ala., 2c Black
(58X1). Five, two righthand stamps a pair with nearly-complete
separation cut between stamps, margins large to just in, a few minor
creases or tiny tears, tied by four strikes of "Mobile Ala. Aug. 26, 1861
double-circle datestamp on yellow cover to Mrs. John J. Walker, Choctaw
Agency Miss., rated 10c for distance, vertical fold at left, opening tears
in flap and top of cover have been sealed with archival tissueVERY FINE APPEARANCE. THE ONLY RECORDED QUINTUPLE FRANKING OF THE MOBILE 2-CENT PROVISIONAL -- THE LARGEST NUMBER OF THIS RARE STAMP KNOWN ON A SINGLE COVER. DESCRIBED IN THE 1956 CASPARY SALE AS "THE MOST OUTSTANDING MOBILE ITEM KNOWN" -- AN OPINION STILL WIDELY ACCEPTED.
The postmasters at Mobile and Livingston issued the only two pictorial Confederate provisional stamps, and it is almost certain that they were designed and printed by the same lithographer, whose name, W. R. Robertson, appears in the imprints on the 2c and 5c stones. The stamp designs contain symbols of the Confederacy and allegorical figures representing the South.
The Mobile 2c Black is an extremely rare stamp in any form. The Crown book records 23 covers, and, if we allow for additional covers, it is unlikely that the total extant exceeds 30. Of these, all but a few are single frankings for the 2c drop-letter or circular rates. One pair on cover is recorded (offered in the preceding lot), and a cover with three stamps was offered in our Sale 810 (realized $5,500 hammer). This cover with five 2c provisionals for the 10c rate comes from the well-known Walker correspondence, which is also the source of the largest known 5c multiples.
Illustrated in Crown book (p. 218). Ex Seybold, Caspary, Meroni and Weatherly (acquired in 1963 by the Kilbournes) (Image)
Mobile Ala., 2c Black
(58X1). Three large margins, cut close or just touching frameline at
bottom, tied by "Mobile Ala. Sep. 14, 1861" double-circle datestamp on
small cover with beautifully written local address, immaculate condition,
Very Fine, ex Caspary (where acquired by the Kilbournes) (Image) 
Mobile Ala., 2c Black
(58X1). Full to huge margins showing part of adjoining stamp at right,
top right corner cut diagonally by clear of design, tied by bold "Mobile
Ala. Sep. 1, 1861" double-circle datestamp on bluish-gray folded printed
prices-current to Demopolis Ala., somewhat fragile with a few eroded spots
in address and along top edge, still an Extremely Fine stamp and choice
attractive cover, illustrated in Crown book (p. 219), ex Caspary (where
acquired by the Kilbournes) (Image) 
Mobile Ala., 5c Blue
(58X2). Three large margins, touched at bottom, deep shade, tied by
"Mobile Ala. Aug. 14, 1861" double-circle datestamp on small bluish-gray
cover to Bashi Ala., receipt docketing, Very Fine, ex Caspary (Image) 
Mobile Ala., 5c Blue
(58X2). Vertical pair, large even margins, bright shade, tied by
"Mobile Ala. Oct. 21, 1861" double-circle datestamp on buff cover to
Gordonsville Va., upper stamp has small tear at lower right (covered by
postmark and not readily apparent), otherwise Extremely Fine, ex Knapp and
Caspary (Image) 
Mobile Ala., 5c Blue
(58X2). Two vertical pairs, one has large margins all around, other has
mostly large margins except touched at upper left, tied by "Mobile Ala.
Aug. 27, 1861" double-circle datestamps on cover to Beersheba Springs
Tenn., very slightly toned, Very Fine, only four covers are recorded with
20c rate prepaid by Mobile 5c provisional -- two have strips and two have
pairs -- ex Seybold, Caspary and Hill
(Image)