The Kilbourne Collection of Confederate Postmaster's Provisionals continued...

Prices realized...
Montgomery, Ala.:
Lot Sym. Lot Description Realized
88 c imageMontgomery Ala., 5c Red entire (59XU1). Clear strike of red provisional handstamp with blurry part strike of black "Montgomery Ala. Aug. 7, 1861" circular datestamp on small cover to Starkville Ga., fresh and Very Fine, ex Handy (Image) $ 1,100
89 c imageMontgomery Ala., 5c Blue entire (59XU2). Clearly-struck blue provisional handstamp with partly clear black "Montgomery Ala. OCt. 14, 1861" circular datestamp on manila cover to Gainesville Ala., Very Fine and choice (Image) $ 800
90 c imageMontgomery Ala., 10c Red entire (59XU3). Bold deep red provisional handstamp with clear black "Montgomery Ala. Aug. 4, 1861" circular datestamp on cover to Plano Tex., reduced slightly at top and left, small edge tear at upper left, Very Fine, ex Brown (Image) $ 525
91 c imageMontgomery Ala., 10c Blue entire (59XU4). Full clear strike of blue provisional handstamp with bold black "Montgomery Ala. Oct. 3, 1861" circular datestamp on cover to Red Oak Grove Va., slightly toned and small edge tears at left, still Very Fine, only five recorded in Crown, illustrated in Brannon's The Organization of the Confederate Post Office (p. 108), ex Ferrary, Hind and Brooks (Image) $ 1,350
92 c imageMontgomery Ala., 5c Black on Buff, Red Crayon "5" and "T Welsh" Postmaster's Signature (unlisted in Scott). Used on orange-buff cover to Lieut. M. E. Pratt, Prattville Ala., 5c Green, Stone 2 (1), sheet margin at left, creases, originally affixed over provisional and tied by "Montgomery Ala. Mar. 5, 1862" circular datestamp (also ties provisional), mended nick in top edge of cover, flap fold also creases and ties provisional

VERY FINE. THE RECORDING EXAMPLE OF THIS MONTGOMERY PROVISIONAL ADHESIVE. ONLY ONE OTHER EXAMPLE IS BELIEVED TO EXIST.

One other example of the 5c on Buff is recorded in Crown as part of the Manning collection (Phillips census), used on a cover to Edw. Hart, Auditor, Jackson Miss. The use of the provisional adhesive on this cover is something of an enigma. Government postage stamps were available at Montgomery as early as October 1861, and dated examples of the provisional handstamped envelopes show that they were phased out by January 1862. There is no obvious reason for Postmaster Welsh to accept adhesive provisionals in March 1862 -- in this instance, an old stamp may have been affixed and honored, and the 5c Green affixed at the post office to keep accounts reconciled.

Illustrated in Crown book (p. 231). "W.H.C." Colson handstamp. Ex Ferrary, Caspary, Meroni and Freeland (Image)

$ 13,000

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