Spartanburg S.C., 5c Black
(78X1). Cut circular with huge margins all around, tied by "Paid"
straightline, "Spartanburg S.C." double-circle datestamp with ms. "June 24"
(1861) date on orange-buff cover to Corp. Edw. J. Dean, Spartan Rifles, 5th
Regt. S.C. Vol., Col. M. Jenkins, Commanding, Richmond Va., care of Capt.
Jos. Walker, sender's instructions on backflap "The Honorable Post
Master of Richmond Va. will win the gratitude of many of the daughters of
South Carolina by his kindness in promptly forwarding letters to the
volunteers who have left their homes to defend Virginia." couple minor
edge tears, stamp very slightly creased in margin at rightEXTREMELY FINE. ONE OF THE FINEST OF THE APPROXIMATELY TWENTY KNOWN COVERS BEARING THE SPARTANBURG POSTMASTER'S PROVISIONAL.
Most of the recorded Spartanburg Type I provisionals (thin numeral at center) are cut in a circular shape. Some varieties exist, including Scott 78X1a (value omitted). Only one pair is known, used on a cover from the Dean correspondence.
Corporal Edward J. Dean and the Dean correspondence were the subjects of an article by the late Daniel M. Gilbert, published in The Confederate Philatelist (No. 235, p. 28). We have record of an 1899 letter to N. P. Strauss of Henderson N.C., which identifies him as the original purchaser and the Dean family as the source of the correspondence.
Ex Caspary (Image)