Auction # 59 - Robert J. Karrer Collection of Charleston SC

Confederacy, [End / Post War] 1865 Federal Occupation and Resumption of the Mails. Group of 11 usages including earliest uses of cancels and markings, June 16th 1865 cover lacking lacking stamp but mentions "Unless the Civil Government was restored your visit here might be profitless", July 15th 1865 use of #65 tied by earliest known use of double cross-roads cancel, forwarded use Aug. 17th with earliest use of "Due 3" in circle rating handstamp; two oval "Held For Postage" handstamps on covers lacking stamps; Aug. 12th 1865 New York City Charleston bearing #65 pair with additional "Due 4" in circle handstamp; 1865 Sep. 14 unpaid to France, Sept. 20th 1865 use of three #63 singles to New York City; faults, Fine.
Estimate; $200 - 300.

Charleston was evacuated by its defenders the night of February 17-18, 1865, and the first Union soldiers arrived on the 18th. Among its occupiers was Colonel A. H. Markland, Special Agent of the Post Office Department and Superintendent of mails, U.S. Army. The reopened newspaper "Courier" announced on February 22nd that contacts had been reestablished "with the whole world", and that the Charleston Post Office would "be in complete working order in a short time".