Civil War Postal Covers Incl. African American, 8 Pcs Total

A collection of Civil War-era postal covers, including exceptional African American, pro-Union, and anti-Confederacy examples, eight pieces total. Expected wear including toning, weathering, and minor loss due to letter-opening, else very good to near fine. The average size is 5.5." x 3.125."

The lot includes:

- James Gates (Cincinnati, Ohio) publisher, "Map of the Seat of War" with a cachet at lower left depicting a black man with the speech bubble, "I'se De INNOCENT CAUSE Ob All Dis WAR TRUBBLE."

- Norris & Hyde (Chicago, Illinois) publisher, "Remember Ellsworth," depicting the death of Colonel Elmer Ellsworth (1837-1861), the first Union officer killed in the Civil War. Lightly pencil-inscribed verso.

- J. Magee (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) publisher, ca. 1861, "Liberty Union" showing the state seal of New Jersey at the center of a banner showing all of the United States.

- Harbach & Bro. (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) publisher, ca. 1861, showing "The destruction of the Snake of South Carolina, Nullification, and Secession, and all her progeny by the NATIONAL BIRD. To portray the ultimate overthrow of the evil power, which strikes at the life of the National Government, is the object of this cut." Scattered adhesive residue to the back envelope flap.

- F. Hedge (Boston, Massachusetts) publisher, showing "Union" in the blue canton of the American flag form envelope. Minor loss to the back envelope flap.

- A "Hemp for Traitors North or South" postal cover, captioned "Them pesky Treason fellers hev got to hev ROPE and 'more tew', and we mite jest as well be getting' hemp dewins ready first as last and give 'em full swing." The sender of the envelope has drawn a figure suspended from the gallows and labeled it "Jeff," presumably Jefferson Davis. Minor loss to the left edge of the front envelope panel; more loss to the corresponding side of the back panel. Addressed to a recipient in Bellevue, Ohio.

- A postal cover with a blue cachet of General Ulysses S. Grant with the caption, "We Fight It Out On This Line," referencing the commander's 1868 presidential campaign.

- An envelope with a faded "Young America off for the War" cachet in red at left. Addressed to a recipient in Sackett's Harbor, New York and bearing two hand-stamped philatelic markings. Partial loss where the envelope was letter-opened at left.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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