"CHAMPION PRIZE" Postal Cvrs- Unused Complete Set

Postal Covers 1861, "Champion Prize Envelope - Lincoln & Davis in 5 Rounds." An extremely rare complete set of five. The covers were published by J.H. Tingley, New York. They depict Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis in a roped-off boxing ring, surrounded by Union soldiers, political figures, world leaders in the distance and slaves sitting on cotton bales. The captions read as follows: 1st Round, Lincoln: "I use no more force than necessary". Davis: "Let me alone!" 2nd Round, Lincoln, as he rips off Davis' coat tail: "Go back you dog to the junction. I'll call on you there soon." Davis: "Beauregard, let's fall back on Richmond". 3rd Round, Lincoln, holding Davis in a headlock: "I will soon smother those pirates". Northerners: "General, that's secession's last kick". "See those balls rolling". Southerners: "Let's go home boys." "Damn Pickens! South Carolina and Sumpter too!" 4th Round, Lincoln, facing Capitol Building: "I have taken the world by surprise." Seward, in the middle of the ring: "General, where is secession now?" Scott: "Don't you see that grease spot?" and the 5th Round, Lincoln: "You shall all have my impartial, constitutional and humble protection!" Heraldic eagle flies above with banner, "Union Forever." Lincoln stands in middle of huge "Champion Belt" with pyramid of states behind him. Men standing "North, South, East, and West" tip their hats. There are mounting remains on the reverse of each envelope where they were previously mounted in an album. Complete sets are extremely difficult to find!