Auction Detail

double circle datestamp with crossroads cancel tying 3c Rose (65) to cover to J. Graham Gardiner in New York City, original enclosure from Samuel Augustus Duncan datelined "Hd. Qrs. 2nd Brig. Hinks' Div., June 20th 1864" which is reproduced in large part below, envelope slightly reduced at left, which does not detract from this historically significant and remarkable letter, very fine and well-worth reading:

The day before we started for our attack on Petersburg, Lt. Col. Rogers, Amo 94th U.S.C.T. at my suggestion wrote to Dept. Hd.Qr's calling attention to the fact of your appointment and requesting a pass for you to join the regt. We find upon our return to this place—Point of Rocks—that the pass is here—Co. Rogers will forward it at once. You will see that it is a pass for you to proceed to Fort Monroe. There you will have to report to Genl. Butler's A.A.G. who will of course attune at once for you to join your regt. wherever it may be. You will find it on the way to Richmond—via Fort Darling—perhaps.

You need have no fear that we enter the Rebel Capital immediately. There will be a chance for you yet, I trust. There will needs be considerable delay in capturing Richmond; but Grand has finally struck the true base, and will push the thing with a will. The whole army is full of confidence. 

The negro troops did much to open the way for him on the 15th.

The question is now settled. The negro will fight.

They did nobly. You have learned the whole story from the papers ere this. And the papers will not overstate the case. 

Privately—I am glad to state that my Brigade of four regts. did the chief work. In the last assault there was but one colored regt. beside. I would pit my command against any equal command in the army. 

The Army of the Potomac, seeing the works we carried, have yielded al their prejudices against colored troops. This was our greatest triumph of the day.

patriotic design in black on 1863 cover to Dr. Henry C. Angell in Florence, Italy, franked with 1c Blue, 3c Rose, and 24c Red lilac (63, 65, 70), tied by large "Paid" in grid handstamps, red "N. York Brem. Pkt. Apr 11 Paid" credit and blue three-line "America Uber Bremen Franco", seven different backstamps, 1c tiny tear at right and 3c lightly oxidized, otherwise very fine and attractive cover

Provenance: Katharine Matthies (R.A. Siegel Sale 353, 1969)

portrait of General Butler in black flanked with flags and cannons, on cover franked with three 3c Rose and 12c Black (65, 69) all tied by large "Paid" in grid cancels, addressed to Dr. Henry C. Angell in Florence, Italy, red "Paid N. York Hamb. Pkt. Paid Sep 6" exchange datestamp, endorsed "Per Hammonia via Hamburg & N.Y." (but carried aboard the Teutonia), various German and Italian backstamps, very fine, several partial "Paid" handstamps suggest that one or more stamps may have been removed but the Philatelic Foundation declares it an accepted underpayment and it is being offered as-is, in any case an attractive cover from the famed Angell correspondence, 2023 Philatelic Foundation certificate

Provenance: Katharine Matthies (R.A. Siegel Sale 353, 1969)

multicolored all-over Magnus design with two flags, reverse with 3c Rose (65) tied by "Washington D.C. Nov 24 1863" double circle datestamp, addressed to Lanesville, Connecticut, very fine and rare

Provenance: Jon Bischel (Nutmeg Sale 27, 2000)

multicolored Magnus design on rebacked cover front with 3c Rose (65) tied by quartered cork, "Washington D.C. Sep 7" datestamp alongside, addressed to Burlington, New Jersey, very fine appearance