Confederate States Of America, Transatlantic, 1861; Donaldsonville, La. For Sale

---

Confederate States of America, Transatlantic, 1861; DONALDSONVILLE, La.

French Convention Mails 1857 - 1861

Confederate States of America transatlantic cover, 27 May 1861, Donaldsonville, Louisiana to Maubourguet, France—4 days prior to U.S. postage becoming invalid in the Confederacy. Fifteen cents postage paid with 5¢ brown, type II (Scott #30A)…and 10¢ green, type V (Scott #35) tied by red-orange New York exchange office circular datestamp—NEW / PAID / YORK / 12 / JUN / 5—showingletter was paid,dateforwarded from New York, and a 12¢ credit to France (since a British contract steamship [Cunard PERSIA] was to carry the letter across the Atlantic—New York to Queenstown—the U.S. was entitled to only 3¢ of the 15¢ prepayment). …Adhesives tied together by black Donaldsonville killer grid.

Red-orange double circle French entry marking of Paris exchange office indicating letter from U.S. by British packet via U.K. entering France at Calais—

3 ETATS-UNIS 3 / SERV. BRIT. CALAIS / 18 / JUN / 61 [The mail bag, closed at New York, passed through the U.K. unopened on its way to France.

It was opened at Paris on 18 June 1861.]

On reverse, black double circle (inner octagonal) French entry marking datestamp used onrailroad from Paris to Bordeaux—PARIS A BORDEAUX 1° / 18 / JUIN / 61 / H—appears on the reverse. The inner octagonal shape indicates this was used on a day train, the first trip from Paris, and the letter was processed by postal brigade “H.” …Also a BORDEAUX / A / BAYONNE / 19 / JUIN / 61, similar to previous…another black PARIS receiver (mostly missing), and another black receiver, undecipherable. Addressed to: Mr. Pascal Labusquière / Maubourguet / Haute Pyrenees / France.

Manuscript in French at cover bottom … Received letter & the ?? of 26 mai 1861.

Cover partially rebacked withrepaired tears, both sides, for preservation…please see scans. ...Scarce CSA item.

*REF: Richard W. Winter, Understanding Transatlantic Mail Volume 1 (Bellefonte, PA: American Philatelic Society, 2006).

This item has been shown times. Confederate States Of America, Transatlantic, 1861; Donaldsonville, La.: $480