The James Milgram Collections of U.S. Registered Mail and Campaign Envelopes

1863 (Jul. 22) Registered from Federal Soldier, orange cover bearing 3¢ rose (65) tied by "Portsmouth Grove R.I. Jul 24" cds, ms. "Reg, No 10" registry marking to Turner Me., original enclosed letter datelined "Lowell Hospital, Portsmouth Grove, R.I., Jul 22d 1863" reading "…I think I shall get this letter registered for we have just been payd off and I hardley dir [dare] to send it without mayking it shour and I shal feel easy about it then…"; cover reduced at right into 3¢, F.-V.F.

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $200 - 300.

THE ONLY RECORDED CIVIL WAR REGISTERED COVER FROM A FEDERAL SOLDIER.

Soldiers could not got to post offices, and therefore did not have the ability to register mail. However, this soldier was a patient at Lowell Hospital and this could mail his $25 pay home to his sister.

1864 Registered Covers to Federal Soldiers, two orange covers mounted on exhibit page, first with "Cincinnati O. Nov 4" cds and matching "Registered" straightline ties 3¢ rose (65) on orange cover to soldier in Hospital at Atlanta Ga., undeliverable and sent to Dead Letter Office, light "D.L.O. Aug 15" cds and blue ms. "$10" notation; second with "Kellysville Pa. Nov 15" cds and ms. "No 6 Registered" marking on 1864 orange cover bearing pen canceled 3¢ rose (65) addressed to Lieut. Allen at Washington D.C.; faults, Fine and scarce pair.

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $300 - 400.

(Prisoner of War) Old Capital Prison, Washington D.C., buff cover bearing addressed to R.H. Burn, 6th S.C. Cavalry Prisoner, Old Capitol Prison, endorsed " By Flag of Truce " at bottom left and " $5 U.S. " at top left, some red and green notations plus pencil " Ex " examiner's marking, Very Fine and rare registered use to Confederate POW.

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $500 - 750.

References: Listed in Antrim's article on Registered Letters to Prisoners.

(Prisoner of War) Johnsons Island, Sandusky, O., incoming cover addressed to "Lieut Col. Inser, Prisoner of War, Care Major Pearson, Johnsons Island", bearing 3¢ rose (65) , nat. s.e., canceled by target, matching "San Francisco, Cal. Mar 29, 1864" cds and straight line " Registered " handstamp, manuscript " Due 10¢ " and matching "2531" registry number tying stamp, endorsed "$150 draft, Hill" in pencil at left additionally tying stamp; 3¢ corner crease, Very Fine, ex-Polland .

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $500 - 750.

A VERY RARE REGISTERED COVER FROM SAN FRANCISCO, CAL. TO A PRISONER AT JOHNSONS ISLAND.

Registered mail service was available in the United States during the war years of 1861 to 1865. Registered letters known to prisoners contained money and by registering the letters, they were guaranteed delivery to the prisoner.

The registered mail fee of 20¢ was to paid in cash, however the sender may have had only half of the necessary fee in which the Post Office accepted and dued the cover the remaining 10¢ fee.

References: Illustrated in the Confederate Philatelist, March 1964, pg. 29.

(Prisoner of War) Rock Island, Illinois, incoming buff cover addressed to "Mr. Jabez Wood, Prisoner of War at Rock Island, Illinois", bearing pen canceled 3¢ rose (65) and "Bodega Cal. Mar 30" cds, blue crayon " Examined " and " Box 79 " notations; reduced slightly at right, small 3¢ flaws, F.-V.F. and scarce registered cover to Civil War POW.

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $400 - 600.