RT31A

USA #26 Pen-Cancel and manuscript Gold Hill (Va) May 26 (1861) (the "6" is under the CSA stamps) addressed to Lt Thomas P. Shields, Company A, Richmond, Va USA Used in the CSA. The cover was advertised in Richmond with the application of the “Advertised 2” handstamp Dietz Type II. Cover was held in Richmond for more than a year and was then finally forwarded to the addressee in Cartersville, Va. The forwarding was paid by the addition of a pair of CSA #7 stamps applied directly over the advertised marking and canceled with the Richmond, Va CDS 25 AUG 1862. There is a second strike of the Richmond CDS to the left dated 15 AUG 1862. The original letter dated 25 MAY 1861 remains with the cover which confirms the initial 1861 usage. Cover probably had difficulty catching up with Lt Shields because of an incomplete and wrong address. Thomas P. Shields (d. 1912) (a physician who served as a line officer) enlisted as a 1st Lieut Co E 18th Va Inf 4/23/1861 and was promoted Capt 7/30/1862. He was listed as wounded at Frayser’s Farm (Va) 6/30/1862 and resigned the service 2/13/1863. Cover with minor edge wear at the top and a small piece of the backflap torn away in opening but is otherwise Very Fine and showing a most unusual usage.

SOLD