FL241

Stampless cover with postal markings all in manuscript "Waldo (Florida) Apl 21 Pd 10." Addressed to Mrs O. L. Stephens, Thomasville, Ga. Waldo is a small town in Alachua County which still exists today and a station on the Florida Railroad between Gainesville and Starke. There are 11 CSA covers from Waldo listed in the Briggs Census. This is the only stampless "PAID" cover listed and is illustrated in the Briggs book on Florida Civil War Postal History on Page 247. Cover with a little light soiling and foxing and a somewhat faded but still legible address. The addressee, Olivia L. (Bryant) Stephens (1841-1908), was the wife of Capt Winston J. T. Stephens of Co B 2nd Fla Cav. Capt Stephens was Killed-in-Action at the Skirmish at Cedar Creek (Jacksonville, Fla) 3/1/1864 not long after the Battle of Olustee 2/20/1864. Mrs. Stephens mother, who was staying with her in Welaka, also died about the same time. After her husband's and mother's death, Olivia Stephens relocated to Thomasville, Georgia, and did not return to Welaka until 1868. That, therefore, dates the cover to most likely 1864. There is an outside chance that it could be a very late 1865 use, but that cannot be verified without the original enclosure. The sender of this cover is not identified.

$500.00

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