Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1879-03-08
Confederate Stamps and Money.

Few persons are aware Of the fact that the
postmasfers in the Confederate States wera
permitted g. issue stamps for their own conve-
nience during the first month OF the rebellion,
or between the date Of the secession Of South
Carolina aud tie Gnal organization oi the gov
ernmeut of tho Confederate States AZ Rich
mond, Va. This authority was given 10 post
masters Of the South By the Confederate States
government when the Capital was still at
Montgomery, Ala Many Of the postmasters
exercised the power given them, and 10 tho
year 1861 had stamps printed ior their Offices.
These stamps are now very rare. The wantot
facilities Of the towns and cities Of the South
10 engraye and print "Siamps" resulted IN the
issue Of stamps Of a large variety. The want
Of common design for them renders tLeao
stamps quite desirable to collectors and unique
as a memento OF the past.
Although the number aud variety Of these
local stamps were comparatively large, yct
few persons remember g. have seen one, as the
organization Of the Confederate States govern
ment at Richmond brought with < the regular
Confederate States postage stamps, which were
quickly furnished all posimasicls oi The Con-
ederate States Of America. IL Is now impos-
sible to find such stamps, except on old letters,
dated 1861. which are hidden away 10 closets,
garrets and other out Of way places. Mr. G.
+. Johnston. 9l8 Main street, Richmond, Va.
who deals largely in Confederate money. bonds
and stamps and old coins OF every description,
says that tie following local stamps are yalua-
be: Sc. Athens. Ga. &c. Bacon Rouge, ia.
and l0c Charleston, ). {. &C. ffedcricks-
burg Va. BE- Gfcenvi!le, Ala. and lOc.
Goliad, Tex &c. Helena. Tex. Kingston,
Tenn. 3 aud Joe. Knoxville Tenn; Dc.
Livingston, Ala DC. Lynchburg, Va. DC.
Macon, Ga DC Madison, Fla. Marion, Va.
Memphis. Tenn Mobile Ala; Nashville,
Tenn. New Orleans. In Petersburg, va. /,
Pttsylyania G. H., Va. Pleasant Shade, Va;
Kingston, Tenn Ringgod. Ga ; Salem, ~.
c.; Danyille, Va and many others. SOmc
Of these local stamps are exceedingly scarce,
aud can be sold at high prices.
We learn that none Of tie stamps sell FOR
less than 25 ccits on 90 original cnvelopesl
and some Of them have been suld for go
apiece We advise those 10 possession Of let
ters written in the year 1891 20 Examine tho
stamps on them aud ascertain If they are not
the oyners o( one Or moro ol these rare stamps.
OF the regular !ssue Of tho Confederate states
stamps the 1.-TWO cents fgrceul is the most
valuable, and Is worth - cents each.
Confederate mopey issued 10 1861 Is also
eagerly sought after BY curiosity" buuiors
notes issued ~ Montgomery Ala, Of The de-
nominations q $50, 500. $500 and $1,000
/ being The rafea. A set q these notes in good
/ condition Will sell readily for 500 in gold
I Next 10 value are tic notes engraved by tho
Southern Bank Note Company" in lsGl.-
. a. j fI g rrfrH d an
/ engraving represcn;ing female riding deer
T Is worth - face value in gold. Some Of The
/ issues Of 1862 are worth something bot after
that year the issue Of Confederate States money
is scarcely worth preserving