Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1922-02-23
Search Your Attic
For Fortunes in Old
Confederate Envelopes

Among the old letters of many Southern
families are hundreds of very rare stamps
and envelopes. Many have been found and
sold for small fortunes. Single envelopes
have been sold for as high as $4,000.
Many have brought upwards of $4,000 each.
It sounds "fishy," but it's true. They are
valuable because they are rare. They are
rare, not because there are only few,
for there are many of them, but simply be-
cause most Of them forgotten, being
stored away in old trunks and closets.
The most valuable stamps and envelopes
are found among those mailed throughout
the South from April to November, 1861.
Not all of these are especially rare, but
many are of great rarity and among the
latter are those which were issued by Post
masters in about fifty towns and villages.
In April, 1861, just after the war was de-
clared and before the Confederacy had time
to make their regular issues Of stamps,
many local offices were allowed to make
Provisional issues. Some of these were
summed stamps, made similar to any
stamp except that they were not perforated,
but had to be separated with shears instead
Of torn apart. Others instead Of stamps
were franked envelopes, the Stamps" be-
ing printed on the envelopes, but nearly all
of them bearing the name Of the town and
also that Of the Postmaster.
These local issues were discontinued in
November, 1861, at which time all offices
were supplied with the National issue Of
stamps bearing the portraits of Davis and
Jefferson. Later others were issued bear
ing portraits Of Washington, Jackson and
Calhoun. None of these 1s61-1s65 Ma
tionaI issues are rare, although some of
them command a fair price. The rare ones
are the local issues used from April to
November, 1861.
Make a thorough search through your
attic for these old war letters. Fortunes In
rare stamps have been found in old safes
which no one ever dreamed contained any
thing of value. Many an old trunk or chest
contains letters that may bring the finder a
profitable reward. Send these to Mr.. Harold
Brooks, Marshall, Michigan, and he will
Immediately write you, stating whether
they are of value and, if so, will offer you
full value for them. He is a private col
lector Of rare stamps and envelopes and
will pay more for those he is seeking than
q dealer.
The Advertising Manager of The Journal
has known Mr.. Brooks for many years and
you may place fullest confidence in his in
tegrity. He will advise you frankly, offer
ing what he regards the envelopes as worth
to him and in case the envelopes are not
satisfactory they will be returned to the
sender.
And so many stamps are similar in ap-
pearance Mr.. Brooks cannot quote values
from written descriptions, but must see the
envelopes. Furthermore, the condition of d
stamp or envelope has an important bear
ing on it's value. Confederate money he does
not collect.
If envelopes are sent in a bunch they
should be very carefully wrapped-if pos
sible between cardboard to protect them
from becoming wrinkled or creased. Do
not cut the stamps from the envelopes, but
send the complete envelopes. Also take
care not to tear the stamps or put pins
through them. Such damage greatly re-
duces the value Of any stamp. If you have
reason to believe your envelopes contain
any Of great value send them by Registered
Mail.
This notice will not be printed again, 50
make a thorough search now before the
address is lost or forgotten. Tell you
friends or ask permission to look over their
old war letters. Many elderly people have
kept hundreds Of such letters. Mr.. Brooks
address is as follows:
HAROLD G. BROOKS,
Box 80, Marshall, Michigan.