The collecting of Civil War Patriotics actually began during the war, and one design actually promotes the collecting of the covers! It is said that some publishers continued printing and selling covers after the war ended, but rumors of modern production of these designs are, mostly unfounded. Patriotic covers from the War Between the States were published by a variety of manufacturers mostly in the North.

Artists and designers worked with political activists to stir support and sentiment. To do so, they used patriotic symbols including the American Eagle, the American flag, stars, and the Liberty Bell. Depictions of soldiers were common as were symbols of ‘Lady Liberty.’

 
Designs were predominately printed in red and blue (also to inspire patriotism!) but exist in a wide range of colors, The most highly prized hand-colored designs were produced primarily by the Charles Magnus Company, the F.K. Kimmel Company, and Berlin & Jones. A variety of colored envelope stock was used, but most Civil War patriotic covers were white.
 
Twenty-five years ago, the lowest-priced unused Civil War patriotic covers could be purchased for a quarter or less. The affordability of this fascinating branch of collecting makes it extremely accessible to novice collectors and appealing to Civil War enthusiasts. Even covers that have been posted are offered in the $10-$20 range if their quality is relatively poor or their subject is common. Rarer designs, however, elicit bids of many thousands of dollars.
 
What’s on the design A-List when it comes to Civil War patriotic covers? President Abraham Lincoln is one of the most expensive, while the Rose of Washington by Charles Magnus is undoubtedly one of the most popular.