Johnson Island, Ohio. Sutler Johnson Island. ND. $5. PMG Fine 12 Net.Keller OH-SJ500. White paper. Middleton, Strobridge & Co. Cincinnati. Center, horses frightened by lighting copied from obsolete notes, arched above SUTLER JOHNSON ISLAND. Lower left, seated Union and shield. Lower right, farmer with sheaf of wheat. Signature space for "Post Sutler." Very rare, but the signature is illegible due to soiling and wear. One of the most important sutler issues, north or south, as this was a POW camp used mainly for Confederate officers. Conditions here, excepting the Lake Erie winter weather, were better than most POW camps in the war. Over the course of this Sandusky Bay islands prison life, some 10,000 men passed through with as many as 3,200 populating towards the end of the war. Odd escapes of course across the ice towards Canada were attempted. The camp even hosted a few Confederate generals. The site still exists for visitors. A very important Sutler issue of which few examples are known. This is the Keller plate example and the only $5 denomination we have seen from this issuer. Last seen in our February 2015 Americana Auction where it realized $3,818.75 after spirited bidding.
