CSA 11, 10¢ blue (4 margins) tied scarce dateless RICHMOND VA (Powell type 6g in black ink; this postmark mostly known in blue [type 6f] – the 6g noted by Powell as only four covers recorded, dates used in blue May 16-June 3, 1863) on cover to Miss Mary Seward, Independence, Washington Co(unty), Texas. Back flaps torn in opening, light stain at top. The government Trans-Mississippi Express Mail was approved on May 1, 1863, at a rate of 40¢ but it took time to get up and running. The earliest express mail is not recorded until October 1863. Nonetheless, mail was still delivered. Westbound Trans-Mississippi mail with 10¢ frankings are listing in the CSA Catalog as type TMW-09 with a catalog value of $750. Scarce both for type of Richmond postmark and 10¢ Trans-Mississippi rate. $750.

John Hoblett Seward (1822-1892) built the Seward Plantation in the mid-1800s. During the war, it was a classic Southern cotton plantation complete with enslaved workers, but after the war became a working cattle ranch employing as share-croppers some of his former enslaved persons. The property encompassed 2,000 acres. Mary Virginia Seward (1841-1875) was John’s sister.