CSA 2-H, 10¢ dark blue Hoyer (small faults) and CSA 6, 5¢ light blue tied together by blue LYNCHBURG Va JUN 17 (1862) circular datestamp on cover to Miss Mary Seward, Independence, Washington Co(unty), Texas. The government Trans-Mississippi Express Mail was approved on May 1, 1863. Nonetheless, mail was still delivered at the 10¢ rate but without the extra speed. Westbound Trans-Mississippi mail with 10¢ frankings are listed in the CSA Catalog as type TMW-09 with a catalog value of $750. This is very unusual with a 15¢ rate. In June 1862, when this was posted, the rate was 10¢ for a distance more than 500 miles. The universal rate of 10¢ regardless of distance went into effect July 1, 1863. Docketing shows this was received August 2, 1862. Extremely unusual use from multiple standpoints. $1,500.

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.