CSA 4b, 5¢ light milky blue vertical pair (3 margins) tied RICHMOND Va. JUL 25 1862 CDS on fresh cover with manuscript “Official” at upper right, addressed to A. Donnan, Esq., Attorney at Law, Petersburg, Va, light file fold across bottom of cover, Very Fine $450.

Alexander Donnan (1818-1893) was born in Dumfries, Scotland, the sixth child of David Donnan (1778-1857) and Mary Stewart Donnan (1787-1850). The family migrated to Virginia. Alexander and his brother, James M. Donnan, moved to Petersburg, Virginia, where they practiced law together. Alexander Donnan married Anne Eliza Willson (1827-1912), and they had six children. Alexander Donnan died 14 March 1892 in Petersburg, and was buried in Blandford Cemetery. James M. Donnan was an avowed Unionist during the Civil War and a Radical Republican during Reconstruction. He served on the Petersburg City Council and was United States Consul at Belfast, Ireland, from 1873 to 1880.