CSA 7-R variety, 5¢ blue on local paper with SCRATCHED PLATE (position UL31, recently listed as a constant variety in Scott, not listed in the CSA Catalog but doubtless will be in future editions), vertical crease on right stamp (not on the variety), 4 margins, tied boldly struck GREENSBOROUGH / ALA // MAY / 20 cds on cover to Mrs. Willis Bocock, Taylor’s Station, near Macon, Marengo Co(unty), Ala.; slight edge nick at bottom of cover, RARE on-cover use of this scarce variety, CLOSE-UP OF STAMPS, ex Doug Baker. $400.

Willis Perry Bocock (1806 or 1807-1887) was a lawyer and a Virginia politician who served as Attorney General of Virginia 1848-1857, as a member of the Virginia General Assembly, and as a representative to the Virginia Constitutional Convention of 1850. After a serious fall made him a cripple, he resigned his Attorney General’s office and relocation to Macon, Ala. He owned 127 slaves, per the Alabama slave holder list.