CSA 8, 2¢ brown red strip of five on cover made from a land transaction form, strip with full to large margins all around, rich color, individual pen "X" cancels, MILLEDGEVILLE GA FEB. 8 circular datestamp, addressed to Capt. R.D.B. Taylor, Athens Georgia, charge box notation at top left partially covered by strip, right stamp with light crease not noted on certificate and only visible under magnification, still an Extremely Fine strip and AN EXTRAORDINARY ADVERSITY COVER. Click here to see the cover fully exploded; Ex William R. Weiss who pictured it in his book Confederate States General Issue Stamps used on Adversity Covers, 1861-1865, currently available from the CWPS for only $6. Weiss wrote on page 54, "The fact that we were only able to acquire six adversity covers bearing this stamp in the decade we collected this area clearly shows the scarcity. Strips, of course, are particularly rare." 1966 PF certificate. $4,500.

Richard D.B. Taylor served as a private in Company F Georgia 3rd Battalion State Guard Cavalry. His father was Robert Walter Taylor, a wealthy cotton merchant and planter. Around 1844, Robert built a Greek Revival mansion as a summer home in Athens, Ga. When his three sons (including Richard) entered the University of Georgia, the Taylors became permanent residents of Athens. Richard was gifted the mansion as a wedding gift. There is conflicting information online, but either Robert or Richard was commissioned a brigadier general in the Georgia Militia before the war. More research would doubtless correctly determine this.