CSA 13, 20¢ green  right sheet margin strip of four (was a strip of 5) with large margins other 3 sides and CSA 11, 10¢ blue vertical strip of 3, tied by four strikes of RICHMOND VA MAY 10 (1864) circular datestamp on legal sized cover with semi-official imprint of the Bureau of Conscription, War Department, Official Business (WD-CN-04),  to Maj. Gen. Howell Cobb, Comdg. Reserves, Macon Georgia; docketing at left reads, "Papers to be sent to 2nd Auditors offices 1st qr (quarter) 1863 Mach & Remarks of same," most of top back flap removed, vertical creases clear of stamps. Click here to see imprint side of cover. Amazing rare cover originally franked with $1.30 in postage! 1979 PF certificate. $2,750.

Thomas Howell Cobb (1815-1868) was a Southern Democrat and prominent politician in both the US and CSA. Cobb was a five-term member of the US House of Representatives and Speaker of the House from 1849 to 1851. He also served as a Secretary of Treasury under President James Buchanan and was the 40th governor of Georgia (1851–1853). He is, however, probably best known as one of the founders of the Confederate States of America, having served as the President of the Provisional Confederate Congress, when delegates of the secessionist states created the Confederacy. Cobb served for two weeks between the foundation of the Confederacy and the election of Jefferson Davis as first President. This made him, as the Speaker of the Congress, provisional Head of State at this time. Cobb subsequently joined the Confederate army and eventually rose to Major General in the Army of Northern Virginia. Much detailed history on him is available online.