Fredericksburg Va., 5c Blue on Thin Bluish (26X1). Position 7, three huge margins showing tips of adjoining ornaments at left, just touched at right, deep shade, tied by partly clear "Fredericksburg Va. Paid Oct. 23" (1861) circular datestamp on oatmeal cover to Hazen Va., neat docketing, some scattered spots not affecting stamp, cover slightly reduced at left with small sealed tear

VERY FINE. ONE OF THE FINEST ON-COVER EXAMPLES OF THE 5-CENT FREDERICKSBURG POSTMASTER'S PROVISIONAL.

Reuben Triplett Thom (1782-1868) was 78 when he was appointed to be Confederate postmaster of Fredericksburg on July 20, 1861. Thom had been postmaster since 1840, when he received his first appointment from President Martin Van Buren. Fredericksburg, a Virginia town with an 1860 population of 4,000, was situated on the Fredericksburg & Potomac Railroad between the capital cities of Washington D.C. and Richmond. The town changed hands eleven times and was essentially destroyed during the Civil War, but Postmaster Thom performed his postal duties throughout the conflict.

The Fredericksburg stamps on covers are more often seen with brown gum toning and deeply cut into the design. This example ranks among the best recorded examples.

Ex Caspary. With 2002 C.S.A. certificate. Scott Retail $5,500.00

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