2c Green (3). Two horizontal strips of five from the second row of the plate, Positions 11-15 and 16-20, left strip uncancelled and affixed to back (torn upon opening and resealed), right strip tied by three bold strikes of "Mobile Ala. Jul. 27, 1863" double-circle datestamp on face of 3c Red on Buff Star Die entire (U27) addressed to "Cmr. Catesby ap R. Jones, C.S.N., Naval Gun Foundry and Ord. Works, Selma, Ala.", both strips have large margins to just touching design in places, rich color, strip on face creased between two stamps and in right pair, couple toned spots

VERY FINE. A REMARKABLE USE OF TWO STRIPS OF FIVE OF THE 2-CENT GREEN ON A COVER TO FAMED CONFEDERATE NAVAL OFFICER CATESBY JONES. THIS IS THE LARGEST RECORDED FRANKING WITH THE 2-CENT LITHOGRAPH.

The absence of a cancellation on the second strip on back indicates that the Mobile post office either weighed the letter and determined that it was under the half-ounce limit (for the 10c rate) or that the postal clerk never looked for additional stamps on back. The two strips definitely join together to form a complete row from the original sheet.

Catesby ap Roger Jones was an officer in the U.S. Navy from 1836-61. He became a commander in the Confederate Navy during the Civil War and assumed command of the Virginia (formerly the Merrimack) during the Battle of Hampton Roads and engaged the Monitor in the historic first battle of the two ironclads.

Ex Knapp and Hall. Illustrated in 1929 Dietz book (p. 125).

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