5c Green, Stone 1-2 (1). Two, tied by "Mobile Ala. Feb. 11, 1862" double-circle datestamps on civilian flag-of-truce buff cover to Cambridge Md., endorsed "Via Norfolk Va. and Flag of Truce", sender attempted to pay U.S. postage from the exchange point with 3c Dull Red, Ty. III (26) but the 1857 Issue had been demonetized and civilian flag-of-truce mail over the Norfolk-Old Point Comfort route had recently been banned, so this was struck with bold "DUE 6cts." straightline and diverted to the Dead Letter Office where struck with "Dead Letter Office Mar. 5, 1862" circular datestamp, 5c stamps with faults where one was affixed over the edge of the cover and the other had some peeling attempted at top, 3c stamp also with faults from placement near edge, cover tear at top

A RARE EARLY 1862 MIXED-FRANKING NORTHBOUND CIVILIAN FLAG-OF-TRUCE COVER SENT VIA NORFOLK AND OLD POINT COMFORT. FEW MIXED-FRANKING COVERS ARE KNOWN FROM THIS PERIOD AND REPRESENT THE EARLIEST EXAMPLES OF MIXED UNITED STATES AND CONFEDERATE STATES POSTAGE. IN THIS CASE THE LETTER WAS SENT AFTER SUCH MAIL WAS BANNED AND IT ENTERED THE DEAD LETTER OFFICE.

Mixed-franking U.S.-Confederate States covers are rare and highly sought after by collectors. For a short window, mixed frankings on civilian flag-of-truce covers were possible via the Norfolk-Old Point Comfort route. Shortly before this cover was mailed however, an announcement in the January 1862 U.S. Mail & Post Office Assistant stated, "The facilities afforded by sending letters to the rebel states under a flag-of-truce are not intended, and cannot be permitted, to cover general correspondence." (U.S. General Order No. 7). Therefore, this civilian flag-of-truce cover was diverted to the U.S. Dead Letter Office.

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