1c Franklin on Confederate cover
United States 1-cent Benjamin Franklin (USA Scott 24), tied by Richmond Virginia, May 25, 1861, postmark. This is a 'drop letter', deposited in the Richmond Post Office for pickup by the addressee, William Cabell Rives, who was at that time a member of the Provisional Confederate Congress. Rives had previously served in the United States Senate and the House of Representatives. He had also served as Ambassador to France.
Virginia seceded from the United States on April 17, 1861, and was admitted to the Confederacy on May 7, 1861. This cover therefore represents Confederate usage of a United States stamp. The 1-cent stamp paid for the U.S. drop-letter rate which, by default, was the Confederate rate as well until the CSA POD officially began mail service on June 1, 1861.
