Lot
58 
Confederacy, Lewisburgh, Va. (West Virginia). Cds on cover to Lewiston with two strikes of "PAID 5" handstamp, this particular postmaster altered his old U.S. "PAID 3" handstamp to create a crude Confederate "PAID 5" handstamp, reduced at left, Fine, a scarce example of Confederate postal usage from an area that eventually became West Virginia (Pictured in Monroe Book, pg. 54). Estimate $150 - 200.
Political and economic disagreements between the eastern and western sections of Virginia ("planters" versus "mountain folk") had long existed. In 1861, the western portion of Virginia strongly opposed secession which was overwhelmingly favored by the eastern counties. The desire of the western region to remain loyal to the Union ultimately led to the formation of a new state on June 20, 1863, namely, West Virginia.
Realized: $270