Most #30A are to found with either Maryland or California cancel. Shown above is a pair of #30A on cover from San Francisco to Maine

Prior to 1861 the majority of these 5¢ stamps had a New Orleans cancel and the destination was France. This is because 15¢ was the rate to France. As there was no 15¢ stamp at the time the most common use of stamps on mail to France was either three 5¢ stamps or one 10¢ stamp and one 5¢ stamp. As most of the descendants of France lived in New Orleans it is of no surprise to see this cancel on 5¢ stamps. However Louisiana ceded from the Union on January 26th, 1861, nine months after this stamp was issued. As New Orleans was in Confederate Territory and Union postage was no longer valid from Southern States the mail to France. However this cover was mailed from New Orleans on February 1861, almost a month after secession, a rare use of Union stamps from a Confederate state to a foreign destination.

Along the side margin of the sheet can be found the printers imprint along with the plate number. Shown above is part of the imprint.