Lot
4176 
Steam Packet Columbia, red two-line handstamp on circa 1838 folded letter cover to Ashbel Smith, the Surgeon General of the Republic of Texas (1836-1844) in Houston Tex., manuscript "Free" franking at top and endorsed "Steamer Packet Columbia" at bottom, Very Fine. Milgram No. 266 Estimate $300 - 400.
During the period of the Texas Republic 1836-1845, a regular service between Galveston and New Orleans was operated with an agent based in New Orleans for the "Texian Post Office". One of the vessels providing the service circa 1838-42 was the Columbia, a 140 ton side paddle steamer built in 1835 at Cincinnati Ohio.
Realized: $900