Lot
1074 
Steam Packet Columbia, black two-line handstamp on 1838 folded cover to Washington Texas, entered mails with "Independence Mo. Jun 15" cds and matching "Free" handstamp, manuscript "R. Fristoe, P.M." free frank endorsement, black "Sam Ricker Jr., Agent of the Texian Post Office, New Orleans" double-oval handstamp, endorsed in his care at lower left; reduced slightly at left, Very Fine, ex-Hugh Feldman. Milgram No. 266 Estimate $750 - 1,000.
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. This letter was surely brought down the Missouri-Mississippi rivers to New Orleans by steamboat. At New Orleans, Ricker sent it by the Gulf steamboat "Columbia", either via Galveston or Brazos.
Realized: $1,050