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Sale 81: The Sescal Sale

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State Postmarks - Texas Republic

Lots 177-186

Lot 177    

(Republic) 1839 Incoming to Vilasco, Texas, folded cover with light strike of red "Columbus Ga., Jan 1" cds and matching "Paid" handstamp with red manuscript "25" cent rating to Genl. Thomas J. Green at Vilasco Tex., endorsed "Via Orleans" at bottom left, reverse with clear strike of "SAM RICKER JR., AGENT OF THE TEXIAN POST OFFICE DT. NEW ORLEANS" double-oval across flaps, manuscript "Not Paid / Ship 12½" rating, Very Fine.
Estimate    $300 - 400.

Thomas Jefferson Green (1802-63) was one of the most intrepid figures of the Republic of Texas. He was involved in almost every adventure in the early days, including a colonization scheme in 1836 ("The Texas Land Company"), the independence movement (Brig. Gen. of Texan Army), the Somervell Expedition of 1842, stayed on the Rio Grande to fight, and rose to second in command of the doomed Mier Expedition. He was captured and endured the trials of Perote Prison, but he dramatically escaped and returned to Velasco. He witnessed annexation and the subsequent outbreak of war. Green left the state of Texas in 1849 for California. As a notable forty-niner, he served in the first Senate of California and sponsored the legislative bill creating the University of California.

Realized: $150

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Lot 178    

(Republic) Austin, Texas, July "20", bold strike of cds with blue ms. day and "25" cent rating on 1842 folded letter to Houston Texas, interesting contents that refer to an "Indian expedition" and the events leading up to the so-called "Archive War"; edge wear and internal splits, Very Fine and choice strike of this scarce Republic period marking, ex-Camina, Guggenheim.
Estimate    $400 - 600.

Capt. M.P. Woodhausen was Acting Secretary of the Treasury at the relocated capital in Houston.

Realized: $625

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Lot 179    

(Republic) Galveston, Texas "Oct 2", oval datestamp with red manuscript date as forwarding postmark with matching "SHIP" handstamp with red ms. "43¼" rating on circa 1840 folded cover entering mails with "Bowl. Gr. K. Sep 1" cds and "Paid 25" rating to Col. Ira R. Lewis, Matagorda, Texas, endorsed "Care of the Texas Post Office Agency, New Orleans" at bottom left, reverse with partly clear strike of WM. BRYAN, AGENT OF THE TEXIAN POST OFFICE DT., NEW ORLEANS double oval over backflaps; file fold wear, fresh and F.-V.F., illustrated in Postal Markings, ex-Camina.
Estimate    $300 - 400.

Realized: $150

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Lot 180    

(Republic) Houston, Texas, Aug. 19, 1837, mostly clear triple-line cds with integral year date, and manuscript "12½" rating on partly printed protest of draft datelined at New Orleans July 29, 1837 to Quintero Tex.; mostly light toning, Fine and extremely scarce early Republic marking, ex-Camina.
Estimate    $400 - 600.

Realized: $200

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Lot 181    

(Republic) "Independence, 11th Nov. 1841", blue manuscript postmark with matching "Paid 100" rating on 1841 folded letter to the Clerk of the District Court, Colorado County, letter is a request to subpoena on behalf of the plaintiff; light overall toning, F.-V.F.
Estimate    $200 - 300.

Realized: $150

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Lot 182    

(Republic) Matagorda, Texas "Sepr 23", unusually clear double-line oval town marking with manuscript date on 1841 folded cover sent free to Secretary of State at Austin, Texas; minor reinforced separations, small paper losses, quite fresh and Fine, the strike of this scarce Republic period marking is more complete and legible than most, ex-Camina.
Estimate    $200 - 300.

Realized: $180

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Lot 183    

(Republic) "Matagorda, 6 Jan", manuscript postmark with manuscript "Paid 2,00" at top right on 1842 folded letter to Port Gibson Miss. in care of Baily, Beck & Co. at New Orleans, entered mails with with blue "SHIP" straightline handstamp and ms. "6" rating; some letter bleed, Fine and interesting use.
Estimate    $200 - 300.

Realized: $100

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Lot 184    

(Republic) Quintana * Texas * "May 22/38", bold strike of oval postmark with manuscript. date, plus manuscript "Ship 6¼" plus "25" ratings totaled to "31¼ unpaid" on reverse of 1838 folded letter to San Felipe, Austin County, Republic of Texas, originally entered mails with manuscript "Society Hill, S.C. April 28th" postmark and "Paid 25" rating on backflap, endorsed "Via New Orleans", bold strike of "Sam. Ricker Jr., New Orleans Agent of the Texian Post Office" oval agent handstamp, sent via ship to two-year old village of Quintana on west bank of the Brazos River where re-entered mail, lengthy letter contents; some faults and stains, Fine and scarce use via Ricker at New Orleans to Texas.
Estimate    $300 - 400.

Realized: $325

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Lot 185    

(Republic) "Velasco, July 21st 1838", dateline on folded letter to Port Gibson Miss. with "Sam. Ricker Jr., New Orleans Agent of the Texian Post Office" oval agent backstamp and black "Steam Packet Columbia" two-line handstamp (Milgram 266), entered mails with red "New Orleans La., Aug 12" cds and matching "Ship" handstamp with red ms. "20¾" rating for 18¾¢ postage plus 2¢ ship fee; light overall toning, a Very Fine use.
Estimate    $500 - 750.

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.

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Lot 186    

(Republic) "Washington, August 26th", manuscript postmark with matching "Free" rating on 1844 folded letter from James Reily to Col. Thomas Wm. Ward, Commanding Genl. Land Office at Austin, Tex., interesting letter "…I am about to leave this place…I go through Eastern Texas & shall cross Red River other high up or take boat at Natchitoches. I shall go as far as possible on horseback for the benefit of my health…" and he mentions Col. Mayfield expresses "regret that there existed any difficulty you and him & seemed anxious that your former friendship should be renewed…"; slight overall toning, F.-V.F. and scarce town.
Estimate    $200 - 300.

Realized: $160

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Lots 177-186

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