Galveston - Oh, Galveston - Texas Covers

I would like to share a sample of my collection of Galveston covers, pre 1900. Also, on SCF, I posted another Galveston cover (Postmarked 1882) under Topical Stamp Collecting "Lets See Your Aviation Stamps" Page 26.

With scanning, approximately 2 hours of work here.
(Working towards my 50 posts!). Thanks for viewing.
hawaiianbrian

Circa -1866-67 cover addressed to David G. Burnet, politician, lawyer, speculator, and former President of the Republic of Texas. Burnet's hand written notes and docketing on envelope.




1838 SFL, S. Hadley Mass Dec 4 cds, "PAID" in "Scroll", "Paid to Line 25". Galveston Ship 56. To Independence Texas. Oval "Sam Ricker" Jr/New Orleans/Agent of the Texian Post Office DF". "Care of the Texian Consul/New Orleans" Provenance Downeast 6/27/96




1883 BPO Constantinople UPU Rate to USA Routing via Parket to Varna, Italy, express train to Calais, Channel packet to London, Closed Bag From Liverpool to NYC. Galveston Postmark Aug.
Leith Auction 11/03 Lot 1827. Provenance





Very fine "Galveston Tex. Feb 29 1852, blue cds with very scarce "(PAID 3)" rate handstamp also in blue on very fine cover to Mrs. Henry Fowler of Guliford, Conn. The "PAID 3" is the scarcest of the statehood rate handstamps for Galveston. Listed and notable variety in A.S.C.C.





First Statehood Period Cover (Nov. 1847) Travis County
Clean and extra fine circular stamp of "Austin Texas" Nov 4 with manuscript paid "5" rate marking in blue, on fine cover sheet to the notable Texan, Benjamin C Franklin in Galveston. The unusually fine stampless postmark is the first of the statehood period with cds with"AUSTIN" measuring 18mm wide.

I like the "Paid to the Line" notation. It reminds me of the northern Cross-border BNA mail.

A Feb 29th date from Galveston? Seriously
That's pretty cool.

Austin Postmarks are pretty difficult to find. I have one from the 1850s with a 3c stamp.

A slight intrusion into 1900 ...

Are you aware of any earlier date of use for Galveston's Pneumatic canceling machine than this cover from Nov 13, 1900?

Bump.

Brian, Any feedback on the Pneumatic cancel above? Thanks.

(And please keep posting so you get to 50 posts and can exchange emails.)

John, sorry for not providing feedback to you sooner. My apologies. I was hoping there would have been other Galveston, TX or Texas collectors out there who are much more experienced than me that could have answered your inquiry. However, I will ask a friend (dealer) of mine, who is, if not the most respected dealer of Texas historical philately, in my opinion only, and pose him your question. I will be seeing him next month, hopefully. (Working towards my 50 posts; thanks for helping me out).

John,

I only have 1901 and 1902 dated covers from Galveston with the Pneumatic machine.

I have an old typed list prepared by Richard Small back many years ago noting this Pneumatic marking was known 1900-1903, but it only included years and not months or dates.

Mike

Thanks Brian and Mike.
I know Langford's "Flag Cancel Encyclopedia... " lists several Galveston flag types from 1896-1902.
Morris and Payne's "Hampden" book lists a Hampden machine in Galveston known Aug 7, 1900 to Nov 13, 1900, spanning the disaster.
Then the Pneumatic machine cover shown above dated Nov 13, 1900 which might suggest the exact transition date?
Morris and Payne's "Pneumatic" book has an eku of Nov 30, 1900, superseded by my scan, and lku of the second type of Oct 22, 1903.
Then a Barry machine in various configurations 1903-1909.
Then flags resume in 1909.

I have had some success finding some pre-WWI newspaper articles about canceling machine installations since it was often exciting local news (or a slow news day!). I have not tried to find such for Galveston's Pneumatic machine.

John, thanks for the research you have compiled. I have a few Galveston post 1900 cancellations by the pneumatic canceling machine that appears to date the year '07 & '08 after the Month, Day and Time of day, (i.e. AUG 12 900 AM '08). The other circular postmark Jan 15 11-AM 1919, cancellation Wavy Flag (with 13 stars), canceling a "3 cents" stamp for the mailing piece. I believe I may have my fill on this matter. Thanks again for your time and research.

Your 1907and 1908 cancels will be Barry machines, similar to these two which differ in the letter spacing:

Attached are a few of my Galveston Civil War Covers.

CSA #7 Horz Pair tied by the Anderson, TX CDS 2 JUN. Military address to Mr. Wm. H Neblett, Capt Stephenson's Co (I), Col Elmore's Regt, Galveston TX. The regiment essentially spent the war guarding the Texas coast in the Galveston area. The Neblett Correspondence between Galveston and Anderson is well documented. (Acquired from John L Kimbrough, provenance).




Fine Confederate usage from the blockaded city of Galveston. Double-circle "Galveston Tex July 2 1862" and nice handstamped "PAID" and additional large rate marking of "5". On October 4, 1862, Commander William B. Renshaw of the U.S. Navy led his squadron of eight ships into Galveston harbor itself to demand surrender of the most important Texas port. The Confederates regrouped and re-took the city on January 1, 1863.