January 26, 2022: “Erivan” Collection Part VI

43L1, City Dispatch Post Office (New Orleans, LA), (5c) Black on green, 43L1, City Dispatch Post Office (New Orleans, LA), (5c) Black on green, margins large to full, tied by New Orleans datestamp on folded letter to «Mrs. Capt. W.H.T. Walker, Albany, New York», large handstamped «10» at upper right, lengthy letter from Captain Walker to his wife written while en route to New Orelans, Very Fine, the only example of this stamp on cover and one of only three copies in existence, one of the great local post rarities which has been missing from even the most advanced collectionsrnThe New Orleans City Dispatch Post Office stamp comes on both pink and green paper. Of the pink stamp only five examples are recorded (including three on cover). Another cover with the green stamp was offered in the Caspary and Lilly sales, although it is now known that the stamp did not originate. The third example is known only from Sloane»s records and has not been seen in decades. The husband of the recipient of this cover, William H.T. Walker, was promoted to major due to his service during the Mexican-American War and later served as a general for the Confederacy during the Civil War. In his lengthy letter to his wife he notes that he is returning to New Orleans, he mentions the unreliable mail service and his intention to resign at the conclusion of the war.rnLeonard Huber and Clarence A. Wagner's The Great Mail notes that the New Orleans City Despatch Post Office was first advertised in the Daily Picayune in April of 1847. The text of the advertisement reads:rnThe undersigned, having purchased of the late proprietors all the interest in the above Office, will continue the operations of the same, in the most efficient manner, and hope by prompt and faithful attention to its duties to render it deserving of public confidence and support. The principal office has been removed from its former location, and is now permanently established at No. 108 St. Charles street corner of Poydras. rnThe City Despatch Post is intended as a medium through which the public can be accommodated in the delivery of letters and communications to any point within the city limits. Postage on each Letter 5 cents, or 30 stamps for $1. It will include the delivery of Letters of every description, such as Business Letters, Bank Notices, Society Notices, Notices of Deaths, Circulars, Cards, Valentines, Invitations to Balls, Parties, etc. Also particular attention will be paid to carrying letters intended for mailing to the United States Post Office. Persons in whatever business, and any others, receiving letters, newspapers, &c., through the U.S. Post Office, wishing to avoid trouble and delay in obtaining them, can at their request, and by leaving their names and addresses at the principal office St. Charles street, have them placed in the Despatch Box, which is permanently located in the U.S. Post Office, and from which they will be immediately taken and delivered as directed, within one hour after the arrivals of the mail by experienced and faithful carriers, or if so ordered they will be retained at the principal Office until called for. rnLadies particularly will find this a convenient mode of obtaining letters, &c., as by it they will be relieved from the delay and inconvenience attending the reception of a letter at the U.S. Post Office, in consequence of the almost impervious crowd always assembled about the place of delivery. rnThe hours of the Despatch Office are from 9 A.M.. to 6 P.M. except Sundays, on which days they are from 12 to 3 o'clock. "Erivan" Collection Part VI