New Orleans La., 5c Brown on White (62X3). Block of four, vertical strip of three, vertical pair and single, tied by light strikes of "New Orleans La. Jul. 12" circular datestamps on large courthouse cover to Jefferson Tex., back of cover with red "New Orleans La. Jul. 11" double-circle datestamp and signed endorsement of Postmaster John L. Riddell, which reads "Received this package from the hands of Wm. Shannon Commissioner of Texas, this 11th day of July 1861. J. L. Riddell PM", receipt docketing indicates this was received on July 18, slightly reduced at right, some edgewear, few stamps with small flaws

VERY FINE APPEARANCE. AN OUTSTANDING NEW ORLEANS PROVISIONAL COVER FROM BOTH PHILATELIC AND POSTAL HISTORY PERSPECTIVES. THE MULTIPLE FRANKING, INCLUDING A BLOCK OF FOUR, IS ONE OF THE LARGEST EXTANT. THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI USAGE FROM NEW ORLEANS TO TEXAS IS SCARCE. FINALLY, THE SIGNED ENDORSEMENT OF POSTMASTER RIDDELL AND USE OF THE RED DATESTAMP IS EXCEEDINGLY RARE.

There are two recorded covers bearing a block of the New Orleans provisional, and two examples of the double-circle datestamp applied in red (it was ordinarily struck in black on river mail).

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