Galveston, Tex., 10¢ black #98XU3, well struck provisional marking at top right, offset of provisional marking on verso—an indication of how they were prepared in advance; partly clear town postmark on entire to Mrs. J[ohn]. Adriance, Columbia, Texas; ONLY 2 ARE RECORDED IN CROWN SURVEY AND LESS THAN 10 ARE BELIEVED TO EXIST, ex Dr. Agre, with 2002 CSA certificate, SCV $2,750. $1,800.

JOHN ADRIANCE (1818–1903) was an early Texas merchant and legislator, born at Troy, New York. After the death of his parents, he lived with an uncle, John Miller, a physician and United States congressman. He received his early training in merchandising in the stores of Truxton and Berlin, New York, and was eventually employed by the New York City firm of John Haggerty Sons, an auction house. For reasons of health he left New York in 1835 and settled at Bell's Landing, Texas, later called Columbia. He owned slaves, favored secession, and was named a member of the Brazoria County Committee of Correspondence on November 17, 1860. During the war, Adriance acted as a deputy for the commissary department of the Confederacy at Columbia. He was wealthy in 1860 but suffered heavy losses during the war. After the war he and his son operated a real estate firm. While serving as a member of the 13th Texas Legislature, he influenced the founding of 3 universities, including Texas A&M. Much more info’ online.