FAIRFAX C.H. Va. OCT 10 (1861) CDS with light PAID 5 (type C) on cover to which has been affixed a CSA 1, 5¢ green that bears a pen cancel but also a faint partial postmark with no tie to the cover. There also appears to be something written at top center that could be a faint “Paid.” It is addressed to Mrs. Amanda J.M. Barron Care of Mrs. J.W. Iley, Frellsburg, Colerado County Texas. (sic – Frelsburg, Colorado County). This was well before the government Trans-Mississippi service. WESTBOUND TRANS-MISSISSIPPI SERVICE with a 10¢ franking is typed as TMW-09 in the CSA catalog with value of $750. The question is whether the stamp belongs, added by someone reusing a stamp, or was added to embellish the cover. The distance required 10¢ in postage. Extremely scarce and interesting use. Ex John Vagnetti. Offered on its own merits. $450.

Frelsburg, Texas, was founded around 1837 by Capt. William Frels and his brother John, who immigrated to Texas from Germany in 1834 on the ship Congress. Captain Frels served in the Revolutionary War army and, after independence, donated the land for the town site, a school, a parsonage, as well as a Protestant church and cemetery. The original settlers were Germans from the area around Holstein and Oldenburg. By 1847, the population had increased enough to require a post office. In 1884, Frelsburg had a population of around 300 and was relatively prosperous. Its post office closed in 1908. The population of Frelsburg from 1933 to 2000 was reported as 75.