Name/Title
USS Texas (BB 35) "U.S. Fleet Flagship" [Cover]Description
Posted aboard USS Texas on April 5, 1931 as Admiral F H Schofield's Battle Force flagship. "From A.L. Larson / U.S.S. Texas / San Diego, Calif," postmarked "U.S. FLEET FLAGSHIP" with “SAN DIEGO / CALIFORNIA” inserted between the killer bars. Mailed to "W.G. Crosby C.G.M / U.S. Navy Retired / 11 Locust Ave / Long Beach, Cal.", attributed to Crosby's personal collection.Context
The Navy designed USS Texas as a flagship. She was outfitted with a full admiral’s suite, flag bridge, and flagstaff quarters. In 1927, Texas served as the flagship of the Commander in Chief of the United States and the entire United States Fleet. She would serve in this role until 1931 and see three admirals. Henry A. Wiley, William V. Pratt, and Jehu V. Chase served as CINCUS on Texas. One of the perks of a flagship, is that outgoing mail received a special cancellation denoting it as the U.S. Fleet Flagship, with a single star to signify the one-star Rear Admiral aboard. This cover has that postmark and is mailed to Chief Gunner's Mate Walter Crosby, a renowned cover cachet designer.