Developed & Supported by Mark Scheuer. Based on the work of Thomas J. Alexander. Dedicated to the memory of Creighton Hart and Susan McDonald. Feedback, additions, and corrections most welcome. Please send to: mscheue1@rochester.rr.com
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| Scott Number | 1 |
|---|---|
| Date | October 14, 1850 |
| From City | Unknown |
| From State | Unknown |
| To City | Philadelphia |
| To State | PA |
| Addressee | Charles Abbey |
| Cert Author | |
| Cert # | |
| Fake | |
| Quantity 1 | 1 |
| Quantity 2 | 0 |
| Bisect | |
| Others |
Notes
THE FIRST UNITED STATES REGULAR ISSUE STAMP: 5 CENT BENJAMIN FRANKLIN ON RED BROWN (???) THIN PAPER, IMPERFERATE. The stamp has a brown pen-ink cancel and there is the faintest trace of green ink where a possible postmark was placed. Sadly, it is unreadable.
This letter cover is addressed to a "Mr. CHARLES ABBEY" at the "GOLD LEAF MANUFACTURER, N. 24 PEAR STREET, PHILADELPHIA". In the upper right-hand corner there is a notation that reads: "Rec,d 15 morn". On the back of the cover there is a name and date that reads: "H. S. ROOT OCT 14th 1850". At one time the envelope was opened up and there are tears in the paper at the fold marks. Also, on the back of the cover envelope, when in the closed - mailing condition, there are old stamp hinge glue marks in each corner. This was done long ago when an original owner put this cover in his stamp album.
EBAY lot (grpantiques)
Not listed in Alexander
Two other covers to Charles Abbey in the census have clear datestamps. This one does not. The green ink the EBAY seller refers to looks more like a water stain than a faded cds. The cover marking applied by Charles Abbey in Philadelphia are similar to the other two entries.
Also, this is not an envelope but simply an outer folded letter sheet without contents. The lack of a datestamp suggests this was a drop letter deposited at the Philadelphia Post Office.
I would interpret the endorsement as W. S. Root but there is no W. S. nor H. S. Root listed in the 1850 edition of McElroy’s.
This letter cover is addressed to a "Mr. CHARLES ABBEY" at the "GOLD LEAF MANUFACTURER, N. 24 PEAR STREET, PHILADELPHIA". In the upper right-hand corner there is a notation that reads: "Rec,d 15 morn". On the back of the cover there is a name and date that reads: "H. S. ROOT OCT 14th 1850". At one time the envelope was opened up and there are tears in the paper at the fold marks. Also, on the back of the cover envelope, when in the closed - mailing condition, there are old stamp hinge glue marks in each corner. This was done long ago when an original owner put this cover in his stamp album.
EBAY lot (grpantiques)
Not listed in Alexander
Two other covers to Charles Abbey in the census have clear datestamps. This one does not. The green ink the EBAY seller refers to looks more like a water stain than a faded cds. The cover marking applied by Charles Abbey in Philadelphia are similar to the other two entries.
Also, this is not an envelope but simply an outer folded letter sheet without contents. The lack of a datestamp suggests this was a drop letter deposited at the Philadelphia Post Office.
I would interpret the endorsement as W. S. Root but there is no W. S. nor H. S. Root listed in the 1850 edition of McElroy’s.
