Lot 15
1707 (Jun. 9) Boston, Ms. to Bristol, Ms., folded letter from John Campbell addressed "to the Honble Nathaniel Byfield in Bristol", free frank endorsement "f frank J:C", letter was turned and returned dated "Bristol June13th 1707" via post to John Campbell, a second letter is included that had been contained in the original mailing addressed to John Campbell postmaster and datelined "New York 30th May 1707", without postal markings, John Campbell mentions the N.Y. letter saying "it came to me last post", enclosed letter Very Fine, some aging on first, Fine.
Estimate 7,500 - 10,000
THE EARLIEST RECORDED AMERICAN FREE FRANK. ADDITIONALLY, THE EARLIEST RECORDED AMERICAN LETTER OFFERING INDISPUTABLE PROOF OF BEING SENT BY POST.
Prior to the enactment of the Queen Anne Act of 1710-1711, most mail was carried by courier, by favor, etc. The few that actually went by post bear no markings as they were prepaid. In the case of the cover offered here, the free frank displays that the cover went by post free of charges. Additionally, concerning the envelope Postmaster Campbell sends to Byfield, he says "it came to me by post." Both of these, we can conclude, definitely traveled by post.
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| Realized $21,000 |
