Sale 283


 
Lot 2126



Officials, 1873 Post Office Announcement of Official Stamps, first version, a two-page circular to all postmasters dated May 15, 1873 advising of the abolishment of the franking privilege, taking effect on the first day of July 1873, and that "the Postmaster General is required by law to provide postage stamps and stamped envelopes of special design for each of the several Executive Departments of the Government, for the pre-payment of postages on official matter passing through the mails." The circular goes on to describe the stamps and colors, small tone spot, otherwise Very Fine.
Estimate 2,000 - 3,000

RARE FIRST VERSION PRIOR TO CORRECTION.

In the Official Stamps for Postmasters section, the first version begins paragraph three with: "
Until further notice, stamped envelopes of special design will be furnished to first class offices only." This sentence was later revised to state, "Until further notice, stamped envelopes of special design will be furnished to "Presidential" offices only (that is, offices where the salary of the postmaster is $1,000 and upwards)" Presidential offices included first-class, second-class, and third-class post offices.

 
Realized $2,100



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