Summer 2025 | July 18-20, 2025

Folded letter from Charleston, July 19, 1821, to Paul Rapely who was a merchant in New York. Manuscript "6"

Addressed to Rev. Selah Strong Woodhull at the American Bible Society in New York City. Manuscript endorsement "Benj R Mumford Postmaster" at top, of Benjamin Mumford who was the postmaster of Newport from 1813-1827.
Benjamin B. Mumfor was the son of Benjamin Mumford Sr., a rebellious colonial post rider who, along with Peter Mumford, operated a private mail service in defiance of British postal law. The Mumfords’ service gained wide local support for offering better rates than the King’s Post.
In 1775, amid growing revolutionary sentiment, the Rhode Island General Assembly formally appointed Benjamin and relative, Peter, Mumford as post-riders. They were directed not to handle any letters from the King's post offices "heretofore established in this Colony."
British postal inspector Hugh Finlay reported in 1774 that “There’s two Post offices in New Port, the King’s and Mumford’s, and the revenue of the last is the greatest.” Later, a letter addressed to Benjamin Franklin described how Mumford was detained by the British Navy aboard the HMS Rose for carrying rebel mail, his letters seized by Captain Wallace.

Folded letter with original contents datelined “U.S. Naval Lyceum, Navy Yard, New-York, July 3rd, 1838,” addressed to Providence, R.I., with red “New York JUL 6” circular datestamp and bold black illustrated Lyceum cachet.

The cover addressed to New Haven, Illinois, bearing two bold strikes of the "W. L. HINCH" eagle & stars fancy ornamented linen marker, used privately and carried outside the mails. The cover with additional contemporary manuscript notations on front and back.

Folded letter datelined May 3, 1843, written aboard the whaling ship Eliza L. B. Jenney “off the Galápagos Islands,” endorsed “Per Ship Hector/May 3rd, 1843” and addressed to Bedford, Mass with manuscript "8". The cover with some foxing and a hole at top.
The letter describes the author's good health, his longing for home, and missing items such as raisins and “sider” (cider). He offers candid thoughts on shipboard life, expressing dislike for the captain, commenting on the second mate and crew, and noting the scarcity of whales. He details their voyage around Cape Horn and the hot weather experienced, sending regards to his relatives and expressing hope to return home after three or four more months.
A fascinating letter, and one of the earliest recorded examples originating from the Galápagos Islands.

Folded printed circular dated July 1, 1845, from New York City to Sackets Harbor, N.Y. Entered the mails with a red circular “New York Aug. 1 2 Cts.” marking and matching arced “PAID” handstamp, representing the circular rate under the postal reform of July 1845.

Folded letter datelined Detroit, November 3, 1849, from the law firm of Lathrop & Duffield to another law office in Detroit, with instructions to charge postage to L&D’s box 552. Initially rated “5” in error as if for an out-of-town letter, then corrected to the proper 2c drop letter rate, with matching red “PAID” handstamp and Detroit circular datestamp dated November 4. Docketed as received November 5.

Red "BOSTON JUNE 8 PAID" postmark on 1852 printed prices current. The unstated rate of 2c was for an unsealed printed circular sent over 500 miles.

Folded two page printed circular, datelined 7 Mo 1st 1845, making this the first day of the rate. With bold blue Philadelphia double-lined "PAID" in lozenge and matching "2" numeral. Addressed to Burlington, New Jersey.
One of the two documented earliest known circulars mailed under the new rate effective July 1, 1845.

Bold blue "PHILADELPHIA Pa. JUL 3" circular datestamp with matching "2" in circle rate handstamp on folded printed circular addressed to George Clymer Jr., Washington D.C., with manuscript "Printed circular" at top left. Docketed inside as dated July 1, 1845. This is the 3rd day of the new rate effective July 1, 1845.

Folded letter locally addressed and struck with a bold black 35mm "CANANDAIGUA, N.Y. SEP 16" circular datestamp and matching 18mm "PAID/1/CENT" in circle handstamp, indicating the 1c drop letter rate. Addressed to Hon. Alvin Phelps, with pencil docketing dated 1853.

Black “PHILADELPHIA 2” circular rate marking on unpaid circular postmarked “Philadelphia Pa. Dec 22” and addressed to Port Royal, Juanita Co, Pa

Blue March 4 (1855) circular datestamp with matching arc "PAID 3" (Andover's only recorded year of use per ASCC) on folded letter to Alexander McKenzie in Andover, Mass., additionally rated "1" in manuscript for drop letter delivery. With small enclosure.

May 21, 1855. Carried by U.S. Mail S.S. Co. from Havana to New York, and likely carried outside of the mails to Boston.

Rated 2c postage due for the U.S. printed matter rate for an unpaid circular sent to any part of the U.S. established by the Postal Act of August 30, 1852.

Printed Domestic Goods Prices Circular

Folded letter datelined Stockbridge, Massachusetts, November 7, 1800, privately carried to New York City and dropped at the post office, where it received the New York “clamshell” handstamp and manuscript “1” rate for drop letter service. Addressed to Mr. Timothy Green, Fair Street, New York. The letter was mailed under the provisions of the Postal Act of February 20, 1792, which authorized a 1c fee for letters delivered within the same post office. The letter’s contents include period commentary: “Politicks run high here and Religion low.”
This is among the earliest documented drop letters recorded.

Folded stampless letter from Kellogg Hurtqust in Utica, N.Y. to Hon. Mr. Titus, Albany, N.Y., postmarked at Albany with red circular “ALBANY FEB 18” handstamp. Addressed to the Chairman of the Committee on Trade & Manufactures.
Likely sent as a single-sheet collect letter or carried by hand and posted at Albany. Treated as a drop letter as the carrier fee in Feb 1845 was 2c.

BINGHAMTON, N.Y. FEB. 17

Folded stampless letter postmarked Saratoga Springs, N.Y., Dec. 22 (1849), addressed locally to Hon. R.H. Walworth. Marked with blue circular town postmark and matching "2" handstamp for the 2c drop letter rate, applicable for letters delivered from the post office without further mailing. The cover with vertical file fold and creasing.
This letter did not leave Saratoga Springs, it was deposited at the post office by the sender and delivered directly to the recipient. The 2c rate for drop letters was in effect from July 1, 1845 to June 30, 1851, and applies to mail under ½ oz.

Reuben Hyde Walworth (1788–1867) was a prominent American jurist and the last Chancellor of New York, serving from 1828 until the court was abolished in 1847. Known for his legal scholarship and influence on equity law, he also served as a U.S. Congressman and was nominated three times to the U.S. Supreme Court by President John Tyler, though the Senate never confirmed him. Walworth played a significant role in shaping 19th-century American jurisprudence and remained an active public figure throughout his life in Saratoga Springs, New York.

"LYONS, N.Y. OCT 29" datestamp on a circa 1845 local drop cover.

Folded letter locally used in Indianapolis, docketed February 13, 1847, with red "DROP" and red "2" in circle rate handstamps. There is a vertical tear through the "2" marking.
A Very Fine example of this extremely scarce drop letter usage; ASCC lists these markings as used circa 1850.

Folded letter from Lyme, Connecticut, dated November 11, 1851, addressed to Capt. R.H. Griswold. "DROP" is 8cm x 4cm, the "1" is 5cm tall.
Captain Robert Harper Griswold was the successful captain of the Black X Line packet ship Toronto.

"UTICA, N.Y. FEB. 5" postmark. The lettersheet undated with poem in pencil. File folds strengthened with hinges.