Following the example of the British who created the postage stamp in 1840, the US Congress Act of March 3, 1845 standardized the postal rates, with a basic price at 5 cents. This decision favors payment by the sender rather than by the addressee. The modernization of the US Postage is launched : the prepayment by stamp will become mandatory in 1855.
The new rates take effect on July 1, 1845. A few days later, without waiting for any federal stamps, offices in New York and Baltimore issue provisional stamps.
The postmaster at New Haven chooses another solution, the printing of the prepayment on an envelope prepared by his office. Its administrative wording without illustration is not appealing. A complete envelope survived in good condition. The mark dated October 21 (1845) was hand stamped during the expedition.
In 1895 during an inventory in a commercial firm in Philadelphia, two pre-paid envelopes surface in flawless condition. At the top right of the envelope, its circular pre-impression in carmine red is a negative figure of the eagle and shield with the wording POST OFFICE ANNAPOLIS. The inscriptions '5' and 'PAID' have been added by hand stamps of the same color.
Several examples of the same circular mark on documents or envelopes are known, but the specimens of Philadelphia are the only examples of Annapolis pre-printed envelopes. The hypothesis of a specific request made to the postmaster by a customer who frequently used the postal service could be considered.
The date mark has been hand stamped, confirming that the shipments were made from Annapolis Md on March 20 and April 8. The unidentified year can only be 1846 or 1847.
The March 20 envelope was sold on March 28, 2012 by Siegel for $ 630K including premium over a lower estimate of $ 200K. It is estimated $ 300K for sale by Robert A. Siegel in New York on October 3, lot 3. Here is the link to the section devoted to the Gross collection on the auction house website.
SOLD for $ 460K including premium
The new rates take effect on July 1, 1845. A few days later, without waiting for any federal stamps, offices in New York and Baltimore issue provisional stamps.
The postmaster at New Haven chooses another solution, the printing of the prepayment on an envelope prepared by his office. Its administrative wording without illustration is not appealing. A complete envelope survived in good condition. The mark dated October 21 (1845) was hand stamped during the expedition.
In 1895 during an inventory in a commercial firm in Philadelphia, two pre-paid envelopes surface in flawless condition. At the top right of the envelope, its circular pre-impression in carmine red is a negative figure of the eagle and shield with the wording POST OFFICE ANNAPOLIS. The inscriptions '5' and 'PAID' have been added by hand stamps of the same color.
Several examples of the same circular mark on documents or envelopes are known, but the specimens of Philadelphia are the only examples of Annapolis pre-printed envelopes. The hypothesis of a specific request made to the postmaster by a customer who frequently used the postal service could be considered.
The date mark has been hand stamped, confirming that the shipments were made from Annapolis Md on March 20 and April 8. The unidentified year can only be 1846 or 1847.
The March 20 envelope was sold on March 28, 2012 by Siegel for $ 630K including premium over a lower estimate of $ 200K. It is estimated $ 300K for sale by Robert A. Siegel in New York on October 3, lot 3. Here is the link to the section devoted to the Gross collection on the auction house website.
SOLD for $ 460K including premium
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