Auction # 58 - Winter 2014 Auction

[Post Office] "See 293 Sec. P.O. / Instructions". Red two-line handstamp and matching "New-York Feb 16" cds on folded part printed circular to Postmaster George P. Talmadge of Warren Ct. from the editor of American Messenger requesting the postmaster reply with any subscribers that should be removed from their mailings to Warren; manuscript stain, Fine, ex-Richard Graham Collection.
Estimate; $100 - 150.

In the 1832 instructions, Section 293 reads, "It is the practice of many to address their hand-bills to Postmasters, by which means they give them an extensive circulation, free of postage. This is an abuse which must be corrected. In every instance where you receive a communication, addressed to you as postmaster, with is of a private character, and designed to promote private interests, with an evident intention of giving circulation to it, without paying postage, you will return the same to the person who sent it, under a new envelope, with the charge of letter postage endorsed." This did not apply to this mailing as it was concerning postal matters.