Offered here is an original British parliamentary free-franked address panel, dated November 7, 1807, sent from Bristol to Mr. Goodall at Eton College, Windsor.
The cover is signed “Richd Hart Davis” and marked “Free,” indicating that it was sent postage-free under the parliamentary franking privilege then available to Members of Parliament.
Bristol November seven 1807
Mr. Goodall
Free
Eton Coll.
WindsorRichd Hart Davis
The signer was Richard Hart Davis (1766–1842), a wealthy Bristol merchant, banker, art collector, and Tory politician. He entered Parliament as MP for Colchester in May 1807 and later represented Bristol from 1812 until 1831.
Davis was closely connected with Bristol’s commercial world and accumulated considerable wealth through banking and overseas trade. His parliamentary status entitled him to send letters without payment of postage, provided that he wrote the word “Free” and signed the cover.
The recipient was almost certainly Joseph Goodall (1760–1840), one of the leading figures in the history of Eton College. Goodall served as:
Goodall was an influential educator whose career spanned a major period in Eton’s development.
Richard Hart Davis’s eldest son, Hart Davis (1791–1854), was a pupil at Eton beginning in 1805. Because this cover was sent directly to Goodall while Hart Davis was attending the school, the missing original letter was likely related to the boy’s education, school expenses, conduct, progress, leave, or another family matter.
The exact contents cannot be known because only the address side survives, but the connection between the sender, recipient, and Eton pupil gives the piece unusually strong historical context.
Original early-19th-century paper with expected age toning, light staining, handling wear, and irregular edges. The handwriting and signature remain bold and clearly legible. This is an address panel or free front only; the original letter is not present.
Please examine the photographs carefully, as they form an important part of the description.
An appealing and well-documented 1807 parliamentary free frank, signed by Bristol merchant and MP Richard Hart Davis, addressed to Joseph Goodall, Head Master of Eton College, and likely connected with the schooling of Davis’s son.
A desirable piece for collectors of: