Original 1815 free frank postal cover sent by Member of Parliament John Ireland Blackburne to William Shepherd at the Liverpool Botanic Garden. Dated Warrington, October 16, 1815, and marked “Free” in the lower left, this is a genuine pre-stamp parliamentary frank addressed in the sender’s own hand, exactly as required by postal regulations of the period.

The recipient, William Shepherd (1768 to 1847), was one of the founders of the Liverpool Botanic Garden and a leading figure in the city’s intellectual and scientific community. Shepherd was a minister, educator, classical scholar, and botanist, closely connected with the Roscoe circle that shaped Liverpool’s cultural life in the early nineteenth century.

The sender, John Ireland Blackburne (1783 to 1874), served as MP for Newton and later for Warrington. A prominent Lancashire political figure, he was an active parliamentary voice and a long-serving landed family member with deep ties to the region. Parliamentary franks from his early career are scarce, and items linking him to significant Liverpool cultural institutions are desirable.

This cover represents an authentic piece of early nineteenth century Liverpool scientific history and a documented example of British parliamentary free franking in the era before adhesive stamps. An excellent item for collectors of postal history, Liverpool history, early botany, and MP correspondence.

Date: October 16, 1815

Place: Warrington to Liverpool

Sender: MP John Ireland Blackburne

Recipient: William Shepherd, Liverpool Botanic Garden

Markings: Manuscript “Free” and dated frank

Clean. Complete. Attractive early franking example.