I am selling material that I do not want for my own collection and exhibits. 

Many of this material I have been playing around with AI and will enclose the printouts of transcriptions and geneological/historical interest (if any).  Info is below.

I am a member of the APS and a bunch of other philatelic societies (and if you, are not, suggest you check out the American Philatelic Society as they are great!)


I guarantee your satisfaction.  Completely.  If for any reason you are not completely and totally satisfied and happy that you made the purchase up to 60 days (or 90 if you want to send something to be expertized!) I will reimburse your entire price and shipping.  

 

I have been doing this for a while so please check my Ebay references.  I travel for work so while I usually get material out within a day or so of your payment, it can sometimes take 3 or 4 days to mail if I am away.

 

While I try to describe my items as accurately as possible, I am bound to make the occasional error though, so if for any reason you are not delighted with your purchase, I will provide a full refund if notified within 60 days.


I also have scanned many of these to get transcriptions and historical/geneological significance and will enclose the printout.


US Boston MA 03 AU 1806 Hanover NH 25c rate black circular town postmark with black PAID handstamp and manuscript Paid 25 on Federal-era stampless FL. Written by Prescott & Cleveland soliciting merchant Richard Lang's fall trade.

Summary

  • Date Letter Sent: 02 Aug 1806 (postmarked August 3 at Boston)

  • Country of Origin: United States

  • Country of Destination: United States

  • Town Sent From: Boston, Massachusetts

  • Town Sent To: Hanover, New Hampshire

  • Distance: Approximately 120 miles

  • Significant Philatelic Details: Features a black circular town date stamp reading "BOSTON . Ms. / AUG 3" accompanied by a straightline "PAID" handstamp, manuscript "Paid", and manuscript "25" rate marking. Represents the double-sheet or double-weight 12½-cent rate under the U.S. Postal Act of 1799 for distances between 80 and 150 miles.

  • Names of Sender and Receiver: Sender: Prescott & Cleveland; Receiver: Mr. Richard Lang, Merchant

  • Sociological, Historical, and Genealogical Details: Commercial solicitation written by Boston wholesale merchants Prescott & Cleveland to Richard Lang (1769–1840), a prominent merchant, civic leader, and postmaster in Hanover, New Hampshire. The letter solicits his fall trade for imported English goods.

Transcription & Translation

Original Text

[Page 1]

Boston August 2. 1806

Mr. Richard Lang

Hanover, N. Hampshire

Sir

We having had your name mentioned to us very respectfully as a trader of responsibility in your part of the country, we have taken the liberty to address you & inclose our Card of address – And have to ask the favour of you, Sir, when in Town for your Fall supply of goods, that you would call and examine ours. Having an Agent in England who purchases our goods on the best terms, & we being young Men just commencing and desirous of getting forward in life, we doubt not, Sir, that we can put you up a lot of goods on such terms, as shall meet your entire approbation –

In haste, we subscribe

ourselves your ob[edien]t Servts

Prescott & Cleveland

[Address Panel - Page 2]

Mr. Richard Lang

Merchant

Hanover N. Hampshire

Postal Markings & Rates:

BOSTON . Ms.

AUG 3

PAID

Paid [manuscript]

25 [manuscript]

Research & Historical Notes

  • Sender & Receiver:

    • Receiver: Richard Lang (1769–1840) was a leading merchant, town clerk, and postmaster in Hanover, New Hampshire. He operated a major general store supplying Hanover and the surrounding Upper Valley region.

    • Sender: Prescott & Cleveland, a young commercial partnership of importing merchants operating in Boston during the early 19th century.

  • Historical & Commercial Context: Illustrates early 19th-century mercantile solicitation and New England supply networks. Boston merchants actively competed for the trade of country storekeepers in New Hampshire and Vermont by highlighting direct import ties to British suppliers.

  • Philatelic Significance: A very clean Federal-era prepaid folded letter displaying the circular black Boston CDS ("BOSTON . Ms. / AUG 3") alongside the matching "PAID" handstamp and double-weight manuscript "25" cent rate.