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I also have scanned many of these to get transcriptions and historical/geneological significance and will enclose the printout.
US Westminster MA 06 FEB 185x to Winchendon MA. 3c PAID in cash (1851 rate). Black Westminster 6 FEB Ms CDS, circular PAID 3, manuscript Paid. Stampless embossed lace-border Env. To Mr. Liberty Bosket. Worcester County.
Summary
- Date sent: 6 February, year not stated (from the postmark). The cash-paid 3-cent rate applied from July 1851 to the end of 1855, so the year is 1852, 1853, 1854, or 1855.
- Country of origin: United States
- Sent from: Westminster, Massachusetts (Worcester County)
- Sent to: Winchendon, Massachusetts (Worcester County)
- Distance: about 15 miles in a straight line, roughly 18 miles by road
- Philatelic details:
- Black circular datestamp “WESTMINSTER 6 FEB Ms.,” with the day placed above the month.
- Black circular “PAID 3”: the 3-cent rate for a prepaid single letter under 3,000 miles (1851 rate), paid in cash.
- Manuscript “Paid” across the PAID 3.
- Faint pencil marks near the PAID 3, not legible.
- Embossed lace-style border of flowers and vines on the front.
- Wax seal remnant under the back flap.
- Light toning and a small stain.
- Stampless Env, no contents.
- Sender: not named.
- Receiver: Mr. Liberty Bosket of Winchendon. The surname reading is tentative and could be Bosket, Brocket, or similar.
- Historical interest:
- Embossed lace-border envelopes became fashionable around 1850. They were used for valentines, invitations, and notes between friends. A posting date of early February suggests this may have held a valentine, sent a little early.
- Westminster and Winchendon were neighbouring towns in northern Worcester County. Winchendon was then becoming known for making wooden ware and toys, and later called itself “Toy Town.”
- The first name Liberty was sometimes given in New England families after the Revolution, and it may help with genealogical research.
- Genealogical interest: The cover places a Mr. Liberty Bosket (reading tentative) at Winchendon, Massachusetts, in the early 1850s.
Transcription Front of Env:
PAID 3
Paid
Mr Liberty Bosket (surname reading tentative)
Winchendon
Mass |