Original 1874 United States 1-cent postal stationery card, mailed from Boston, Massachusetts, to Lynn, Massachusetts. This is a very early example of U.S. government-issued postal card usage, dating from only about a year after the United States introduced its first postal cards in 1873.

The front features the classic ornate “United States Postal Card” design with a brown 1-cent imprinted postage indicium at upper right. The card bears a Boston circular postmark/cancellation, with the indicium heavily canceled in black ink, and is addressed to W. C. Philbrick, Lynn, Mass.

The reverse contains a fully handwritten business message dated:

“Boston July 18 1874”

The message reads approximately:

“W C Philbrick Dr Sir
We ordered the other day 1 Gall Dark Cement & we have not received it yet. What has become of it? If it is not out send it along by first Exp & oblige
Yours truly
Cragin Page & Co.”

This is an interesting piece of early American commercial postal history, documenting a business inquiry concerning an overdue order for a gallon of “Dark Cement” and requesting that it be sent by the first available express service.

The card appears to be an early UX3-type 1-cent brown postal card, making it particularly appealing to collectors of classic U.S. postal stationery. The ornate typography, decorative border, early 1874 usage, Boston cancellation, Massachusetts destination and intact period business correspondence give it excellent historical and philatelic character.

A desirable collectible for specialists in 19th-century U.S. postal history, early postal cards, postal stationery, Boston and Lynn Massachusetts history, commercial correspondence, and classic U.S. philately.

Condition is as shown, with expected age toning, minor spotting, edge/corner wear and a heavy black cancellation over the indicium. Please examine all photographs carefully for exact condition.

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Inventory control # RBA