National Philatelic Exhibitions

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Last Update 4/4/03
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NAPEX 2001 GRAND AWARD

United States Postal History Before the United States Post Office

This exhibit shows covers that traveled to, from and within the areas that now comprise the United States. It starts in the late 17th Century when 150,000 people inhabited small independent colonies with little need or incentive to communicate with each other. It concludes in June 1792 with a newly established General Post Office serving a vibrant young country of 4,000,000 people.


Selected Highlights:

Parliamentary Post
Forerunner Period

BOSTON FREE FRANK 1707

"Boston June 9th 1707"

Earliest recorded American free Frank; From John Campbell, first postmaster of Boston (1702-1718) to Bristol, Rhode Island. Turned and returned dated "Bristol June 3th 1707" via post to Campbell.

"New York 30th May 1707"

This cover was enclosed in the above. Althought it contains no postal markings, the above Campbell letter says it "came to me last post"

Parliamentary Post
Queen Anne Act of 1711

BRISTOL PACKET 1712

"Philada Jun 10th 1712"

The rate of "010" was 9d from Philadelphia to New York and 1d for delivery to the ship. The packet ship Harley sailed June 30th and arrived at Bristol on July 28th. This letter reached London on July 30th. The rate "In all 1N4" includes one shilling for packet postage from New York to London and 4d postage from London to Liverpool. The NEW YORK handstamp is believed to be have been applied by John Hamilton, the Packet Agent in New York, and is the earliest recorded North American handstamp.

Parliamentary Post
King George III Act of 1765

"B Free Franklin" 1766

"London, May 9, 1766" This noted frank by Benjamin Franklin as Deputy Postmaster General has had differing interpretations. Some attribute it to Franklin's effort to avoid misuse of his signature; some consider it a political statement. Four covers and one front are reported to be in private hands.

Parliamentary Post
King George III Act of 1765

London via Charles Town 1769


Left London, September 6,1769. Post Office Packet to Charles Town, South Carolina. Arrived October 17, 1769. Carried by postrider via Savannah and Sunbury to St. Augustine, British East Florida. The overland trip took about two weeks.

Parliamentary Post
King George III Act of 1765

via Williamsburg 1771

Ship mail via Williamsburg. Rated Ship 6 to Edinton, North Carolina: 2 shillings, six pence local currency. This letter was then forwarded, probably to South Carolina.

Transition Period

Censored Cover 1775

"Barbadoes the 5th of July 1775" This letter was on cartel ship Triton which was taken by a privateer operating out of Machias, Maine. It was opened and read by Reverend James Lyon, Chairman of the Committee of Safety for Machias. It was found to be of a personal nature and released. It reached Halifax on September 20, 1775.

This is the only known censored cover of the Revolutionary War.

Resolution of May 5, 1780

"...That the present rates of postage be doubled:"

US Continental Congress

Petersburg, Virginia 1780

"Petersburg 21st April 1780" The Petersburg postmaster rated this letter 20 times the 4 dwt 16 gr rate plus 2 pence for the post rider for a total of 94 dwt. When received in Philadelphia the rate had risen to 40X. Therefore the Philadelphia postmaster rated the letter as due 40 times 4 dwt 16 gr (the 1775 rate from Petersburg to Philadelphia). The way fee was not charged, thus the total was 186 dwt 16 gr.

Of the four 20X and five 40X covers documented, this is the only way cover and the only cover showing a town postmark.

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