Two 1858 Usa-Prussia-France Covers

I am almost sure that I already posted these covers somewhere on this Forum before, but they are probably erased by the new files with the same (my scanner's default) name. So, here they are again, with new unique names. Btw. does anyone know what was "Aid Service"? Is that USA stamp, or it is stamped somewhere in Europe?

Very nice, great New York British Packet cancel on both.

Russ any idea where that fist envelope PAPER came from. I have an envelope that I got from Bfranton that has the same embossed mark on the flap? - jeff (BTW great covers)

Jeff, I don't know the origin but that design was common for cover from the 1850's. I have a few of them and most show the bleed out around them as in the one posted here. I suspect that it was used for extra gumming at the end of the flap to help keep it sealed.

Does anyone has idea what is written on the red postmark on the 2nd cover? "Aid Service"? Does it seems to be done by the US Post Office?

My guess would be the "Aid Service" was applied in Allentown (PA) to explain the delay while trying to determine Mr. Deshler's delivery address in Allentown.

I found one Jacob F. Deshler in Google (but probably more) --
"...She married Carroll D. Deshler 1 MAY 1912 in Summit Co., OH, son of Jacob F. Deshler and Leah McCardle." This implies Deshler had a son of marrying age, born around 1885 to 1890 as a guess.

Thanks, Doug! Deschlers was one of the most prominent family in Allentown of that time, so, I don't believe they postman needed some aid to find them... and New York postmark seems to be over the "Aid Service" one. This letter is from 1858.

AM service I believe . Have to consider most items were manually entred and accounted for at each location. The Am service would specify which shift was used and likely is from the same New York outlet as the cancel.

I am not sure if it says Aid Service. The other letters are all lowercase, you think the D would be too.

My guess is Am Service, for A.M. Service, perhaps?

Nitrolures, you beat me !

yes, it is. in fact, there is a lot of covers on-line with the same (or similar markings). just found out this one:

Bee- Beat ya cause your down south and everything is a wee bit slower!
Most early letters like this were tracked more or less. The post office offered guarantee of delivery and to do this they had to account for each step in the process. Every stop would also be entered into ledgers . How they did it cost effectively is beyond me but accountability was high .