Stampless 32mm Red Lansing/Aug 1/Mic.

I recently acquired this stampless cover and believe it was most likely sent in 1850.



The addressee, Sarah A. Town of Otsego, MI was the third wife of Oka Town, a prominent resident of Allegan County, Michigan.

The cover was without content and it bears no docketing indicating either the sender or the year mailed but I am assuming that it was sent to Sarah by Oka in 1850. I am making that assumption based upon the following:

• Sarah A. Eldred married Oka Town on October 17, 1847
• The postmark was used from 1849-53
• The 5c rate (1/2 ounce under 300 miles) was in effect from July 1, 1845 to June 30, 1851
• Oka Town was the Allegan County representative to the Michigan Constitutional Convention held in Lansing from June 3 to August 15, 1850.

Oka was the first probate judge of Allegan County (1835), he served several terms as Supervisor of Otsego township (1837, 1839-40, and 1848-49), and represented Allegan county in the State legislature in 1852-53.

Sarah was born January 2, 1826 and died on September 28, 1908. Oka was born in Stoddard, New Hampshire on July 2, 1806 and he died on March 24, 1895.

<<<< is getting jealous over this cover

Man that's an AWESOME cover and info! Man just to think- My Great Grandfather was born in 1908. That was a very long time ago wasn't it? Did you ever stop and wonder how that relatively small piece of paper survived this long in that good of shape? Where was it and what has it witnessed? The imagination could run wild I suppose? Thanks for showing this. I just love these old covers.

I must admit I thought this was one of your sweet auction listings at first! I was ready to bid it up! lol

Not a chance...I love these stampless letters and covers and wouldn't part with any of them.

As to where this cover might have been, Michigan State University has a collection of letters between Oka and Sarah in its archives. I'm sure their interest lies in the content so perhaps this was a cast off from their holdings...