Verify 1859 Cover With 3 Cent Washington

I have a cover that someone hand wrote what I think is a date of 1859.
Backside, 15.00 I guess someone was trying to sell it?
But why would anyone write on an old cover, even in pencil?

Anyway, does anyone know if this really is from 1859?
I am not sure what is written on the bottom left, backside.
Thank you so much,
Sue

I'm not sure that there will ever been a foolproof way to positively identify the year of a cover when the postmark doesn't show the year, but as for the time period, it is certainly in the realm of possibility that it is 1859.

First, the cover is typical of the period, especially the rear flap.

Second, the stamp is typical of the period (part of the issue used from 1851-1861).

Third, Jim Forte's Postal History Website shows Mansfield Centre, Conn. as a DPO having been in operation from 1822-1893, and examples of postmarks from that town appear similar.

Bottom line is that you can be pretty well assured its in the time frame, but to specifically identify it as 1859 would require a bit more research.

Pencil writing by stamp dealers is very common and some still do. Postcards usually have written prices and dealers marks as well especially if they come from antique stores. Good news is if you want to, you can erase it. It shoudl come off clean with a standard pink eraser.

Wow wt1, you are AH-MAZING !

Thank you thank you SO much!
SueStamps

Thank you so much Battlestamps,
I've always wondered if it was okay to erase, and never have done so.
I appreciate it so much!
SueStamps

I personally wouldn't use a pink eraser on stamps or covers. They can be too abrasive and can damage delicate paper. They're also more apt to smudge. Use either a plastic or polymer eraser, or an art eraser. You can get them at Staples. They never get hard, so they'll last for years. I also don't ever attempt to erase anything written on a stamp.

Art gum erasers, like oldcrow47 describes, are wonderful. http://www.dickblick.com/products/p...gum-erasers/ You should be able to pick up a Prismacolor Artgum eraser at The Evil Place (aka Wal-Mart) or ShopKo, Target, or the like.

You can erase markings from a stamp if you always move toward the EDGE of the stamp. If you visualize a stamp face down as N, S, E, W -- hold the stamp on the W side with your fingertip; put the eraser down on the center of the stamp, and move E. Repeat as needed for all four directions. Even if you only get 80% of the pencil off, it improves the stamp. You generally cannot remove marks on top of the gum, if the stamp's mint.

I've been using a large pink eraser for awhile now and never had a problem so far - never smeared or damaged anything as I'm pretty caregul with a light touch. I'll try to pick up an art eraser next time I'm at Staples as pinky is getting dinky and needs replacing.

Erasers can also sometimes help to remove some forms of soiling as well on covers, especially soot like grime.

I like the real soft white erasers if I must erase anything.