Ok, This Is Not In Good Condition, But

I found this envelope tonight and thought 49 cents worth of postage in 1880 seemed like quite a bit. So I took a picture of it to get your thoughts. In the Navy (my previous profession) we would call this quality "craptacular" although someone might have a different opinion.

Thoughts?

Thanks,
Dave

13x rate registered letter. Registry service noted by the "505/484".
Rated as 10 cent registry fee + 13x3 cents for each half ounce = 49 cents total.
Letter weighed between 6 and 6.5 ounces, probably a bundle of legal papers.

Texas in 1880 was far from 'civilization.' You might enjoy this read: http://texasalmanac.com/topics/hist...aching-texas

Maybe not pretty, but pretty interesting.

I'm guessing this performed about the same service as a "courthouse" cover [To the Clerk at the Circuit Court...] but to a locale that did not yet have a regular courthouse. I think there was a time when "Esquire" referred to an attorney or lawyer. Most likely a load of depositions as John suggested.

I love the Postmaster postmark from some little burg in Texas with the bold "CORRECT" at the top. I can't make out the name of the town, but it makes me wonder what the word "Correct" referred to.

The letter was sent from a law office (you can't make out the sender information in the photo, but I looked at it) and, for EssayK, the postmark is from Austin, TX, so I can't imagine what the correct refers to either.
Thanks to all for the good information!

From the examples I have seen, "correct" means the mail piece was found to be in order, properly rated, properly sealed, accounted for and tracked, etc. I have only seen "correct" marks associated with registered mail handling. Here are examples on a registry bill card from Boston and a registered package envelope from Columbus, OH.

This is quite a registered cover. While I can't read the Post Office name, it is probably Tyler, the destination.

I've looked at hundreds of Texas registered covers (one of my collecting interests) over the years, and this the first time I have ever seen a CORRECT mark in a CDS like this from a Texas Post Office.

The CORRECT type markings were used primarily on the Registered Package Receipt cards (and occasionally Registered Letter Bills), to indicate to the mailing office that the Registered Package Envelope carrying the letter was received, the contents properly packaged and the Letter Bill enclosed was correctly filled out, etc.

These are not really postmarks or date stamps in the conventional sense, and were not intended for use on a registered or any other letters, although they occasional appear on one. I suspect this on was used by the postmaster (or clerk) as a receiving date stamp, most likely because it was handy.

MMl1942, this is for yo. If you are into Texas registered mail, I found these two today. Front side only, if you'd like to see the back let me know and I'll take pics of them.

Dave

Daveinva47:

Both are very nice also. Would very much like to see reverse for both these later two and the first cover when convenient.

You can post here - or figure out how to exchange emails since neither seem to have sufficient posts yet to email.

Mike

Great covers Dave

Thanks for sharing

Dianne

I've posed a series of my Texas registered covers on a new thread. Anyone interseted in this sort of thing is invited to take a look and feel free to add some of your own.

https://www.stampcommunity.org/topi...48701#420701

Mike

Nice thread, MML!

Mike,

Am posting the reverse for the three under your new thread. Also posting a couple more.

Dave