What Type Of Person Is Stuck To The Back Of My Cover?

I always wondered about it ...

It could be a Mason. It looks like a Mason's apron with a compass on it.

Vince

I would go with flat :)

A mason. Look at the apron. Square & Compass; definitely a Masonic member. Great piece!

I think it's an Irishman in a kilt.....no, he is wearing pants.

I go along with the mason, a very mean looking one at that! And what is he glued on with, blood?

Perhaps someone who had expected someone to write?

Thanks - yes of course a mason! I think the glue has seriously mis-colored throughout the years (at least I hope so LOL).

Were Masons the sorts of things people stuck to the backs of covers?

Or, was this a paper doll in a stack of papers?

Probably a molasses based adhesive. it was a common practice especially with stamps that were issued w/o gum.

...or mucilage?

That's a very good possibility too wt1 could also be that flour and water type paste but most of those are usually found separated because it didn't hold well.

You guys made me remember that I made on own stamp to put on a letter going home. I sketched out a draft copy first. I was so tired that I cut out the draft and used molasses from the dining hall to past it on.

As most of you know, one only needed to write "Free" on letters from war zones, no stamps needed. It just might be that I have the only stamp canceled from Vietnam. 1967. Picture can be posted if requested.

Yes please! I would love to see it.

I wonder if the sender wasn't a member of one of the many 'anti-Masonic' groups active at that time? There actually was an Anti-Masonic political party in the 1850's.