Upset Postmaster

Here is a recent ebay purchase. This cover was sent from NY, NY to Dover, PA but was missent to Dover, NJ. The NJ postmaster wrote"can't you read" and added five "PA" markings in blue crayon. There is also a Dover, NJ marking on the back dated Aug 28, 1878.

Here's another interesting connection. It seems the addressee of the cover, O(liver) M. Stouch, was (or was formerly) the Postmaster of Dover, PA!

wt1, Thanks for that extra information. It gives more of a story to this cover. Here is a scan of the contents. I can only decifer some of the handwriting.

Great cover!! The letter says:

Sir, we received 25 cents from you on the 16th of Aug. but not having the article for sale, we sent you one of our Green Books(?) instead, which is 50 cents, and which must be at the P.O. at Dover, if you have not received it already. We know of no one who has the article spoken of for sale in N.Y. Yours, Chas. J. C. Kline & Co.

In that the letter was dated 1873, we can probably assume the cover is dated 1873 as well.

In any event, this newspaper article from 1866 may explain the rather vague description of the product ordered and the "Green Book" reference. Interesting to note the seller's PO Box number has been transposed as "4856" in the article, instead of "4586" as shown on the cover -- but that was a typical error for newspaper typesetting back in the day:

Wow! I think this might be what we call "too much information". I can't wait to bring this to my next meeting of The Philadelphia Stamp Collectors Club!

vince

And you have The Esteemed Doctor's autograph too!

What was the cure? A pair of mittens?

Terry

Dover NJ? I would've mis-sent it to Dover Delaware if anything!

Vince - With your permission, I would very much like to send this on for potential publication in the Auxilary Markings Club's newsletter, or to suggest that you write it up for publication.

paperhistory
You have my permission to write this up. I am one of the origial members of The Auxillary Markings Club and would like to see it in their news letter. I'm not much of a writer. Anything I post on this site can be used by anyone. Thanks for asking. I look forward to the article.

Vince

Wow this is absolutely fascinating! Isn't it a small miracle that things this trivial in their time still exist? Floods, fires, wars you name it and here it is! Great stuff! I too am going to join that organization as soon as I can. Thank you for the interesting read. -Jeff