At upper left, this marking looks like a "DUE 9" to me, and is also annotated as such on the cover reverse. Is anyone familiar with this marking from Taunton, MA?
It's actually an overinked "DUE3". There would be no reason for a "DUE9" unless it was overweight badly and underpaid for 4X 3c rate, but that is not likely given the small size of the envelope and no evidence of anything weighty enclosed.
In case anyone was interested in the addressee, Joseph Hale of South Boston, Mass., his occupation was that of a schoolteacher and eventually Master of the Johnson School and later, the Bigelow School in South Boston. By the 1880 Census, shown below, he was age 74 and was noted to be retired, yet still living in the same residence on Old Harbor St., South Boston:
Thanks, Bill and wt1 for your inputs. Agree that the cover doesn't appear overburdened, so 4oz wt is unlikely. Just... the due 9 appears so convincing. Alas, you may be correct.
wt1 - you always amaze me with your historical search results.
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Posted 10/07/2014 11:53 am
