Free Frank Or Not Signed But Still Paid

Was wondering why he signed his name as if Free Frank but still paid 5 cents . Do you think he was trying to pull a fast one? Does the PO read to see if the contents are Gov. related ?

He is Samuel Hambleton Jr. from Talbot Maryland Member of Congress at that time. 1847

Free frank only covered the first rate. If this was a double weight cover (double 5 cents) the free frank would have paid the first rate and the paid 5 the second rate. However, I don't see a reference to enclosures in the letter that could explain it being overweight

He was in the Maryland state Senate 1844-50, thus in a state position, without any free frank.
Written in the Senate Chamber in Annapolis.
This is a normal single-rate prepaid letter, nothing more.
The addition of the signature on the cover's front has no postal power, nor does he add "Sen" or anything like that to try to deceive postal clerks.

ah - just assumed OP meant US Congress not state

Thanks John, Too bad it wasn't the other Samuel Hambleton ..

Very nice letter and frank

I like the 1847 Annapolis cancel. Annapolis was the first capital of the US - from November 26, 1783, to August 13, 1784. It would be really cool to see a letter posted there with a date during that time.

As John Becker says, it is not a frank.

I will restate for clarity ...
The cover is franked with 5 cents.
It is not a free frank.

Now this is without doubt a Free Frank. So this person is a member of the US Senate & entitled, but a plain state senator is not. am I correct John?

Free Franks typically have the word Free on the envelope

Bobone, Yes, free franking by government-affiliated people is a Federal-level, Federally-granted thing. State officials do not have any free frank abilities. (By the way, the printed signature is for Missouri's U.S. Senator William Warner.)

Two of the more commonly encountered 20th century "free" mails are soldier letters during wartime and "free matter for the blind". Free mail is a very collectible rate.

Some mail is free because of the sender, some because of the recipient. Different rules for different people in different eras. Bottom line ... evaluate each item on its own merits. The American Stampless Cover Catalog has an extensive section on Federal-level free franks and the Beecher/Wawrukiewicz book on U.S. Domestic Postal Rates has a chapter on free mails since 1872.