1890 Clinton To Franklin Ohio Cover - Franking Question

I have this 1890 Clinton to Franklin Ohio cover and was wondering about the franking. (Note: I think the pencil ID on the cover is wrong, it is not a #187 but rather is a #209.) The cover does not appear to have contained anything heavy, it does not appear to be a registered cover, nothing on back of cover.
Any feedback is much appreciated.
Don

Don,

I can't help much but I think that says Akron Ohio which is in Summit Co. and not Franklin OH.

It's registered. The registry number is this part:

This is before the early 20th century regulation of backstamping the flaps and using mute cancels on front.

Morning all,

It is my understanding that showing the "Reg. Pkg." number on a cover was NOT required but often done especially at third and fourth class post offices. I do not find them showing up on first class post offices very often. John, do you agree?

A quick review of the 1879 and 1887 PL&R volume notes the mail piece is to be numbered. It is silent with regard to including the package number, thus neither required nor prohibited. I have seen mail with both numbers, but have never tried to draw any conclusions. I see no difference in the registration laws among the classes of post offices.

Morning John and all,

I do not find anyplace mention of placing the RPE number on the cover itself either. Thanks for confirming I am not missing some other obscure instruction.

The smaller post offices usually had very few registrations on a given day. They did not send multiple registered items out in a single registered package envelope very often. Also the same clerk or PM who accepted the item for registration filled out the rest of the needed paperwork including the RPE before the item left the post office. Some of this paperwork [ledger book documenting registered letters passing through the p.o.] did require both the item and RPE number.

Nice example, Don. Very few small post offices back stamped incoming registered letters until after 1900. It became mandatory January 1, 1911 with all postmarks moving to the back side of the cover. Still, I have several examples without back stamp after the mandatory date.