EARLY FRANKED ENVELOPE WITH BOXED "TO PAY/2d/ONLY" AND RARE ...

Hammer

£150

EARLY FRANKED ENVELOPE WITH BOXED "TO PAY/2d/ONLY" AND RARE RED "R.L" (RIDE LETTER?) IN CIRCLE; 2 Mar. 1835 env. (early usage) franked by "Wellesley" (the Duke's brother) from "Richmond" (Surrey) to Brighton with a fair h.s. "2" along with a fine octagon-framed "TO PAY/2d/ONLY" and - most exceptionally for a free frank - a very fine red "R.L" in circle (Jay L564a; only known in this colour in 1835) on the front. The first Ride Letter free frank that we can recall having seen; the RL marks are thought to indicate letters handed to postmen while on their 'rides' delivering mail. Exhibition Item.Cross Reference: AUTOGRAPHS, LONDON POSTAL HISTORY