Description
1839 MERCANTILE COMMITTEE 'POSTAL ANOMALIES' LITTLE AND LARGE ENVELOPES. Examples of the two lettersheets produced by the Mercantile Committee in 1839 to assist in the campaign for Postal Reform, the larger sheet, 889 x 585, with inscription 'SPECIMEN OF POSTAGE CHARGES IN 1839./To be Preserved among the Curiosities of any Museum, etc/SINGLE LETTER, UNDER ONE OUNCE IN WEIGHT./To be kept Dry, or the Single Postage will be once raised to Fourfold Postage.'. Accompanied by the very small lettersheet, 87 x 62, with enclosure, former with inscription 'DOUBLE LETTER/SEVEN GRAINS IN WEIGHT.... LONDON.' with enclosure which reads 'POSTAL CHARGES IN 1839. This Paper, 4 inches by 2½ inches, and it's Cover of similar size, weighs 7 grains, or under the 60th part of an ounce weight, and is charged DOUBLE Postage, whilst the accompanying Sheet, 35 inches by 23 inches, weighing just under One Ounce, is charged as a SINGLE Letter. N.B. In France, Germany, and throughout Europe, Postage is charged by weight'. The large letter has central vertical fold and some ageing but a very rare pair of items showing the great need for Postal Reform, of exhibition status. (2 items). (Ref 133229).
