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Though this is not a POSTAGE STAMP per se, such STAMPLESS COVERS are an interesting facet of philately.
I am quite happy to have this item in my collection.
Here’s some technical info…
A red “Baltimore Md.” 30mm CDS (Circular Date Stamp) dated June 24th (1815) with a magenta manuscript “15” on a folded letter of which is datelined “Bank of Baltimore June 24th, 1815”, addressed to “Elie Beatty, Cashier Hagerstown Bank” from James Cox, Cashier, Bank of Baltimore Maryland.”
This is an example of the War (of 1812) Rate which went into effect February 1st, 1815 to March 30th, 1816; Distance of 40 to 90 miles, a single letter sheet, 15 cents. This was a 50% increase of the previous rate of 10 cents. The distance from Baltimore to Hagerstown is 74 miles.
Here are some links you may find of interest pertaining to Elie Beatty (recipient of this letter), whom of which correspondence relating to him is prolifically documented and collected…
A Youtube video…
Elie Beatty Cashier of the Hagerstown Bank: 1807-1859
Another link related to the above Youtube Link…
A couple of Links pertaining to Elie Beatty’s Bio for your review…
Elie Beatty hagerstown maryland 1815 – Search
Below are some links pertaining to the extensive collections held by Old Dominion University, as well as the University of Maryland…
Collection: Elie Beatty Papers | Special Collections and University Archives Collection Guides
Collection: Hagerstown Bank collection | Archival Collections
Now for some links pertaining to the James Cox (sender of this letter), though not as extensively documented as Elie – take a look…
James Cox Baltimore Maryland 1815 – Search
1815 JAMES COX CASHIER BANK OF BALTIMORE TO HAGERSTOWN MD STMPLS LTTR CVR | #1783525895
I hope you enjoyed this peek into my collection and has inspired other collectors who just collect postage stamps to branch out to Postal History (Stampless and Franked (stamped covers).
If you have such items in your collection, please post them with a small write up so others can also have a peek into your philatelic collection.
Thank you.
Jan M. Blaha
APS# 238933
