Fall Postal History 2022

three incoming folded letters to "Dudley Woodbridge, Esq., Merchant", Norwich's first postmaster from 1782 to 1789, postmasters had the authority to send and receive free mail so long as the letters involved postal business, these concern the sale of wine and an overdue debt with no mention of postal business in any of the three letters, first with "Boston" straightline and "21/MA" Franklin mark and improperly handstamped "Free"; second originally rated "1.8" [dwt] in Boston but improperly crossed out in either Boston or Norwich and allowed to pass free; third correctly rated "2" [dwt] by Providence post office due to the personal nature of the letter, light wear, very fine and interesting group demonstrating confusion over what mail qualified for franking privilege