The James Milgram Collections of U.S. Registered Mail and Campaign Envelopes

Erie Pa. "Money Letter", red straightline and matching "Erie Pa. Mar. 15" cds with "Paid" and "10" in Circle rating handstamps on circa 1851 orange cover to New York City, Very Fine and rare.

Milgram No. R-ER-1   ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  Estimate $500 - 750.

THE ONLY RECORDED ERIE PA. "MONEY LETTER" STRAIGHTLINE, THE EARLIEST AMERICAN MONEY LETTER HANDSTAMP.

Canada used the terminology Money Letter on registered mail from the late 1820's until it adopted the word Registered in 1855. Several American cities which handled considerable Canadian mail copied these words for their registered mail.

References: Listing example in Milgram's Registry book on page 113, fig. 164.

Lewiston Pa. "Registered", small 23mm straightline, matching "Lewistown Pa. May 29" cds and "5" overstruck with "10" rating handstamp on blue 1850 folded letter to Philadelphia Pa., upon receipt small blue " R " registered handstamp struck with ms. "28" at lower right, Very Fine and rare early registered marking, ex-Chase .

Milgram No. R-LW-1   ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  Estimate $200 - 300.

References: Listing example in Milgram's Registry book as fig. 177, page 120.

Lewistown Pa. "Reg", 5 x 13mm handstamp and ms. " 23 " number, matching "Lewistown Pa. '3 Paid' Feb 5" intregral-rate cds ties 3¢ dull red (11A) margins to in, on amber cover to Philadelphia Pa., red " R " registry handstamp, Very Fine and rare registered use with two different handstamps.

Milgram No. R-LW-2   ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  Estimate $300 - 400.

This is the earlier of the two types of "Reg" handstamps from this post office. The "R" is simple and the spacing between letters is wide.

References: Listing example in Milgram's Registry book as fig. 178, pages 120-121.

Lewistown Pa. "Reg", 5 x 13mm handstamp and ms. " 39 " number, matching "Lewistown Pa. Apr 4" cds ties 3¢ dull red (11A) straddleline single with large margins except in at bottom, on blue 1854 folded letter to Philadelphia Pa.; central file fold, 3¢ small tear, Very Fine strike.

Milgram No. R-LW-3   ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  Estimate $200 - 300.

The "R" in this marking is fancy, and the letters show more narrow spacing. It might be the same handstamp with the "R" replaced, or just a sharper strike.

References: Listing example in Milgram's Registry book as fig. 179, page 121.

Osceola Mills Pa. Feb 23, cds with matching fancy star cancels tie 5¢ brown (76) , 3¢ red, F grill (94) , 10¢ green, E grill (89) , on registered cover to Martinsburg W.V., flap with remnant of registry return receipt, 1869 letter indicates $10 enclosed; some light soiling and edge wear, F.-V.F. and attractive fancy cancel use.

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $200 - 300.

Philadelphia "R 9.", manuscript registry marking on 1851 folded cover bearing 3¢ orange brown (10) , large margins to slightly in, tied by sharp blue "Philadelphia Pa. Sep 8" cds from the Heckscher to New York City, manuscript " 5 cts due " rating; file folds, F.-V.F.

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $150 - 200.

Philadelphia did not use registry handstamps on outgoing mail during the unofficial period. A variety of manuscript and crayon marking are known.

Charles August Heckscher hailed from an influential, well-to-do, and sophisticated Jewish family of merchant-bankers in Altona and the nearby, independent city-state of Hamburg. In 1829 he emigrated from Hamburg to the United States to become a successful merchant and entrepreneur. He acquired wealth by opening a trading house in New York City and later used his personal capital to invest in anthracite coal mining and transportation operations in eastern Pennsylvania. By the time of his death shortly after the end of the Civil War, he was one of the leading colliery operators in the nation.

Philadelphia Pa. Large Blue "R", perfect strike of bold blue registry handstamp on 1845 blue folded letter with red "New-York '5 cts' 31 Oct" integral-rate cds for under 300 miles to Philadelphia Pa.; file folds, Very Fine and choice, ex-Berkun (Aristocrats) ; with 2004 P.F. certificate.

Milgram No. R-PH-1   ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  Estimate $500 - 750.

THE EARLIEST RECORDED USE OF THE FIRST PHILADELPHIA REGISTRATION HANDSTAMP, THE FIRST POSTMARK ASSOCIATED WITH REGISTRY SERVICE.

The earliest postal marking associated with registration is the large blue "R" which was applied to incoming letters at Philadelphia beginning November 1, 1845 when this letter would have arrived in Philadelphia.

Philadelphia Pa. Large Blue "R", registry handstamp on 1845 buff cover with "Pensacola Flor. Oct 29" cds and ms. "10" rating for over 300 miles to Philadelphia Pa., upon receipt around Nov. 1st Philadelphia applied large blue " R " registry handstamp, original letter datelined " U.S. Ship St. Marys, Off Vera Cruz Octr. 9th 1845 " with some interesting content "One of our officers received a letter a short time since his Uncle (Mr. Buchanan) now Secretary of State, who told him he rest assured that, as soon as the difficulties are settled here, then this Ship would go to the Mediterranean…"; some edge wear, F.-V.F. and earliest dated inbound use.

Milgram No. R-PH-1   ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  Estimate $400 - 600.

Designated initially for duty with the Mediterranean Squadron, USS St. Marys was at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania awaiting the sailing of her squadron, under Commodore Robert Stockton, when tension over Mexican-Texan-American territorial disputes heightened during the winter of 1845. On 1 March, President John Tyler signed a joint resolution of Congress recommending the annexation of Texas. By the end of the month, Mexico had severed diplomatic relations with the new James Polk Administration, and Stockton's Squadron was ordered south to reinforce that of Commodore David Conner in the Gulf of Mexico.

Philadelphia Pa. Large Blue "R", complete bold strike on gray 1845 folded letter with red " U.S. Express Mail 'Boston, Mass.' Nov 20 " railroad route agent cds and matching "Paid" handstamp with ms. "20" rating to Philadelphia Pa., ms. "Charge Box 428" notation; top edge refinforced, Very Fine and early strike, the earliest railroad use .

Milgram No. R-PH-1   ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  Estimate $200 - 300.

Philadelphia Pa. Large Blue "R", partial strike on fresh blue 1845 folded letter with red " Washington Rail Rd. Dec 24 " railroad route agent cds with blue ms. "5" cent rating to Philaldephia Pa., Extremely Fine and choice railroad use.

Milgram No. R-PH-1   ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  Estimate $150 - 200.

Philadelphia Pa. Large Blue "R", clear strike on circa 1846 blue rebacked cover front bearing New York N.Y., 5¢ black (9X1e) , huge margins to clear at top right, creased, tied by blue ms. cancel, double-strike of red "New-York '5cts' 22 Jan" integral-rate cds with matching "Paid" arc handstamp to Philadelphia Pa., Very Fine, one of the best N.Y. Provisional strikes . Scott No. 9X1e $1,250 on cover.

Milgram No. R-PH-1   ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  Estimate $300 - 400.

Philadelphia Pa. Large Blue "R", partial strike, on 1847 folded letter bearing New York N.Y., 5¢ black (9X1) , large margins to barely touched, tied by red square grid cancel and "New York, 5 cts, 12 Feb" integral-rate cds, matching "Paid" arc handstamp to Philadelphia Pa., letter indicated $2,100 check enclosed; file fold crosses 5¢, Fine and scarce N.Y. Provisional registered use.

Milgram No. R-PH-1   ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  Estimate $300 - 400.

Philadelphia Pa. Large Blue "R", strike with ms. "No 2" number, on 1851 folded letter with "McVeytown Pa. Jun 24" cds and "5" rating to Philadelphia Pa., manuscript "Registered" at bottom; central file fold, Very Fine, the earliest known use of the second period .

Milgram No. R-PH-1   ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  Estimate $200 - 300.

References: Illustrated in "The Second Period of Use of the First Registration Postmark" by James Milgram, La Posta, 3rd Qtr 2024, pp. 14-15, fig 1.

Philadelphia Pa. Large Blue "R", registry handstamp on 1847 folded letter with perfect blue "Holidaysburg Pa. Nov 6" cds and matching "Paid" with intaglio "5" ringed rating handstamp to Philadelphia Pa., fresh and Extremely Fine.

Milgram No. R-PH-1   ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  Estimate $150 - 200.

Philadelphia Pa. Large Blue "R", registry handstamp on on circa 1848 folded cover bearing 5¢ brown (1 var.) , full to large margins, sharp impression, canceled by blue " Paid " handstamp, matching "Havre de Grace, Md. Mar 27" cds to Philadelphia Pa.; flaps reinforced, stain at top center lightened, Very Fine appearance.

Milgram No. R-PH-1   ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  Estimate $400 - 600.

THE EARLIEST RECORDED 1847 ISSUE REGISTERED COVER.

Philadelphia Pa. Large Blue "R", registry handstamps on two St. Clairsville, Ohio folded covers from Trotter correspondence to Philadelphia Pa., 1848 with green "St. Clairsville O. Aug 7" cds and matching bold intaglio " 10 " encircled rating h.s., partial "R" h.s. struck at top edge, 1849 with red "St. Clairsville O. Apr 18" cds and matching fancy dotted "10" encircled rating h.s.; each with file fold and light stain, Fine and scarce pair.

Milgram No. R-PH-1   ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  Estimate $150 - 200.

Philadelphia Pa. Large Blue "R", partial strike on on blue cover front with top flap only bearing 5¢ red brown (1) large margins except top right corner nicked, manuscript "X" cancel, red " New York & Phila. R.R. Sep 27 " railroad route agent cds (Towle 240-A-6) to Philadelphia Pa., 1849 docketing on flap, F.-V.F. and scarce registered railroad use, ex-Gibson .

Milgram No. R-PH-1   ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  Estimate $150 - 200.

Philadelphia Pa. Large Blue "R", strike with ms. "18" number, on 1851 folded letter from Providence R.I. bearing 5¢ red brown (1) , four margins, tied by manuscript cross-hatch, red "U.S. Express Mail, Boston, Mass. Jun 26" railroad route agent cds to Philadelphia Pa.; 5¢ creased, Very Fine appearance.

Milgram No. R-PH-1   ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  Estimate $300 - 400.

References: Illustrated in "The Second Period of Use of the First Registration Postmark" by James Milgram, La Posta, 3rd Qtr 2024, pp. 14-15, fig 2.

Philadelphia Pa. Large Blue "R", strikes with ms. numbers on two 1851 Boston folded letters from the Ludlow correspondence to Philadelphia, first red "Boston, Mass. Jun 30" cds with matching "Paid" and "20" rating handstamps used on the last day of the 10¢ rate for over 300 miles at the double rate, second red "Boston '6 cts' 1 Jul" integral-rate cds with black "Paid" for double the new prepaid 3¢ letter rate; latter with light hor. file fold toning, Very Fine cover pair showing the 1851 rate change.

Milgram No. R-PH-1   ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  Estimate $300 - 400.

References: Illustrated in "The Second Period of Use of the First Registration Postmark" by James Milgram, La Posta, 3rd Qtr 2024, pp. 14-15, figs 3-4.

Philadelphia Pa. Small Blue "R", neat strike on 1849 blue folded letter with red "Washington D.C. '5 cts.' 18 Oct" integral-rate cds for under 300 miles to Philadelphia Pa.; some wear and light toning, Fine, the earliest recorded strike of the Philadelphia small "R" handstamp .

Milgram No. R-PH-2   ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  Estimate $150 - 200.

Philadelphia Pa. Small Blue "R", handstamp on 1849 folded letter bearing 10¢ black (2) huge margins to slightly in at top right including part of adjacent stamp at top, tied by red circular grid cancel, matching "Boston '10 cts.' 19 Oct" integral-rate cds to Philadelphia Pa.; 10¢ light crease, F.-V.F., the earliest 1847 issue cover with the Philadelphia small "R" registry handstamp .

Milgram No. R-PH-2   ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  Estimate $500 - 750.

This cover was probably received in Philadelphia on the second day of use of the small "R" handstamp.

Philadelphia Pa. Small Blue "R", handstamp with ms. "34" registry number on on 1850 greenish folded letter with Mechanics Bank of Baltimore printed letterhead bearing 10¢ black (2 var.) short transfer at top large margins to clear, canceled by red " 10 " handstamp and tied by blue "Baltimore Md. Apr 30" cds to Philadelphia Pa.; light horizontal file fold affects stamp, still Very Fine; signed Ashbrook.

Milgram No. R-PH-2   ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  Estimate $750 - 1,000.

A RARE 1847-ISSUE REGISTERED USE FROM BALTIMORE TO PHILADELPHIA.

Philadelphia Pa. Small Blue "R", partial strike and ms. "28" registry number on circa 1850 buff cover with red "San Francisco '40' 1 May" integral-rate cds to Philadelphia Pa., endorsed "Pr. Steamer Panama" at top, some cover wrinkling, Very Fine, the earliest Western registered cover .

Milgram No. R-PH-2   ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  Estimate $400 - 600.

The only way the Philadelphia postmaster would have known this letter had value was if the post bill had been so marked.

Philadelphia Pa. Small Blue "R", neat strike and ms. "34" number, on 1850 greenish folded letter with Mechanics Bank of Baltimore printed letterhead bearing 5¢ red brown (1) full to large margins, vibrant color and clear impression, tied by two strikes of red grid cancel, blue "Baltimore Md. Oct 4" cds to Philadelphia Pa., Extremely Fine use, ex-Emerson .

Milgram No. R-PH-2   ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  Estimate $500 - 750.

Philadelphia Pa. Small Blue "R", neat registry handstamp and ms. "20" number at lower left on 1850 blue folded letter bearing 10¢ black (2) , large margins, tied by two strikes of blue circular grid cancel, matching "Nashville Ten. Nov 9" cds to Philadelphia Pa.; central file fold, Very Fine and scarce 10¢ 1847 registered use.

Milgram No. R-PH-2   ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.

Philadelphia Pa. Large Red "R", handstamp with ms. "9" number on 1852 buff cover with red "Shirleysburg Va. May 6" cds and matching "Paid" "3" rating handstamps to Philadelphia Pa., origin manuscript " X " indicating origin registration, Very Fine and scarce large red "R" use, the earliest recorded large red "R" strike .

Milgram No. R-PH-4   ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  Estimate $200 - 300.

The Philadelphia large red "R" handstamp was used only from May 6, 1852 to September 14, 1852. Compared to the other Philadelphia "R" handstamps, this combination is very scarce. Shirleysburg Va. used the manuscript origin "X" cross to indicate registration.

Philadelphia Pa. Large Red "R", handstamp with ms. "81" number on 1852 folded letter bearing 3¢ dull red (11A) , margins to in, tied by partial "Williamsport Pa., May 10" cds to Philadelphia Pa.; 3¢ vertical pre-use crease, Very Fine and rare stamped large red "R" use.

Milgram No. R-PH-4   ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  Estimate $300 - 400.

Philadelphia Pa. "Registered", blue 7 x 35mm straightline struck upon receipt on blue 1854 folded letter bearing 3¢ dull red (11) tied by partial green "Ringgold Geo. Jan 21" cds, manuscript " Registered No 14 ", F.-V.F., only recorded example .

Milgram No. R-PH-5   ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  Estimate $300 - 400.

Philadelphia Pa. "Registered", blue 43mm straightlines tie four 3¢ rose (65) singles, matching blue "Philadelphia Pa. Jun 6, 1863" cds on Soldier holding Flag patriotic cover to Boston, Mass.; cover slightly wavy, some small stamp flaws, Very Fine and attractive registered patriotic use.

Milgram No. R-PH-6   ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  Estimate $400 - 600.

Philadelphia Pa. "Registered", black 43mm straightline, matching "Philadelphia Pa. Jun 16, 1861" cds on blue overall Jefferson Davis patriotic cover bearing 3¢ rose (65) strip of four and single, tied by open circular grids to St. Louis Mo.; some edge wear and small stamp flaws, F.-V.F.; signed Ashbrook on reverse.

Milgram No. R-PH-7   ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  Estimate $400 - 600.

Philadelphia Pa. "Registered", blue 43mm straightliness cancel 30 copies of 1¢ blue (63) on front and reverse, matching "Philadelphia Pa. Mar 28, 1865" cds backstamp on legal-size buff envelope transporting court documents to Delhi, Iowa; opened out for display with some creasing and opening defects, Fine and unique 1¢ franking, prepaying the 20¢ registry fee and overpaying by 1¢ three times the domestic letter rate of 3¢ per ounce.

Milgram No. R-PH-7   ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  Estimate $500 - 750.

This is the earliest recorded cover showing the 20¢ registry fee paid with stamps. The 20¢ fee went into effect June 30, 1863, but prepayment of the fee with stamps was not compulsary until July 1, 1867.

Registered, Phila. Pa. Jan 17, cds with matching cork cancels tie 3¢ ultramarine (114) and 15¢ brown & blue (119) on 1870 orange cover to Limerick Square Pa., ms. "340" registry number; small top edge mend and reduced slightly at left, Fine appearance.

Milgram No. R-PH-8   ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  Estimate $200 - 300.

Registered, Phila. Pa., black Mar. 1 and blue Mar. 7 cds strikes on two 1868 covers, each bearing 3¢ rose (65) and 10¢ green, E. grill (89) vertical pair tied by segmented grid cancels in respective black and blue to New York City and Laporte Pa.; later with couple stamp flaws, flap replaced, F.-V.F. pair.

Milgram No. R-PH-8, R-PH-9   ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  Estimate $300 - 400.

References: Listing examples in Milgram's Registry book as figs. 241 & 242, page 154.

Reading Pa. "R", manuscript "R" registry marking, matching ms. "X" cancel ties 5¢ dark brown (1a) , large margins, partial red "Reading Pa. May 7" cds on 1849 folded letter to Wilkes-Barre Pa.; small cover tear at top center, Very Fine.

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $300 - 400.

THIS IS THE EARLIEST RECORDED 1847 ISSUE USE SHOWING REGISTRATION AT THE TOWN OF ORIGIN.

Reading Pa. "R", large manuscript "R" on circa 1854 gray folded cover bearing 3¢ dull red (11A) , full to large margins except slightly in at right, tied by blue "Reading Pa. Sep 1" cds to Pittsburgh Pa.; internal address tear, otherwise Very Fine and scarce early registry use.

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $150 - 200.

Reading Pa. "Registered", perfect blue straightline and manuscript "10" registry notation, matching blue "Reading Pa. Sep 23" cds and "Paid" h.s. on 1852-53 orange cover to Philadelphia Pa., upon receipt small red " R " registered handstamp, additional ms. "X" registry notation, Very Fine and choice.

Milgram No. R-RE-1   ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  Estimate $300 - 400.

The Philadelphia red "R" is known used in 1852-53, so the "10" is not a postal marking but is the registry number. The postage was 3¢, and there was no registry fee at this time.

References: Listing example in Milgram's Registry book as fig. 250, page 158.

Wilkes Barre Pa. "Registered", 4½ x 32mm straightline on buff cover with matching "Wilkes Barre Pa., Mar 15" cds ties 3¢ dull red (11A) , margins to in, to Newburgh N.Y., original 1853 letter indicates $7 enclosed to purchase 10 trees per advertisement; cover repaired, Fine appearance.

Milgram No. R-WI-3   ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  Estimate $300 - 400.

References: Listing example in Milgram's Registry book as fig. 277, page 172-173.