415

"The General Post-Office of America."

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:75.00 USD Estimated At:150.00 - 225.00 USD
 The General Post-Office of America.
Delightful, excessively early U.S. Post Office document, Apr. 21, 1789 - predating Congressional creation of the Post Office Department in 1792. Partly printed, elongated 4 1/2 x 16 1/2, showing business at "The Post-Office at Stratford 'Conn.?] in Account with the General Post-Office of America." Listing weight and amounts in "Current Money" for "Postage of Letters which remained in the office Last Quarter, Postage of paid Letters sent from this Office this Quarter...Postage of Letters undercharg'd from other Offices...Ship Letters belonging to this Office, Postage of Dead Letters sent to the General Post-Office...Letters mis-sent, being forwarded to other Offices...." Manuscript attestation at bottom, "Coppy 'sic] of Bill sent to Genl. Post Office...Examined, W. Wetmore'?]." Center fold reinforced with tape on verso, fold wear, blank right margin tattered, ink light but legible, else very satisfactory and displayable. One of the earliest U.S.P.O. documents we have handled from the Federal period; indeed, Washington was inaugurated as first Pres. just nine days later. It would not be til Sept. 22 that Congress would provide for a Postmaster General.