Lot
1711 
G.P. Office - Dead Letter, red circular handstamp on April 18th 1819 folded letter free franked "Free, Saml. Southard, Sen: U.S." to Philadelphia Pa., after unsuccessful delivery attempt endorsed "not at AR", and sent to DLO where it apparently languished for 14 years before finally returned with folded part-printed letter datelined "Post Office Department, Dead Letter Office, Washington D.C. 23d Jan. 1836" reading "The enclosed has been returned to this Department as a dead letter. As it bears your frank it is transmitted to your address without being opened…"; original letter separated, return is torn, Fine and rare early return pair, ex-Wegner. Estimate $400 - 600.
Realized: $625