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1874 Old Colony Railroad Company Boston Letter and Postal Cover
The Stamp: A 2-cent Brown Andrew Jackson (Scott #157), issued in 1873. This was the correct rate for a local \"drop letter\" in a city with carrier delivery.
The Postmark: A classic Boston, Mass. circular date stamp: JUL 24, 12 M. (12 PM).
The Recipient: > Alonzo P. Jones
Ticket OfficeOld Colony R.R. Co.Boston
Context:The Old Colony Railroad was the primary lifeline between Boston and Southeastern Massachusetts (including Cape Cod). In 1874, their main terminal was the Old Colony Depot at Kneeland and South Streets.
The Back:The \"9\" Mark: This large numeral in a circle is a Boston Carrier Delivery mark. It tells us which specific mail carrier was responsible for the route that included the Old Colony Ticket Office. These marks are highly collected by postal historians specializing in the Boston \"Free Delivery\" system.
The Letter:The contents reveal a professional disagreement regarding a corporate or official \"seal.\"
Transcription:
Dear Jones,
Bro Nickerson has returned the proof with slight corrections. He says the description of the seal must come from the records—I made some alterations, which it seems he did not approve—
Can you look this matter up—I cannot—for I cannot get at them in the Safe—
It must be in the General Returns. I am now going to see Styles—and arrange about the [?] for Mr. Rand-?—cannot pronounce this big bill—the seal matter is fixed—
Truly, W. H. CheesmanBoston, July 24, 1874
Historical AnalysisThe Characters: W. H. Cheesman appears to be a clerk or administrator. \"Bro Nickerson\" likely refers to Sereno D. Nickerson, a very prominent Boston businessman and high-ranking Freemason who had deep ties to local commerce and railroad investments during this era.
The Conflict:The letter captures a moment of 19th-century office frustration. Cheesman tried to \"eyeball\" the description of a seal for a printing proof, got corrected by a superior (Nickerson), and now needs Jones to dig through the company safe or \"General Returns\" to find the official legal description.
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