MGJ Postal History

This lot contains three items. First, a pink American Tract Society business envelope with a cachet and Boston postmark with pie wedge cancel on a Scott #65 stamp. It is opened roughly at the top and has no back flap. Second is a letter on ATS stationery from Henry Hill, ATS treasurer offering to pay Taunton Bank director Lovett Morse interest due on a building loan to his son if Morse will forego foreclosure proceedings. Third is the reply from Morse, explaining his position in the matter and setting down reasons for his decision whether or not to accept Hill’s “proposition”. The winner of the lot gets all the details. Very interesting reading.

Lovett Morse was a director of the Taunton National Bank as well as a director of the Taunton Gas-Light Company. Born in Taunton, on February 25, 1810, he married Sally Morse and they had five children.

Henry Hill – 1795-1892 – Born in Newburgh, NY. In 1809 he became clerk for Hill & Smith, 100 Wall Street, New York City. In 1817 he went on business to Chili acting as U. S. Counsel for Valparaiso and Santiago. He was treasurer of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions from 1822 to 1854 for 11 years was a member of its Prudential Committee. He was treasurer of the American Tract Society, Boston, for nine years.

The American Tract Society (ATS) is a nonprofit, nonsectarian but evangelical organization founded on May 11, 1825 in New York City for the purpose of publishing and disseminating Christian literature. ATS traces its lineage back through the New York Tract Society (1812) and the New England Tract Society (1814) to the Religious Tract Society of London, begun in 1799. Over the years, ATS has produced and distributed many millions of pieces of literature.

Cover in good shape but has vertical wrinkle at right at affects the perfs on the top of the stamp. . Nice Boston combination red postmark and black paid mark. Catalog about $150. Because of the aforementioned perf issue, we'll price this hard-to-find on cover item at $75. There is some aging as is to be expected in covers this old.

Boston postmark with 5cts in dial.  From the size of the liquor order, Otis must have been a wealth New Bedford resident or merchant.  Brandy, port wine, Sicily wine, and sherry were ordered along with 1000 Sucero cigars. The companion note mentions a discount applied to all except the cigars.  Could use more research.  SFL is in good condition.

Boston Express Mail postmarks are somewhat scarce. This one is full and clear, although somewhat light. Blue stock does not help.  Clean item. No content.