DUKE OF WELLINGTON signed handwritten 1838 envelope

Sent to Dublin with 'Free' postmark

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Printing Details

This is an envelope sent and addressed by hand by Arthur Wellesley, the Duke of Wellington in 1838. It is the front panel only and has been pasted down along the top edge to a piece of card, with the bottom corners neatly slipped in to holes to secure it. The card measures 15.5 × 12cm, and the envelope is approx 12 × 7.5cm.

The envelope is addressed to Mr Boys, No 6 Herbert Street, Dublin, Ireland, and dated 1st December 1838 (. Wellington has signed the lower left as was the convention which allowed him to send the letter for free (as denoted by the postmark). This was a privilege afforded to the Government and officials where if they signed the front cover, it would be free of charge.

Condition

The envelope is in good condition, some expected tanning but Wellington's handwriting is clear. There is a little foxing lower right to the card and a previous owner's annotation below in pen (not affecting the envelope)

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