This letter is more than 200 years old and is still in very good condition. It has three postmarks:
1) Edinburgh double circle in red 3 line date stamp JUN 9 1809 with the code letters on the left signifying the identity of the handstamp and A for the afternoon.
2) charge mark of 2/– This seems to be incorrect according to the rate in force from 1805 to 1812 that up to 300 miles the rate was 11d and for every 100 miles above 300 two pence should be added. As London was 396 miles from London this should have been 1shilling and 1d, and then, as noted in the first sentence, there was an enclosure, so it would incur the double rate, which would be 2/2d not 2/–. We have seen other letters between Edinburgh and London which have been charged at one shilling (1/–), so perhaps there were other circumstances involved in this letter.
3) on the reverse of the letter is the London Morning duty CDS B JUN 12 1809 in red. The mail usually took three days to be carried to or from London and Edinburgh at this time.
The transcription of the letter was easy, as the writing was clear and although it is faded, it can still be read. It has a rare admission of fault in the second paragraph.
Edin 9th June 1809
Gentlemen
I was favoured with your Letter inclosing the Draft for £1000 the Treasurer of the Bank of Scotland and Messrs Coutts & Co that the Treasurer might add his signature which I have now got done and beg leave to send it inclosed.
I regret the trouble this has occasioned you. It was an omission in the first instance on the part of the Treasurer, but I am not free from a share of it as I ought to have observed it when I endorsed the Draft.
I am with respect, Gentlemen
Your most obt hble Servt
Alexr (Pattinson??)
The signature is not legible, but appears to begin with the letter P. However, there is a filing note by the receiver for the date of the letter and the sender, which reads
9th June, Messrs Fotheringham,
so perhaps the person who signed the letter was one of the clerks, or a Secretary for the Fotheringhams?
The letter is signed with the usual obsequious salutations in the abbreviated form accepted by commerce at this time,
“Your most obedient humble Servant”
The paper is heavy cream, and has a watermark of J LARKING 1806.
Information from the internet is that in 1806, James Larking, a prominent figure in the paper industry, established a paper mill in the town of Larking, near the town of St Albans, Hertfordshire, England.
It was a significant contributor to the paper industry in the early 19th century.
The early 19th century saw a growth in the paper industry, driven by increased literacy and the rise of printing. This is the only example we have of this particular watermark.
