1836 STAMPLESS COVER/LETTER KINGSTON, MA POSTMASTER ABOUT A HORSE DRAWN CARRIAGE For Sale

We are offering an 1836 Stampless Letter / Postal Cover with a hand-stamped Boston postmark. **NOTE** - there is no postage stamp, as postage stamps were not issued until 1847; hand-written in the upper right corner is the "Free", indicating postage was free.The letter dated January 8, 1836, is to R. B. Bradford Postmaster, Kingston, MA from Erastus Coleman, apparently a seller of chaises (horse-drawn carriages). The letter reads, "Your letter respecting the chaise was duly noted, and in answer I am sorry to inform you that the chaise is sold. I sold it the day before your letter came to hand. If you wish me to look out for one for you, I will do it with the greatest pleasure". [In our research, we found that a chaise was a light 2-wheeled horse-drawn carriage with a folding top.]**NOTE** - As was common during this period, the letter also served as the envelope by folding it a certain way, addressing it, and sealing with a red wax seal. **CONDITION** - A piece of the paper had torn away at the spot where the seal was opened, as often happened.