Great Britain, 1840, 1d House of Commons Prepaid Envelope, stamped imprint on cover to Melton Wood, red London "Paid, 2 Ap, 1840" crown cds; wax seal portion of backflaps removed, Very Fine, very scarce. Estimate  $400 - 600. After the abolition of their franking privileges, members of Parliament complained of the inconvenience of having to go to the post office to prepay their postage in cash. Rowland Hill and the Librarian of the House of Commons hastily prepared stamped envelopes that members could purchase at Westminster Hall. These became the first prepaid stationery adopted under Hill's reform. $0 (Image)