"W City Nov 25", manuscript postmark with matching "Paid 12½" rating on folded letter addressed to the Bank of the United States in Philadelphia Pa., Extremely Fine and fresh, prepaid the 12½ cent rate for 100-150 miles. Estimate  $1,000 - 1,500. THE FINEST OF ONLY FOUR RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THE FIRST WASHINGTON D.C. POSTMARK IN PRIVATE HANDS. In the early days of the Washington post office, the postmaster could not afford the cost of a handstamp townmark and applied his own manuscript townmark. Writing out the name "Washington" was apparently too much trouble for him, so he abbreviated the name to "W City". $0 (Image)