(Postal Card Forerunner) Fire Association of Philadelphia, postal card forerunner depicting fire hose and hydrant, with 2¢ black, F. grill (93), tied by ring cancel duplexed with "Carrier, Dec 20, 4th" cds, addressed to local street address, 1869 dating, Very Fine and choice; with 2014 P.F. certificate. Estimate  $1,000 - 1,500. A RARE EXAMPLE OF ONE OF THE EARLIEST FORERUNNERS OF U.S. POSTAL CARDS BEARING THE 2¢ BLACK JACK. This is one of the earliest used examples of a private business post card. The Fire Association of Philadelphia used them for mailings to policy holders informing them of the upcoming policy expiration date. They were written up by Charles A. Fricke in Postal Stationery, Jan-Feb 1976 on pages 27-30. $0 (Image)