Post Office Announcement of Official Stamps, a two-page circular to all postmasters dated May 15, 1873 advising of the abolishment of the franking privilege as of July 1, 1873 and that "the Postmaster General is required by law to provide postage stamps and stamped envelopes of special design for each of the several Executive Departments of the Government, for the pre-payment of postage on official matter passing through the mails." The circular goes on to describe the stamps and colors including that the War Department stamps will be "cochineal red"; Very Fine. Estimate  $1,000 - 1,500. AN IMPORTANT HISTORICAL DOCUMENT FOR BOTH FREE FRANK AND OFFICIAL ISSUE COLLECTORS. $0 (Image)