PRE-STAMP & "FREE" FRANKINGS: 1811-35 group of E/ELs, fronts, forms etc. neatly written-up on display pages inc. 22 Feb. 1811 GPO Form from John Charles, Earl of Portsmouth appointing his wife, the Countess, to sign for him on his letters to obtain the 'Free Franking' privilege; another 22 Feb. 1811 GPO Form ex Grace, the Countess of Portsmouth, confirming her appointment by the Earl of Portsmouth to sign his letters for him; 1821/1828 fronts (2) to Bedfordshire or London ex Earl of Coventry, 1821 example with ms "written by Lady Coventry, Ld. C. being blind" and bearing "[crown]/FREE/[date]" cds; 1828 example with red "[crown]/FREE/[date] cds and ms "Coventry.-" (Lady Coventry would have had to complete similar forms to retain the 'free franking' status); 1 Dec. 1835 EL to Cambridge ex Edinburgh from a lady who describes herself as "very blind", writing to her favourite grandson that "[her] time has been employed [...] teaching a poor blind girl to read - by feeling in place of sight [...] It is now satisfactorily ascertained that it is as easy to teach the blind to read by the sense of touch - as it is to teach other individuals by the sense of sight - by means of raised letters - and you cannot fancy the delight & gratification it affords to the poor afflicted individual to feel the independence of reading". Also inc. other similar examples inc. 1831 letter from George V of Hanover, etc. An interesting lot. [See figs. 2 (p.5), 7-8 (p.9), Blindman's Mail] (12 items) Cross Reference: ROYALTY, FREES (Image)

LETTER BEARING SIGNATURE OF KING CHRISTIAN IV OF DENMARK: 3 Oct. 1646 EL to Knight Lutz von Abelfelt, written in German & Latin, regarding tax, bearing King Christian's signature & seal from the Town Hall in Rendsburg. King Christian was blinded in his right eye in 1644 by shrapnel from a cannon exploded by a Swedish cannon ball at the Battle of Colberger Heide. Neatly presented on a display page with small historical write-up.Cross Reference: DENMARK, ROYALTY (Image)