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This is the front of the cover shown on the previous page. It is addressed to
Mr. Wm. Bibbie at Mr. Rich Bibbys near Moncaster Hall in Howbank
Post paid to Cumberland
A Single Sheet
The sender was being helpful to the post office by noting that the letter was post paid,
that is, prepaid by the sender. This was the exception rather than the rule prior to the
postal reform and introduction of the postage stamp in 1840. This is confirmed by the
circular “PD” marking that indicates “paid to destination.”
The sender also noted that the letter consisted of a single sheet. Prior to the postal reforms,
postage was in part calculated by the number of sheets of paper. Thus, the sender wanted to
be sure that the postal staff recognized that this was a single sheet of paper.
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