NOTE: STAMP PAIR HAS COME LOOSE FROM THE COVER BUT ARE UNDAMAGED. 1860s San Francisco Local Carrier Cover. This envelope was sent within the city of San Francisco, utilizing a specialized carrier service rather than the standard cross-country postal routes. Postmark: SAN FRANCISCO / APR / 13 / CAL. Cotter Esq / San Francisco. The Stamps: A vertical pair of 1-cent blue Benjamin Franklin stamps (Scott #63). These were issued starting in 1861. The 2-cent total paid for the “city carrier” rate, which was separate from the regular 3-cent “drop letter” or domestic rate. Historical Context: Before the U. San Francisco, with its rapidly growing population of merchants and gold-seekers, had one of the most active carrier systems in the country. The Recipient: Edward B. Cotter was a well-known San Francisco figure in the 1860s, appearing in city directories as a clerk and later associated with the local court system. Type: Hand-carved Cork “Killer”. Form: This specific design is a geometric or “petal” pattern. You can see four distinct lobes or “leaves” radiating from a central point, intended to thoroughly deface the stamps so they could not be reused. Method: Postmasters at the time often took a standard bottle cork and carved a unique design into the end with a penknife. Because these were handmade, no two are exactly alike, which makes “fancy cancels” a highly specialized area of collecting. Why San Francisco Cancels are Notable. San Francisco was famous for its wide variety of unique cork cancels during the 1860s. Ink Consistency: The oily, heavy black ink seen here was typical for the period; it was designed to soak into the paper fibers to prevent washing and re-use. At Electro Antiques, we are dedicated to rescuing, rediscovering, and restoring this history of electronics and computing, reviving and preserving it for future generations. We also specialize in signs, advertising, and some ephemera. All of our items are genuine, vintage or antique items, unless they are otherwise noted as a reproduction.