Sir Robert Heron, 2nd Baronet (1765–1854) This is an interesting example of a pre-stamp British postal cover, specifically a "Free Frank." Before the Penny Black was introduced in 1840, members of Parliament and certain officials had the privilege of sending mail for free by signing the front of the envelope. Here is an evaluation of the specific details on your cover: 1. The Date and Location • Top Line: Written as "Grantham August fourteen 1826." • Grantham: This is a market town in Lincolnshire, England. • Historical Context: The handwriting is typical of the Georgian era, using a dip pen with iron gall ink, which has aged to that characteristic dark brown. 2. The Recipient (The Address) • Name: It appears to be addressed to John Martineau Esq. • Location: 9 Lincoln’s Inn Fields (London). o Note: Lincoln's Inn Fields was (and is) a major center for the legal profession in London, suggesting this was likely a piece of legal or formal business correspondence. 3. The "FREE" Postmark • Type: This is a red Crown "FREE" datestamp. • Details: The stamp confirms the date as 15 AU 15 1826. • Significance: Because the letter was posted in Grantham on the 14th, it arrived in London and was processed through the "Free" office on the 15th. The red ink signifies that no postage was due from the recipient. 4. The Signature (The Frank) • Bottom Left: The signature "A. Heron" (likely Sir Robert Heron, 2nd Baronet). • Verification: Sir Robert Heron was the Member of Parliament (MP) for Peterborough at this time. To qualify for the free postage, the MP had to write the full date, the destination, and their signature on the cover. Summary Table Feature Detail Origin Grantham, Lincolnshire Destination Lincoln's Inn Fields, London Date Sent August 14, 1826 Date Received August 15, 1826 Sender (Frank) Likely Sir Robert Heron, MP Postal Class Free Frank (Privileged Mail) Collector's Note: While Free Franks are common from this period, ones with clear strikes of the Crown "FREE" mark and identifiable signatures of MPs are desirable to social history and postal history collectors. The condition of the paper looks remarkably clean for its age. 1. Document Identification • Type: A "Free Frank" postal cover. • Historical Context: In 1826, Members of Parliament (MPs) had the privilege of sending mail for free. To do so, they had to write the date, the destination, and their signature on the outside of the letter. This privilege was abolished in 1840 with the introduction of the Penny Black and the Uniform Penny Post. 2. The Sender (The "Frank") The signature in the bottom left corner is R. Heron. • Identity: This is Sir Robert Heron, 2nd Baronet (1765–1854). • Role: At the time of this letter (1826), he was the Whig Member of Parliament for Peterborough. • Residence: He lived at Stubton Hall, which is located near Grantham, explaining why the letter was posted from that town. • Interesting Detail: Sir Robert was known for keeping a large "menagerie" of exotic animals at his estate, including kangaroos and tortoises. 3. The Recipient and Address The letter is addressed to: John Martineau Esq. 9 Lincoln’s Inn Fields London • John Martineau: While there were several prominent Martineaus, historical records of 9 Lincoln’s Inn Fields associate this address with legal and professional services. • Lincoln’s Inn Fields: This was a prestigious area of London primarily occupied by solicitors and legal firms. The "Esq." (Esquire) title confirms he was considered a gentleman of professional standing. 4. Postal Markings • Manuscript Date: The top line reads "Grantham August fourteen 1826." This was written by Sir Robert Heron to validate the franking privilege. • The "FREE" Stamp: The red circular stamp with a crown is the London Free Office transit mark. o It shows the date 15 AU 15 1826 (August 15, 1826). o The red ink indicates the letter was verified as "Free" and no postage was collected from the recipient. Summary This cover is a well-preserved piece of 19th-century social and postal history. It demonstrates the daily administrative life of a long-serving MP (Sir Robert Heron) and the efficiency of the British postal system, which moved the letter from Grantham to London in just one day. Look carefully at the images to form an opinion The shipment will be from UK Lot L-GB-04