George Sinclair (1790–1835) LL-GB Free Front 1832 signed George Sinclair, MP Caithness Item Identification This is a Free Front—the address panel of an envelope—sent from London to Dublin in 1832. It is a specimen of the Parliamentary Franking System, which allowed Members of Parliament (MPs) to send mail for free by signing the cover. Key Features • Sender: Sir George Sinclair (1790–1868), 2nd Baronet of Ulbster. He was the MP for Caithness at the time this was sent. • Addressee: Mrs. Wybrants, Rutland Square, Dublin. • Date: "Tenth February 1832" (handwritten by Sinclair). • Postal Marking: A red "FREE" crown-circle handstamp. The single rim indicates it was processed during the morning duty at the London General Post Office. • Signature: Sinclair's signature is located at the bottom left, as required by postal regulations to authenticate the "frank." Historical Context: Sir George Sinclair Sir George Sinclair was a prominent Scottish politician and author. In 1832, he was a supporter of the Reform Bill, a landmark piece of legislation that changed the British electoral system. He was known for his strong principles; notably, in the same year this letter was sent (1832), he famously declined an invitation from King William IV to dine on a Sunday for religious reasons. Evaluation & Value Items like this are collected by postal historians and autograph collectors. Factors Influencing Value 1. Condition: The front appears well-preserved with a clear, readable signature and a distinct red "FREE" strike. The paper shows typical age-toning but no major tears. 2. Completeness: This is a "front" only. "Entire" letters (the full letter with the message inside) are generally more valuable than fronts. 3. The Franking Privilege: The system was abolished in 1840 with the introduction of the Penny Black and the Uniform Penny Post. Because the system was heavily used (over 5 million franks annually by the 1830s), these items are relatively common in the philatelic market. Sir George Sinclair (1790–1868) was a remarkable Scottish figure who balanced a long political career with the reputation of a scholar and "prodigy." Here is a closer look at his colorful life and influence: 1. The "Harrow Prodigy" As a schoolboy at Harrow, Sinclair was classmates with two of the most famous men of the 19th century: Lord Byron (the poet) and Sir Robert Peel (future Prime Minister). • Byron’s Praise: Byron famously called Sinclair the "prodigy of our school-days," noting that George was so academically gifted that he would write themes and verses for half the school. • Linguistic Talent: He was a polyglot, eventually mastering Latin, Greek, French, German, Italian, Syriac, Chaldaic, and Hebrew. 2. A Run-In with Napoleon At just 16 years old, while traveling in Germany in 1806, Sinclair was arrested as a spy by the French army. He was brought directly before Napoleon Bonaparte for interrogation. The young Sinclair managed to impress the Emperor with his intelligence and honesty, leading Napoleon to order his immediate release. Sinclair later wrote a book about this encounter, Narrative of the Interview with Napoleon. 3. Political Career & "The Sunday Dinner" Sinclair represented Caithness in Parliament for over 30 years (intermittently between 1811 and 1841). • Reformist Views: Though he eventually moved toward the Conservative party, he was a staunch advocate for Catholic Emancipation and the abolition of slavery in the West Indies. • Principles over Royalty: In 1832, he gained national fame for refusing an invitation from King William IV to dine on a Sunday. As a devout Presbyterian, he believed Sunday should be reserved strictly for religious observance and would not break this rule even for the King. 4. Later Life & Philanthropy After retiring from Parliament in 1841, he lived primarily at Thurso Castle. • Charity: He was known as the "father of the poor" in Thurso, famously devoting 10% of his net income to charitable works and spending his final years visiting the impoverished in his community. • The Free Church: He was a key figure in the "Disruption of 1843," supporting the formation of the Free Church of Scotland, which sought independence from state control. Interesting Trivia • The Fountain: If you visit Thurso today, there is a large ornate fountain in the town center erected in 1894 by his son to honor George's "benevolent" nature. • The Author: Beyond his political pamphlets, he wrote Travels in Germany and Letters to the Protestants of Scotland. Look carefully at the images to form an opinion The shipment will be from UK Lot L-GBdec05-02