PP-GB Free Front 1832 signed John Backhouse Permanent Under-Sec at Foreign Office This is an original 1832 pre-stamp era letter envelope (known in philately as a cover or free frank) sent from London to Chilmark, Salisbury, England. Before the 1840 Uniform Penny Post reform, postage was typically charged to the recipient based on the distance and number of sheets, and envelopes were a luxury often avoided. Details of the Cover • Date and Origin: The letter was posted in London in October, 1832, as handwritten at the top left. The circular red postmark confirms the year '32. • Recipients: It is addressed to "Wm. Lean" in "Chilmark" near "Salisbury". • Sender: The signature in the bottom left appears to be "J. Backhouse", likely Jonathan Backhouse, a prominent Quaker banker from the Darlington area at the time. The Backhouse family was heavily involved in banking and Quaker activities, and their correspondence from this era often pertains to these topics. • Postal System: The cover predates the Penny Black stamp and the Uniform Penny Post (introduced in 1840). During this time, the "franking privilege" allowed Members of Parliament and certain officials to send mail for free by signing their name, which this cover seems to utilize. The red mark indicates it was likely a "paid" or "free" designation within the postal system of the day. Historical Context The year 1832 was a time of significant reform in Great Britain, including the passage of the Great Reform Act. The postal system was highly complex and expensive, leading to calls for the reforms eventually implemented by Sir Rowland Hill. John Backhouse did serve as a senior official at the Foreign Office in the 19th century. He was a pivotal figure in the development of the British civil service, specifically in the establishment of the modern, non-political permanent undersecretary role. John Backhouse's Role at the Foreign Office • Permanent Under-Secretary: John Backhouse was appointed to the position in April 1827 and served until 1842. His tenure was crucial in defining the "permanent" nature of the position, distinguishing it from the other politically appointed undersecretary role, which changed with each new government. • Administrative Responsibilities: While the political undersecretaries focused on policy, Backhouse took on growing administrative and supervisory responsibilities for the department's establishment, ensuring continuity and professional expertise. • Background: Before this role, he served as private secretary to George Canning, a prominent British statesman who was Foreign Secretary and later Prime Minister. • The Cover in the Image: The signed envelope from 1832 in the previous image is likely an example of a "free frank" signed by John Backhouse in his official capacity at the Foreign Office, allowing it to be sent without pre-paid postage. The "Jonathan Backhouse" from the previous query was a separate individual, a Quaker banker who financed the Stockton to Darlington Railway and was known for his full-time ministry Specific Duties of the Permanent Under-Secretary John Backhouse was instrumental in defining the administrative responsibilities of the Permanent Under-Secretary role at the Foreign Office from 1827 to 1842. Unlike the political undersecretaries who changed with the government, the permanent official provided essential continuity and professional expertise. His duties included: • Administration and Supervision: Backhouse was responsible for supervising the day-to-day operations and the entire establishment of the department. • Institutional Knowledge: He served as the repository of institutional memory and procedural knowledge, essential during frequent changes in political leadership (Foreign Secretaries). • Advisory Role (Evolving): While early permanent undersecretaries had little influence over policy formation, Backhouse's long tenure allowed him to provide critical, non-partisan advice to various Foreign Secretaries, including George Canning and Lord Palmerston. • Accounting Officer: He held significant pecuniary responsibility, managing the department's funds and ensuring they were expended appropriately, a core duty of the modern permanent secretary role. History of the Franking Privilege The franking privilege allowed certain government officials, including Members of Parliament and peers, to send mail free of charge by applying their signature (or "frank") to the cover. The cost was covered by the state, effectively meaning the taxpayer. • Origins and Purpose: The system began in the mid-17th century to facilitate official government communication. • Abuse and Regulation: Due to the high cost of postage for the public, the privilege was widely abused. MPs and officials often gave pre-signed blank sheets or envelopes to friends, family, and businesses. This led to regulations in 1764 and 1795 which limited the number and weight of letters and required the entire address to be in the sender's handwriting. • Mechanisms: The cover in the image, signed by Backhouse, is an example of such a "free front" or "entire" from the pre-stamp era. The red handstamp indicates it was processed as free mail within the postal system. • Abolition: The system was finally abolished with the introduction of the Uniform Penny Post and the first adhesive stamp (the Penny Black) on January 10, 1840, making postage affordable and pre-payment compulsory for almost everyone Look carefully at the images to form an opinion The shipment will be from UK Lot L-GBdec05-07