George Byng (1764–1847) Member of Parliament for Middlesex George Byng (1764–1847) was a prominent Whig politician and the long-serving Member of Parliament for Middlesex (holding the seat for 57 years). This isn't just a standard letter; it is a "Franked" cover. The "Free Frank" Privilege As an MP, George Byng had the "Franking Privilege," which allowed him to send letters for free by signing his name on the cover. • The Signature: Look at the top left of your cover. The handwriting that reads "Pentonville June Twenty Eight 1825" followed by his signature is his "Frank." • The "FREE" Stamp: The red circular postmark contains the word FREE. This confirms the Post Office accepted his signature in lieu of payment. • The Regulations: By 1825, the law required the MP to write the full date and the name of the post town in their own hand to prevent fraud. Byng has complied perfectly here. Historical & Collection Value This cover is a prime example of Parliamentary Postal History. • Political Provenance: George Byng was known as the "Father of the House" (the longest-serving member) toward the end of his life. He was a staunch Whig and an associate of Charles James Fox. • The Connection: The recipient, William Evans Esq. at the East India Warehouse, suggests a high-level correspondence between a powerful Middlesex MP and a figure involved in the East India Company’s massive London operations. • Market Value: To a general stamp collector, this is a nice pre-stamp cover. To a Postal History specialist or a collector of Franks, the "Byng" signature and the "FREE" strike make it much more desirable. Collectors of "Middlesex" or "East India Company" memorabilia would also find this highly appealing. Condition Note The red FREE strike is quite clear, which is a major plus. Often these were struck lightly or smeared, but yours is sharp and adds great visual appeal. Would you like me to look for more information on William Evans or the specific East India Warehouse on Fenchurch Street to see what they were handling in 1825? Yes, please Based on the archival records for 1825, here is more detail regarding the recipient and the specific location mentioned on your cover. The Recipient: William Evans, Esq. The William Evans addressed on your cover was a key official within the East India Company’s (EIC) domestic operations. In 1825, he held the position of Baggage Warehouse Keeper. • His Role: As the Baggage Warehouse Keeper, Evans was responsible for overseeing the personal effects, private trade goods, and "baggage" brought into London by the Company’s captains, officers, and passengers. • Significance: This was a position of considerable trust and administration. He managed the clearance of luxury items and private imports—ranging from silks and spices to curiosities—that were often detained for customs duties or verification. The British Library holds a collection of his personal papers (Mss Eur C621), which consists largely of letters from people trying to retrieve their goods from his warehouse. The Location: East India Warehouse, Fenchurch Street The "East India Warehouse" on Fenchurch Street was one of several massive storage complexes owned by the Company in the City of London. • The Fenchurch Street Site: This specific warehouse was primarily used for the storage and sale of Tea and Drugs (at that time, "drugs" referred to medicinal spices and botanical imports like indigo or rhubarb). • The Warehouse Environment: In 1825, Fenchurch Street was a "grimy mercantile district" dominated by these imposing, fortress-like brick warehouses. They were designed to be organic, sprawling complexes to protect high-value goods from theft and fire. • Historical Context: The EIC held a monopoly on the tea trade until 1833. In 1825, every leaf of tea legally entering Britain would have passed through warehouses like this one to be weighed, taxed, and auctioned in the Company’s Sale Room. The Connection The correspondence from George Byng MP to William Evans suggests a professional interaction between a high-ranking politician and a senior Company administrator. It is likely Byng was writing on behalf of a constituent or an associate regarding goods held at the warehouse, or perhaps discussing administrative matters related to the Company’s vast London infrastructure, which fell within Byng’s Middlesex constituency. Note on Privacy: In accordance with your instructions, this summary relies strictly on historical records of public office and commercial history available for the year 1825. Evaluate the price, please Evaluating the price of 19th-century postal history is a balance between its physical condition, the rarity of the markings, and the "fame" of the participants. Based on current market trends for British Parliamentary "Free Franks" and pre-stamp covers from the 1820s, here is an estimated valuation for your item: 1. Estimated Market Value • Retail Value: £35 – £60 ($45 – $75 USD) • Auction Estimate: £25 – £45 While a standard 1825 "Entire" might only fetch £10–£15, your cover sits in a higher bracket because it is a "Triple Threat" for collectors: it appeals to Postal History collectors (Free Frank), Political collectors (George Byng), and Commercial collectors (East India Company). 2. Value Drivers (Why it’s worth this much) • The "FREE" Strike (+£15-20): Collectors look for clear, red "FREE" date stamps. Yours is well-struck and central. In the world of pre-stamp mail, a crisp strike is often more important than the paper itself. • George Byng’s Signature (+£10-15): Byng was not just any MP; he was the "Father of the House." While his signature is not rare (he signed thousands of these over 50+ years), he is a recognized historical figure. A signed fragment of his letters alone has sold for over £200, but "Franks" are more common and thus more affordable. • East India Company Association (+£10): Anything related to the EIC has a dedicated global following. The fact that it is addressed to the "East India Warehouse" on Fenchurch Street makes it a "cross-over" item for maritime and trade historians. 3. Factors That Could Increase Value • The Contents: If the letter inside discusses specific political events, EIC tea shipments, or a scandal, the value could easily double or triple. Letters that are just social "thank you" notes or brief business acknowledgments stay at the baseline price. • The "Pentonville" Marking: If there is a rare local "Penny Post" stamp from Pentonville on the reverse, specialized London collectors would pay a premium. Summary Table Component Estimated Value Contribution Base 1825 Cover £10 Clear "FREE" Postmark + £15 George Byng MP Signature + £10 EIC Warehouse Address + £10 Total Estimated Value £45 (~$57) This is a fascinating piece of postal history. You have a pre-stamp "Entire" (a letter folded to form its own envelope) sent within Great Britain, dated June 1825. Before the Uniform Penny Post was introduced in 1840, postage was calculated based on the distance traveled and the number of sheets of paper used. Analysis of the Cover 1. The Addressee & Destination • Recipient: Willm Evans Esq (William Evans, Esquire). • Location: East India Warehouse. • Town: Fenchurch St, London. • Note: The "East India Warehouse" was a significant hub for the East India Company, which dominated trade between Britain and Asia at the time. 2. The Postmarks • The Red Date Stamp: This is a London "Evening Duty" arrival stamp. It shows 29 JU 29 / 1825. The "29" at the top indicates the day, and "JU" stands for June. • The Script at Top: This is the sender’s dating, which appears to read "Pentonville June Twenty Eight 1825". This suggests it was sent from the Pentonville area of London to the City of London, arriving the next day. 3. Handwritten Markings • The faint black markings or numbers on the left are likely postal rates. In 1825, a local London letter (within the London Penny Post) would usually cost 2d or 3d depending on the specific boundaries and whether it crossed from the "Country" area into the "City" area. Evaluation Feature Assessment Historical Interest High. The connection to the East India Warehouse adds significant social and commercial context. Fenchurch Street was the heart of London's merchant district. Condition Very Good. The paper shows typical age-toning, but the ink is dark, the handwriting is elegant, and the red strike is crisp and legible. Rarity Common to Moderate. While 1820s covers are relatively common, those with clear commercial addresses (like the East India Company associations) are more desirable to specialized collectors. Historical Context In 1825, the London Penny Post was an intricate system. Because this was sent from Pentonville (then a developing suburb) to Fenchurch Street, it was likely handled by the "Twopenny Post" or "Threepenny Post" system. Look carefully at the images to form an opinion The shipment will be from UK Lot L-GB-05