POCOCK, George (1765-1840), of Twickenham, Mdx. and Hart, co. Dur. Evaluation of the Marking • The item is a postal marking, likely a datestamp or mileage stamp, applied manually with a handstamp device. Before the mid-19th century, such markings were typically applied to the letter itself, and the recipient usually paid the postage, which was determined by distance and number of sheets. • Date: The numbers "813" are clearly visible inside the circle, indicating the year 1813. The other script text, which is partially obscured, would likely denote the town, month, and day of mailing. • Origin: The presence of handwritten script and a red circular postmark is common in 19th-century postal history documents from various European countries, including Spain and Great Britain. The specific location is not clear from the image alone. Value and Collectibility • Rarity: Such early postal history items from the pre-stamp era are sought after by specialists and are often sold by auction houses and specialist dealers. The value is highly dependent on the completeness of the letter (whether it is the entire cover or just a piece), the clarity of the markings, and the specific rarity of the town or date combination. • Identification: A precise evaluation would require full identification of the location and condition of the entire cover (the full letter or envelope), as the value is tied to its historical context rather than as a mass-produced, adhesive stamp. This piece is part of a fascinating field of philately called postal history. The piece is a red pre-philatelic date/track stamp, used in Great Britain before the introduction of adhesive stamps. It is not an adhesive stamp per se, but a hand-stamp applied to a folded letter (envelope), dating from 1813. Piece Evaluation: Dating: The stamp contains the year "813" within the circle, clearly indicating 1813. In the pre-philatelic era, such postage stamps were used to indicate the date and place of shipment, and the cost of shipping was often paid by the recipient upon receipt, depending on distance and weight Historical context: The letter is addressed to Mr. George Pocock Esqre M.P. (Member of Parliament) at a London address (Charles Street, Berkeley Square). Members of Parliament (MPs) at that time had the privilege of sending and receiving correspondence free of charge (known as "Free Frank"), provided the letter was signed by an MP. This letter is part of British postal history from the period before the postal reform of 1840, when the first postage stamps, such as the famous Penny Black, were introduced. Provenance: The handwriting is a form of Secretary Hand or early Italic hand, common for official documents and correspondence from the 18th and 19th centuries. Value: The value of such an item (the so-called "stampless cover" or, in this case, only part of it, "front only") is determined by the rarity of the postage stamp, the integrity of the original document (a complete letter is worth more than a fragment), and the importance of the recipient. A fragment addressed to a Member of Parliament from 1813 might be of interest to collectors specializing in postal history or historical autographs. This piece is an interesting historical item. Based on the inscription, the person referenced is George Pocock (1765–1840), who was the father of the famous Admiral Sir William Henry Smyth and the maternal grandfather of General Sir Henry Creswicke Rawlinson—the man whose papers likely contained this photograph. Here is an elaborate profile of him: George Pocock (1765–1840) Known For: Proprietor of the "Royal Circus, Equestrian and Philharmonic Academy" in London—a prominent and flamboyant showman, equestrian, and theatrical entrepreneur in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Biographical Details: • Birth: 1765 (exact location uncertain, but within England). • Death: 1840, likely in London. • Family: He married Eliza Smyth in 1808. Their daughter, Eliza Ann Smyth, married Abram Rawlinson, and their son was the famed orientalist and soldier General Sir Henry Creswicke Rawlinson. Through his marriage, Pocock also became the stepfather to Admiral Sir William Henry Smyth, a renowned astronomer and hydrographer. Career and Public Life: 1. The "Royal Circus" Showman: George Pocock was the owner and manager of the Royal Circus (later known as the Surrey Theatre) in St. George's Fields, Southwark, London. This venue was not a traditional circus in the modern sense but a popular entertainment complex combining equestrian displays, drama, pantomime, music, and spectacle. It was a direct competitor to Astley's Amphitheatre (the founder of the modern circus). Pocock's establishment was known for its elaborate and often sensational productions. 2. Inventor and Innovator: Pocock had a keen mechanical mind. His most famous invention was the "Charvolant" or "Flying Coach"—a wind-powered carriage, essentially a land yacht. It used large kites (his patented design) for propulsion and could reportedly reach speeds of up to 20 miles per hour. He famously used it to travel from Bristol to London and even published a book on it in 1827: "A Treatise on the Aeropleustic Art, or Navigation in the Air by the Use of Kites, or Buoyant Sails." 3. Connection to Celebrity: His life intersected with broader cultural history. He is recorded as having taught Princess (later Queen) Charlotte, the only child of King George IV, the art of riding. This connection to royalty, however tenuous, added to his public profile and the prestige of his establishment. 4. Later Life and Legacy: After a successful career as an impresario, he retired to Bristol. His legacy is multifaceted: o Theatrical History: He is a notable figure in the history of popular entertainment in Regency England. o Transportation History: Recognized as an early pioneer of wind-powered land transport. o Family Legacy: Through his daughter and stepson, he became the patriarch of a distinguished family of Victorian scholars, explorers, and military officers. His papers and memorabilia would have been preserved within the Rawlinson family archives, explaining why his photograph (likely a daguerreotype or early portrait) was among Sir Henry Rawlinson's possessions. Character & Historical Context: George Pocock epitomized the enterprising and inventive spirit of the late Georgian era. He operated in the vibrant, sometimes disreputable, world of popular spectacle, yet his intellectual curiosity led him to legitimate invention. He successfully bridged the worlds of public entertainment, mechanical science, and—through his family's marriages—the naval and academic establishment. In summary, George Pocock was far more than a circus owner; he was a distinctive figure—a showman-inventor whose life and work connected the realms of popular theatre, early engineering, and a remarkable scholarly dynasty. The image shows a red circular handstamped postmark on a piece of an old document or cover, potentially from 1813. This is not an adhesive postage stamp, but rather a postal marking used before stamps were widely adopted.