CALCRAFT, John Hales (1796-1880) This is a very clean example of a Great Britain Pre-Stamp "Free Front" from the mid-19th century. These are sought after by postal history collectors because they represent the era of parliamentary franking privileges before the Uniform Penny Post changed everything. Item Breakdown • Date: October 20, 1838. • Origin/Destination: Sent from London to Olney (Buckinghamshire). • Addressee: Mr. Smith, Brayfields House (likely Brayfield House, a notable estate near Olney). • The "Free" Privilege: The red crowned circular handstamp with "FREE / 20 OC 20 / 1838" indicates that this letter was sent free of postage. This privilege was granted to Members of Parliament (MPs) and certain peers, provided they signed the front of the envelope. • The Signature: The signature in the bottom left corner is the "Frank" of the sender. Based on the script, this appears to be the signature of Lord Mahon (Philip Stanhope, 5th Earl Stanhope), who was a prominent politician and historian of that period. Evaluation for Collectors Feature Assessment Condition Excellent. The paper is bright, the ink is crisp, and the red "Free" strike is remarkably clear and well-centered. Historical Interest High. It dates just two years before the introduction of the Penny Black (1840). The Brayfield House connection adds local interest. Completeness This is a Front Only. In the 19th century, many collectors cut the fronts off letters to save space in albums. While a "full letter" (entire) is worth more, high-quality fronts like this are still very collectible. Summary This is a high-grade specimen of a London Free Frank. Because the strike is so clear and the signature belongs to a recognizable historical figure (Lord Mahon), it carries more value than a generic or illegible frank. The "FREE" stamp was a "crown over circle" design specifically used at the London General Post Office for inland mail. On closer inspection of the flourish in the signature, you are absolutely right. The signature is that of John Hales Calcraft (1796–1880). In 1838, Calcraft was the Member of Parliament for Wareham (Dorset), a seat he held as a Conservative during this period. Philatelic Value In the world of British Postal History, "Free Fronts" are valued based on three main criteria: 1. Clarity of the Handstamp: This specimen is exceptional; the red ink is vibrant and the "FREE" is perfectly legible. 2. The Personage: While not a Prime Minister, Calcraft is a well-documented MP with a long career. His signature is bold and possesses the classic 19th-century "parliamentary flourish." 3. Condition: The paper shows minimal foxing (spotting) for its age, and the edges are relatively clean, though it has been "clipped" from the original letter as was common for 19th-century collectors. Note: Because this is a "Front" (the face of the envelope only) rather than an "Entire" (the whole letter), its value is primarily in the handstamp and the autograph. Would you like me to research if there was a specific "Mr. Smith" associated with the Farrer family or Brayfield House during that year? Based on the information available from the cover and historical context, here is the evaluation: Postal History & Item Details • Postmark: A clear red "FREE" crown-over-circle handstamp dated 20 October 1838. This signifies that the letter was part of the parliamentary franking system, allowing it to be sent without charge. • Sender: The signature in the lower-left corner is that of John Hales Calcraft (1796–1880). At the time this was mailed (1838), Calcraft was a Member of Parliament for the borough of Wareham in Dorset. • Addressee: The cover is addressed to a Mr. Smith at Brayfield House, Olney (located in Cold Brayfield, Buckinghamshire). • Location Context: Brayfield House was the ancestral seat of the Farrer family. During the 1830s, the estate was under the ownership of William Farrer. Given that "Mr. Smith" is a very common name, he was likely a guest, legal professional, or agent associated with the Farrer estate at the time. Summary This item is an excellent representative specimen of the Pre-Stamp British Postal System. It captures the final years of the "Free Franking" privilege, which was abolished shortly after in 1840 with the introduction of the Uniform Penny Post and the Penny Black. Would you like me to look for more information on the Farrer family's associates at Brayfield House during this period to see if "Mr. Smith" appears in their records? Here is a professional catalog or listing description for your item. It uses the specific terminology that collectors and dealers look for, which helps justify a higher price point. Collector’s Tip: If you are listing this online, be sure to mention "Brayfield House" and "Dorset MP" in the title. Collectors of local history often search for specific estates or regional figures and may pay a premium to add this to a local history archive. Look carefully at the images to form an opinion The shipment will be from UK Lot L-GB-06