Page 52 - Fenning_Scoland

1682 'Free' Letter from Robert Mein, Keeper of the Edinburgh Letter Office

Sth September 1682. Edinburgh to Rotterdam via
London.

Letter written and signed by Robert Mein, Keeper
of the Letter Office, Edinburgh.

This is a very ear1y Scottish 'Free' letter.

On all charged letters the Sd sterling inland rate
between Edinburgh and London would be shown.
This letter shows no British inland postal charges
although it has evidently passed through the
London post office as a London Bishop mark
SE/11 has been struck on the back. The only
charge is the 'XI' in red being the charge for
delivery from London to Rotterdam.

Robert Mein used his franking privilege to send
the letter free of inland postal charges even
though it was on private, not official, business.

Those with the franking privilege could send letters
without signing the front of the letter if they were
'known by their seal'. In this case, the seal was
that of Robert Mein's Edinburgh Letter Office.

It is believed that there are
only two surviving examples
of the Edinburgh Letter
Office seal, this example and
one other, dated 16 111
November 1682. The seal
features Edinburgh Castle
and Robert Mein's initials.

It is clear that Robert Mein had the franking
privilege as, in concluding his letter, he explains to
Andrew Russell how to reply free of charge:
'return your answer to me expressing 'postmaster'

upon the back of my letter which will then be free'.

Provenance: the Bruce Auckland collection