Intemperance Is The Curse Of The World Anti-Alcohol Forces Use The Mail To Spread Their Message

Transcription

1 Intemperance Is The Curse Of The World Anti-Alcohol Forces Use The Mail To Spread Their Message Following the Revolutionary War, patterns of alcohol consumption in the new United States changed as the country became more urbanized. Almost immediately, organizations promoting temperance developed, first on religious and moral grounds, developing into social and fraternal organizations during the 19 th century. The temperance movement in the United States became more organized mid-century with the formation of a number fraternal organizations, most notably the Sons of Temperance in Awareness increased, and in 1851 Maine became the first state to pass a prohibition against alcohol consumption. Twelve states soon followed with similar ordinances, however, these were difficult to enforce. With the outbreak of the Civil War, interest in intemperance waned. By 1869, all but one of these laws had been repealed. Backers of the temperance movements during these times used the mails to organize, disseminate their messages, and generally promote the cause of temperance. This exhibit uses temperance-related covers, circulars, and printed matter from Great Britain, the United States, and Canada from 1830 and 1870 to highlight the use of the mails in support of these early prohibitionists. This exhibit is organized to show: Temperance organizations Temperance-related propaganda envelopes Temperance-related newspapers, publications, and journals Temperance-related hotels for travelers Published by William C. Hale, Hartford, CT, 1850s

2 Temperance Organizations Pennsylvania State Temperance Society 1843 ANNOUNCEMENT OF ELECTIONS OF OFFICERS March 8, 1843 Philadelphia, PA,. Printed announcement of the election of officers for the Pennsylvania State Temperance Society. Although letter sheet was printed and sent unsealed, qualifying it for circular mail rate, sent at the 18¾ letter rate (postage collect) for single sheets mailed between 150 and 400 miles. Addressee was one of those elected as an officer of the Society.

3 Temperance Organizations Maine Temperance Union 1846 September 30, Portland, ME to Rochester, NY. Printed circular dated Sep. 18, 1846 with two page text of the Maine Temperance Act and one page solicitation letter from Neal Dow, Corresponding Secretary of the Maine Temperance Union. Portland, ME to Rochester NY. Postage collect at 2 circular rate for circulars sent over 500 miles.

4 Temperance Organizations Independent Order of Rechabites 1851 January 11, New York, NY to Dover, NH. Printed announcement from the Independent Order of Rechabites soliciting dues from local chapters. 5 letter rate. The Rechabites were a fraternal organization founded in England in 1835 promoting temperance among members. The U.S. branch opened in Named for the nomadic, abstaining Rechabites of the Old Testament

5 Temperance Organizations Sons of Temperance Application for Charter 1846 October 11, (1846). Blue Philadelphia, PA, datestamp on August 28, 1846 printed circular laying out principles and guidelines for the Sons of Temperance organization. Attached leaf with blank application for a local charter. Circular endorsement on face was crossed out and rated at the 5 letter rate, as the letter was sealed, which was against regulations for circular mail. Contents 50%

6 Temperance Organizations Sons of Temperance Bangor, ME 1847 June 11, Bangor, ME to Gardiner, ME. Folded circular with coded password and explanation sent to chapters on quarterly basis. Postage collect at 5 letter rate for mail sent under 500 miles. Contents 50%

7 Temperance Organizations Sons of Temperance Western NY 1847 September 21, Canandaigua, NY to Rochester, Folded circular announcing meeting of the Sons of Temperance, Western New York. Sent sealed and with handwriting requiring 5 letter rate. Contents 67%

8 Temperance Organizations Sons of Temperance Elmira, NY 1847 November 4, Elmira, NY to Geneva, NY. Stampless folded letter with applied Sons of Temperance seal announcing results of chapter election. Postage collect at 5 letter rate for mail sent under 500 miles.

9 Temperance Organizations Sons of Temperance Wilmington, DE 1849 November 2, Wilmington, DE to Dover, DE. Lettersheet with printed seal of Delaware Sons of Temperance. Folded and mailed with adhesive. Only covers from Delaware recorded in Alexander census.

10 Temperance Organizations Sons of Temperance Nashua, NH 1851 April 8, Nashua, NH to Peterboro, NH. Corner card from the Grand Division S. of T.. Blue 5 ratestamp for postage due from recipient.

11 Temperance Organizations Sons of Temperance Illinois 1851 June 11, Carrollton, IL to Lacon, Marshall County, IL. Manuscript endorsement S. of T. at lower left. Sent postage collect at 5 letter rate. Letter refers to chapter accounts.

12 Temperance Organizations Sons of Temperance Western NY 1851 October 11, Lockport, NY to Bristol, NY. Corner card from the Grand Worthy Patriarch (G.W.P.) of the Sons of Temperance, Western New York Division.

13 Temperance Organizations Sons of Temperance Connecticut 1853 December 8, Westville, CT to Hartford, CT. 3 first issue Nesbitt stamped envelope with Nesbitt seal on backflap.

14 Temperance Organizations Sons of Temperance Trenton, NJ c Trenton, NJ. 3 with F grill on circa 1868 cover to Bridgeport, NJ. Temperance propaganda text in the shape of a liquor bottle. The G.S. suffix to the name at top indicates that sender was an officer (Grand Scribe) of the local Sons of Temperance chapter.

15 Temperance Organizations Independent Order of Good Templars, Connecticut 1860s Grand Council of Connecticut. Letter rate. Note change in leadership of organization and increase in membership from 300,000 to 400,000 members First District of Connecticut (Hartford area). Unsealed circular rate.

16 Temperance Organizations Great Britain UK Alliance for the Total Suppression of the Liquor Traffic 1867 Manchester to Bedale. September 25, Violet imprint for UK Alliance for the Suppression of the Liquor Traffic. Manchester duplex postmark. Bedale receiving datestamp on reverse. The "United Kingdom Alliance" was formed in 1853 for the purpose of enacting a Maine Law in the United Kingdom. The organization differed from most other UK organizations in that they sought political and legal remedies to the perceived liquor problem, rather than campaigning for individual abstinence.

17 Temperance Organizations Great Britain Band of Hope 1869 Published by Walter Ludbrook, London, especially for the Band of Hope. Used from London to Plymouth in The Band of Hope, a temperance organization for working-class children, was founded in Leeds in In 1855, a national organization was formed amidst an explosion of Band of Hope work. All members took a pledge of total abstinence and were taught the "evils of drink". Members were enrolled from the age of six and met once a week to listen to lectures and participate in activities.

18 Temperance Lettersheet Great Britain The Temperance Enterprise 1841 December 1, Folded letter sheet to Melbourne, Australia with green "The Temperance Enterprise" illustrated design at top and "No. 19 Printed and sold by J. Rewcastle, Newcastle. Datelined "Allanton December 1st Chirnside Penny Post handstamp, London Ship Letter datestamp, London, and Melbourne transit datestamps on reverse. 8d private ship letter rate, as no postal contract to Australia existed at the time. 3d due for incoming ship letter. A very early Temperance design which predates any recorded British illustrated envelope by six years.

19 Temperance Labels Great Britain 1847 February 12, Labels expressing temperance sentiment were available from a number of publishers and would be used to seal letters and envelopes. This British example with two such labels used from Northumberland to Hexham in 1847.

20 Temperance Envelopes James Valentine, Dundee, Scotland Great Britain 1850s DESIGN STATE 1 James Valentine Temperance Envelope, State 1. Printed in Scotland; carried to the U.S. and mailed in Farrington, OH. Paid 3 handstamp in upper right in place of stamp. DESIGN STATE 3 James Valentine Temperance Envelope, State 3. Mailed in London, August 7, 1855 to Yorkshire. States can be differentiated by the vendors listed at lower left and lower right. There are five known states.

21 Temperance Envelopes James Valentine Derivative Designs United States 1850s Published by Charles Spear, Boston, MA Published by George D. Jewett, Hartford, CT Imprint at right Imprint at bottom US designs (referencing Maine Law at right under adhesives) based upon Valentine designs

22 Temperance Envelopes James Valentine Derivative Designs Canada 1850s Engraved by J. Welch (signed in design at lower right) and sold by J. C. Becket, Montreal. Mailed January 23, 1853 from Edwardsburg, U.C. (Ontario) to Morrisburg, U.C. Crudely executed copy of US temperance design. 3 pence postage due for letter rate during Pence period (April 6, 1851 June 30, 1859). J. Welch design on blue paper without vendor imprint. Mailed July 26, 1859 from Winchester U.C. to West Hawkesbury, C.W. 7cts. postage due for 5 letter rate plus 2 unpaid fee during Cents period (July 1, 1859 March 31, 1868). Canadian design based upon US derivative designs

23 Temperance Envelopes Confederate States c March 12, Confederate 5 Deep Green, Stone 1-2. Adhesive applied to back of Wm. C. Hale temperance propaganda cover used to Greensboro, NC. Accokeek, Va. March 12, 1862 circular datestamp. Manuscript Missent to Chapel Hill on face. Banners of the Confederacy. Goodson, VA to Blountsville TN cover promoting the three banners of the Confederate States Religion, Peace, and Temperance.

24 Temperance Envelopes Maine Law 1850s January 5, Norway, ME.. Red PAID 3 handstamp. Salisbury, VT / Sep 16 and Paid 3 manuscript town, date, and rate markings. Used between 1851, when postage rates dropped to 3, and 1856, when postage stamps were required to indicate prepayment. Envelope published by Tripp and Osgood, Concord, NH.

25 Temperance Envelopes Barber & Baker, Sacramento, CA c Temperance Envelope Love, Purity & Fidelity. Envelope published by Barber Baker, Sacramento. Weaverville, CA, townstamp with manuscript May 22. PAID and 10 handstamps. Sent to Boston, MA at the 10 rate for over 3000 miles that was in effect from April 1, 1855

26 Temperance Envelopes Thurston & Company, Portland, ME c. 1852

27 Temperance Envelopes Brown Thurston, Portland, ME 1852 POSTMASTER FREE FRANK ON TURNED TEMPERANCE COVER September 11, (1852). Unused temperance envelope turned and used from Townsend, NY to Lancaster, MA. Manuscript town and date with Free / Nelson W. Winton P.M. franking, as postmasters were permitted to send personal mail up to ½ oz. postage free. Winton was appointed Postmaster of Townsend, NY on Sept. 17, 1851 and served until Jan. 12, Thurston & Co. imprint on cover at upper left Brown Thurston imprint on this cover Interior reduced 50%

28 Temperance Envelopes National Temperance Envelope 1858 Cover with list of What Ardent Spirits has done in ten years in the U.S. attributed to Edward Everett. York, PA to Pottsville, PA, Nov. 24, Two covers from the bulk mailing of a circular announcing a going out of business sale in Edensburg, PA. Mailed at the 1 circular rate. Adhesives cancelled with PAID 3 cancellation.

29 Alcohol and Tobacco United States. Confederate States The Rum and Tobacco Twins c Rome, GA to Greensboro, AL. Image on reverse of both covers scan at 80%

30 Temperance Publications Journal of Humanity 1830 April 14, 1830 Andover, MA to Wyoming, PA. Temperance Newspaper Published in Andover, MA. Rated 1½ for transient newspapers traveling over 100 miles, out of state in effect from June 1, 1792 to June 30, The addressee, Nathan Carey, was a resident of the small religious community of Wyoming, PA at the time. One of two known copies of this rate marking assumed to be from Andover, MA

31 Temperance Publications The Carson League Newspaper 1851 Address panel verso - scan at 75% The Carson League was published in Syracuse, NY from Founded by Thomas L. Carson. By means of this paper, Carson helped have a prohibition law enacted in New York State in However, the courts invalidated the law and the legislature passed a liquor-licensing law in its place.

32 Temperance Publications American Temperance Magazine c Circa Red New York / Paid 1ct circular datestamp on envelope to Indiana. Unsealed circular rate.

33 Temperance Publications Proceedings of the World s Temperance Convention page pamphlet with text of resolutions and speeches at World s Temperance Convention held in New York, NY. Blood s adhesive and handstamp on the cover. Delivered by Blood s Penny Post to addressee in Philadelphia. Also endorsed By the Best Regards of Geo. Duffield who was a member of the Pennsylvania delegation.

34 Temperance Publications The National Temperance Organ The Temperance Patriot 1850s and 1860s College Hill, Ohio to Philadelphia, PA advertising The National Temperance Organ published in Cincinnati. Utica, NY to Oberlin, OH advertising The Temperance Patriot published in Utica.

35 Temperance Publications Youth s Temperance Visitor c Rockland, ME to Springfield, MA advertising the Youth s Temperance Visitor published in Rockland, ME. Scan at 75%

36 Temperance Publications Great Britain The Public Good 1850 The Public Good. Published by Charles Gilpin, for a new monthly periodical devoted to benefit societies, ocean penny postage, peace, temperance, anti-slavery etc., bearing Great Britain 1d red cancelled by London numeral to Richmond, Surrey. Red London "AP 16, 1850" and transit backstamps Advertisement which appeared in The Evangelical Magazine and Missionary Chronicle, December, Charles Gilpin ( ) was a Quaker, orator, politician, publisher and railway director. Amongst his many causes were the movement to repeal the Corn Laws, to establish world peace through the Peace Society, abolition of the death penalty, the anti-slavery movement, liberation of Hungary from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Hungarian exiles in England, the Poor Law, and prison reform.

37 Temperance Hotels circa 1851 Marlboro Hotel Temperance House, Boston, MA. Manuscript notation at upper right indicating postage Paid, charge box 39. Taylor s Temperance Hotel, New York, NY. Red New York Free datestamp because of frank from Chauncey A. Knox, Postmaster of Parma Center, NY. from August 21, 1841, until July 20, Postmasters had the right to use their frank to send mail up to ½ oz., even when traveling. An 1853 Journal listed Taylor s as the only Temperance Hotel in New York City.

38 Temperance Hotels 1850s Bennett Temperance House, Buffalo, NY. Advertising corner card in black on envelope to London. Blue/grey Buffalo February 20, 1854 datestamp with matching PAID and 24 rate markings. Red Boston 19 exchange office credit and red London March 8, 1854 Paid transit datestamp. Postage paid in cash. Advertising corner card in blue on 3 envelope addressed to Windham, CT.

39 Temperance Insurance Great Britain Temperance and General Life Office 1857 London to Dewsbery, Yorkshire. January 10, Blue advertising imprint for Temperance and General Life Office on backflap. London chief office postmark. London and Dewsbury datestamps on reverse. Imprint on backflap Scan of interior The Temperance and General Life Company was formed in 1840 and provided insurance products targeted to teetotalers. The company is now part of the Friends Provident Insurance group.