From the George Kramer Exhibit

Red "Baltimore Rail Road" handstamp with manuscript "ch 25" on Baltimore to Massachusetts folded letter, datelined November 15, 1838. Rated for over 400 miles rate.

The small notation "ch"is uncommon; it signified that addressee had an account with the Post Office, and that this letter did not have to be paid upon receipt.

On July 7, 1838, Congress passed an act providing "that each and every railroad within the limits of the United States which now is or hereafter be completed, shall be a post route, and the PMG shall cause the mail to be transported thereon". "RAILROAD" type markings were struck on mail which did not originate in a post office.

According to Remele, the railroad contracted to carry mail from Baltimore to Philadelphia, and from all intermediate Post Offices on the line, did not cross into Philadelphia until November 1838 when the Philadelphia, Wilmington, and Baltimore Railroad Bridge was completed. This letter is datelined November 15, 1838.