Included in the Boston Postal History to 1851 Exhibit by Mark Schwartz.

BOSTON". Straightline handstamp with matching partly clear strike of "5/MA" Franklin mark on May 5, 1787 docketed folded cover to Albany N.Y. Manuscript "4.16" rate for 300-400 miles with rate restated in local New York currency as "2/4" (2sh 4p, which is double the standard conversion of 14p, or 1sh2p). Addressed to Philip Van Rensselaer.

The addressee, Philip Van Rensselaer, was a prominent merchant and public official from Albany, New York, who served as the city’s mayor from 1799 to 1816 and was involved in provisioning the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War.