This is an original "'stampless' letter" (it's real deal--this is NOT a reproduction) that was folded and sealed and then taken to the post office by the writer and mailed.  It is a "'stampless' cover."  You are purchasing both the postal portion and the original letter.

ONE of the reasons it is collectible is because of the fact that  the local postmaster applied postal markings considered appropriate for the letter's journey.  In addition to being collectible because the addressee or the town from which it was sent, it is a collectable item of postal history because of the rates, markings and usage.

A stunningly-gorgeous 1851 one-page letter on gold-edge stationery with a bright blue "KINDERHOOK N.Y." circular datestamp that is perfectly centered like a clock dial and is superb in impression.  Sitting Congressman Peter Henry Silvester used his Congressional power to send money without postage by writing "Free P. H. Silvester, 31st Congress".  The letter is being sent to Robert Livingston Schuyler as President of the New Haven Rail Road.

Wonderfully addressed to "Robt. Schuyler, Esqr., Office of the NY & New Haven R.R. Co., No 2, Hanover St., New York."

Upon arrival, the letter was re-folded and docketed by Schuyler.  The docketing reads "1851. P. H. Silvester, Coxackie, Aug 25.  Rec'd Aug 29."

From the Congressional Biography:

SILVESTER, Peter Henry, (grandson of Peter Silvester), a Representative from New York; born in Kinderhook, Columbia County, N.Y., February 17, 1807; attended Kinderhook Academy, and was graduated from Union College, Schenectady, N.Y., in 1827; studied law; was admitted to the bar in 1830 and practiced his profession in Coxsackie, N.Y.; elected as a Whig to the Thirtieth and Thirty-first Congresses (March 4, 1847-March 3, 1851); retired and lived on one of his farms in Coxsackie, Greene County, N.Y., until his death on November 29, 1882; interment in Kinderhook Cemetery, Kinderhook, Columbia County, N.Y. 

From Wikipedia:

Robert Schuyler or Robert Livingston Schuyler (September 16, 1798 – November 15, 1855), was a financier, steamboat operator, and railroad president who acted as the de facto head of the prominent Schuyler Family during his adulthood. Schuyler, who in his day was known as "America's first railroad king," is best known today for his role in America’s first large-scale stock fraud on the New York and New Haven Rail Road. His scandal is among the greatest scandals in  Wall Street history alongside the Bernie Madoff scandal... In addition to his role as president, he was also the company's sole transfer agent, which meant that every sale of the company stock went through him alone...after the railroad's stock price dropped in the summer of 1854, he wrote to the board of directors resigning and stating "Your attention to the stock ledgers of your Company is essential, as you will find there is much that is wrong." The discovery of his fraud in 1854 has been referred to as "America’s first large-scale stock fraud." It was eventually discovered that Schuyler issued 19,540 shares in unauthorized stock certificates (worth approximately $2 million US$2,000,000 (equivalent to about $54,474,100 in 2017)) for the Railroad...

Content as follows:  

"I have requested the Captn. of one of our Barges, to pay you for the seven shares of New stock to which I am entitled in the NY & New Haven Rail Road, this week before he leaves.  If he should not do it, I ask that you would let me know it & I will pay in some other way, in the course of next week.  Will you be good enough to forward me the certif. by mail, as soon as the money is paid.  Very Truly Yours, P. H. Silvester, Coxackie, 25th Augt. 1851."

This item is from the collection of Calvet Hahn and is accompanied by his original album notes.  Mr. Hahn's collection is very fresh to the market.  Most of his items, including this one, have not been offered for sale for 40-50 years.  Many of the items are "listing" and/or "recording" items according to his album notes.

Terms and Conditions:

FREE United States of America Postal Service FIRST CLASS MAIL SHIPPING to the United States.

Uninsured International, including Canada, shipments are $6.00 for the first item and $2 or $3 extra for each additional item.  If you purchase multiple items, I will adjust the shipping charges when I send an invoice.

I prefer PayPal.  If you wish to pay by any other means, please message me before the auction at and ask permission, which will not be unreasonably withheld.  When I send an invoice after you have purchased the item, please immediately remind me that you will be paying by another means.

Postal insurance and/or registered mail for loss and/or damage protection will be an extra charge and offered only if specifically requested.  If this concerns you, please message me in advance of your purchase.

All international shipments that request registered mail (insurance generally unavailable) will be charged a flat $14 for this service.

The United States Postal Service has an excellent record with my shipments.

I have been a member of the American Philatelic Society since 1978 and have been selling on eBay for years.

Virginia buyers must pay our Governor's 5.3% sales tax unless you email a PDF of your resale certificate within 24 hours of the end of the auction.

Buy with trust and confidence.

Thank you for taking the time to view my items and make sure to review the other items in my eBay retail store, especially in this category.