**Item Title:** 1831 Stampless Folded Letter - Philadelphia to Harrisburg, PA (Type Founder & Printer Business History)
**Item Condition:** Fine antique condition. Original tri-fold letter sheets with standard postal wear, minor separation along fold lines, and a small tear/hole in the center blank margin from original wax seal removal (does not impact text). Please inspect the high-resolution photos for full physical condition.
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### ITEM DETAILS & HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE
This is an exceptional, 100% authentic 1831 stampless folded letter sent from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. It features outstanding postal markings and captures a fascinating glimpse into early American industrial printing and type-founding history.
**Postal & Rate Markings:**
* **Postmark:** Crisp, bold circular red handstamp reading "PHIL. 25 AUG" (Philadelphia, August 25th).
* **Rate Mark:** Hand-written red ink "10½" indicating the exact 10.5-cent single-sheet rate mandated by the U.S. Postal Act of 1825 for distances between 80 and 150 miles.
* **Status Stamp:** Matching straight-line red "PAID" handstamp.
**Historical Content & Correspondence:**
The letter is written and signed by Jedidiah Howe (J. Howe & Co.), who was one of the most prominent early 19th-century type founders and pioneer stereotypers in Philadelphia. It is addressed to the famous early Pennsylvania printing firm: "Messrs. John S. Wiestling & Co. or Mr. George P. Wiestling, late Printer, Harrisburg, Pa."
The content addresses an early American bookkeeping ledger error regarding a credit for "old type" (scrap metal printing type returned to the foundry).
### COMPLETE TRANSCRIPTION
[Header]
Philad.ª August 25th 1831
Mess.ˢ John S. Wiestling & Co.
[Body]
Gent.ⁿ Your of the 19th came to hand in due course of mail — On reference I find that my Book Keeper has made an error in carrying the amount of the old type from the day=Book to the Journal — I has [have] deducted the $1.70 from the 28.81 this would leave $27.11 — this Error of his, makes us your debtors for $1.70 cts. which we will hand you at any time you may call, or to any one who you may authorize to receive it / We take pleasure in correcting our errors whenever any one is so kind as to point them out.
Should I have an opportunity by private conveyance, I will forward to you the $1.70. Please accept my thanks for your acceptance of the draft / Respy. Yours.
J. Howe & Co.
Jed. Howe
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### SHIPPING & HANDLING
* Ships securely packaged flat in a rigid, archival-safe sleeve.
* Tracking provided immediately upon shipment.
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