“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 19th 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

1842. 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 By 1869, all but one of these laws had been repealed.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

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.

ANNOUNCEMENT OF ELECTIONS OF OFFICERS

1843

Temperance Organizations

Pennsylvania State Temperance Society

September 30, 1846. 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.

Maine Temperance Union 1846

Temperance Organizations

January 11, 1851. 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 1842. Named for the

nomadic, abstaining Rechabites of the Old Testament

Independent Order of Rechabites 1851

Temperance Organizations

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%

Sons of Temperance – Application for Charter 1846

Temperance Organizations

June 11, 1847. 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%

Sons of Temperance – Bangor, ME 1847

Temperance Organizations

Contents 67%

September 21, 1847. 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.

Sons of Temperance – Western NY 1847

Temperance Organizations

November 4, 1847.

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.

Sons of Temperance – Elmira, NY 1847

Temperance Organizations

November 2, 1849. Wilmington, DE to Dover, DE. Lettersheet with printed seal of Delaware Sons of

Temperance. Folded and mailed with 5¢ 1847 adhesive. Only 40 1847 covers from Delaware recorded in

Alexander census.

Sons of Temperance – Wilmington, DE 1849

Temperance Organizations

April 8, 1851. Nashua, NH to Peterboro, NH. Corner card from the Grand

Division S. of T.. Blue “5” ratestamp for postage due from recipient.

Sons of Temperance – Nashua, NH 1851

Temperance Organizations

June 11, 1851. 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.

Sons of Temperance – Illinois 1851

Temperance Organizations

October 11, 1851. Lockport, NY to Bristol, NY. Corner card from the Grand

Worthy Patriarch (G.W.P.) of the Sons of Temperance, Western New York

Division.

Sons of Temperance – Western NY 1851

Temperance Organizations

December 8, 1853. Westville, CT to Hartford, CT. 3¢ first issue Nesbitt stamped

envelope with Nesbitt seal on backflap.

Sons of Temperance – Connecticut 1853

Temperance Organizations

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.

Sons of Temperance – Trenton, NJ c. 1868

Temperance Organizations

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.

Independent Order of Good Templars, Connecticut 1860s

Temperance Organizations

The "United Kingdom Alliance" was formed in 1853 for the purpose ofenacting a “Maine Law” in the United Kingdom. The organizationdiffered from most other UK organizations in that they sought politicaland legal remedies to the perceived liquor problem, rather thancampaigning for individual abstinence.

Manchester to Bedale. September 25, 1867. Violet imprint for UK Alliance for the

Suppression of the Liquor Traffic. Manchester duplex postmark. Bedale receiving

datestamp on reverse.

UK Alliance for the Total Suppression of the Liquor Traffic 1867

Temperance Organizations Great Britain

Published by Walter Ludbrook, London, especially for the Band of Hope. Used from

London to Plymouth in 1869.

The Band of Hope, a temperance organization for working-class children,was founded in Leeds in 1847. In 1855, a national organization wasformed amidst an explosion of Band of Hope work. All members took apledge of total abstinence and were taught the "evils of drink". Memberswere enrolled from the age of six and met once a week to listen tolectures and participate in activities.

Band of Hope 1869

Temperance Organizations Great Britain

December 1, 1841. 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 1841.“ 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.

The Temperance Enterprise 1841

Temperance Lettersheet Great Britain

February 12, 1847. 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 .

1847

Temperance Labels Great Britain

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.

James Valentine, Dundee, Scotland 1850s

Temperance Envelopes Great Britain

DESIGN STATE 1

DESIGN STATE 3

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.

Published by

George D. Jewett,

Hartford, CT

Imprint at right

US designs (referencing Maine Law at right under adhesives) based upon Valentine designs

Published by Charles Spear, Boston, MA

Imprint at bottom

James Valentine Derivative Designs 1850s

Temperance Envelopes United States

Canadian design based upon US derivative designs

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).

James Valentine Derivative Designs 1850s

Temperance Envelopes Canada

March 12, 1862. 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.

c. 1863

Temperance Envelopes Confederate States

January 5, 1852. 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.

Maine Law 1850s

Temperance Envelopes

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

Barber & Baker, Sacramento, CA c. 1855

Temperance Envelopes

Thurston & Company, Portland, ME c. 1852

Temperance Envelopes

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, 1853.

Interior – reduced 50%

Brown Thurston imprint

on this cover

Brown Thurston, Portland, ME 1852

Temperance Envelopes

Thurston & Co. imprint

on cover at upper left

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, 1858.

National Temperance Envelope 1858

Temperance Envelopes

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.

Image on reverse of both covers – scan at 80%

Rome, GA to

Greensboro, AL.

The Rum and Tobacco Twins c. 1865

Alcohol and Tobacco United States. Confederate States

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, 1845. 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

Journal of Humanity 1830

Temperance Publications

The Carson League was published in Syracuse, NY from 1851-1858. Founded by Thomas L. Carson. By

means of this paper, Carson helped have a prohibition law enacted in New York State in 1855. However, the

courts invalidated the law and the legislature passed a liquor-licensing law in its place.

The Carson League Newspaper 1851

Temperance Publications

Address panel verso - scan at 75%

Circa 1852. Red “New York / Paid 1ct” circular datestamp on envelope to Indiana.

Unsealed circular rate.

American Temperance Magazine c. 1852

Temperance Publications

Proceedings of the World’s Temperance Convention 1853

Temperance Publications

72-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.

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.

1850s and 1860s

Temperance Publications

The National Temperance Organ

The Temperance Patriot

Rockland, ME to Springfield, MA advertising the Youth’s Temperance Visitor

published in Rockland, ME.

Scan at 75%

Youth’s Temperance Visitor c. 1865

Temperance Publications

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, 1849.

Charles Gilpin (1815–1874) 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.

The Public Good 1850

Temperance Publications Great Britain

Marlboro Hotel – Temperance House, Boston, MA. Manuscript notation

at upper right indicating postage “Paid , charge box 39.”

circa 1851

Temperance Hotels

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, 1853. 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.

1850s

Temperance Hotels

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.

London to Dewsbery, Yorkshire. January 10, 1857. Blue advertising imprint for

Temperance and General Life Office on backflap. London chief office postmark.

London and Dewsbury datestamps on reverse.

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.

Scan of interior

Imprint on backflap

Temperance and General Life Office 1857

Temperance Insurance Great Britain