The earliest cover illustrated is an entire letter, where a sheet of paper had the correspondence written on one side, and then, the sheet was folded with a small centre panel having the address and the postage stamp, usually at a penny cost. Occasionally, as in this case, a second sheet was included inside. This letter, dated 3 October 1856, was sent from Robert Elliot in Dunkeld, Scotland, to Edward Mackenzie at Fawley Court, three years after his purchase of the estate, which is near Henley-on-Thames. With a 1d. red ‘stars’ stamp, a manuscript ‘1’ denoting the postage rate and a green ‘DUNKELD/OC 3/1856’ handstamp, a red wax seal ensured closure and confidentiality. It is very much a long three-page business letter, not family social correspondence. Edward Mackenzie (1811–80) was…