{"product_id":"1876-imperial-german-folded-letter-cover-breslau-to-janowitz-church-correspondence-wax-sealed-with-stamps","title":"1876 Imperial German Folded Letter \u0026 Cover-Breslau to Janowitz-Church Correspondence-Wax Sealed with Stamps","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e1876 Imperial German Folded Letter Cover – Breslau to Janowitz – Church Correspondence – Wax Seal \u0026amp; Stamps\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWebsite Price: $95.00\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOriginal 1876 Imperial German folded-letter cover sent from Breslau—present-day Wrocław, Poland—to church authorities in Janowitz.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis is a particularly attractive example of 19th-century postal history because the handwritten document itself was folded to form its own mailing cover. No separate envelope was used. The outside of the folded document was addressed, franked with postage stamps, postmarked, and sealed with wax for mailing.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe document is dated:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBreslau, 4 November 1876\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eand appears to concern official church or ecclesiastical administrative business. The text is entirely handwritten in period German script and bears the official reference number 8574, along with several additional handwritten administrative notations.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFolded-Letter Construction\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOne of the most appealing features of this piece is its original method of mailing.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAfter the letter was written, the same sheet of paper was folded inward to create its own cover. The exterior was then addressed to the church authorities at Janowitz, stamped, postmarked, and closed using an official dark red wax seal.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis type of intact folded correspondence provides an excellent look at how official documents were prepared and mailed during the 19th century.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePostal Features\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe exterior retains:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e● Two original Imperial German postage stamps\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e● Period circular postal cancellations\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e● Ornate handwritten address\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e● Official reference number 8574\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e● Original red wax seal on the reverse\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e● Additional period postal and administrative markings\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe surviving wax seal is especially attractive. Although partially chipped from age and opening, a substantial portion remains intact, with its central heraldic design and surrounding lettering still visible.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHistorical Interest\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAt the time this document was written, Breslau was part of the Kingdom of Prussia within the German Empire. The city is now known as Wrocław, Poland.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDated only five years after the creation of the German Empire in 1871, this document represents an appealing example of early Imperial German correspondence and postal history.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe combination of official church-related content, period handwriting, original postage, postal cancellations, and a surviving wax seal gives the piece interest across several collecting fields, including:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e● Imperial German history\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e● German postal history\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e● Silesian history\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e● Church and ecclesiastical history\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e● 19th-century handwritten documents\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e● Wax seals\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e● Genealogy and local history\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCondition\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eVery good original condition for a document approximately 150 years old.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe piece retains its original mailing folds and shows normal age toning, light staining, scattered spotting, minor creasing, and expected edge and handling wear.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe handwriting remains strong and generally legible.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBoth postage stamps remain attached. The original wax seal is partially chipped but substantially intact, with much of the design still visible.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe folds, postal wear, and opening marks are part of the item’s original history and have been left untouched.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePlease examine all photographs carefully as they are an important part of the description.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCollector Highlights\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e● Original 1876 document\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e● Dated Breslau, November 4, 1876\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e● Early Imperial German period\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e● Original folded-letter cover\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e● Letter and mailing cover are the same original sheet of paper\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e● Official church-related correspondence\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e● Addressed to Janowitz\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e● Reference number 8574\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e● Two original Imperial German postage stamps\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e● Period postal cancellations\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e● Original dark red wax seal\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e● Entirely handwritten in period German script\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e● Approximately 150 years old\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA very attractive and complete piece of 19th-century German postal and documentary history.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Whiskey Rebellion Antiques","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43461998346317,"sku":null,"price":95.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0610\/9229\/8829\/files\/722328D0-C254-4BA2-A58A-3518584BD90F.jpg?v=1786550981","url":"https:\/\/whiskeyrebellionantiques.com\/products\/1876-imperial-german-folded-letter-cover-breslau-to-janowitz-church-correspondence-wax-sealed-with-stamps","provider":"Whiskey Rebellion Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}