O.C. Marsh Addressed "Medicine Bow" Envelope. November 2, 1883. ...

Description

O.C. Marsh Addressed "Medicine Bow" Envelope
November 2, 1883

While an older envelope may not seem like much of an auction item at first glance, this 'yellowed' paper from the 19th century represents a significant piece of paleontological history. The circular postal stamp confirms the location of Medicine Bow, Wyoming, and the date of 2 November 1883, during the height of the famed Bone Wars rivalry between Edward Drinker Cope, representing the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, and Othniel Charles ("O.C.") Marsh on behalf of the Peabody Museum of Natural History at Yale University. The historical envelope was addressed to: "Prof. O.C. Marsh, Yale College, New Haven, Conn" in a light purplish ink. Of course, it is the notes on the side that really make the document so special. Marsh had penned in his own hand notes for reference, indicating the contents refer to the Bone Cabin area, which was a focal point during the legendary competition for fossils during the Gilded Age of American History, the work of Cope and Marsh occurring from 1877 to 1892. A regal reddish postage stamp also appears on the front of the envelope, with a smaller circular postal stamp having canceled it. There is a partial, indecipherable postal stamp on the back of the antique envelope that measures 5.9 inches (15 cm) by 3.45 inches (8.76 cm). The paper has aged and is noticeably mottled, but it also happens to be over 140 years old!
Overall Measurements: 5.90 x 3.45 inches

Donated by Mark Agostini/AGES

Proceeds to benefit the AAPS



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