3c Washington War Department cover

Official Cover to the Chief Signal Officer of the Army. Franking is cancelled with a seldom seen Anacostia, D.C. handstamp, November 29, 1881.

An expanding federal government required more accountability. Free franking ended in 1873 due to abuse of the privilege. To replace it, the Post Office Department released the Officials, special stamps and envelopes used for official correspondence. Departments of the executive branch purchased the Officials. Postmasters used seals to close mail opened for inspection or damaged in handling.

In addition to Official stamps, stamped envelopes were issued for the Post Office and War departments. This envelope carried a report of the local weather to the Signal Corps, which conducted national weather reporting and forecasting.

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