Antique GAR Cover Capt CS Hastings Post 54 Berlin MA Civil War Veterans Unused For Sale

Antique GAR Cover Capt CS Hastings Post 54 Berlin MA Civil War Veterans Unused
Condition shows expected age and storage wear. Most notably, there is a row of small holes along the left edge, together with some wrinkling, toning and minor spotting.
Original unused envelope from Captain C. S. Hastings Post No. 54, Grand Army of the Republic, Department of Massachusetts, at Berlin, Massachusetts. The Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.) was the prominent fraternal organization of Union veterans of the Civil War. This envelope is an appealing piece of Massachusetts Civil War veterans\' and local Berlin history.
The printed return inscription reads:
“RETURN IN 5 DAYS TOCAPT. C. S. HASTINGS POST, 54, G.A.R.DEPARTMENT OF MASSACHUSETTS,BERLIN, MASS.”
At left is an attractive printed Grand Army of the Republic insignia, incorporating the eagle, American flag and G.A.R. membership badge.
Berlin town history records that G.A.R. Post 54 was organized there on June 23, 1868. Originally known as John B. Gough Post 54, the organization adopted the name Captain C. S. Hastings Post 54 on February 1, 1881, establishing 1881 as the earliest possible date for this envelope.
The envelope is unused, with no address, postage stamp, cancellation or other evidence of postal use. The reverse is clean and unremarkable.
The printed G.A.R. design and lettering remain strong and complete. Please examine the photographs carefully for condition.
From the collection of Dr. Allan C. “Doc” Johnson (1889-1941) of Clinton, Massachusetts, an active stamp collector during the early 20th century. Doc\'s collection has remained with his family for more than eight decades.
Captain Christopher Sawyer Hastings (1815-1863)

• Co. I, 26th MA Inf.
• Contracted malarial fever at Jackson, MS
• Died at Mound City, IL, on 8 Sept. 1863
• Resident of Berlin, local hero

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