Rensselaer Republican, Volume 27, Number 42, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 June 1896 — Not a New Thing. [ARTICLE]

Not a New Thing.

Prepaid envelopes are by no means of modern invention. As far back as the reign of Louis XIV,, M. De Valfyer, with, the royal consent, established a private penny post, using street boxes on the corners, just as we do now, In which might be posted letters wrapped in envelopes, which were on sale at offices established for that purpose. Valfyer also printed a form of billets, or notes, which were to be filled In by the writers. It happened that M. Pellsson wrote to the celebrated Mme. Scuderie, using one of these billets, and the nature of the writer and recipient was such that the document has been preserved, still inclosed in its prepaid envelope, po as to again exemplify the truth of the adage that "there is nothing new under the sun.”