{"product_id":"em-priest-chicago-correspondence-lot","title":"E. M. Priest Lawyer Chicago 1910s 1920s Correspondence Lot","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis E. M. Priest Lawyer Chicago correspondence lot is an as-found group of early 20th century letters, envelopes, postal pieces, and a Western Union telegram dating at least from 1916 to 1920.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe group has been left together as it was found rather than sorted or searched. It is a good fit for a collector of American correspondence, Chicago history, Michigan postal history, handwritten letters, or early 1900s paper ephemera.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eDetails\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eItem:\u003c\/strong\u003e Personal correspondence and postal ephemera lot \u003cstrong\u003eAS FOUND\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eItem Type:\u003c\/strong\u003e Handwritten letters, mailed envelopes, postal ephemera, and Western Union telegram\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEra:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1910s to 1920s based on visible dated material\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaterials:\u003c\/strong\u003e Paper, envelopes, postage stamps, handwritten correspondence\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eColor:\u003c\/strong\u003e Aged cream, tan, brown, red, green, and black\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaker and Mark:\u003c\/strong\u003e Correspondence addressed to or associated with E. M. Priest, Lawyer, 745 E. 75th St., Chicago, Illinois. Western Union appears on one visible telegram.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePattern or Model:\u003c\/strong\u003e Not applicable\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStyle:\u003c\/strong\u003e Early 20th century personal and business correspondence ephemera\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e Box approximately 9 5\/8 x 5 3\/4 x 2 inches. Envelopes containing letters approximately 6 x 3 1\/4 inches.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpecial Features:\u003c\/strong\u003e Assorted handwritten letters and envelopes, visible U.S. postage stamps, Corunna, Michigan postmarks, Chicago addresses, and Western Union telegram. Visible dates include 1916 and 1920. Complete contents have not been searched or inventoried.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCondition Grade: Fair\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePositives\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGraded Fair:\u003c\/strong\u003e This is an intact as-found archive with substantial age and handling wear, but many pieces remain readable and historically interesting.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe correspondence remains grouped together rather than separated into individual pieces.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSeveral envelopes retain postage stamps, cancellations, names, addresses, and dated postmarks.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHandwritten letters and a Western Union telegram are visibly present.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIssues \/ Wear\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePaper is fragile and brittle from age.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEnvelopes show heavy toning, tears, missing sections, split edges, creasing, folds, and handling wear.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSome paper edges are chipped, broken, or crumbling.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe cardboard storage box has age wear, bent and damaged corners, edge wear, and interior discoloration.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe exact number of letters, envelopes, stamps, telegrams, and other papers has not been counted.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eContents have not been fully read, sorted, researched, or checked for completeness.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSold as-found at an estate sale in an antique holiday box. Paper is fragile and brittle due to age; unsearched for historical content.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition Grade Key\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNear Fine:\u003c\/strong\u003e Almost perfect. Very minor signs of age only.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eVery Good:\u003c\/strong\u003e Shows light use. Sound and attractive with minor flaws.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGood:\u003c\/strong\u003e Complete and intact. Noticeable wear consistent with age and use.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFair:\u003c\/strong\u003e Shows significant wear. Readable or usable but clearly used.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCollector's Notes\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePersonal correspondence like this preserves the ordinary names, addresses, handwriting, postal marks, and communication methods that formal records often leave out.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThis group may appeal especially to collectors of Chicago history, Michigan postal history, handwritten correspondence, genealogy material, or early American ephemera.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe strongest feature of this group is that the papers remain together as an unsearched archive rather than having been divided and sold piece by piece.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eI have handled the brittle papers as little as possible and will keep the group together for its next owner.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eShipping + Trust (Reading Vintage standards)\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/myreadingvintage.com\/pages\/shipping-policy\" title=\"photo verified condition.\"\u003ePhoto-verified condition\u003c\/a\u003e, no surprises\u003cbr\u003e2. Packed with our protective packaging standard\u003cbr\u003e3. Ships in 1 business day\u003cbr\u003e4. Free Shipping on $35+ (U.S. only)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDisclaimer\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAll items are vintage and may show signs of age, wear, or use consistent with their history. Photos show the exact condition of each piece, please review them carefully, as they are part of the description.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare and Handling:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHandle with clean, dry hands. Store upright, out of direct sunlight, at about 68°F and 40 to 50% relative humidity. Avoid damp areas and extreme temperature swings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/myreadingvintage.com\/pages\/about-reading-vintage\" title=\"how Reading Vintage Sources and Grades Every Book\"\u003eHow Reading Vintage sources and grades every book\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Orders $35+ Ship Free","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49146966704383,"sku":"B5 – T 16–3318","price":49.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2503\/7976\/files\/IMG_5387_34037729-5de8-4438-9b9b-d56bdf44aa54.jpg?v=1788541330","url":"https:\/\/myreadingvintage.com\/products\/em-priest-chicago-correspondence-lot","provider":"Reading Vintage","version":"1.0","type":"link"}