GregAlex:I will second studebaker51 comments. I am delighted to see these posts and document examples. I collect a lot of different USPOD documents, and the Draft in your
4/21/2021 11:49pm post a few posts early is one I have a particular interest it.
I have recorded examples of this particular DRAFT form used between 1874 and 1880, but it may have been used more extensively.
In addition to the form you illustrated, these forms received a second printing when they were prepared for use. Here is an example used for the 4th quarter of 1874. It has a second printing in red color, with Instructions printed on the reverse (I suspect they are not present of the SPECIMEN imprint you displayed). Notice that this one has a large red
DUPLICATE in the background.
It appears that different colors were used for drafts prepared for each quarter. Here is one for the 1st quarter of 1875, now with the second printing in blue. And also with DUPLICATE in blue color.
A third example, this time for the 3rd quarter of 1877. This one in red, but instead of
DUPLICATE, it shows the word
ORIGINAL.
Based on the Instructions on the reverse, both the ORIGINAL and DUPLICATE copies are sent to the Contractor. He then presents him to his postmaster, and they are paid. The Postmaster keeps both, and returned the ORIGINAL copy with his quarterly Return. The DUPLICATE is retained in his records. This explains why I have seen only the one ORIGINAL example (thus far).
I would also request that anyone with an example of this draft in their collection, please contact me and provide me with a scan of the front and reverse (or post it here or on a new thread). I am attempting to obtain digital scans or examples of the drafts for each quarter in which they were used.
Mike
Posted 04/14/2021 01:13 am
