Envelope from the Chancellerie de la Principauté de Trinidad in New York City mailed to H. Heckler, Charge d’Affaires of Trinidad in Nova Scotia, Canada. Heckler was a renowned stamp dealer and collector. It is not unlikely that he was involved in the design of the postage stamps issued by Trinidad, whose designer is unknown. The delivery address was handwritten by the Count de la Boissière, Grand Chancellor and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Trinidad.
The front of the envelope has the letterhead of the Chancellerie de la Principauté de Trinidad printed in chief. The address, also printed, is 217 West 36th Street, New York City, USA. The postmark shows that the NYC Post Office Station E registered and sent the letter on 06 July 1895. The back of the envelope includes Canadian and American backstamps throughout. There is a handwritten inscription in red ink, likely by Mr. Heckler: “Replied July 18/95.”
Over the envelope flap, centered, is an embossed red and yellow round seal depicting the coat of arms of the Principality of Trinidad, ensigned with a closed crown, and encircled by the raised words “CHANCELLERIE DE TRINIDAD.” The original colors of the coat of arms are hatched—a method used in heraldry to represent tinctures (colors) in monochrome applications, whereby vertical lines represent gules (red) and a dotted pattern represents or (gold).
