Before the issue of postage stamps, in the mid 1840s, that could be glued to an envelope, letters were written on large sheets of paper and folded into an approximate size. That letter was taken to the local Post Office, the correct rate was paid and the postmaster or clerk hand stamped or wrote the amount paid on your letter before it went into the mail stream. Once 'stamped' in ink or manuscript cancelled the piece of mail was recognized, by postal workers, as paid and moved forward to its destination. This practice continued for a few years in areas where what we call 'stamps' today were not yet available.