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Envelope from the Office of the Mayor, City of New York to Lewis H. Latimer

Letter
This is an aged envelope sent from the Office of the Mayor, City of New York, addressed to Lewis H. Latimer at 184 Adelphi St., Brooklyn, New York. The envelope has a red two-cent stamp featuring George Washington, which was a common stamp issued in the early 20th century. It is postmarked May 13, 1902, at 9 PM in New York. The top-left corner of the envelope includes the official heading of the Mayor’s Office.
Envelope from the Office of the Mayor, City of New York to Lewis H. Latimer picture number 1

Lewis H. Latimer was an inventor, draftsman, and engineer, best known for his contributions to the development of the electric light bulb and other electrical innovations. This letter, dating from 1902, likely pertains to Latimer’s involvement in the campaign to retain his fellow Black inventor, Samuel Scottron, on the Brooklyn Board of Education. Latimer started a petition drive supporting Scottron that was submitted to New York City’s mayor. His address in Brooklyn was his residence at the time, before he moved his family to Flushing, Queens.

Latimer Family Papers (1870-1996 ) [QPL Full Collection]

Printed text (top left corner): CITY OF NEW YORK. OFFICE OF THE MAYOR. Handwritten Address: Mr. L. H. Latimer 184 Adelphi St. B’klyn, New York. Postmark: NEW YORK MAY 13, 9 PM, 1902