1891 U.S. Legation Tehran Persia Registered Cover to Charles C. Bonney # 1200

Authentic 1891 registered diplomatic cover from the United States Legation in Tehran, Persia, addressed to Hon. Charles C. Bonney, President of the World’s Congress Auxiliary, World’s Columbian Exposition, Chicago, Illinois. The front bears the printed heading “Légation des États-Unis d’Amérique, Téhéran, Perse” together with handwritten registration markings and the full official destination. The reverse retains two original Qajar-era Persian postage stamps, including an orange 1-kran portrait issue, tied by circular postal cancellations. A major highlight is the large original red wax seal of the United States Legation at Tehran, featuring the American eagle and surrounding diplomatic inscription. Additional reverse markings include a clear New York Registry Division, June 6, 1891 transit postmark and a purple Chicago Received, June 8, 1891 arrival marking. Charles C. Bonney was a prominent Chicago attorney and president of the World’s Congress Auxiliary connected with the preparations for the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition. This creates an unusual combination of Persian postal history, American diplomatic history and Chicago World’s Fair interest. The envelope remains complete with its stamps, postal markings and substantially intact wax seal. Condition shows expected age toning, staining, handling wear, edge wear and cracking to the wax seal. The stamps have cancellation and age-related wear. Please examine all photographs carefully for exact condition. Envelope only; no contents are included unless otherwise shown. Important rarity note: The principal collector value is not in either stamp by itself, but in the complete registered diplomatic usage, official U.S. Legation wax seal, documented 1891 transit markings and historically significant Charles C. Bonney/World’s Columbian Exposition destination. The stamps and seal should not be removed or cleaned.