I think the other version I'm familiar with is a Navy captain or new minted admiral - especially in the age of sail - someone who has to operate on their own fo

I think the other version I'm familiar with is a Navy captain or new minted admiral - especially in the age of sail - someone who has to operate on their own for a long stretch. Looking around I see a bunch of variations: - the CEO or other corporate leader - a government leader (sometimes specifically Soviet or British) - a pastor or abbot - military officers of various ranks - a distinctly non-leadership corporate role that can catch a lot of flak (sysadmin) I wonder how old it is? How far back would envelopes have made sense? Do you suppose Ea-Nasr left three bullae to his successor?