| FREE MAIL, 1660-1673 |
|
2162 |
|
VERY EARLY RESTORATION PERIOD FREE FRANK TO CORNWALL ; 11th Dec. 1660 EL from "Whitehall" [London], addressed to "Edmunde Prideaux Esq. at Padstowe in Cornwall. At Plymouth leave this with the postmaster to be conveyed ." and signed below the address "Will. Morice" (Secretary of State 1660-8) for the franking privilege. Exceptionally early Free Frank and one of the earliest recorded letters connected with Cornwall. [N.B. This Prideaux was the son of the Cromwellian Master of the Posts.] Very attractive Exhibition Piece, dated just before the suspension of franking on 29th Dec. 1660. PHOTO - ABOVE. |
£500 |
|
2163 |
|
DELETED "3" CHARGE ON EARLY RESTORATION PERIOD FREE FRANK ; 16th Aug. 1660 EL [from London; see other letters from this correspondence under 1660's General Post section] addressed to Yoxall, endorsed "Leave this at the post house in Litchfield to be sent" and signed "Clare" [Earl] on the front. There is a m/s "3"(d) charge also on the front, but this was crossed through when the signature of the Earl was noticed. Very rare thus. PHOTO - ABOVE. |
£400 |
|
2164 |
|
THE SUSPENSION OF FRANKING, 29th DEC. 1660 TO 24th MAY 1661 - "POST PD 3d" COVER ; 24th Jan. 1660 EL (some wear along folds) from the Earl of Clare (c.f. previous lot) at "Drury Lane" [London], addressed to Yoxall, endorsed "poft pd 3d" and "Leave this with the post Mr. of Litchfield to be sent". Rare example of someone who normally had the franking privilege having to prepay his mail between the introduction of the P.O. Act of 29th Dec. 1660 and the special Royal Warrant of 24th May 1661.[See also the General Post of the 1660's section, above, for further letters from this correspondence.] PHOTO - see plate no. 10 |
£240 |
|
2165 |
|
THE SUSPENDED FREE FRANK PERIOD - APRIL 1661 LETTER FROM LONDON WITHOUT BISHOP MARK ; 27th April 1661 EL [from London; see previous lot] to Yoxall ("Leave this at the post houfe in Litchfield ") from the Earl of Clare but prepaid 3d ("pt pd 3d"), because the Free Franking system had been suspended. This letter was posted just EIGHT DAYS AFTER THE INTRODUCTION OF THE BISHOP MARK (on 19th April 1661), but it has no trace of a Bishop Mark. It seems clear (see discussion elsewhere in this catalogue) that at first the Bishop Mark was only used on letters addressed TO London (to keep a check on the London postal deliveries), being used on letters from London (such as this cover) only from some time in 1663 onwards. Very rare for two reasons! PHOTO - see plate no. 10 |
£300 |
|
2166 |
|
Similar 1st March 1662 EL but SENT FREE WITHOUT AN OUTGOING BISHOP MARK; Fine EL from Earl Clare (signed "Clare" on the address panel and so not charged postage; after the Royal Proclamation of May 1661 had re-introduced franking) to Yoxall (again presumably from London) - "Leave this at the post houfe in Litchfield" - and with no trace of any Bishop Mark . Rare thus. PHOTO - see plate no. 10 |
£200 |
|
2167 |
|
EARLY FRANKED NEWSPAPER; Fine Oct. 1714 issue of the "Evening Post" newspaper (album-page size) from London to Reading with a very fine "W·H" in circle (Receiver William Harvey) on the flap, endorsed "Frank Rich. Bigg" (a Clerk of the Road) and so without charge. |
£75 |
|
2168 |
|
EDINBURGH - EARLY MANUSCRIPT "Free" COVER WITH CANCELLED POSTAL CHARGE; 1st June 1715 EL from "Edr." to an M.P. in London, initially charged the single rate of "6"(d), but then endorsed "Free", the charge cancelled and initialled. There is a mostly very fine red oval Edinburgh "IU/4" Bishop Mark on the flap beside a very fine black "10/IV" London arrival Bishop Mark. The letter concerns plans "For purchasing a Chariot". Early Scottish free frank, and a scarce early red Edinburgh Bishop Mark. PHOTO - see plate no. 10 |
£120 |
|
2169 |
|
THE MANUSCRIPT "P" FOR PRIVILEGE FREE's; 1753 EL endorsed "Free Cardigan" (from someone else abusing the system who says "I am out of Franks, this being my last"!!) to London with fine "LANCAS/TER" on back, and 1760 EL to an M.P. in London with fair "NEW/CASTLE" on back; both with bold m/s "P" marks for free mail. (2 covers). |
£65 |
| LATER 18th CENTURY FREE MAIL, 1764-99 |
|
2170 |
|
THE SMALLER LONDON "FREE " IN CIRCLE MARK; 2nd Feb. 1765 E from Edinburgh (red Bishop on flap) to London with a very fine strike of London's first "F REE " in circle (18mm diameter) mark (Jay L765) in red (light fold) on the front. Very attractive and seldom seen. PHOTO - see plate no. 3 |
£200 |
|
2171 |
|
LONDON "FREE" & "FREE" IN CIRCLE MARKS; 2nd April 1765 E to Knutsford with fine larger red "FREE" in circle (20mm diam.; rare L765) on the front; + 1782 "FREE" in circle L767 E. (2 covers). PHOTO - see plate no. 17 |
£120 |
|
2172 |
|
PRINTED ACTS OF PARLIAMENT REF. FREE FRANKING; Collection of fine original printed 1782, 1804, 1807, 1808, 1817 and July 1837 Acts ref. free mail, etc. Good lot. (6 Acts). |
£75 |
|
2173 |
|
THE 2-RING "FREE/C" MARKS IN DIFFERENT COLOURS; 14th July 1787 & 19th May 1791 EL's with mostly fine claret-purple and very fine blood-red (rare) 2-ring "FREE/C" marks (Jay L770b/c) on the front; one also with fair "STRATFORD/ON AVON". Scarce pair. (2 covers). PHOTO - see plate no. 3 |
£150 |
|
2174 |
|
THE 2-RING BLACK-BROWN "FREE/S" MARK; 1st Sept. 1788 E to Brighton with a very fine strike of the James Stafford "FREE/S" mark (Jay L770) in this unusual colour. Rare thus. PHOTO - see plate no. 17 |
£100 |
|
2175 |
|
THE RARE BLOOD-RED ENCIRCLED "FREE/C/[laurel leaves]" MARK ON COVER; 16th/18th Feb. 1791 EL to an M.P. in London with a near fine "GLOUCESTER" (crease) on the front as well as a very fine blood-red strike of this scarce Charles Coltson mark (Jay L772b; recorded in this colour for only 5 days!). Few examples known and very attractive. PHOTO - see plate no. 17 |
£150 |
|
2176 |
|
THE FANCY ENCIRCLED "FREE/LAUREL LEAVES" MARKS, CODES "A" & "P"; 1790/1 pair of EL's to London (partial "WELLS" & fair "GLOUCESTER" marks) with very fine strikes (for these) of the "FREE/P" (L772c; purple-brown) & "FREE/A" (L772; claret-red) marks respectively. Rare pair. (2 covers). PHOTO - see plate no. 17 |
£150 |
|
2177 |
|
THE FANCY "FREE/A/[laurel leaves]" MARK ON COVER; 23rd Dec. 1790 E from "RIPPON" (Yorks.) - fine straight line mark (just crossed by fold) nicely placed on the front beside a very fine claret-purple "FREE/A" mark of William Addison (Jay L774) - to an M.P. in London. Seldom seen. PHOTO - see plate no. 17 |
£100 |
|
2178 |
|
Similar 5th Dec. 1790 EL franked to London with a near fine "FREE/A" (Jay L774) on the front and a very fine scarce "21 HATFIELD" 1st Type Mileage ((HE167) across the join on reverse. Fine & scarce. PHOTO - see plate no. 17 |
£75 |
|
2179 |
|
3-RING "FREE" DATESTAMPS INCL. A "BUSINESS OF THE CORN ACT" COVER; 1791/5 trio of covers with large 3-ring London "FREE" c.d.s.'s (two "P" and one "A"); 1795 having the "On the Business of the Corn-Act, 31 Geo.III" heading (very early date). (3 covers). |
£75 |
|
2180 |
|
LOVELY STRIKE OF THE DOTTED "FREE"-OUTSIDE MARK; 20th/27th Aug. 1799 EL (minor faults) to an M.P. in London with no less than 4 strikes (back & front) of the red "PERTH" between lines in circle mark, having a superb red dotted "FREE"-outside London arrival c.d.s. (Jay L786) nicely placed on the front. Very attractive and of Exhibition quality. PHOTO - see plate no. 3 |
£150 |
|
2181 |
|
THE FANCY UNFRAMED "[crown]/FREE" MARK; 28th Oct. 1799 EL (minor faults on reverse) franked to Essex with a fair double-boxed "May Fair" R.H. mark on the flap, having a very fine (unusual for this) "[crown]/[dots]/FREE" mark Jay L788 (only in use for 2 months) nicely placed on the front. Rare thus. PHOTO - see plate no. 17 |
£120 |
|
2182 |
|
Similar fine strike of the crowned "FREE" Jay L788 mark on 28th Dec. 1799 EL with printed "On the Business of the Corn-Act, 31 Geo. III" heading addressed to Pwllheli. Rare. PHOTO - see plate no. 10 |
£120 |
| 19th CENTURY INLAND FREE MAIL, 1800-40 |
|
2183 |
|
HANTS. - PORTSMOUTH "Above Privilege/number" COVER; 9th/10th May 1800 EL (from a Naval officer seeking the favour of promotion!) from "PORTSMOUTH" (fine s. line) to the Admiralty in London with a very fine Apple "FREE" c.d.s. in red, matching (rare thus) the RED London c.d.s. on the top flap, and a partly fine but recognisable framed London "Above Privilege/Number" mark (Jay L8822a; rare in red) on the front. The "FREE" mark had been crossed through and a "1/-" charge added. All the marks are affected by light filing folds, but this is a rare failed free frank. Even senior Civil Servants had limits to the numbers of letters they could receive free. PHOTO - see plate no. 3 |
£120 |
|
2184 |
|
THE 4 TYPES OF LONDON's "APPLE" FREE MARKS; 1800-7 covers with mostly very fine strikes of the plain d.s. (L790x2 - one showing dotted frame-damage at right), the curved "FREE" type (L792), the fancy crown type (L796) and the scarce 2-ring type (L798). Other marks incl. "DORCHESTER" & boxed "Wimpole/Street". Very good lot. (5 covers). PHOTO - see plate no. 17 |
£120 |
|
2185 |
|
THE RARE "CROWN-ON-TOP" 1807 "FREE" MARKS OF LONDON, ETC.; July/Aug. 1807 pair of E's to London with very fine strikes of the surprisingly rare Jay L799 mark. This mark is extremely hard to find on cover for some reason. Plus an 1811 letter (no wrapper) from F. Burdett to Francis Freeling complaining about a letter to him charged 9d. (2 covers + 1 letter). PHOTO - see plate no. 17 |
£100 |
|
2186 |
|
IRELAND - DUBLIN's "MERMAID" FREE MARK ON COVER; 1812 EL to Wimbledon with a very fine (for this) yellow-red fancy Dublin "FREE" d.s. with "mermaid" frame. The letter is from the Duke of Leinster to the Duchess but franked by the Secretary of State for Ireland, Sir E.B. Littlehales. Scarce on cover. (With full transcription copious research notes.) PHOTO - see plate no. 3 |
£150 |
|
2187 |
|
CHARGED "Above Privilege" FREE FRANKS; 1813/4 pair of E's to/from London (one ex "DUNKELD" charged "4/8_") with fine to v. fine strikes of the rare black London "Above Privilege" mark (Jay L820). The other cover (charged "2/8") has a filing note on the address but clear of the mark. Rare pair. (2 covers). PHOTO - see plate no. 17 |
£120 |
|
2188 |
|
THE VERY RARE HANDSTRUCK "Above/Number" MARK OF LONDON; 10th Jan. 1817 E franked from London to Aberdeen with a very fine red crowned "FREE" c.d.s., a near fine black "Above/Number" (Jay L826; only recorded for 1816) and a fine boxed "Addl/_" mark beside the m/s "1/3" charge. Attractive and rare; this is the first strike of this "Above/Number" mark that we can recall having seen. PHOTO - see plate no. 4 |
£150 |
|
2189 |
|
THE RARE RED BOXED "TO PAY/2D/ONLY" FREE MAIL MARK; 9th Aug. 1817 E franked from London to Inverness but with a fine "KENSINGTON/EV" c.d.s. on the flap and so liable to local London postage; hence with a very fine strike of this boxed charge-mark IN RED (Jay L806a; only recorded intermittently for 5 months in this colour). Few examples known in this colour and very attractive. PHOTO - see plate no. 3 |
£150 |
|
2190 |
|
"ABOVE WEIGHT" FREE FRANKS CHARGED POSTAGE DUE; 1819/35 pair of E's from London to Glasgow/Bury endorsed "Ab 1oz" and "1 Oz" and so charged "4/8_" and "2/4" with very fine red "ABOVE/WEIGHT" (Jay L832b) and boxed "ABOVE WEIGHT" in greenish black (Jay L834). Rare pair. (2 covers). PHOTO - see plate no. 17 |
£120 |
|
2191 |
|
WALES - LAST DAY FREE FRANK WITH 10th JANUARY 1840 "FREE" DATESTAMP ; Very fine 9th Jan. 1840 env. (red wax "ATTORNEY GENERAL" seal) from "MONMOUTH" (fine 9th Jan. 1840 c.d.s. on side flap) addressed to London and so with a very fine 2-ring crowned London "FREE/10 JA 10/1840" c.d.s. (the First Day of Uniform Penny Postage ) struck on arrival on the front. Fine Last Day Free Frank . From the 10th Jan. 1840 letters could no longer be sent free (although letters posted free prior to this date continued to travel Free until the end of their journeys, such as this). Exhibition quality and rare. PHOTO - see plate no. 3 |
£240 |
| 19th CENTURY OVERSEAS FREE MAIL, 1800-40 |
|
2192 |
|
IRELAND - EARLY FREE FRANK TO JAMAICA; 9th June 1802 E (tear right through address but clear of postmark backed with "magic" sellotape) franked from "Dublin Castle" with red wax "CHIEF SECRETARY'S OFFICE" seal, addressed to a ship's Chaplain in "Jamaica" but oddly without any Dublin mark, only having a very fine red London 14th June "Apple" Free c.d.s. Also endorsed "Left the Station" (tear) in red, so presumably forwarded to wherever the ship had moved on to. Rare thus. PHOTO - see plate no. 10 |
£100 |
|
2193 |
|
EARLY "ST. DOMINGO OFFICE" FREE FRANK TO JAMAICA; 8th Dec. 1808 EL from "St. Domingo Office, Poets' Corner, Westmr." [in the Abbey], advising the addressee that he was to receive £100 p.a. "Allowance" back-dated to 10th October, "in consideration of your extraordinary services"! The letter is addressed to "The Marquis de Cocherel, Jamaica" , signed Geo. Harrison (one of the Secretaries of the Lords of the Treasury), and simply with a very fine London crowned "FREE" d.s. on the front. Attractive, intriguing (was the Marquis a retired spy, a French traitor, or what), and rare. PHOTO - see plate no. 10 |
£120 |
|
2194 |
|
FREE FRANK TO INDIA & BACK, ETC.; Aug. 1814 E franked by Lord "Seaforth" from Edinburgh to "Lady Hood, Madras, Port Admiral's Office, Portsmouth", apparently sent out to India under cover or by Admiralty means, then redirected back to London and so with fair small boxed London "SHIP LETTER" and "1/4" charge; almost exactly one year in transit! Plus 1810 "O.H.M.S. Victualling Office" EL prepaid 3/- to "H.M.S. Redwing, Mediterranean"; the rate to Malta/Sicily. (2 covers). |
£75 |
|
2195 |
|
FREE FRANK ABUSE TO JAMAICA; 1825 EL (from a school-boy) franked to "St. James's Jamaica" by "W. Merry" (Under Secretary at War; an abuse of his privilege) with a London crowned "FREE" c.d.s. Scarce thus. PHOTO - see plate no. 10 |
£100 |
|
2196 |
|
JAMAICA - FREE FRANK TO IRELAND; Rare 12th June to 21st July 1826 EL from "KINGSTON/JAMAICA" (very fine c.d.s. on top flap) to the "Irish Office, London" and redirected to "Dublin Castle" having dramatic and very fine strikes of the 1-ring & 2-ring London "FREE" c.d.s.'s as well as a superb Dublin spade-framed "FREE" d.s. neatly applied in a row on the front. Very colourful. Few incoming free franks from Jamaica have been recorded. (Ex "Pepys"; sold Nov. 1996 for £195). PHOTO - see plate no. 3 |
£150 |
|
2197 |
|
CANADA - TRANSATLANTIC FREE FRANK TO QUEBEC; 26th Dec. 1836 env. (flap lost but with contents) from London to Quebec, franked by "F. Maule" (Secretary of State for the Home Office), one of the few officials with the authority to frank Transatlantic mail, with a mostly very fine 2-ring London crowned "FREE" c.d.s. on the front. Noted as received on 14th Jan. 1837. Rare thus. PHOTO - see plate no. 10 |
£150 |
|
2198 |
|
INDIA - ABUSE OF FRANKING PRIVILEGE FROM G.B.; 30th Aug. 1839 EL to "Kurnaul, Bengal, Via Falmouth", written by "Wm. Harding" but franked by "R. Byham" (Secretary to the Board of Ordinance; abusing his privilege) with a fine crowned London "FREE" c.d.s. on the front, plus a faint oval "BOMBAY/FREE" d.s. and two London Foreign Branch c.d.s.'s on the flaps. Plus a similar but prepaid EL from Margate to Kurnaul showing the prepaid mail cost of such a letter; "2/6". The Abuse of the Franking Privilege could save people a lot of money, but was highly illegal! Rare pair. (2 covers). PHOTO - see plate no. 10 |
£150 |
| 19th CENTURY OFFICIAL FREE MAIL, 1800-40 |
|
2199 |
|
ON THE BUSINESS OF THE CORN ACT: 29 June 1805 printed "On the Bufinefs of the CORN-ACT, 31 Geo. III" E to Plymouth with a very fine "FREE" d.s. (Jay L790) and "PLYMOUTH/218" h.s. 1816 & 1818 Similar printed EL (one contains the original receipt) to Totnes with "Crown/FREE" c.d.s. 1834 "Office of POOR LAW COMMISSIONERS, pursuant to Act of Parliament passed on the Fifth Year of the Reign of His Majesty King William the Fourth" EL used to Basingstoke with "Crown/FREE" c.d.s. |
£100 |
|
2200 |
|
PARISH REGISTERS & RECORDS: 1812 Printed letter from "His Majesty's Printing Office, London" to Goldstone, Surrey with printed "F. Freeling/Parish Registers" at lower left. The letter refers to the recently passed act for improving the Parish records and is cancelled with a lightly struck "Crown/FREE" c.d.s. PHOTO - see plate no. 10 |
£100 |
|
2201 |
|
PAROCHIAL RETURNS: 10 Jan. 1816 printed form used from London to Twyford, Bucks with printed "Parochial Return/F. Freeling" at lower left, h.s. "HUNTINGDON/59" & "Crown/FREE" c.d.s. The form is a printed questionnaire regarding the parish. PHOTO - see plate no. 10 |
£100 |
|
2202 |
|
THE COMMITTEE FOR THE DISTRESSED IRISH: 19 Aug. 1822 printed report on the conditions in Ireland headed "On the Business of the Committee for the Relief of the Distressed Irish." used from London to Oxford with printed "Free - F. Freeling" at lower left and "Crown/FREE" c.d.s. The contents of this rare item inc. "That the inhabitants of this district have severly suffered, their squalid looks, swoln legs, and naked bodies sufficiently testify". The reverse has a clear "BURFORD/79" and m/s "About £5 " 12 " 0 was collected at Great Barford, Oxon, in response to this appeal. The Parish Curate heading the list with £1--, Mr Hall 10/- & One Other 10/-". Very few covers are known where the franking was authorised by the Treasury for political or charitable reasons. PHOTO - see plate no. 10 |
£400 |
|
2203 |
|
LAND TAX REDEMPTION, ARMY PAY OFFICE, SECRETARY OF STATES OFFICE, ADMIRALTY OFFICE & OFFICE OF WOODS: 1822-39 A selection of used covers from various departments comprising Land Tax Redemption x 2, Army Pay Office, Secretary of State's Office (m/s), Admiralty Office x 2 types and Office of Woods inc. one transferred to the Twopenny Post. |
£100 |
|
2204 |
|
HOUSE OF COMMONS: 18 April 1826 E. with a printed "HOUSE OF COMMONS" heading and "FREE/F FREELING" at lower left used from London to Painswick which originally contained a circular relating to a survey. Very scarce. PHOTO - see plate no. 3 |
£400 |
|
2205 |
|
HOUSE OF COMMONS - POOR RETURNS: 1st Feb. 1821 An uncompleted "POOR RETURNS" env. with a printed address to "The Clerk Of The House of Commons, London" and at lower left "F. FREELING". Also the original printed "HOUSE OF COMMONS" outer wrapper to Aylsham with printed "To The Churchwardens and Overseers of" and "FREE,/F. FREELING". PHOTO - see plate no. 10 |
£150 |
|
2206 |
|
REPAIRING OF CHURCHES ETC: 12 March 1835 E with printed "The Incorporated Society for promoting the Enlargement, Building, and Repairing of Churches and Chapels, St. Martin's Place." heading and printed "To the Reverend, The Officiating Minister of" address, with m/s insert "Ingleby Arncliffe, Northallerton, N. Yorks", cancelled with a fine "Crown/FREE" c.d.s. A scarce survivor. An act of 1820 permitted the above organisation to send letters free. PHOTO - see plate no. 11 |
£120 |
|
2207 |
|
ROYAL HOSPITAL, CHELSEA: 25 Nov. 1837 A large E with printed "Pursuant to Act of Parliament Seventh George the Fourth" heading and at lower left "Royal Hospital, Chelsea" sent from The Hospital to Enniskillen but not delivered. The E is signed by Richard Neave the Secretary and has a fine boxed "Enniskillen/Penny Post" & "No 7" plus m/s "Not Known" x 2 and "Try D. Gormelly" together with a fine "Crown/FREE" c.d.s. 24 March 1834 EL from ex soldier James Lynch enquiring whether he would continue to receive his annuity if he emigrated to Canada, addressed to the Board of Ordnance and therefore carried free. The h.s. comprise "Crown/FREE" c.d.s. of London, "Crowned/FREE/DUBLIN" c.d.s. and "N.T. LIMY/132", all in red. PHOTO – ABOVE. |
£120 |
|
2208 |
|
PARLIAMENTARY PROCEEDINGS: 10 July 1839 "Par Pro" wrapper used to Exeter, cancelled with a superb "Crown/FREE" c.d.s. A very attractive example of this rare printed matter system. Exhibition quality item. PHOTO - see plate no. 11 |
£200 |
|
2209 |
|
OFFICIAL PAID - FIRST DAY OF THE NEW SYSTEM, 10th JANUARY 1840; 6th Jan. 1840 EL (partly printed contents ref. Legacy Duty ex "Stamp Office, Somerset Place") posted from London to Warwick on 10th January 1840, the First Day of Uniform Penny Postage, but sent Official Paid and so with a First Day crowned "PAID" c.d.s. Rare thus. PHOTO - see plate no. 3 |
£300 |
|
2210 |
|
BEFORE AND AFTER THE PRIVILEGE MAIL: A small group of covers with 1845 "O.H.M.S." E from Bagshot to Kilcock with printed "Prepaid" & "R.M. College". 15 June 1839 "Tithe Commissioners For England and Wales" printed EL from London to Ludlow with a "Crown/FREE" h.s. and another dated 9 Jan. 1843 to Shaftesbury with a "Crown/PAID" c.d.s. 5 Nov. 1840 printed "ON HER MAJESTY'S SERVICE./Pursuant to an Act of Parliament of the 5th and 6th Year of King William the Fourth" EL to Eastbourne with m/s "Prepaid" above the printed "REGISTER OFFICE/OF MERCHANT SEAMEN" at lower left and "PAID" tombstone d.s. 1849 & 1850 O.H.M.S., two types of printed Chelsea Hospital envs. cancelled with "Crown/PAID" c.d.s. A few minor faults, but an interesting group. |
£100 |
| GENERAL POST INSPECTORS MARKS, 1672-1836 |
|
2211 |
|
17th CENTURY INSPECTORS' INITIALS & "CROWN"; 1672 EL from Hull to London with m/s "3" changed to "6" (double) with "DB"() initials, but before the 1682 introduction of handstruck Crowns; plus attractive 1694 E (origin unknown) to London also with "3" changed to "6", but having very fine first type London "Crown" mark (Jay L150) and signed "Colley" by the Inspector. Rare pair. (2 covers). PHOTO - see plate no. 10 |
£200 |
|
2212 |
|
EARLY INSPECTOR's CROWN MARK; 1699 EL (toned fold across address does not affect mark) from "Priory" (Somerset), written & signed by one "Rowland Hill" (!), with m/s "3" changed to "6" with initials and v. fine small London "Crown" mark. Scarce. PHOTO - see plate no. 17 |
£120 |
|
2213 |
|
THE 2nd TYPE INSPECTOR's CROWN MARK; 1705 EL (from Kent - mentions "Senoak" =Sevenoaks) with m/s "2" changed to "4" with v. fine black London Crown (Jay L152; early date) and initials. Scarce. PHOTO - see plate no. 17 |
£85 |
|
2214 |
|
THE THIRD TYPE INSPECTOR's CROWN MARK; 1717 EL from Yorkshire (mentions villages near Scarborough and "Whitby Strand") with m/s 24" changed to "8" with initials and mostly fine scarce third type London Crown as well as v. fine serif "15/NO" arrival Bishop. |
£65 |
|
2215 |
|
3rd & 4th TYPE CROWNS EX HANTS. & LINCS.; 1723 EL (creasing) from "Froyle" (nr. Alton, Hants.) and 1730 EL from "Castor" (with fair early "LINCOLN" on flap), both to London with mostly fine strikes of the Jay L154 & L155 Crown marks; rates changed from "3" to "6" and from "6" to "1N" with initials. |
£75 |
|
2216 |
|
SHROPSHIRE/WARWICKS. - EARLY "CROWN" COVERS; 1733 EL from "Cold Weston" with the rare ALBINO "LUD[LOW]" (SH211; recorded for 1732 only) on the flap and v. fine small London 5th type "Crown" mark changing the m/s "4" to "8"; plus c.1730 E from "COVEN/TRY" (poor 2-line on back) with fine 4th type London "Crown" and "9" rate changed to "1 Oz_ 1N6" rate. Scarce pair. (2 covers). |
£85 |
|
2217 |
|
DERBYS. - EARLY "ASH/BURN" MARK WITH SHORT-LIVED 6th TYPE LONDON "CROWN" MARK; 9th Jan. 1741 EL (could perhaps be dated with legal year & so actually 1742) to London with almost very fine rare early "ASH/BURN" (DY10) on the lower flap and near fine 6th type London "Crown" (Jay L158; crease) on the front with "4" changed to "8" rate. Rare thus. PHOTO - see plate no. 11 |
£85 |
|
2218 |
|
OXFORDSHIRE/WARWICKS. - 7th TYPE CROWN COVERS; 1752 EL (sellotape stains affect address clear of mark) with poor "WAR/WICK" and v. fine Jay L160 "Crown", plus 1754 E (file hole in address clear of marks barely detracts) with fine early "CHIPPING/NORTON" on the side flap and fine L160 on the front; both to London with "3" changed to "6" rates. Scarce pair. (2 covers). PHOTO - see plate no. 11 |
£75 |
|
2219 |
|
DERBYS. - THE RARE "CROWN-IN-CIRCLE" MARK; 26th Sept. 1767 EL (closed tear just clear of address & marks) to London with v. fine "DERBY" on lower flap, m/s "4" changed to "8" with a very fine red London encircled Crown (Jay L162; 1765-7 only) on the front. Attractive. PHOTO - see plate no. 11 |
£100 |
|
2220 |
|
NOTTS./SCOTLAND - FANCY RED LONDON "CROWN" COVERS; 1766/80 EL's to London ex "RETFORD" (near fine 1766 mark) & Ayr, each with mostly very fine strikes of the scarce early red Inspector's Mark (Jay L164) on the front. (2 covers). |
£75 |
|
2221 |
|
THE UNRECORDED "S-OUTSIDE" SUNDAY INSPECTOR's "CROWN" MARK; Fine March/May 1798 EL from "Madeira" to London with mostly v. fine concave "PORTSMOUTH/SHIP LRE" on the front slightly overstruck by a very fine red encircled London "Crown" mark with "S"-code outside the circle, also having a mostly fine black London "S"-outside arrival c.d.s. of May 13th (Jay L25; rare) on the right hand flap. This "S"-outside Crown is not recorded by Jay & Willcocks and this is the first example that we have seen. Exhibition quality; arguably the rarest of all London pre-1840 Inspectors' Marks. PHOTO - see plate no. 4 |
£300 |
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2222 |
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NOTTS. - MANSFIELD COVER WITH THE LONDON "A"-OUTSIDE ENCIRCLED CROWN; Aug. 1798 EL to London with near fine "MANSFIELD" (crease) and light but fine red encircled London "Crown" with small "A"-code outside (Jay L166; seldom seen) both on the front. Rare and early coded crown. PHOTO - see plate no. 17 |
£120 |
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2223 |
|
HANTS. - "G"-OUTSIDE LONDON CROWN COVER WITH CONCAVE "PETERSFIELD"; 1798 E to London with almost very fine "PETERSFIELD" (scarce) and fine red London encircled "Crown" with "G"-code outside (L166; seldom seen) both on the front. Rare thus. PHOTO - see plate no. 11 |
£120 |
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2224 |
|
"B"-OUTSIDE ENCIRCLED CROWN ON COVER FROM LONDON; Unusual 27th Dec. 1808 E (one side-flap removed) from "Doctor's/Commons" (poor double-boxed R.H. mark on flap) to Malmesbury with "8" charge changed to "1/4" with v. fine red encircled London "B"-code outside "Crown" mark (affected by smudged rate) on the front. Late usage of L166 and rare on mail from London. PHOTO - see plate no. 17 |
£100 |
|
2225 |
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THE UNRECORDED "SPUTNIK" INSPECTOR's MARK OF LONDON; 30th May 1836 EL from "Congleton" (Cheshire) without postmark of origin (why!) which must have led to special inspection in London, hence (perhaps) there is a very fine small red sputnik-like Inspector's mark on the front matching the London General Post backstamp. The letter was addressed to the Chelsea Hospital Commandant and so was not allowed free (as it would have been to the Secretary) which might also have led to inspection! Rare thus. PHOTO - see plate no. 17 |
£75 |
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