Lots 1-80

AUSTRALASIA

FRIDAY 10TH MARCH 2001 AT 1.00 p.m.

SALE 597

* = ONLY lots with their lot numbers prefixed by one star are subject to V.A.T. at 17·5%. ** = ONLY lots with their lot numbers prefixed by two stars are subject to V.A.T. at 5%. PLEASE NOTE: All lots in this auction are subject to the Buyers’ Premium of 15% (plus V.A.T. where appropriate) on their hammer prices. ALL BIDS WILL BE TAKEN AS EXCLUSIVE OF THIS PREMIUM

VERY EARLY UP-COUNTRY LETTER TO G.B. VIA SYDNEY ; Jan. 1821 Missionary's EL (good contents; ' Little money is in circulation in country parts; labourers are paid in property and not a few of the farmers take the produce of their land to Sydney and barter it for what they want of foreign goods...the late flood having destroyed many thousands of bushels of wheat around Windsor ...' ) from ' Windsor" to London, charged "1/7" with an almost very fine scarce red step-type "PLYM·DOCK/SHIP LETTER " nicely placed on the front. The letter was carried to England by H.M. Storeship "Dromedary"; it was sent 4 years before the first N.S.W. Post Office Act, during George Panton's period as P.M.G. (1819-1829). One of the earliest N.S.W. letters in private hands. PHOTO - see plate no. 4

£500

EARLY LETTER FROM SYDNEY TO G.B. SENT DIRECT VIA CAPE HORN ; Attractive 30th June 1823 EL (Missionary report of stores received from G.B. and how they were received and distributed or stored) to London, charged "1/7" with an almost very fine magenta (rare colour) step-type "BRIXHAM/SHIP LETTER " (Rob.S4; only known in this distinctive colour for 1820/4) nicely placed on the front. George's researches showed that the letter left Sydney around Oct. 1823 and travelled east round Cape Horn. Rare thus. PHOTO - see plate no. 4

£500

VERY EARLY CONVICT LETTER - SENT TO G.B. DIRECT VIA CAPE HORN; Fine 31st March 1823 EL headed "H. Majesty's New Settlement at Wellington Plains", signed by "Matthias Maher, formerly a Midshipman in the Royal Navy; now [from 1817] a Convict for Life ", addressed to his old Captain in London, desperately seeking the addressee's intervention with the N.S.W. Governor to improve his lot. There is a fine "SHIP LETTER/(crown)/LONDON" c.d.s. of 15th Oct. 1823 on the front as well as the 8d Ship Letter charge and a partially fine orange-red large boxed London "(Crown)/Too Late for/Morng Post" mark on the front. Fascinating contents from a serving convict (no signs of censorship and so presumably smuggled direct to the ship that carried it - identified as the 254-ton "Venerable"); "...imploring your kind intercession with Captain Sir James Brisbane to write to his cousin, the present Governor of this Colony - His Excellency Sir Thomas Brisbane K.C.B. - to recommend me in consideration of my former service in the Navy...in consequence of seeing you weeping for me in a dream last night...Oh relieve me! Oh may heaven reward you and relieve [me] from the bondage of Slavery ..." Very rare. [Illustrated in White, p.390.] PHOTO - see plate no. 4

£500

VERY EARLY SHIP's NAME ENDORSED PRIVATE LETTER TO G.B.; 4th Feb. 1826 EL from Sydney to London endorsed "per Triton" and charged "2/8" (double rate; there is mention of a separate business letter), having a partly fine step-type "BRIGHTON/SHIP LETTER " (Rob.S4) on the flap. The letter describes the writer's trouble with his ne'er-do-well son who has recently "flogged" in an attempt to tame his profligate ways. The writer hopes soon to be a Magistrate and has encouraged the son to go to sea! Rare early cover sent by a specific ship; one of the earliest such endorsements that George had seen. PHOTO - see plate no. 9

£200

VERY EARLY SYDNEY DATESTAMP WITH "CORK/SHIP LETTER" MARK ON UP-COUNTRY LETTER TO G.B.; Attractive 19th May 1828 EL from "Parramatta" to London (carried by the 275-ton "Lion"), having a mostly very fine black "SYDNEY/N·S·W/MY 27/1828" c.d.s. on the front (rare early date; this mark has only been recorded from 5th March 1828, and Panton did not use it regularly - for lack of ink - until he was reprimanded in March 1829!), as well as the "1/11" charge, a fine red "CORK/SHIP LETTER" and a very fine red Dublin "LATE MAIL" mark. There is a partial red crinkly-framed Dublin "MID DAY MAIL" d.s. on the back. The letter is from a Missionary who complains of neglect, mentions the Tonga Mission and suggests that the unsuccessful "Black Mission of this Colony" be suspended. Rare Irish routing and one of the earliest N.S.W. date-stamps in private hands. Exhibition quality. PHOTO - see plate no. 4

£800

EARLY SHIP LETTER VIA LIVERPOOL (G.B.) EVADING POSTAGE; 24th May 1830 EL from Sydney to Edinburgh "p. Pacific via Liverpool", posted as an ordinary inland letter and so avoiding the 8d Ship Letter charge (it is odd that the P.O. did not spot the obvious ship's endorsement!), with a red Liverpool c.d.s., a "1/-" charge and a fine Liverpool "Addl/1/2" Scottish Mail Tax mark. The letter complains of sluggish trade; "...our market for your shipments has been very bad...the large profits formerly obtained in these Colonies...induced too many to ship...they have overdone the market."

£100

VERY EARLY "POST PAID SHIP LT./(Crown)/SYDNEY " OVAL DATESTAMP; 2nd/4th/6th Feb. 1832 EL (business contents) from Sydney to Edinburgh endorsed "Sydney New South Wales" and "per Britannia" (a 190-ton ship) on the front, along with a mostly very fine strike of the red oval d.s. (light crease just crosses left had side) with unusual date "6 F 6/1832", used within a year of the earliest recorded (27/7/1831) example. The N.S.W. Ship Letter rate of "4d" is marked in black (although prepaid) and was cancelled when the British "1/3" charge was applied; there is a very fine boxed "INDIA LETTER/LIVERPOOL" nicely placed on the top flap. Attractive; this cover is illustrated by White, p.318. PHOTO - see plate no. 9

£200

NEW ZEALAND - RARE EARLY SYDNEY FORWARDING AGENT COVER CARRIED BY THE 1st AUSTRALIAN MAIL-BOAT, THE "LORD LIVERPOOL "; 9th July 1832 E (from the Missionary "W. White" in "New Zealand" [at Mangungu, Hokianga Harbour]) with rare endorsement "Forwarded by Wilson & Uther, No.68 George Street, Sydney, N. S. Wales " on the lower flap and a partial fine red oval "POST PAID SHIP LT/(Crown)/SYDNEY" d.s. on the front; charged "1/-" to London (N.S.W. m/s "4" Ship Letter charge uncancelled) on the front with overstruck boxed "INDIA LETTER/PORTSMOUTH" on the lower flap. This letter was carried from N.Z. to Sydney by the Lord Liverpool which ran the P.O. shuttle between Sydney & Newcastle (1826-8 + 1829-31) before doing a few N.Z. voyages and finally sinking in 1833 at Tonga. Rare so early from N.Z. and an exceptionally rare and early Australian F.A. cover which was additionally carried by this pioneer Australian vessel. PHOTO - see plate no. 4

£500

THE RARE BLACK OVAL "POST PAID SHIP LT/(Crown)/SYDNEY " DATESTAMP; 10th Oct. 1836 EL (minor stains) from Sydney (a very interesting banking letter mentioning that "I have got a great proportion of the Gold & Silver of the Colony into my strong room - no less a sum than £194,630....I fear if the home government get acquainted with our wealth, they will ask for a share of it ."!!) to Edinburgh carried by private ship to Deal (faint boxed "INDIA LETTER/DEAL" on flap), charged "1/-" and then "1/6" with the boxed "1/2" mark of London, having a clear red m/s "3" N.S.W. charge cancelled on the front but with a very fine strike of the oval Sydney d.s. IN BLACK. This mark was almost always struck in red; George only recorded three other strikes in black (all of late 1836). Rare thus. PHOTO - see plate no. 4

£600

QUADRUPLE RATE LETTER WITH "DUBLIN/Ship Letter" MARK; 10th Oct. 1839 EL (business contents) from Sydney to London "per [400-ton ship] William Mitchell" with a very fine red oval "PAID SHIP LETTER/(Crown)/SYDNEY" d.s. overstruck by an otherwise fine scarce red "DUBLIN/Ship Letter" mark (Rob.S5) on the front; prepaid "1/4" in Sydney and charged "2/8" on arrival in G.B. in March 1840, being a letter weighing over 1oz but not more than 2oz. Rare routing. PHOTO - see plate no. 9

£200

"GOULBURN/POST PAID " COVER TO G.B. WITH TWO DIFFERENT SYDNEY DATESTAMPS ; Attractive Dec. 1839 E to Edinburgh with a red m/s "1/1" rate (prepaid N.S.W. 10d inland + 3d Ship Letter), very fine red boxed "GOULBURN/POST PAID" mark (rare & early) and fine oval red "POST PAID SHIP LT/(Crown)/SYDNEY" d.s. (filing fold) on the front, as well as a very fine black crowned "GENERAL POST OFFICE/SYDNEY" d.s. on the top flap, overstruck by a near fine red "INDIA LETTER/WEYMOUTH" (Rob.In.3; rare & probably struck in London) and the London c.d.s. Elusive early country Paid letter. [Illustrated in White, p.329.] PHOTO - see plate no. 4

£300

THE 1840s NON-CONTRACT AND COASTAL MARITIME MAILS; 1840-49

RARE EARLY TRANS-PACIFIC COVER FROM SYDNEY TO CHILE ; Exceptional 1st Aug. 1840 E from Sydney to "Valparaiso" endorsed "Pr. [484-ton ship] England" with a very fine red oval "PAID SHIP LETTER/(Crown)/SYDNEY" d.s. on the front with red m/s "6" rating, having a small black "2" [reales] arrival charge as well. Amazingly early cover to have survived from this route. [Illustrated in White, p.257.] PHOTO - see plate no. 4

£300

NEW ZEALAND - EARLY LETTER FORWARDED BY THE "RESIDENT MISSIONARY" IN SYDNEY; 7th May 1840 E from "Mangungu" (N.Z.) to London but endorsed "To the Care of the Resident Wesn. Missy., Prince St., Sydney " with a superb red oval "PAID SHIP LETTER/(Crown)/SYDNEY" d.s. and m/s "6" (red; N.S.W.) & "8" (black; G.B.) on the front, plus a fine black London "SHIP LETTER" arrival mark on the top flap. Carried by the 121-ton brig "Skerne" from N.Z. to Sydney and then by the 340-ton barque "Jane" to London. Attractive early Forwarding Agent item. PHOTO - see plate no. 9

£200

EARLY LETTER TO U.S.A. VIA G.B. WITH MENTION OF THE OPIUM WARS; 10th July 1841 EL (interesting contents from a Philadelphia trading ship's Captain; ref. N.S.W. being glutted with goods and a decision to take the cargo of spirits etc, on to Manilla, China being at war again) from Sydney to Philadelphia, sent by private means on the 278-ton "Beatrice" to London and then prepaid from there ("1/-" rate) to the U.S. per the "Britannia" steamer, with the scarce Liverpool octagon-framed d.s. on the front plus "BOSTON/SHIP" transit c.d.s. Rare routing; little mail between Australia and the U.S. has survived from such an early date as this. PHOTO - see plate no. 9

£150

"SOUTH AUSTRALIAN NEWSLETTER No.1 " COVER SENT TO G.B. VIA SYDNEY; Attractive and complete 22nd Dec. 1841 EL from Adelaide to London endorsed "Pr Emma via Sydney" and then "per William to London", having no S. Australian marks or rates, but with a faint red oval "PAID SHIP LETTER/(Crown)/SYDNEY" d.s. on the front with cancelled red "3" and black "8" rates. The letter (from the Colonial Manager of the Bank of South Australia) is written on the final (blank) sheet of the printed 3-page "THE SOUTH AUSTRALIAN NEWS LETTER No.1" of 1st Dec. 1841, which includes masses of fascinating detail about the economy and trade of the new Colony, incl. a 4-inch column headed "POST OFFICE ESTABLISHMENT OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA" which lists the 7 P.O.'s, their internal postal rates and the numbers of letters posted in the two years to 31st Aug. 1841. Rare and historical item. PHOTO - see plate no. 9

£400

VICTORIA - GEELONG FORERUNNER COVER SENT BY COASTAL VESSEL; Attractive 23rd Oct. 1843 EL from "GEELONG/(Crown)/NEW. S. WALES" (v. fine oval black d.s. on the front - Victoria was not separate until 1849/51) to Melbourne charged "4" (the intra-colonial Ship Letter rate) with a very fine oval black "MELBOURNE/(Crown)/NEW. S. WALES" d.s. across the join on the reverse; carried by the small 25-ton ship "Alice" along the coast. Rare thus. [Illustrated in White, p.171.] [Ex Pack.] PHOTO - see plate no. 9

£200

COASTAL MAIL - BOXED "POST PAID/AT SYDNEY" COVER TO MELBOURNE; 24th Oct. 1843 EL (some toning) from Sydney (ref. a Bill of Lading for a consignment of "Cavendish Tobacco"!) with a very fine red boxed "POST PAID/AT SYDNEY" on the front with red m/s "1/3" rate (the very high rate enforced 1841-9 to protect the overland postal route), having a mostly very fine black oval "MELBOURNE/(Crown)/NEW. S. WALES" d.s. and a partial black crowned "GENERAL POST OFFICE/SYDNEY" c.d.s. on the reverse. Rare example of Coastal Mail; lightly endorsed "pr. Shamrock" (the 200-ton vessel) on the front. PHOTO - see plate no. 4

£150

NEW ZEALAND/TASMANIA - SYDNEY FORWARDING AGENT COVER ; Attractive and colourful 1st July 1844 envelope (early Colonial usage) addressed to "St. John's College, Waimata, N.Z." via Agents in Sydney ("Care of Messrs. Campbell & Co., Campbell's Wharf ") with very fine large oval red crowned "GENERAL POST OFFICE/HOBART TOWN/VDL" d.s. and fine red oval "PAID SHIP LETTER/(Crown)/SYDNEY" d.s. as well as partial black oval crowned "WELLINGTON(?)/NEW ZEALAND" d.s. all on the front; endorsed "p. Sidney" (from Sydney to N.Z.). Charged "4" from Tasmania to NSW, 3d NSW Ship Letter charge and m/s "4" NZ arrival charge. Remarkable early inter-Colonial letter. [Ex Marcel Stanley.] PHOTO - see plate no. 4

£600

SAMOA - EARLY INGOING COVER WITH LONDON F.A.C. VIA SYDNEY ; 4th Feb. 1845 EL (from Missionary HQ ref. the addressee's salary, the need to try to visit the cannibal island of Tanna, etc.) from "London" addressed to "Revd. H. Nisbet, Upolu [Samoa], care Revd. Wm. Ross, Sydney, N.S.W. ", having a very fine double oval F.A.C. of "MARSHALL & EDRIDGE/London" (filing fold) on the lower flap, with a partial black 13th Aug. 1845 "SHIP LETTER/(Crown)/SYDNEY" c.d.s. across the join; charged "3"(d) arrival Ship Letter postage. Rare ingoing mail to this distant part of the Pacific via two Forwarding Agents. Marshall & Edridge are known to have run ships to Australia in 1845 in direct competition to the Toulmin Bothers, but they never had a P.O. contract, hence this letter - sent by the "Ganges" - has no British P.O. marks or rates. Rare thus. PHOTO - see plate no. 9

£400

LONDON F.A.C. COVER TO PORTLAND VIA SYDNEY; 2nd Feb. 1848 E (sealed with an attractive blue oval "UNION BANK OF AUSTRALIA" wafer seal) from "London" sent by private ship (the "Elphinstone") with a very fine oval framed "FORWARDED BY/W.L. HOTCHKIN/EAST INDIA CO.../LONDON " cachet (filing fold) on the front, to "Portland, Pt. Philip, N.S.Wales" charged "1/9" (3d NSW Ship Letter + 1s-6d inland postage from Sydney), having a nearly very fine oval "MELBOURNE/PORT PHILLIP" d.s., similar near fine "PORTLAND" oval d.s. and torn "SHIP LETTER/SYDNEY" c.d.s. all on the reverse. Rare thus. PHOTO - see plate no. 9

£200

SYDNEY SHIP LETTER TO FRANCE WITH BOXED "COLONIES/&c ART.13" MARK ; 22nd Feb. 1848 E to Nantes sent "via London" by the 409-ton private ship "Thomas Lowry" with a fine red oval Sydney Ship Letter d.s., red m/s "3", v. fine red "COLONIES/&c ART.13" mark (rare on Australian mails), black "18" arrival charge and a 30th June fine 2-ring black "ANGL/3 BOULOGNE-S-MER 3" c.d.s. all on the front. Rare thus. PHOTO - see plate no. 4

£300

"VIA CALCUTTA AND OVERLAND MAIL VIA SOUTHAMPTON" COVER TO G.B.; Fine 14th April 1849 env. to Edinburgh endorsed thus and "per Blenheim" (689-ton private vessel) to Calcutta, thence by P & O "S.S. Haddington" to Suez and on from Alex. by P & O "S.S. Hindostan"; charged "1/4" (double Ship Letter) on arrival and prepaid "3" in Sydney. Unusual private vessel routing.

£100

THE "UNIQUE" (?) PORT MACQUARIE "FREE" MARK ON COASTAL MAIL; Attractive 15th Oct. 1849 E from "PORT MACQUARIE/NEW S. WALES" (mostly v. fine oval d.s. on the front, matching the mostly very fine rare boxed black P. Macquarie "FREE" mark alongside), being addressed to "The Colonial Secretary, Sydney", with large part "SYDNEY/(Crown)/NEW SOUTH WALES" c.d.s. on reverse. Exhibition quality and rare country P.O. usage of an early "FREE" mark (the only Free mark for this P.O. that George had recorded) on a coastal letter. PHOTO - ABOVE

£500

LATER NON-CONTRACT AND COASTAL MARITIME MAILS; 1851-64

3d SYDNEY VIEW COVER WITH THE RARE BOXED "QUEENS WHARF" SUB-OFFICE MARK; 21st Jan. 1851 EL (some creasing) from "B[ar]k Warlock, Sydney" to England (Pr [450-ton] William & Mary") franked by a 3d green Sydney View (creased) tied by a superb oval bars cancel and the edge of a mostly fine rare boxed "QUEENS WHARF" mark, having m/s "8" charge and (creased but mostly v. fine) red "PAID SHIP LETTER/(Crown)/SYDNEY" c.d.s. alongside. Rare example of the early Sydney Harbour sub-office mark on overseas mail. [Illustrated in White, p.90.] PHOTO - see plate no. 4

£400

REGISTERED MIXED-ISSUES GOLDFIELDS COVER TO G.B. ORIGINALLY SENT CONTAINING A "NUGGET OF GOLD" ; Remarkable 10th Oct. 1851 E to G.B. endorsed "Registered No.21", franked by Sydney View 1d (pre-usage creases - from being in the gold-diggers pocket for some while?!) and a horiz. pair of Laureated 2d Blues (one creased, the other fine 4m) all tied by watery brown "103" numerals, matching the very fine oval "OPHIR/(Crown)/NEW S WALES" d.s. on the top flap. This was 2d inland postage plus 3d Ship Letter fee; the reg. fee was 6d prepaid in cash. Carried by the 377-ton "Penyard Park", and charged "1/2" (8d Ship Letter fee + 6d Reg. fee?) on arrival. The sender writes to his mother that "In addition to the 21/2dwt of Gold, I enclose a small specimen of Gold mixed with Quartz ..." Rare early Mixed-franking Registered cover that contained gold and was sent from the diggings at Ophir. Exhibition item. PHOTO - see plate no. 4

£1500

6d LAUREATED COVER TO G.B. "VIA PANAMA "; Fine 18th March 1854 EL from Sydney to London endorsed "p. Anglesea & via Panama", prepaid the double Ship Letter rate with an attractive 1852 6d brown (margins on two sides) tied by the barred oval with near fine Sydney c.d.s. on flap; charged "4/-" on arrival, being double the 2/- British South American packet rate from Panama to Southampton. Very few letters went via the Panama route as early as this. Exhibition quality. [Ex Wiggins.] PHOTO - see plate no. 4

£500

THE "RETALIATORY RATES" PERIOD OF VICTORIA/N.S.W.; 2nd Aug. 1854 EL from "Melbourne" to Sydney "p. Waratah" coastal steamer (350 tons), prepaid "1/-" with v. fine red oval "PAID/MELBOURNE" d.s.; but also with black Handstruck "3" charge-mark of Sydney, because there was no prepayment of letters between the two states from 1st July to 31st Dec. 1854, and this 3d charge is therefore first cousin to the US/GB Retaliatory Rates of 1848. Rare thus. PHOTO - see plate no. 9

£200

THE MATCHING "RESTORED RATES" COVER SENT BY THE SAME COASTAL VESSEL; 2nd June 1856 env. from Sydney to "Belfast Victoria" endorsed "[per] Waratah", franked by a near 4-margin NSW Laureated 3d green (just shaved at left) tied by an oval grid, having the red "SHIP LETTER/FREE/G.P.O. VICTORIA" c.d.s. (overstruck) on the flap. There was no longer any extra Ship Letter charge for such mail. PHOTO - see plate no. 9

£120

REGISTERED 9d-RATE "TOO LATE" COVER TO THE PHILIPPINES; Attractive 1st Sept. 1854 E from Sydney to "Manila" endorsed "Registered per [sailing ship] Phoenix ", franked by 4-margin Laureated 3d dull green and Diadem 6d grey (mostly with clear margins but rough at top) tied by oval grids with mostly fine red "Registered/Sydney" alongside and v. fine black boxed Sydney" "TOO LATE" and yellow Manila "1 [real]" arrival charge (latter two marks both crossed by filing fold) nearby. Rare and spectacular rate; 3d Ship Letter + 6d fee. PHOTO - see plate no. 4

£700

INTERNAL 2d COASTAL STEAMER RATES; 1855/60 pair of E's from Moreton Bay to Sydney and from Sydney to Casino, endorsed "p. [300-ton] Shamrock" and "P. [261-ton] Fehella"; franked by Laureated 2d blue (wide to massive margins) tied by part grid, and by Diadem 1d's (2; good & poor margins) tied by triple oval "N.S.W." cancels. Both prepaid at the full 2d rate. (2 covers). PHOTO - see plate no. 9

£160

SPECTACULAR 2s-0d-RATE REGISTERED COVER TO G.B.1th Oct. 1856 env. to London endorsed "Montmorency per Melbourne" and "Paid & registered", franked for the double rate by Laureated 1d green pair (margins all round except at right), Diadem 6d greys (2; each 4 margins) and fine N.S.W. [6d] "REGISTERED" stamp (4 clear margins showing part of stamp at left), all tied by oval grids with v. fine red oval "REGISTERED/SYDNEY N.S.W." d.s. alongside; English marks include a faint red Liverpool "(Crown)/REGISTERED", a v. fine black Liverpool handstruck "d6" arrival charge (British Registration) and (on the back) black "AUSTRALIAN /LIVERPOOL/PACKET" c.d.s.'s (2; one cancelled by poor "466" because it apparently had the word "PAID" in the centre in error). Colourful and rare franking; a real Exhibition centre-piece. SEE ALSO COLOUR PHOTO – FRONT COVER

£3000

ACCOUNTANCY MARKS; 7th June 1856 E from Sydney to G.B. "per Kent via Melbourne", franked by Diadem 1d red (4m) and 2d blue (creased & hinged to cover) tied by unclear oval grids, having deleted fine black Sydney black handstruck "3" mark (amount due from G.B. to the NSW P.O.) and final G.B. m/s "6" arrival charge (3d for NSW + 3d for GB; the stamps having paid the 3d coastal rate - per S.S. Telegraph - from Sydney to Melbourne only). Unusual thus. PHOTO - see plate no. 9

£100

CLIPPER SHIP "CHAMPION OF THE SEAS" COVER WITH RED "3" ACCOUNTANCY MARK ; Attractive 5th July 1856 env. from Sydney to G.B. endorsed "By Champion of the Seas via Melbourne", franked by Laureated 3d green (4m) and Diadem 6d grey (4m) both tied by barred grids, having a fine red Sydney h.s. "3" mark (3d due from NSW to G.B.) and mostly fine red "PAID/LIVERPOOL/SHIP" arrival d.s. on the front. Good cover carried by this famous Clipper when not on P.O. contract. PHOTO - see plate no. 4

£240

ANGLO-FRENCH "GB/1F 60C" ACCOUNTANCY MARK ON UNPAID COVER TO FRANCE; 25th Oct./1st Nov. 1856 EL from Sydney to Rheims "p. Centurion [sailing ship] via England" with black Sydney h.s. "3", fine boxed "GB/1 F 60 C " mark (rare on Australian mail) and "16" [decimes] arrival charge all on the front. George had recorded only a single example of this "GB" mark on cover from Victoria and this example, but no other covers at all like this from any of the Australian colonies. Very rare and fine. PHOTO - see plate no. 4

£500

DOUBLE-RATE COVER TO G.B. WITH MANUSCRIPT "6" ACCOUNTANCY MARK; 10th July 1856 env. from Sydney to Hampshire "Per Phoenician" (direct sailing ship), franked by Diadem 6d greys (2; both with 4 margins) just tied by fair oval grids with red m/s "6" (due from NSW to the GB P.O.) and red London "PAID" transit d.s. on the front. Good double rate cover. PHOTO - see plate no. 9

£150

EARLY COVER TO SAN FRANCISCO FROM SYDNEY VIA NEWCASTLE; 1st Nov. 1861 E (one side-flap removed) from Sydney to San Francisco with Diadem 1d reds (2; faults) and 6d grey (does not belong) tied by oval "NSW" cancels, endorsed "p. Louisa from Newcastle" (rare routing) with v. fine "SHIP/6" arrival charge and matching "SAN FRANCISCO" c.d.s. on the front. Rare route and rare rate.

£100

THE 1864 "PANIC RATES" PERIOD - 4d SHIP LETTER RATE TO G.B.; Attractive 23rd Sept. 1864 env. (deleted fancy "VIA SOUTHAMPTON" device at top) to Aberdeen with NSW perf. Diadem 2d blue pair tied by fair Newtown dotted numeral; the letter was endorsed "[per] maid of Judah" but it missed this vessel, so it has a very fine boxed Sydney "TOO LATE" on the front and was sent by the "Coya" which sailed a few days later, so there is a 30th Jan. 1865 red "SHIP LETTER/LONDON" transit c.d.s. From 1st July 1864 to 14th Nov. 1864 there were extra high rates of postage inflicted on the mails of the Australian Colonies by the British P.O., and covers of this period are rare. PHOTO - see plate no. 4

£500

THE FIRST CONTRACT SAILINGS - THE TOULMIN PACKETS; 1846-49

RARE TOULMIN PACKET COVER - FIRST VOYAGE VIA INDIA & MARSEILLES ; 30th April 1846 E to London endorsed "per Lloyds" with red m/s "3" and part fine red oval "PAID SHIP LETTER/(Crown)/SYDNEY" d.s. on the front, additionally charged "2/7" in black because this letter was sent via Calcutta (fair red "G.P.O." boxed backstamp) where it was passed to the P&O "Hindostan" for the voyage to Suez and then sent by P&O "Ariel" to Marseilles. The rates were 1s-5d for G.B., 10d for France and 4d for India. This was the first Toulmin Packet voyage that connected to the Indian P&O services. Very rare Pioneer Route cover. This cover is illustrated in White, p.278. PHOTO - see plate no. 4

£500

SECOND TOULMIN PACKET PIONEER VOYAGE VIA INDIA ; 3rd June 1846 E to Scotland from Sydney endorsed "p. June packet via India" (carried by Toulmin's "St. Vincent") with near fine red oval "PAID SHIP LETTER/SYDNEY" d.s. an red m/s "3" on the front as well as the black arrival "2/2" charge (1s-5d to G.B., 5d to France & 4d to India). This was the second Toulmin Packet voyage that connected with the P&O service at Calcutta with boxed Calcutta "G.P.O." backstamp. Carried by P&O steamers Precursor & Oriental. Rare thus. PHOTO - see plate no. 5

£400

INGOING TOULMIN PACKET COVER TO THE MAORI WARS IN NEW ZEALAND VIA SYDNEY; Attractive 26th Dec. 1846/11th June 1847 EL from "Boldon Rectory" (v. fine blue "GATESHEAD" c.d.s.) to a Lieut. Collinson involved in the Maori Wars at "New Zealand, Post Office, Sydney, to be forwarded to Auckland, New Zealand", prepaid "1/-" and charged "8+3=11" on arrival (which was made up of 3d for NSW plus 4d NZ Ship Letter rate and 4d NZ inland rate). The letter was carried by the Toulmin Packet "Bussorah Merchant" from Gravesend to Sydney and then sent by the man-of-war "H.M.S. Racecourse" to Auckland for forwarding to Wellington; there are very fine Auckland "NEW-ZEALAND" and oval "WELLINGTON/NEW ZEALAND" datestamps on the front. Very fine and rare for both maritime and military reasons. PHOTO - see plate no. 5

£400

QUADRUPLE DIRECT TOULMIN PACKET RATE COVER TO G.B. ; 3rd April 1847 E to London "p Caledonia" (405 tons) with fine red oval Sydney "PAID SHIP LETTER" d.s. and red m/s "1/-" (quadruple prepaid Ship Letter rate), charged "4/-" on arrival for the rare quadruple Toulmin Packet rate. PHOTO - see plate no. 9

£200

DOUBLE DIRECT TOULMIN PACKET RATE COVER TO G.B.; 10th June 1848 E from Sydney to London "P. Packet" [the Toulmin 515-ton "Chaseley"] via the Cape Horn route with similar marks to the previous lot, but prepaid "6" and charged "2/-" on arrival for the double rate. Rare thus. PHOTO - see plate no. 9

£200

A.R.M.S.N. CONTRACT VOYAGES - THE FIRST STEAMERS; 1852-54

THE INAUGURAL VOYAGE OF THE NEW CONTRACT; 2nd June/9th Sept. 1852 EL from London to Sydney "Pr. Steamer Australian" round the Cape of Good Hope, prepaid "1/-" with a London "PAID" c.d.s. and with a black Sydney handstruck "3" charge-mark struck on arrival. The 1400-ton S.S. Australian did not make a quick passage by any standards, and the A.R.M.S.N. Co. contract was very short-lived. Few covers from this first voyage have been recorded. Rare PHOTO - see plate no. 5

£400

THE SECOND VOYAGE OF THE CONTRACT ; 3rd Dec. 1852 env. (part address obscured) to G.B. "Per Mail Steamer Sydney" franked by a 4-margin 3d green "Sydney View" tied by a v. fine barred oval with manuscript "1/-" Packet-rate arrival charge alongside. This was another long voyage; reaching Plymouth on 16th March 1853. Rare thus. PHOTO - see plate no. 9

£200

P & O CONTRACT VOYAGES - THE FIRST PHASE; 1853-55

THE SECOND EXPERIMENTAL P&O VOYAGE - BY THE S.S. FORMOSA; 8th Nov. 1852 env. to London endorsed "Pr Formosa via Southampton" (intended to go to Singapore and join the P&O service from there, but diverted to Ceylon due to engine trouble and sent on from there to Suez by the P&O S.S. Precursor), franked by a 4-margin NSW 3d green Sydney View tied by a very fine barred oval, with "1/4" arrival charge (1/- for GB & 4d for India) alongside. Attractive and rare cover carried on this early trouble-shooting voyage that never made it to Singapore, although the mails were charged as if they had been carried that way. PHOTO - see plate no. 5

£1000

THE LAST ABORTIVE A.R.M. CONTRACT VOYAGE OF THE S.S. AUSTRALIAN - COVER TRANSFERRED TO THE FIRST OFFICIAL P&O CONTRACT SAILING VIA SINGAPORE; 31st Jan. 1853 env. to Sydney franked by a cut-to-shape GB Embossed 1/- green tied by the "446" numeral of Leicester, having a very fine Sydney h.s. "3" arrival charge mark on the front. This letter was intended for the final contract-voyage of the A.R.M.'s S.S. Australian, but that steamer started to take in water shortly after leaving Plymouth and limped back to port for repairs; as a result this letter and the rest of the mails were sent to Southampton and put aboard the First Official Voyage of the P&O Contract, and carried to Alexandria by the S.S. Indus instead. The rest of the journey - via Galle & Singapore - was by the P&O Steamers "Precursor, "Bombay" and "Shanghae". A fascinating story; a Last & First Voyage cover! PHOTO - see plate no. 5

£300

THE FIRST VOYAGE OF THE P&O CONTRACT - HOMEWARD FROM N.S.W. VIA SINGAPORE; 31st May 1853 E to London endorsed "per Shanghai, via Singapore", franked by NSW Laureated 3d green (close to shaved margins) tied by a light barred oval, with m/s "2/3" arrival charge on the front (1/- for GB, 1/3 for France; for the exact 1/2oz weight). This letter was carried on the first P&O Contract voyage from Australia - via Singapore, Galle and Malta - per the P&O steamers Shanghae, Malta, Madras, Indus and Sultan. Rare Inaugural Voyage cover and attractive. PHOTO - see plate no. 5

£400

EARLY P&O ROUTE VIA SINGAPORE & MELBOURNE TO N.S.W. (RIVERINA MAILS FORERUNNER) ; 2nd March 1854 stampless env. prepaid ("P 8d") from "SIDMOUTH" (c.d.s. on back) to "Albury, Murray River, Melbourne" and carried by P&O steamers Euxine, Bengal, Pottinger & Madras via Suez, Galle & Singapore. The routing via Melbourne (fine red "SHIP LETTER/FREE/G.P.O. VICTORIA" c.d.s. on back) is an interesting forerunner of the later Riverina Victoria/N.S.W. Combination Covers, because it saved several days compared to transit via Sydney; there is a fine oval "ALBURY/NEW S. WALES" d.s. on the reverse. Rare thus. PHOTO - see plate no. 9

£200

EARLY P&O COVER TO G.B. VIA CEYLON; 21st July 1854 EL from Sydney to London endorsed "p. Norna to overland via Marseilles", franked by a NSW Laureated 3d green (4 close to good margins) tied (indented through stamp) by partial oval grid, with "1/10" arrival charge (1/- for GB & 10d for France) on the front. Attractive; carried via Galle & Suez by P&O steamers Norna, Bentinck & Valetta. PHOTO - see plate no. 5

£200

G.S.S.S. CONTRACT VOYAGES, 1853-55

COUNTRY LETTER SENT BY SCREW-STEAMER VIA CAPE HORN; 6th Aug. 1853 EL (interesting family letter) from "Australian Steam Mill, Parramatta" to London, endorsed "Per Argo" (the G.S.S.S. Co. 1815-ton screw steamer), franked by attractive N.S.W. Laureated 2d blue & 3d green (both more or less 4 margins) tied by very fine barred ovals with black m/s "8" (Ship Letter rate) arrival charge alongside; the stamps paid 2d inland to Sydney + 3d outgoing Ship Letter rates. Exhibition quality. PHOTO - see plate no. 5

£500

THE 8d+3d IMPERIAL/COLONIAL COMBINED RATE TO G.B. PREPAID IN N.S.W. STAMPS ; Scarce 10th Jan. 1854 env. to Rugby "Per S. Ship Harbinger" franked by NSW Laureated 3d green & rare 8d orange (both with 2 to 3 margins) tied by unclear Sydney barred ovals, having a red m/s "8" (amount owed by NSW to the GB P.O.) and London "PAID" arrival d.s. on the front. Carried by the G.S.S.S. Co. 848-ton Steamer "Harbinger" round Cape Horn. PHOTO - see plate no. 5

£500

3rd INGOING VOYAGE FROM G.B. TO N.S.W.; 1st April 1854 stampless env. prepaid "1/-" from London to "Mulgoa, near Penrith, N.S.W." with a very fine black Sydney handstruck "5" (3d Ship Letter + 2d Inland rate) arrival mark. Carried by the slow (1,770-ton) G.S.S.S. Steamer S.S. Queen of the South via Cape Town to Melbourne and then by the 256-ton Coastal Steamer S.S. Waratah to Sydney. Rare cover by this short-lived line.

£100

THE FINAL G.S.S.S.-CONTRACT VOYAGE - REDIRECTED COMBINATION OF G.B. 6d EMBOSSED WITH N.S.W. LAUREATED 2d ON COVER ; Spectacular and rare 3rd Oct, 1854 env. addressed to Sydney "per Steam Ship Argo" (the 1815-ton G.S.S.S. Steamer) via Melbourne (and on by coastal steamer "City of Sydney" to Sydney), franked by a mostly cut-square G.B. 6d Embossed (clear margins at left and foot - cut round at top right & light stain) tied by the Bath "53" numeral with v. fine red handstruck "1d" alongside (indicating 1d due from G.B. to N.S.W.); redirected to "Queanbeyan, Murray" with a N.S.W. Laureated 2d blue (3 close to huge margins; shaved at left) tied by a light oval grid cancel. Exceptionally rare Combination of early issues of two countries and a rare voyage. [N.B. This was the first voyage under the new Uniform rates and so no arrival Ship Letter charge was raised in Sydney.] PHOTO - see plate no. 1

£750

"CRIMEAN WAR" SAILINGS – BLACK BALL/WHITE STAR LINES; 1855-56

"BOOMERANG" CLIPPER COVER SENT TO G.B. DURING CRIMEAN WAR PERIOD; 30th May 1855 env. to London "Per Boomerang" (from Melbourne) franked by NSW Diadem 6d grey (4m) tied by the v. fine red "AUSTRALIAN/PAID/LIVERPOOL/PACKET" c.d.s. with a very fine red Sydney "5" (Accountancy; 5d due to G.B.) alongside. Attractive cover carried by coastal steamer "Warratah" to Melbourne & then by this famous sailing ship during the withdrawal of the steamers by the British Government to help with the Crimean War. PHOTO - see plate no. 9

£150

FIRST DAY COVER OF THE BLACK BALL LINE CONTRACT DURING THE CRIMEAN WAR PERIOD; 4th June 1855 stampless EL prepaid "6"(d) from London to "Sydney, South Australia, New South Wales" (sic!) with v. fine red h.s. "1d" Accountancy Mark (1d due to N.S.W. from G.B.); carried on the inaugural voyage of the Black Ball Line contract by the Clipper "Donald McKay" to Melbourne and then on to Sydney by the coastal steamer "Governor General". Rare thus. PHOTO - see plate no. 9

£300

CLIPPER COVER FROM SYDNEY TO SPAIN WITH SMALL "1D" ACCOUNTANCY MARK ; Unusual unpaid 17th Aug. 1855 EL from Sydney to "Xeres de la Frontera, Andalucia, Spain" per the "Oliver Laing" Clipper ship from Melbourne (by coastal steamer "Wonga Wonga" to Melbourne from Sydney), charged "6" in manuscript with a deleted small black Sydney Handstruck "1 D " mark (1d due to N.S.W. from the G.B. P.O.) on the front; presumably forwarded from the "20 London St., London" address to Spain by private means. Rare thus. PHOTO - see plate no. 9

£200

WHITE STAR LINE CLIPPER CONTRACT COVER DURING THE CRIMEAN WAR PERIOD; 20th Aug. 1855 stampless EL prepaid "6"(d) from London to Sydney sent via Liverpool to Melbourne by the White Star Line 1049-ton "Emma" under contract to the P.O., with red h.s. "1d" Accountancy Mark (1d due to NSW from GB) on the front; carried by coastal steamer "Telegraph" from Melbourne to Sydney. Very elusive. PHOTO - see plate no. 10

£150

1d NEWSPAPER-RATE COVER WITH N.S.W. LAUREATED 1d FRANKING ; 19th Dec. 1855 E (large part front page of the "Sydney Morning Herald" of this date - some faults do not detract) addressed to London and franked by a 4-margin Laureated 1d orange-red (minor creasing) tied by Sydney's barred oval cancel; an extremely rare example of the early Colonial 1d Newspaper Rate. Carried (George has deduced) from Sydney to Melbourne by the coastal steamer "City of Sydney" and then to Liverpool by the famous Clipper Ship "Lightning". Few examples of this early 1d rate are known. PHOTO - see plate no. 5

£500

UNDERPAID COVER WITH ANGLO-FRENCH "COLONIES/ART-18" MARK , ETC.; Attractive 19th Jan. 1856 EL from Sydney to Bordeaux, franked by a 4-margin NSW Diadem 6d grey tied by light barred cancels, with v. fine Sydney boxed "INSUFFICIENTLY/STAMPED" and superb "1 D " marks on the front along with very fine orange boxed "COLONIES/ART-18" (rare on Australian mails; George had only recorded one other from NSW & 9 from Victoria), Liverpool h.s. "d6" and French h.s. "15" (decimes) arrival charge all on the front; on the reverse is a fine black "AUSTRALIAN/LIVERPOOL/PACKET" transit c.d.s. This letter was carried first to Melbourne by the coastal steamer "Telegraph" and then to Liverpool by the Clipper-ship "Beemah". Superb Exhibition item in every respect. PHOTO - see plate no. 1

£1500

UNDERPAID "MARCO POLO" CLIPPER SHIP COVER TO U.S.A. VIA G.B.; Rare 21st March 1856 unpaid EL to Boston endorsed "Per Marco Polo via England" with black m/s "1d" (NSW share of postage) boxed Sydney "INSUFFICIENTLY/STAMPED", boxed Sydney "TOO LATE" (missed the first coastal steamer and was then sent by the S.S. City of Sydney), Liverpool h.s. "d6" (matching the "AUSTRALIAN/LIVERPOOL/PACKET" c.d.s. on the top flap; 6d postage due to G.B.), m/s "12"(c) being the 6d in US currency and v. fine h.s. "33" (total postage due incl. US 16c transatlantic & 5c Ship Letter rate). The letter travelled round Cape Horn by this famous Clipper Ship to England and then across the north Atlantic as well by the Collins Line S.S. Baltic. Exhibition item. PHOTO - see plate no. 5

£400

E.A.R.M. CONTRACT VOYAGES, 1857-58

FIRST POST-CRIMEAN WAR STEAMER MAIL TO EUROPE ENDS IN DISASTER IN THE INDIAN OCEAN ; 21st Jan. 1857 env. from "PARRAMATTA" (fine oval d.s. on reverse) to G.B. "Pr. Oneida", franked by NSW Diadem 6d grey (3m) tied by light "2" numeral with v. fine London transit "PAID" d.s. of 9th May 1857 on the front. This letter was almost 4 months in transit, because the Oneida broke down en route across the Indian Ocean and limped back to King George's Sound (Western Australia) where the mails were left until the departure of the next EARM steamer (the European) on 21st March 1857. A rare example of an inaugural northward voyage cover; the EARM's days were already numbered at the start of their contract! PHOTO - see plate no. 5

£500

THE DAMAGED STEAMSHIP "ONEIDA" LIMPS BACK TO EUROPE ROUND CAPE HORN UNDER SAIL ; 5th May 1857 env. to London per an unscheduled mail on the stricken "Oneida", franked by NSW Diadem 6d grey (4 wide margins) tied by Sydney's dotted oval grid; this letter was carried on the Oneida's second attempt to complete her "inaugural" (!) northwards voyage for the EARMS Co. Her engines could not be repaired in Australia and so she returned to England entirely under sail and via the Cape Horn route (hence the 27th Aug. 1857 London arrival "PAID" c.d.s. on this cover). Rare thus; illustrated in Molnar, vol.1, p.6. PHOTO - see plate no. 5

£300

S.S. SIMLA COVER TO CAPE OF GOOD HOPE "VIA CEYLON"; 10th Feb. 1857 env. from Sydney to "Cape Town" (scarce destination at this date) endorsed "per Simla via Ceylon", franked by a NSW Diadem 3d green (shaved at right; other margins clear and huge at left) tied (through stamp) by v. fine Sydney dotted oval grid. Rare thus. [Ex Tony Rigo de Righi.] PHOTO - see plate no. 10

£150

S.S. EUROPEAN COVER FROM G.B. TO N.S.W. MARKED "INSUFFICIENTLY/STAMPED" & RE-ROUTED; 15th Aug. 1857 env. from "SUNNINGHILL" to Sydney "Via Marseilles" but franked by a GB 6d lilac tied by a numeral and so not sufficiently prepaid for the French route - hence the v. fine red "INSUFFICIENTLY/STAMPED" mark of London - and sent to Southampton to be carried by the EARM steamers "Etna" and (from Suez) "European". Rare thus. PHOTO - see plate no. 10

£100

S.S. COLUMBIAN COVER TO G.B.; 17th July 1857 env. to London "Pr. Columbian" franked by a NSW Diadem 6d grey (4m) just tied by the Sydney oval of bars, with London 25th Sept. "PAID" arrival c.d.s. on the front. Attractive.

£100

THE LONGEST E.A.R.M. Co. SOUTHWARD VOYAGE (PER THE S.S. SIMLA); Attractive 17th Sept. 1857 env. (opened out for display) to the same addressee as the 6d lilac cover above, endorsed "Via Southampton & Suez" and franked by GB 1d Red "stars" (6; some faults) tied by very fine "READING/635" sideways duplexes. This letter went to Alexandria on the S.S. Australasian and on to Sydney (after a month's wait in Suez due to the non-arrival of the wrecked S.S. Emeu ) by the S.S. Simla. This 116-day voyage was a record for sloth! There is a very fine 11th Jan. 1858 "SHIP-LETTER/SYDNEY" c.d.s. on the reverse. PHOTO - see plate no. 5

£200

S.S. SIMLA COVER TO G.B.; 10th Oct. 1857 env. (closed tear near stamp) to London endorsed "Pr. Simla Oct. 11th 57", franked by a NSW Diadem 6d grey (4m) tied (by slight indentation of cancel through env.) by Sydney barred oval. Carried from Alex. to Southampton by the S.S. Tamar.

£100

S.S. EUROPEAN COVER "INSUFFICIENTLY/STAMPED" FOR MARSEILLES ROUTE; Attractive 10th Sept. 1858 env. (torn flap) to G.B. "p European via Marseilles", but only franked for the Southampton route with NSW Diadem 6d brown (3m) & 3d green (2m) tied by light Sydney "N.S.W." ovals, having a very fine Sydney boxed "INSUFFICIENTLY/STAMPED" mark across the word "Marseilles" alongside the stamps; carried by the European and then by the S.S. Teviot. Exhibition item. Illustrated in Molnar Vol. 1, p.21. [Ex Wiggins.] PHOTO - see plate no. 5

£150

6d LATE FEE COVER SENT PER S.S. EUROPEAN TO G.B.; 12th Dec. 1857 env. (top flap lost) to London "Per European" but posted the day after the ship had left for Melbourne and so franked an extra 6d (two NSW Diadem 6d greys; 4m & 3m, tied by Sydney grids) for the Supplementary mail sent by the S.S. Wonga Wonga to catch the S.S. European at Melbourne, and then carried from Alex. to Southampton by the S.S. Tamar. Rare Late Fee Paid cover. Illustrated in Molnar, Vol. 1, p.23. PHOTO - see plate no. 10

£200

P & O CONTRACT VOYAGES, SECOND PHASE TO G.B.; 1859-79

P&O "HAND BOOK OF INFORMATION FOR PASSENGERS AND SHIPPERS"; Small (13x20cms.) 6th Dec. 1858 16-page printed leaflet (minor ink marks on back page), complete with centre-spread map of the world-wide routes, full of fascinating information on the ships, ports-of-call, etc.; prior to the Australian mail contract but covering the Australian route too. Rare.

£200

INAUGURAL NORTHWARD VOYAGE (VIA MAURITIUS) OF THE SECOND P & O CONTRACT; 14th June 1859 env. (flap reduced) to London "Via Marseilles" franked by a NSW 1/- brownish-red (4m; just touched at top left) just tied by the Sydney "N.S.W." oval with v. fine blue double oval "FORWARDED BY/SYDNEY/GILCHRIST WATT & Co." cachet nicely placed on the front. This letter was carried (via Mauritius & Aden) by the P&O S.S. Benares on the first P&O post-Crimean War contract voyage, going on the S.S. Nepaul from Alex. to Marseilles. Rare thus. PHOTO - see plate no. 10

£150

2nd POST-WAR CONTRACT VOYAGE - REGISTERED COVER WITH DOUBLE-FRAME LAUREATED "REGISTERED" STAMP; 13th July 1859 env. (slight dusting) to G.B. with NSW Diadem 6d grey (4m) and Laureated [6d] "REGISTERED" stamp (3 good to wide margins; cut into at right), apparently showing double impression of frame (not recorded by S.G. prior to the 1863 issue), both tied by Sydney dotted "NSW" sunburst ovals, having a faint red oval "REGISTERED/SYDNEY N.S.W." d.s. on the front, with similar London d.s. and v. fine red London "REGISTERED/(Crown)" mark. Rare franking; carried by the P&O SS Northam via Mauritius on this second northward Contract voyage to Suez, and then on from Alex. to Southampton by the S.S. Ceylon. Exhibition item. PHOTO - see plate no. 5

£1500

S.S. BENARES COVER TO G.B. VIA MAURITIUS & MARSEILLES; 14th Nov. 1859 env. (closed tears barely detract) to Yorkshire endorsed "Benares" and "via Marseilles", franked by a fine 4-margin pair of NSW Diadem 6d browns just tied by a whisker of one light Sydney 3-ring oval; routed via Mauritius and carried by the S.S. Panther from Alex. to France. Attractive.

£100

THE FIRST CEYLON-ROUTED VOYAGE ; 5th March 1860 env. to Scotland franked by an attractive NSW Diadem 2d Blue strip of three (margins all round with portion of next stamp at left) tied by light Armidale dotted "82" numerals; carried by the S.S. Northam on the first post-War P&O voyage to use Ceylon as a coaling station instead of Mauritius, and sent from Alex. to Southampton on the S.S. Massilia. PHOTO - see plate no. 5

£200

S.S. NORTHAM COVER TRANS-SHIPPED AT CEYLON - ANGLO-FRENCH RATE VARIATIONS; 20th Sept. 1862 EL to Manchester endorsed "pr Northam" (in black) & "via Marseilles" (in red), franked by NSW Diadem perf. 1/- rose-carmine (2; one badly cut round) tied by v. fine "SYDNEY" duplexes. The French charged by the 1/2oz while Britain/Australia charged by the 1/2oz; hence this letter (weighing almost 1oz) cost twice the British 6d rate plus 4 times the French 3d rate, totalling 2/- in all. Carried by the SS Bengal from Galle in Ceylon and by the SS Vectis from Alex. PHOTO - see plate no. 5

£200

THE SHORT-LIVED "PANIC" RATES OF 1864 - 2s-8d RATE COVER TO G.B. ; 22nd Aug. 1864 E to London "Pr [S.S.] Madras via Marseilles", franked by NSW perf. Diadem 8d orange (rare on cover) and 1/- rose-carmine (2; one has been lifted and put back slightly out of position) tied by mostly fine "SYDNEY" duplexes; carried from Galle by SS Candia and from Alex by SS Poonah. Due to huge British P.O. revenue losses, rates were - in a panic! - more than doubled for just 41/2 months (from 1st July to 14th Nov. 1864) before the previous 6d per 1/2oz rates were introduced. Mail of this very expensive period (especially sent by the most expensive route via France) is very scarce. Attractive. PHOTO - see plate no. 6

£400

COMBINATION COVER - "RIVERINA MAIL" VICTORIA/N.S.W. MIXED FRANKING COVER ; Colourful 23rd Sept. 1866 env. from Deniliquin (NSW) to London "Via Melbourne & Marseilles", franked by NSW Diadem 6d mauve (perfs cut at left) tied by dotted "51" as well as Victoria 4d red and 6d blue (latter with perfs cut at top) both tied by heavy black Melbourne barred "1" numerals, being the correct Cross-border franking of 6d+10d to GB via France. Rare and attractive example of this famous Combination Cover system for speeding up the mails, for significant extra postage, from "outback" south-west NSW. Carried by the P&O SS Elora. Few known. [Ex Harvey.] PHOTO - see plate no. 3

£750

COMBINATION COVER - "RIVERINA MAIL" VICTORIA/N.S.W. MIXED FRANKING COVER ; Similar 20th Feb. 1865 env. from the same correspondence as the previous lot, franked by badly cut NSW Diadem 6d tied by fair dotted Deniliquin "51" numeral as well as by Victoria 4d red & 6d black (both also with cut perfs) tied by very fine BLUE Melbourne "1" barred numerals. Attractive Riverina Combination Cover; carried by the S.S. Madras. Exhibition quality. PHOTO - see plate no. 6

£600

COMBINATION COVER - "RIVERINA MAIL" VICTORIA/N.S.W. MIXED FRANKING COVER ; Feb. (20th?) 1865 env. (somewhat worn and slightly reduced at left) to London "Via Melbourne & Southampton" franked by N.S.W. 6d violet as well as by Victoria 6d black (few short perfs), both tied by faint ".35(?)" dotted NSW numerals alone (backstamps of Conargo, Jerilderie, Deniliquin and Melbourne). Carried by P&O steamers Madras (to Galle), "Candia" (to Suez) & "Nyanza" (to Southampton). Fine and very rare example of the extra payment for speeding a letter via Melbourne but going the longer route via Southampton. Few known. [Ex Purves.] PHOTO - see plate no. 6

£600

STUNNING OCTUPLE-RATE 6s-8d 3-COLOUR FRANKING TO G.B.; Exceptional 21st Feb. 1867 env. colourfully franked from Sydney to Manchester "Via Marseilles" with an irregular block of five (slight rubbing at right) and a single NSW Diadem 1/- rose-carmine, a Diadem 6d dark violet and a Diadem 2d blue, all tied by unusually light "SYDNEY/N.S.W." duplexes for the 8 times 10d rate!! Carried by P&O Steamers "Bombay" (to Galle), "Mongolia" (to Suez) & "China" (to Marseilles); one of the most spectacular recorded frankings of this period. True Exhibition Centre-piece. [Ex Forster; illustrated in White, p.326.] PHOTO - see plate no. 3

£1500

1 -80	81 -165	166 - 252	253 - 349	350 - 434
434 - 500	501 - 595	596 - 680	681 - 753	Index