| 1281 | ROUTED TO HOLLAND VIA BELGIUM - 3d/6d RATES & ONE WITH EXTRA 2d LATE FEE & "L2" MARK; Jan. 1869 E to Amsterdam with Pl.9 2d Blue + 6d mauve (pl.6) tied by London duplexes having a fine red boxed "L2" alongside (double 3d rate + 2d Late Fee); plus Apr./|Dec. 1867 pair from London to Amsterdam/Deventer endorsed "Via Ostende" & "franco via Belgium" each franked with Pl.9 2d |Blue & 1d Red (Pls. 85 & 79). Good trio. PHOTO PLATE 61 | £120 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1282 | SCOTLAND/YORKSHIRE - PRINTED MATTER RATES TO HOLLAND; Apr. 1867 small open-ended wrapper to Dordrecht franked by a single Pl.9 2d Blue tied by a light Scottish Paisley "277" numeral; plus Apr. 1877 thick card "Book Post Photographs only" label to Amsterdam with Pl.15 2d Blue tied by a v. fine "BRADFORD/107" duplex. Rare and attractive pair sent at the special cheap 2d Printed Matter rate. (2 items). PHOTO. | £150 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| GERMANY/STATES LETTER RATES, 1859-80 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1283 | 6d/8d RATES VIA FRANCE TO PRUSSIA/BAVARIA; June 1859 env. to Ratisbonne (Bavaria) "via Calais" with Pl.7 2d Blues (3) tied by fine "LONDON/W/12" sideways duplexes, Aug. 1860 env. (grubby) to Breslau (Prussia; returned to sender?) with Pl.8 2d Blue + 6d lilac (wing margin) tied/cancelled by fine Truro (Cornwall) "814" numerals, and attractive 28 Apr. 1862 EL to Aix la Chapelle (Prussia) "via France" with two pairs of Pl.9 2d Blues (one stamp very slightly affected by crease almost between stamps) tied by mercifully light "LONDON W.C." duplexes. Scarce group. (3 covers). PHOTO PLATE 61 | £140 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1284 | STUNNING MULTIPLE 2d BLUE FRANKING ON 1s-4d RATE COVER TO PRUSSIA; Dramatic 7 June 1859 E to Dusseldorf (prussia) franked by Strip of Five and Strip of Three Plate 7 2d Blues (two stamps slightly affected by light filing folds) all tied by mostly light "LIVERPOOL/466" duplexes, having v. fine red oval-framed "P" and fine 2-ring "AUS ENGELAND PER AACHEN/FRANCO" d.s. on the front. One of the most attractive multiple frankings in Robert's Collection. PHOTO | £300 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1285 | ROUTED TO BREMEN/PRUSSIA VIA BELGIUM - 6d RATE COVERS ALL WITH DIFFERENT 4d STAMPS; 1859/63/69 trio of E's from London(2)/Glasgow to Cologne (Prussia), Dusseldorf (Prussia) and Bremen franked with a single 2d Blue (pls.8, 9 & 13) all with a single 4d surface printed (4d rose-carmine, 4d vermilion with small corner letters & 4d vermilion with large white corner letters) all tied by numerals/duplexes. Good trio. (3 covers). | £120 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1286 | STRIPS OF THREE 2d BLUES ON 6d-RATE COVERS TO HAMBURG/PRUSSIA VIA BELGIUM; 1864/65/69 trio to Hamburg, Cologne & Wittingen all franked by Strips of Three 2d Blues (pls.9x2 & 12) tied by London numerals and Edinburgh/Oxford duplexes; the latter two with near fine Aachen 2-ring transit marks in claret-purple & blue; the latter unusually endorsed "North Germany 1st"! (3 covers). PHOTO PLATE 61 | £140 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1287 | TO GERMAN STATES VIA BELGIUM - 3-COLOUR FRANKING WITH 3 DIFFERENT ISSUES; Unusual and attractive 19 July 1865 E to Stettin (then in Prussia now in Poland) "Via Ostende" franked by Pl.9 2d Blue, small corner letters 4d vermilion & large white corner letters 6d mauve (Pl.5) all tied by fine "MIDDLESBOROUGH/946" duplexes for the double 6d rate, with a very fine blue 2-ring Aachen c.d.s. on the front. Exhibition quality and an unusual franking. PHOTO PLATE 61 | £150 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1288 | LATER UNIFORM 3d & U.P.U. 2½d RATES TO GERMANY INC. UPRATED 1d PINK ENVELOPE; 1872 & June 1875 envs. to Berlin/Cannstadt with Pl.13/14 2d Blue & 1d Red ex Bristol/Liverpool. 14 June 1875 uprated 1d pink env. ex London to Berlin with Pl.14 2d Blue, and May 1880 env. (faults at top but with printed 'medal' vignette) to Berlin with Pl.15 2d Blue and a ½d rose-red tied by fine Kingston on Thames duplexes. Unusually including two covers posted about a fortnight before Germany joined the U.P.U. (4 covers). | £120 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| GERMANY/STATES SPECIAL RATES, 1859-79 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1289 | TO GERMAN STATES VIA BELGIUM - 3-COLOUR FRANKING FOR 8d RATE + 1d LATE FEE TO FRANKFURT; Attractive blue 23 nov. 1859 env. to Frankfurt endorsed "[Via] ", franked by Pl.8 2d Blue + 1d Red 'stars' + 6d lilac all tied by fine London diamond "15" numerals having a mostly fine red 2-ring Aachen transit c.d.s. on the front. Colourful item sent at the 'up to 1⁄2oz" 8d rate plus a 1d Late Fee. PHOTO PLATE 61 | £120 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1290 | TO GERMAN STATES VIA FRANCE - 3-COLOUR FRANKING FOR 6d RATE + 1d LATE FEE; Attractive 1 Mar. 1860 E (slight ink offset from the next letter slightly affects the address) to Frankfurt "via France" franked with Pl.8 2d Blue + 4d rose-carmine + 1d Red 'stars' all tied by fine London diamond "15" numerals. Good matched pair with the previous lot; this cover sent at the 'up to 1⁄4oz' 6d rate with 1d extra Late Fee. PHOTO PLATE 61 | £100 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1291 | TO PRUSSIA VIA BELGIUM - 3-COLOUR FRANKING FOR 6d RATE + 1d LATE FEE, & 3d+2d LATE FEE COVER; Attractive May 1860 EL to "Solingen, Rhine Prussia" franked by Pl.8 2d Blue + 4d rose-carmine (crease) + 1d Red 'stars' (fault) all tied by v. fine London diamond "16" numerals and/or a v. fine 2-ring Aachen transit c.d.s. having v. fine red "P" in oval nearby; plus 22 Sept. 1870 env. to Hanover (Prussia) franked by Pl.13 2d Blue + Pl.6 3d rose-red tied by "LONDON S.W" duplexes with near fine blue Aachen c.d.s. nearby, sent at the new lower 3d rate but having a 2d Late Fee. Good pair showing the reduction in postage rates and varied Late Fees. (2 covers).PHOTO PLATE 61 | £100 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1292 | QUADRUPLE RATE VIA BELGIUM - 'NORTHERN TOWNS 2d LATE FEE'(?) COVER AT 2s-2d RATE EX LEEDS; Fine 13 Aug. 1864 E to Hamburg "[Via] Ostende" franked by Pl.9 2d Blue + small letters 1/- green pair all tied by fine "LEEDS/447" duplexes. Attractive and rare example of the four times 6d 1⁄2oz rate with the extra 2d fee (?) for mail expedited from the Yorkshire towns to London. Unique? PHOTO | £200 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1293 | ERROR OF WATERMARK 6d MAUVE ON "NORTHERN TOWNS' LATE FEE" 8d-RATE COVER VIA BELGIUM; Very rare 4 May 1866 EL (slight stain on address) to "Crimmitschau, Saxony" endorsed "[Via] Ostend" and franked by Pl.9 2d Blue and very rare 6d lilac (Pl.5, TA; SG73c Error of Watermark with 3 roses and a shamrock), having a v. fine 2-ring blue Aachen transit c.d.s. on the front. The rate appears to be the normal 6d 'up to 1⁄2oz' via Belgium plus the 'Northern Towns' extra 2d Late Fee. The 6d is an extremely Rare stamp; it is catalogued at £600 off cover! PHOTO | £300 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1294 | TO GERMANY VIA BELGIUM - PRINTED MATTER & "COFFEE SAMPLE" COVERS AT THE 2d RATE; Scarce Apr. 1866 printed unsealed E to Bamberg "via Ostend" franked by a Pl.9 2d Blue tied by a fine Liverpool duplex; plus an unusual 19 May 1879 specially sown-edges env. to Duisburg with printed "Coffee Sample" heading franked by "H R/& Co." perfin Pl.15 2d Blue tied by a fair London duplex. The 2d Sample rate is seldom seen and both covers are attractive. (2 covers). PHOTO | £150 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1295 | 4-COLOUR FRANKING (2d+3d+9d+10d!!) FOR REGISTERED BOOK-POST RATE TO GERMANY; 26 Mar. 1873 blue paper parcel front to "Aachen, Germany" endorsed "Registered" and "Book Post" exceptionally franked for the 2s-0d (4d fee + 5x4d per 4oz = 1lb 4oz weight for this package) with Pl.13 2d Blue + Pl.9 3d rose-red, Pl.4 9d bistre and Pl.1 10d brown, all tied by near fine London "SE/12" numerals with red London registered d.s.'s and red "PD" in circle on the front. An amazing (unique?!) franking and a rare example of the registered international Book-Post rate. PHOTO | £150 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1296 | UNDERPAID COVERS TO WURTEMBURG/PRUSSIA WITH "INSUFFICIENTLY/STAMPED" MARKS; May 1859 & June 1864 E/env. to /Bonn franked by Pl.7 2d Blue + 4d rose-carmine (tied by London "21" numerals) or by Pl.9 2d Blue pair (tied by Lancaster duplexes) both with fine to v. fine black "INSUFFICIENTLY/STAMPED" marks on the front and so with blue manuscript arrival charges; both sent via Belgium (Aachen backstamps; the 8d rate was reduced to 6d in late 1859) but both weighed over 1⁄2oz and so charged "31" and "31⁄2" in local currency. The latter cover was sent back endorsed "Retour". Scarce pair. (2 covers).PHOTO | £120 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| DENMARK, 1862-78 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1297 | "IMPOSSIBLE 1⁄2d RATE" COVER REGISTERED FROM HULL TO HELSINGOR; 24 Nov. 1862 EL to "Helsingoer" endorsed "Registered" and franked with 6d lilac+Pl.9 2d Blue (crease) +1/- green all tied by mostly fine "GRIMSBY/323" duplexes, having scarce "[GRIMSBY] VICTORIA STREET" c.d.s., v.fine red London "[Crown]/REGISTERED" (crease) and red oval "REGISTERED/LONDON" d.s. (crease) all on the front. The actual rate at this time was 101⁄2d up to 1⁄2oz, but there was no 1⁄2d stamp available, so it was an impossible rate to prepay with stamps and 11d had to be used; the registration fee was 9d. So the correct rate was 1s-71⁄2d and the letter is therefore correctly prepaid the full 1s-8d rounded up to the next penny. Rare example of an 'Impossible 1⁄2d' rate, and particularly rare registered like this.PHOTO | £160 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1298 | SCARCE 9d-RATE COVER TO DENMARK VIA LONDON & HAMBURG; 22 July 1863 EL to "Holbek" franked by Pl.9 2d Blues (3; one just clear of crease between stamps) + small letters 3d rose-red all tied by fine "HULL/383" duplexes having red "PD" in circle on the front. This 9d per 1⁄2oz rate only lasted from Jan. 1863 to Aug. 1865. Unusual and attractive franking.PHOTO | £120 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1299 | VERY SHORT-LIVED 8d=RATE PERIOD COVER REGISTERED FROM LONDON "VIA PRUSSIA"; 9 Oct. 1865 EL to Helsingor endorsed "Registered" and "via Prussia" franked by Pl.9 2d Blue + Pl.4 1/- green (filing crease) tied by \London tall "15" diamond numerals having a fine blue 2-ring Aachen c.d.s. and scarce red London 'dumb-bell' "REGISTERED/PD/LONDON" d.s. on the front. This 8d rate (the reg. fee was 6d making the 1s-2d total) only lasted from 14 Aug. to 30 Oct. 1865, making it one of the shortest-lived of all Victorian postal rates. Exhibition Item. PHOTO | £140 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1300 | LATER (4d & 3d) RATES TO DENMARK VIA BELGIUM & PRUSSIA INC. UPRATED 1d PINK; May 1870 + Nov. 1874 pair of E's to Copenhagen franked by Pl.13 2d Blue + Pl.122 1d Reds (2) tied by light Glasgow duplexes or Pl.14 2d Blues (2) + 3d rose-red tied by heavy London duplexes; plus attractive 26 Dec. 1874 usage of the 1d pink env. to Copenhagen with Pl.14 2d Blue tied by fine "LONGTON STAFF/553" duplex. Good trio. (3 covers). PHOTO | £120 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1301 | SCARCE REGISTERED MAIL BEFORE & AFTER DANISH U.P.U. MEMBERSHIP; Aug. 1872 env. (minor edge faults) to Odense endorsed "Registered" in red and franked by Pl.14 2d Blue + Pl.11 6d brown (4d postage + 4d fee) tied by fine "GRIMSBY" duplexes with v. fine scarce "VICTORIA-ST/GRIMSBY" c.d.s. on the front with red "PD" in circle etc.; plus July 1878 EL to Copenhagen endorsed "Registered" franked by Pl.15 2d Blue (crease) and 21⁄2d rosy-mauve both tied by fine Hull vertical "383" numerals. Both covers have scarce and unusual combinations of stamps. (2 covers). PHOTO PLATE 62 | £150 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NORWAY, 1864-75 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1302 | THE VERY HIGH 1s-2d PER 1⁄4oz RATE VIA FRANCE - FINE COVER FROM SCOTLAND; Attractive 5 Nov. 1864 EL fully prepaid to Christiania with s,all letters 1/- green + Pl.9 2d Blue tied by light Glasgow duplexes with red m/s "9" and fine red "PD" in circle on the front. One of the highest European rates at this date; examples are seldom seen. PHOTO | £150 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1303 | RARE REGISTERED RATE VIA FRANCE FROM CORNWALL - 3-COLOUR FRANKING FOR THE 1s-8d RATE; Very colourful 4 Mar. 1865 E to "Skien, Norway" endorsed "Registered via Ostende" in red and franked by Pl.9 2d Blue + small letters 6d lilac + large white letters 1/- green all tied by very fine "FALMOUTH/290" duplexes, having very fine scarce red 'dumb-bell' "REGISTERED/PD/LONDON" d.s. on the front. Another very high rate for a mere 1⁄4oz letter; 6d reg. fee plus 1s-2d postage. Exhibition Item. PHOTO | £240 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1304 | LATER 4d/3d RATES VIA THE "HULL/SHIP LETTER" SCHEME INC. SCARCE OCTAGONAL "PD" OF HULL; May 1867 EL (privately carried from Leith to Hull for posting) to Mandal endorsed "Via Hull" and "Per [steamer] Argo" franked by Pl.9 2d Blue pair tied by v. fine "HULL/383" duplexes with near fine "HULL/SHIP-LETTER" c.d.s. on the front; plus similar Aug. 1874 EL to Grimstadt "p. steamer" with Pl.154 1d Red + Pl.14 2d Blue tied by fine "HULL/383" duplexes with near fine scarce red Hull octagon-framed "PD" (crease) and v. fine black "HULL/SHIP-LETTER" c.d.s. on the front. Good pair. (2 covers). PHOTO PLATE 62 | £150 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1305 | PRINTED MATTER RATES (5d & 2d) TO NORWAY - SCARCE PRICES CURRENTS; Feb. 1870 EL (printed "Registered for Transmission Abroad...Timber Circular" heading above address) to Frederikstad franked by Pl.13 2d Blue + Pl.5 3d rose-red both tied by fine "LIVERPOOL/W/466/W" duplexes (this was the highest Prices Current rate of all at this time,. equalled only by Egypt!); plus printed Feb. 1875 EL (Prices Current contents) to "Lauresvig" (?) franked by an "H/C & Co" perfin Pl.14 2d Blue tied by a partial dotted London "NPB" (Newspaper Branch) cancellation. Fine and scarce pair. (2 covers). PHOTO PLATE 62 | £120 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SWEDEN, 1859-74 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1306 | MATCHED PAIR OF 1s-2d-RATE COVERS TO GOTHENBURG BY THE TWO ROUTES - VIA HULL & VIA HAMBURG; Nov. 1859 & Jan. 1861 pair of small envs. from the same correspondence to Gothenburg both franked by 1/- green & 2d Blue (plates 7 & 8 respectively) tied by "LONDON S-W" duplexes, but endorsed differently; "Via Hull Steamer" and "via Hamburg", both with red "P" in oval marks but having different manuscript accountancy marks ("8" & "10") on the front. The rate by each of these routes was the same at this date. Rare pair. (2 covers). PHOTO PLATE 62 | £150 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1307 | HIGH RATES VIA BELGIUM & HAMBURG - 1s-4d & 1s-2d (LATTER INC. 2d LATE FEE); Mar. 1861 env. to Calmar franked by Pl.8 2d Blues (5) and 4d rose-carmine (acid? faults) all tied by light Newcastle on Tyne Scottish-type duplexes; plus pretty 25 Oct. 1870 EL to Uddewalla franked by Pl.9 2d Blue + Pl.9 large white letters 6d mauve all tied by London/105 duplexes with v. fine red boxed "L2" nearby (being the double 6d per 1⁄2oz rate plus 2d Late Fee). Rare pair. (2 covers). PHOTO PLATE 62 | £150 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1308 | PRICES CURRENT 2d RATES WITH PRINTED WRAPPERS; Oct. 1873 + Oct. 1874 pair of EL's from Cardiff/London to Stockholm each franked by a single Pl.14 2d Blue tied by "BUTE DOCKS" duplex or "EC/34" numeral; the first an unsealed EL with printed firm's heading ("FREIGHT CIRCULAR/By BOOK POST") and the other an open-ended wrapper (firm's heading; "LIST OF FREIGHTS") with complete folded printed contents. Fine and attractive. (2 covers).PHOTO PLATE 62 | £120 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1309 | PRICES CURRENT 2d RATES WITH PLAIN UNSEALED WRAPPERS; Sept. 1868, Aug. 1871 & Jan. 1874 EL's (all unsealed as per regulations) to Uddevalla/Sweden/Linkoping each franked with a single 2d Blue (Pls.9, 13 & 14) tied by fine Manchester/Kidderminster duplexes & London "NPB" cancel (latter has v. fine Swedish "PKXP Nr.2.UPP./16" TPO c.d.s. on reverse). All with red London "PD" In circle marks. Good trio. | £120 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1310 | LETTER RATE (6d/5d) COVERS WITH "3d" OR "21⁄2d" ACCOUNTANCY MARKS; Apr. 1871 EL to Landskrona with Pl.13 2d Blue & Pl.12 4d vermilion tied by v. fine "HULL/383" duplexes with near fine red London "3d" mark (light fold); plus similar pair of Apr. 1873 & Jan. 1874 EL's to Uddevalla each with Pl.14 2d Blue + Pl.10/11 3d rose-red tied by London/Liverpool duplexes (stamps on the 1874 cover with "HUTH" perfins) and each with a fine to v. fine red London "21⁄2d" mark. The 6d rate was reduced to 5d in Sept. 1871. (3 covers). PHOTO PLATE 62 | £120 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| FINLAND, 1871-74 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1311 | PRICES CURRENT 2d-RATE COVERS - PLAIN & WITH PRINTED HEADING; Apr. 1871 + July 1872 pair of unsealed EL's with printed contents to Helsingfors/Christinestad each franked by Pl.13 2d Blue (latter with "HUTH" perfin) tied by London duplexes; the first with plain manuscript address (but having red boxed "Franco" & blue boxed "ANK" d.s.), the other with printed firm's "CIRCULAR/Registered at the G.P.O. for transmission" heading. Fine pair. (2 covers). PHOTO PLATE 62 | £120 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1312 | SINGLE (5d) & DOUBLE (10d) COVERS VIA GERMANY & RUSSIA WITH "Wfr.11⁄2" TRANSIT MARKS; Sept. 1872 E to Christinestad "Via St. Petersburg" franked by Pl.14 2d Blues (2)+ Pl.120 1d Red +Pl.? 6d brown all tied by London duplexes - the double 5d rate plus a 1d Late Fee - with almost very fine red German "W[eiter]fr[anco]. 11⁄2" mark and matching "FRANCO" on the front, with a St. Petersburg transit c.d.s. on the reverse. Plus similar Mar. 1874 E to Bjorneborg "Via Ostende" franked by Pl.14 2d Blue + Pl.12 3d rose-red also with a near fine strike of the "Wfr. 11⁄2" mark. Good pair; the 11d-rate 3-colour franking is particularly unusual. (2 covers). PHOTO PLATE 62 | £140 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| RUSSIA, 1863-1901 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1313 | ROUTED TO RUSSIA VIA BELGIUM/FRANCE(?) - 1s-2d & 10d RATE COVERS; Feb. 1863 E (toning etc.) to St. Petersburg franked by Pl.9 2d Blue & Pl.1 small letters 1/- green tied by partial "PETERBOROUGH" duplexes with red Aachen 2-ring c.d.s. and blue crayon "Wfr 3" on the front; apparently routed via Belgium but prepaid for the 1⁄4oz via France rate. Plus Jan. 1865 E to St. Petersburg franked by small letters 6d lilac and Pl.9 2d Blues (2) tied by Manchester duplexes & by a v. fine blue 2-ring Aachen c.d.s. matching the "W.fr.3" mark on the front. Good pair; the rate via Belgium was 10d so why was the 1863 cover prepaid 1s-2d if it did not go via France?! (2 covers). PHOTO PLATE 62 | £150 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1314 | 4-COLOUR FRANKING COVER ROUTED VIA BELGIUM AT THE 10d RATE; 26(?) Nov. 1864 E (small part of one flap lost) to St. Petersburg franked most unusually for the 10d rate with Pl.72 1d Red, Pl.9 2d Blue, and Small Corner Letters 4d vermilion and 3d rose-red (latter 2 stamps with cut margins) all tied by fair London twin "46" numerals with a very fine blue Aachen transit c.d.s. on the front. Rare combination. PHOTO PLATE 62 | £120 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1315 | ROUTED TO RUSSIA VIA BELGIUM - 9d RATE COVERS INC. ONE WITH EXTRA 1d LATE FEE; Mar./May 1866 pair of E's to St. Petersburg franked by Pl.9 2d Blue +Pl.96 1d Red + Pl.5 6d lilac (large white corner letters) all tied by Sheffield duplexes and a fine 2-ring Aachen transit c.d.s., and franked by Pl.9 2d Blues (2) +6d lilac (same Pl.5) all tied by poor London numerals having v. fine red boxed "Franco" and v. fine blue Aachen 2-ring c.d.s. on the front. Attractive pair; the latter being prepaid an extra 1d for the Late Fee from London (boxed d.s. on reverse). (2 covers). PHOTO PLATE 62 | £140 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1316 | ESTONIA/RUSSIA - RARE 9d-RATE COVER TO RIGA VIA BELGIUM; Attractive 18 Sept. 1866 E to Riga franked with Pl.9 2d Blues (4) and Pl.73 1d Red all tied by poor London numerals with v. fine red boxed "Franco" and fine blue 2-ring Aachen c.d.s. on the front. Rare thus; Riga was in Russia at the time, but is now the capital of Estonia - early ingoing mail such as this is seldom seen. PHOTO | £200 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1317 | ESTONIA/RUSSIA - RARE 5d+1d LATE FEE 3-COLOUR FRANKING COVER TO PERNAU VIA BELGIUM; Attractive 30 Nov. 1874 E to Pernau (then in Russia now in Estonia; early incoming mail is rare) franked by Pl.166 1d Red + Pl.14 2d Blue + Pl.15 3d rose-red all tied by fine "LONDON/104" duplexes with partial red German "W fr.11⁄2" mark and v. fine London red boxed "L1" Late Fee Paid mark on the front. Exhibition Item. PHOTO | £200 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1318 | LATER COVERS TO RUSSIA INC. LATEST KNOWN (?) 2d BLUE USAGE & PERFIN; July 1879 EL to St. Petersburg with Pl.14 1⁄2d rose-red & Pl.15 2d Blue (with sideways "W.B/S Co" perfin) tied by London duplexes having fine blue boxed cyrillic mark on reverse; plus remarkable 2 May 1901 env. registered to the Swedish consulate in Moscow franked with 1⁄2d blue +1d venetian reds (2) +Pl.9 2d Blue all tied by v. fine oval "REGISTERED/WORMWOOD ST. B.O. E.C." d.s.'s with arrival c.d.s. on reverse. The latter is believed to be the latest normal use of any 2d Blue on cover. (2 covers). PHOTO | £140 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| AUSTRIA & HUNGARY, 1862-78 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1319 | HUNGARY - PRE-U.P.U. & POST-U.P.U. RATES VIA FRANCE/BELGIUM; June 1862 & May 1866 pair of covers to Godollo/Pesth via France and via Belgium respectively but both prepaid 8d; with Pl.9 2d Blue + 6d lilac (corner fault) tied by fine "IPSWICH/405"duplexes endorsed "VIa France & Vienna", and with Pl.9 2d Blue +6d large mauve with large white letters (Pl.5) tied by London twin "46" numeral endorsed "Via Ostend" with v. fine blue Aachen 2-ring c.d.s. on the front. Plus Feb. 1878 21⁄2d red P. Stat. env. registered to Prague uprated with Pl.15 2d Blue tied by light Manchester numeral, having fine "PRAG" arrival c.d.s. backstamp. (3 covers). PHOTO | £120 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1320 | AUSTRIA - 6d & 8d RATE COVERS VIA BELGIUM; Aug. 1865 E to Trieste endorsed "Via Belgium" (6d rate) but prepaid 8d (presumably the 6d plus a 2d Late Fee?) franked with overlapping Pl.9 2d Blue + large white letters 6d lilac (Pl.5) tied by light London twin numeral; plus correctly prepaid Nov. 1864 E (one side-flap removed) to Feldkirch "[Par] Ostende" franked with Pl.9 2d Blue +4d vermilion (small letters) tied by v. fine "LIVERPOOL/466" duplexes. Scarce pair. (2 covers). PHOTO | £120 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1321 | HUNGARY - 6d RATE COVER VIA BELGIUM & VIENNA WITH RED "2d" ACCOUNTANCY MARK; 13 Aug. 1869 EL (minor toning etc.) to "Pest" franked by a fine Pl.13 2d Blue Strip of Three tied by light Manchester numerals, having v. fine red London "PD" in circle & (slightly overstruck) "2d" Accountancy Mark on the front; there is a Vienna transit c.d.s. on the reverse. Rare thus.PHOTO | £100 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1322 | AUSTRIA - 2d PRICES CURRENT & 3d (+ 1d LATE FEE) RATE COVERS; Oct. 1868 + May 1870 pair of neat envelope-like printed EL's to Vienna (printed "Registered for transmission..." heading and address) each franked by a single 2d Blue (Pls.9 |& 13) tied nu v. fine & partial Glasgow duplexes; good pair. Plus May 1873 EL to Ragusa (fine c.d.s. on back; now known as Dubrovnik)franked by Pl.14 2d Blues(2) tied by London duplexes; presumably 3d postage plus a 1d Late Fee. Scarce trio. (3 covers).PHOTO | £120 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ROUMANIA, 1865-70 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1323 | ROUTED VIA BELGIUM - 1s-2d RATE COVERS TO PLOESTI & IBRAILA; Aug. 1865 large part E to "Plojescht" endorsed "via Ostend" franked by Pl.9 2d Blue and Pl.4 1/-green (large white letters) tied by v. fine Manchester "498" numerals having various transit marks and manuscript marks (inc. blue "Wf.2" on the front and several backstamps; attractive and rare thus. Plus 13 Sept. 1867 env. to "Ibraila, Wallachia" endorsed "Via Ostend & Vienna" franked by Pl.9 2d Blue +1/- green (Pl.4; large white letters) tied by mostly v. fine "498" Manchester numerals with blue Aachen 2-ring c.d.s. and blue crayon "f2" etc. on the front. Good pair; both sent at the high 1s-2d rate. (2 covers).PHOTO | £150 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1324 | AUSTRIA - UNUSUAL 3x4d + 2d FRANKING FOR THE 1s-2d RATE VIA BELGIUM Attractive 31 Aug. 1868 EL to Bucharest endorsed "Via Ostend" (fair blue Aachen c.d.s. on the front) franked by Pl.9 2d Blue (crease) + three Pl.9 4d vermilions (large whit letters) tied by fine Manchester duplexes, having Vienna & Bucharest backstamps. Scarce thus. PHOTO | £120 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1325 | ROUTED VIA BELGIUM - 5d-RATE COVER TO JASSY, MOLDAVIA; 19 Sept. 1870 EL to Jassy endorsed "Via Ostend" franked by Pl.13 2d Blue +3d rose-red tied by fine London duplexes with fair blue Aachen c.d.s. on the front. Scarce destination. PHOTO | £100 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SWITZERLAND, 1860-75 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1326 | ROUTED VIA FRANCE - 6d RATES INC. ONE COVER REDIRECTED TO AUSTRIA WITH "3" CHARGE; Aug. 1860 env. to Basel with Pl.7 2d Blues (3) tied by London duplexes, Sept. 1863 env. (small seal-wax-offset stain on front) to Lausanne franked by Pl.9 2d Blue +4d vermilion (small letters) tied by "BRADFORD YORKS" duplexes, and unusual May 1864 env. addressed to "Bregenz, Lake Constance, La Suisse" franked with Pl.9 2d Blue Strip of Three tied by Guildford duplexes redirected to Austria (where Bregenz is actually situated!) with m/s "3" charge and varied backstamps inc. v. fine red "BUREAU FRANCAIS A BALE" & black "BASEL A OLTEN" c.d.s.'s. Good trio. (3 covers).PHOTO | £120 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1327 | ROUTED VIA FRANCE - 5d LETTER RATE & 2d PRINTED MATTER COVERS; Aug. 1867 EL to Bern franked with Pl.9 2d Blue +Pl.84 1d Reds (3) tied by London twin "48" numerals, Aug. 1867 EL to Bauma with Pl.9 2d Blue + Pl.4 3d rose-red (large white letters), and June 1868 env. (minor faults reinforced with an entire 1867 Italian States cover with 60c lilac, sent from "PEGLI" to Rutland with "PD" in oval; nuts!!) to Vaud with Pl.9 2d Blue + Pl.4 3d rose-red tied by "WINCHESTER" duplexes. Also scarce June 1868 printed unsealed EL to Basle with Pl.9 2d Blue tied by a fine Liverpool duplex. (4 or 5 covers!?). PHOTO | £140 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1328 | UNDERPAID 5d-RATE COVER ROUTED VIA FRANCE WITH RARE OVAL "F./27" ACCOUNTANCY MARK; Attractive 22 Jan. 1868 env. to St. Gallen franked by Pl.9 2d Blue pair tied by London duplexes and so with v., fine "INSUFFICIENTLY/STAMPED" mark on the front along with red oval "PD" cancelled by black London "50" numeral with mostly v. fine rare black oval-framed "F./27" Accountancy Mark. Spectacular and rare. PHOTO | £200 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1329 | ROUTED VIA FRANCE - RARE 4-COLOUR COMBINATION COVER FOR THE DOUBLE (10d) RATE; Remarkable 23 July 1868 env. (minor faults and old sellotape mark in bottom left corner away d=from stamps & marks) to Lucerne franked by Pl.4 rose-red (large white letters; cut wing margin) +Pl.9 2d Blue +Pl.80(?) 1d Red +Pl.9 4d vermilion (large white letters; slight faults) all tied by fine "BANBURY/46" duplexes with red "PD" In circle on the front. A remarkable way of franking for the 10d rate; 4-colour frankings such as this are rare in any condition. Exhibition Item. PHOTO | £160 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1330 | ROUTED VIA BELGIUM (3d RATE + 1d LATE FEE) & VIA FRANCE (5d RATE WRONGLY CHALLENGED!); Mar. 1870 EL to "Bale" endorsed "Via Belgium" franked with Pl.13 2d Blue +Pl.116 1d Reds (2) all tied by v. fine "LONDON/WC/22" duplexes with v. fine red boxed "L1" (1d Late Fee paid) mark on the front; plus Apr. 1875 mourning env. to Geneva "via France" with Pl.16 3d rose-red (large white letters) +Pl.14 2d Blue tied by good London duplexes, having an oval red "PD" mark cancelled with black grid-marks but then replaced with a fine red oval "PD" when the rate was confirmed as correct; rare thus! Scarce pair. (2 covers).PHOTO | £120 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1331 | INTERNAL SCOTTISH 11⁄2d-RATE COVER REDIRECTED TO ZURICH WITH ADDITIONAL 9d-RATE FRANKING; Unusual June 1874 env. (some wear and faults beneath 6d grey) originally posted from Scotland (Bridge of Allan?) to London with heavily cancelled 1d Red + 1⁄2d rose-red; redirected to Zurich and so franked with an additional Pl.14 2d Blue +Pl.13 6d grey (large coloured letters) & Pl.156(?) 1d Red for the triple 3d rate "Via Belgium" (endorsement at top left). Exceptional cover that must have weighed over 1oz and up to 11⁄2oz. PHOTO | £120 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ITALY/ITALIAN STATES, LETTER RATES, 1859 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1332 | ROUTED VIA FRANCE - DOUBLE 6d RATE COVER TO NICE; 10 Nov. 1859 EL (one side-flap reduced) to "Nice, Sardinia" attractively franked by Pl.8 2d Blues (2; one creased) & 4d rose-carmine (2; one creased) all tied by very fine "KILMARNOCK/203" duplexes. Scarce thus. PHOTO | £100 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1333 | ROUTED VIA FRANCE & SARDINIA - 6d RATE TO TUSCANY; 31 Aug. 1861 mourning env. (very slight wear) to Florence "Via France & Sardinia" franked by vertical Strip of Three Pl.8 2d Blues tied by fine "BATH/53" duplexes, having a diagonal pen-stroke across the address being the Tuscan P.O.'s sign for there being no postage due from the addressee. Scarce and attractive. PHOTO | £120 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1334 | ROUTED VIA FRANCE TO MODENA - 3-COLOUR FRANKING FOR THE TRIPLE 9d RATE; Attractive 28 June 1861 E (one side-flap removed) to Modena "via France" franked with 1/- green (2; one with wing margin) +Pl.9 2d Blue +1d Red 'stars' all tied by mostly fine Manchester duplexes, prepaying the triple 1⁄4oz rate of 2s-3d. Colourful and rare franking to a rare destination. PHOTO | £150 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1335 | VERY RARE RE-ISSUE PERIOD 10d EMBOSSED ON 2/- TRIPLE-RATE COVER TO LOMBARDY; Fine 23 Oct. 1863 E from London to Milan (Tuscany) routed via France & Switzerland and so prepaid for the 2s-0d 3x8d rate, franked with Pl.9 2d Blue, good cut-square 10d Embossed (almost with margins all round; cut just shaving the outer frame on all four sides) and small corner-letters Pl.1 1/- green all tied by v. fine London barred "12" numerals with a very fine red oval-framed London "PD" mark (crease) alongside, having a 26 Oct. Milan arrival c.d.s. on the flap. An exceptional and rare franking for this rate; the 10d Embossed is used well out of the normal period because it comes from the 1863 re-issue of the few sheets of the 10d embossed that had been withdrawn when the 10d rate was no longer needed after 1855 - the 10d surface printed stamp did not become available until november 1867. Only four covers (including this one) have been recorded - all dated 1863 - with this re-issued 10d Embossed stamp. Important Exhibition Item. [Illustrated on p.14 of the GBPS 'GB Journal' for Jan. 2003 and further discussed in the GBJ of Sept. 2003. Photocopies of both articles are included] PHOTO | £500 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1336 | CLOSED BAGS DIRECT MAIL 6d-RATE COVER TO NAPLES WITH 6x2d BLUE FRANKING; Unusual 19 Dec. 1864 E to Naples franked by two vertical Strips of Three of Pl.9 2d Blues (one strip with faults; the top stamp torn off where folded over the edge) all tied by v. fine "BIRMINGHAM/75" duplexes. Attractive and unusual franking; with Naples transit mark on reverse. PHOTO | £120 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1337 | ROUTED VIA FRANCE/BELGIUM - 3-COLOUR FRANKING FOR THE SCARCE 11d RATE; 20 Feb. 1865 env. to Rome franked by 4d vermilions (2; small corner letters), Pl.9 2d Blue & Pl.79 1d Red all tied by London twin "46" numerals, having the 'no postage due to collect' Italian P.O. diagonal line across the address. The rate was right for routing via Belgium, but the Calais c.d.s. on the front and the backstamps suggest a routing via France and French Mediterranean Packet ship! Attractive and rare franking. PHOTO PLATE 63 | £140 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1338 | ROUTED VIA FRANCE - VARIED FRANKINGS FOR THE 6d RATE; 1866-9 covers (5) all franked with Pl.9 2d Blues; a single with 4d vermilion ex London (2) & Manchester, a single with Pl.118(?) 1d Reds (4; ex Leeds), or three 2d Blues (ex Totnes, Devon). Addressed to Biella (Piedmont; 2), Naples (2) and Chiavenna (faults but with partly v. fine 2-ring "COMO-COLICO/NATANTE" Lake Como Steamer c.d.s. on the reverse). Good variety. (5 covers). PHOTO PLATE 63 | £140 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1339 | ROUTED VIA FRANCE - DOUBLE RATE LETTER WITH 3-COLOUR FRANKING TO GENOA; Attractive 4 Sept. 1869 E to Genoa franked with Pl.13 2d Blue, Pl.11 4d vermilion (large white letters) and Pl.8 6d mauve (large white letters), having fair red oval London "PD" on the front. Exhibition Quality. PHOTO PLATE 63 | £140 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1340 | ROUTED VIA BELGIUM DUE TO (OR DURING) THE FRANCO-PRUSSIAN WAR; 24 Nov. 1870 & 23 Feb. 1871 pair of E's to Catania (Sicily) & Genoa endorsed "Via Belgium" and "Via France" but both prepaid the 5d rate for routing via Belgium, each franked by Pl.13 2d Blue + Pl.6 3d rose-red (large white letters); tied by fine duplexes of Bradford & Glasgow respectively. Scarce pair. (2 covers). PHOTO PLATE 63 | £150 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1341 | ROUTED VIA FRANCE TO ITALIAN STATES - 6d-RATE COVERS WITH DIFFERING FRANKINGS; Dec. 1871, Jan, 1872 & Apr. 1874 covers to Naples, Rome & Sicily; franked with Pl.13 2d Blue + Pl.12 4d vermilion (large white letters), 3 Pl.13 2d Blues, or Pl.14 2d Blues (2) +Pl.151 1d Reds (2); tied by fine duplexes of Manchester and Liverpool (2). Good group; one endorsed "Via France" and one with "Via Belgium" crossed out. (3 covers). | £120 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1342 | ROUTED VIA BELGIUM - DOUBLE-RATE COVER WITH PURELY 2d BLUES FRANKING; 29 July 1874 EL to Genoa franked attractively with Six Pl.14 2d Blues; horiz. Pair, vert. Pair & two singles - all tied by variable London duplexes, having red London oval "PD" nearby. Unusual franking for the 1/- rate. PHOTO PLATE 63 | £120 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ITALY/ITALIAN STATES, SPECIAL RATES, 185 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1343 | RARE DISINFECTED COVER TO ROME AT SCARCE 11d RATE VIA FRANCE; Unusual and attractive 14 Aug. 1865 env. (chisel-slits from disinfection) franked by 9d bistre (small corner letters; affected by ink mark) & Pl.9 2d Blue tied by fine "LONDON-W/W/14" duplexes having mostly very fine scarce double-boxed "Netto fuori e dentro" Disinfection mark on the front; marked with the Rome P.O. diagonal line across the address showing that no postage was to be collected from the addressee. Disinfected mail from G.B. at this period is rare. Exhibition Item. [Ex Trieste Papal States Collection, Oct. 1973.] PHOTO | £240 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1344 | 'NORTHERN TOWNS' 2d LATE FEE COVER FROM LEEDS TO NAPLES VIA FRANCE; Attractive 25 July 1862 EL to Naples "Via Genoa" franked by 6d lilac (faults but tied by v. fine "LEEDS/447" duplex) + Pl.9 2d Blue (cancelled by part "447" duple but clearly belongs) PHOTO PLATE 63 | £100 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1345 | ROUTED VIA FRANCE TO THE PAPAL STATES - SCARCE 11d-RATE COVER WITH EXTRA 1d LATE FEE PAID; Attractive 5 Mar. 1862 env. to Rome franked by Pl.9 2d Blue, 9d bistre (small letters; wing margin affected where wrapped over edge) and 1d Red 'stars' all tied by |London "12" numerals, having a mostly very fine curved-top "CIVITAVECCHIA/DALLA/VIA DI MARE" mark on the front. Rare thus; the scarce 11d per 1⁄4oz rate with an extra 1d Late Fee paid with the 1d Red. PHOTO PLATE 63 | £140 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1346 | ROUTED VIA FRANCE - DOUBLE 6d RATE COVERS WITH EXTRA 2d LATE FEE PAID; July 1866 & Mar. 1872 E's from London to Florence/Messina each franked with Pl.9/13 2d Blue and Pl.5/6 1/-green (large white letters) tied by London numerals/duplexes. The double 6d 1⁄4oz rate each with an extra 2d Late Fee; one with v. fine red boxed London "L2" Late Fee Paid mark. Good pair. (2 covers). PHOTO PLATE 63 | £150 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1347 | ROUTED VIA FRANCE TO THE ITALIAN STATES; Sept. 1868, Nov. 1868 & July 1869 trio of E's (one with 3 of the 4 flaps removed) to Turin/ Genoa/Rome franked with Pl.9 2d Blue +3d rose-red pair (large white letters), Pl.9 2d Blue +Pl.6 6d mauve (large white letters) + Pl.100 1d Reds (2) - the part E - or Pl.12 2d Blues (3) + Pl.99 1d Red; all tied by London numerals/duplexes. The third cover has a superb red London boxed "L1" (1d Late Fee Paid) mark on the front. The rates are all 6d via France, but with Late Fees of 2d, 4d & 1d respectively. Good Late Fee trio. (3 covers). PHOTO PLATE 63 | £140 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1348 | ROUTED VIA FRANCE - SEXTUPLE RATE WITH 2d LATE FEE MAKING UNUSUAL 3s-2d FRANKING; 6 May 1870 E (30th anniversary of the 1d Black!) to Messina franked by Pl.4 1/- green (one with wing margin corner fault) +Pl.13 2d Blue tied by London duplexes with red oval-framed "PD" on the front. An exceptional rate; the quarter ounce rate via France was 6d, so this letter must have weighed over 11⁄4oz, and the 2d Blue was for the 2d Late Fee. Rare thus. PHOTO PLATE 63 | £140 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1349 | ROUTED VIA FRANCE - SINGLE 6d-RATE COVER WITH RED BOXED "L1" LATE FEE PAID MARK, ETC.; 31 Jan. 1874 E to Genoa franked by Pl.14 2d Blues (3) +Pl.146(?) 1d Red tied by London "88" duplexes with a fine red boxed "L1" mark (1d Late Fee paid) mark on the front; all the stamps have clear "H/C & Co." perfins. Attractive. Plus Oct. 1860 underpaid cover to Naples with "PD" cancelled by red London "50" etc., but having a tied Pl.8 2d Blue with a Pl.12 2d Blue that does not belong (did not exist at this date!) in place of an unidentified removed stamp! (2 covers). PHOTO PLATE 63 | £100 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1350 | ROUTED VIA BELGIUM OR FRANCE - 2d PRINTED MATTER RATE COVERS; 1866-73 group of covers to Civitavecchia(2), Piemonte or Bologna all franked by a single 2d Blue (Pls.9 or 14) all tied by Newcastle/Liverpool duplexes or a London "FB" cancel; the 1866 cover is endorsed "Via France" and has "PP" in red in a double oval with a "4" arrival charge; the others (one endorsed "via Belgium") all have red "PD" marks and no arrival charge. Scarce group. (4 covers). PHOTO PLATE 63 | £150 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1351 | SPECTACULAR 3-COLOUR FRANKING FOR THE 3s-8d REGISTERED RATE VIA FRANCE; 13 June 1860 E (minor ink-etching of the address) to Palermo endorsed "Via Marseilles & Messina" franked with 6d lilac, Strip of Three 1/- green & Pl.8 2d Blue all tied by v. fine "LIVERPOOL/466" duplexes (the 1/- Strip has been lifted and put back parallel with the foot of the address-panel, but was originally at an angle of c.30% to that edge). The numerous transit marks include two very fine and different red "[Crown]/REGISTERED" marks (of Liverpool & London) and the boxed French transit " /CACHETS" mark. Rare example of the double 11d rate with the full-postage-fee for registration, i.e. 1s-10d postage plus a 1s-10d registration fee. Exhibition Item. PHOTO | £300 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1352 | THE VERY RARE MILKY-BLUE 2d ON COVER REGISTERED VIA BELGIUM; Remarkable 15 Dec. 1871 E (very slight toning) to Genoa endorsed "Registered via Belgium" franked with Pl.5 1/- green plus the rare milky-blue 2d Plate 13 (this distinctive shade only being recorded on this Plate by Osborne) tied by fine London "R/29" vertical oval numerals, having a red "PD" in oval nearby. This rate of 1s-2d was for double the 5d ¼oz rate plus the reg. fee of 4d. Very few covers with this Milky-blue shade have been recorded. [See also the Nov. 1870 cover to New Orleans in the U.S. destinations section below.] PHOTO. | £400 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1353 | LAST WEEK PRIOR TO GENERAL POSTAL UNION - 10d-RATE REGISTERED COVER; 28 June 1875 E (minor fault at top just clear of stamps) to Modena endorsed "Registered" franked by Pl.14 2d Blue (2) plus Pl.14 6d grey (wing m.) all tied by fair Liverpool "466" numerals with v. fine red oval "REGISTERED/EXCHANGE B.O. LIVERPOOL" d.s. on the front. This was the 1⁄2oz 6d rate plus 4d for registration; 3 days later - on 1 July 1875 - the rate fell to 21⁄2d+2d when Britain and Italy joined the General (later Universal) Postal Union. Rare thus. PHOTO | £120 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1354 | U.P.U. REGISTERED & LETTER RATE COVERS WITH UNUSUAL FRANKINGS; Aug. 1880 blue env. registered to Piacenza with Pl.18 21⁄2d blue +Pl.15 2d Blue tied by light London oval "R/4" numerals; plus Apr. 1879 EL to Venice franked by Pl.12 1⁄2d rose-red +Pl.15 2d Blue tied by London duplexes. Unusual franking for the UPU rates; the former with two blue stamps on a blue cover! (2 covers). PHOTO | £100 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1355 | RARE 'SAMPLE POST' COVER TO TORINO AT THE 8d RATE; 27 July 1866 E from London to Turin endorsed "Campione di nessun valore" (Samples of no value) franked by Pl.9 2d Blue +Pl.5 6d mauve both tied light numerals. The Sample Post rate was 8d for 4-8oz at this date. Rare thus. PHOTO | £120 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1356 | RARE 'SAMPLE POST' 3-COLOUR FRANKING COVER TO GENOA AT THE 2s-2d RATE; Attractive 14 Nov. 1866 E (slightly grubby) to Genoa endorsed "Ci inclus echans sans v[aleur] (partly under stamps; meaning that the letter enclosed samples of no value) franked with Pl.5 6d mauve pair +Pl.9 2d Blue (filing crease) +Pl.8 4d vermilion(3) all tied by London twin "46" numerals with red oval-framed "PD" nearby. Attractive cover at the 2s-0d rate with a 2d Late Fee also paid. The Sample Post rate was 2s-0d for 16-20oz , so the cover must have been attached to something heavy to reach this weight. Rare thus. PHOTO | £150 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1357 | RARE 'SAMPLE POST' 1s-2d-RATE COVER TO TORINO WITH 2d LATE FEE PAID; 15 Oct. 1867 E to Turin endorsed "Campione di nessun valore" (Samples of no value) franked by Pl.9 2d Blue +Pl.9 4d vermilions (3) all tied by twin London "47" numerals; the Sample Post rate was 4d per 4 ounces, so this cover must have been attached to something weighing over 8oz and up to 12oz. Rare thus.PHOTO | £120 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| IONIAN ISLANDS, 1868 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1358 | DOUBLE-RATE COVER TO CORFU FROM LIVERPOOL CHARGED "80"[Drachmae] ON DELIVERY; 4 Mar. 1868 E (printed Prices Current; one word of address slightly affected by ink-etching) to Corfu endorsed "via Italy" franked by Pl.9 2d Blues (2) +Pl.6 6d mauve (2; both wing margins; one with crease) all tied by fine "LIVERPOOL/466" duplexes; the rate was 8d per 1⁄4oz for this routing. Scarce destination and franking; the only cover to the Ionian Islands in the Robert Johnson Collection.PHOTO | £140 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SPAIN, 1859-78 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1359 | CORNWALL F.A.C. COVER WITH SIX 2d BLUES TIED BY SIDEWAYS DUPLEXES; Unusual 23 Oct. 1859 E short flap at foot on reverse removed) from an unknown origin (a ship's Captain?) to Bilbao endorsed "Paid via France" on the front and having two fine double-oval "G.C. & R.W. FOX & Co./FALMOUTH" Forwarding Agent Cachets on the flap (one with manuscript date in centre) endorsed "via de Espana, Mandada por Los Amigos", franked with a single, a Pair & a Strip of Three Pl.7 2d Blues (off-centre) all tied by light "FALMOUTH/290" Sideways Duplexes. Rare franking and a very early usage of this 2d Blue Issue. PHOTO | £120 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1360 | TRIO OF 6d-RATE COVERS VIA FRANCE + U.P.U.-RATE COVER REDIRECTED TO SWITZERLAND; 1864/68/60 covers to Seville/Jerez/Barcelona each with Pl.9/13 2d Blue + 4d vermilion (small letters + Pls.9/11) all tied by fine duplexes of Manchester, Leeds & Dublin respectively; plus unusual 21 Aug. 1878 env. (slightly reduced at top) registered to Barcelona with Pl.15 2d Blue + Pl.11 21⁄2d mauve tied by v. fine Leeds "447." numerals, but redirected to \Geneva and so with v. fine 2-ring claret-purple "ESPAGNE-CERBERES/LYON" c.d.s. on the front, and most unusually having two slightly flattened black wax Spanish P.O. "CORREOS/[Crown]/DE/BARCELONA" bagseals on the reverse. (4 covers).PHOTO | £120 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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