| 1441 | PERU - 1s-6d RATE COVER WITH LONDON 1d LATE FEE "L1" MARK APPARENTLY STRUCK IN ERROR; 11 Feb. 1871 EL to Lima "Perou" franked by Pl.13 2d Blue +Pl.12 4d vermilion single + Strip of Three (all stamps with "CD/& Co" perfins; C. Devaux & Co.) all tied by fine "LONDON/103" duplexes for the 1s-6d 1⁄2oz rate, but also inexplicably having a very fine red London boxed "L1" (1d Late Fee Paid") mark on the front. Late Fees all had to be prepaid with stamps by this date, so the absence of any 1d stamp (or trace thereof) suggests that the "L1" mark was struck in error. Rare thus and a very scarce destination.PHOTO PLATE 67A | £120 | |||||||||||||||
| 1442 | URUGUAY - REGISTERED 2s-4d RATE COVER ROUTED VIA SOUTHAMPTON; Fine 8 Sept. 1871 EL to Montevideo endorsed "Per Packet via Southampton, Registered" franked by Pl.13 2d Blue Pair plus Pl.5 1/- green vertical pair (wing margins) all tied by fair "498" numerals with a very fine red oval "REGISTERED/MANCHESTER" d.s. and a faint red London dumb-bell "REGISTERED/PD" d.s. on the front. Exhibition Quality; early registered mail to South America is rare. PHOTO | £150 | |||||||||||||||
| ALGERIA & TUNISIA, 1864-74 | |||||||||||||||||
| 1443 | TUNISIA - 3-COLOUR FRANKING FOR THE 6d+1d RATE VIA MARSEILLES; 19 Jan. 1870 E (faults) to Tunis endorsed "Via Marseilles Pr. French Packet" franked by Pl.13 2d Blue (repaired) +Pl.11 4d vermilion +Pl.134 1d Red all tied by fine "LONDON/106" duplexes with near fine red London boxed "L1" (Late Fee Paid 1d) mark on the front; backstamps include fine blue "PARIS/ETRANGER" c.d.s. and - across the join - dotted-circle "TUNIS" French P.O. c.d.s. Scarce destination and rate. PHOTO PLATE 67A | £120 | |||||||||||||||
| 1444 | ALGERIA - REDUCING RATES - 4d & 3d RATE COVERS TO MOSTAGANEM & ORAN; Jan./Feb. 1864 pair of E's (latter with closed hole in address) to Mostaganem each with Pl.9 2d Blues (2) tied by fine "BIRMINGHAM/75" duplexes with red London "PD" in circles on the front; both with mostly v. fine 2-ring "LYON A LA MEDITERRANEE" c.d.s.'s with "A" & "B" codes. Plus June 1874 env. (toned & flap lost) to Oran "Care of British Consul" franked by Pl.14 2d Blue +Pl.164 1d Red tied by fine "OLDHAM/591" duplexes, redirected to Antwerp with backstamps inc. v. fine 2-ring "MARSEILLE A LYON/SPECIAL" c.d.s. Scarce trio. (3 covers).PHOTO PLATE 67A. | £120 | |||||||||||||||
| EGYPT, 1860-76 | |||||||||||||||||
| 1445 | ROUTED VIA FRANCE - 3-COLOUR FRANKING FOR 9d RATE FROM SCOTLAND; Attractive 9 Nov. 1860 orange paper env. to Alexandria "Via Marseilles" franked by Pl.8 2d Blue + 6d lilac + 1d Red 'stars' all tied by v. fine "EDINBURGH/131" duplexes, with a partly fine Alex arrival c.d.s. on the reverse. Rare thus. Plus Feb. 1863 env. from the same correspondence with Pl.9 2d Blue + Small Letters 9d bistre tied by Edinr. duplex but with additional 2d added that does not belong. (2 covers). PHOTO PLATE 67B | £150 | |||||||||||||||
| 1446 | ROUTED VIA FRANCE & ITALY - 8d-RATE COVERS BEFORE & AFTER THE FRANCO-PRUSSIAN WAR; Dec. 1865 E lower flap slightly reduced) to Alexandria "via Marseilles" franked by Pl.9 2d Blue + Pl.5 6d mauve tied by London twin numeral for the 6d postage + a 2d Late Fee; plus similar Apr. 1871 env. to a "Locomotive Fitter, Alexandra Shops" endorsed "via Brindisi" with Pl.13 2d Blue +Pl.9 6d mauve tied by "GATESHEAD" duplexes for the new 8d rate. The same rates either side of the war period when rates rose to 1s-0d. Good pair. (2 covers). PHOTO PLATE 67B | £120 | |||||||||||||||
| 1447 | ALEXANDRIA & CAIRO - PAIR OF 8d RATE COVERS; May 1872 & Feb. 1874 pair of envs. (minor faults) to "Harbour Works, Alexandria" (endorsed "Via Brindisi") and to "Post Office Suez" (endorsed "To be kept till called for"); with v. fine "A/SUEZ" British P.O. c.d.s. on the front (2 covers). The rates were the same but made up in different ways; the first was the standard rate to Alex via Italy, but the other was the 6d rate via Southampton plus an extra 2d for Egyptian postage to Suez. Scarce pair. (2 covers). PHOTO PLATE 67B | £120 | |||||||||||||||
| 1448 | G.B. USED IN ALEXANDRIA - UNUSUAL 81⁄2d-RATE COVER TO G.B.; 22 May 1876 EL (toned; closed tear affects address) with an unusual triple UPU rate franking - the stamps all apparently applied in a hurry which would fit in with a Late Fee usage - to Liverpool "via Brindisi", franked by G.B. Pl.14 2d Blues +Pl.3 21⁄2d rosy-mauve all tied by fair to fine tall "B01" numerals matching the fine "ALEXANDRIA/A" British P.O. c.d.s. alongside. The rate must have been the triple UPU 21⁄2d rate plus a 1d Late Fee making the 81⁄2d total. Rare thusPHOTO PLATE 67B | £150 | |||||||||||||||
| CAPE OF GOOD HOPE, 1864-79 | |||||||||||||||||
| 1449 | UNDERPAID 1/- RATE COVER TO CAPE TOWN WITH DEVONPORT "s1/-" MARK, ETC.; 4 May 1864 env. (faint traces of rubbed out red crayon notes on front; embossed "OPTICIANS" flap) to Cape Town franked only by Pl.9 2d Blue Strip of Three tied by light "SHEFFIELD/700" duplexes with v. fine boxed "OVER OZ/MORE TO PAY" mark and superb Devonport h.s. "s1/-" mark (amended to "1/6" in contemporary manuscript) all on the front. Britain was entitled to the deficient postage plus half the 1/- fine, while CGH kept the other 6d part of the 1/- fine. Attractive and unusual Postage Due cover. PHOTO PLATE 67B | £150 | |||||||||||||||
| 1450 | RARE "VIA MAURITIUS" ROUTE - FINE 3-COLOUR FRANKING DOUBLE RATE COVER TO CAPE TOWN; Attractive 26 Apr. 1865 env. (very slight edge wear & faint traces of rubbed out red crayon filing notes, but with original contents) to Cape Town "via Marseilles & Mauritius" franked by Pl.9 2d Blue +Pl.4 1/- green +Pl.? 6d mauve all tied by fine tall London "2" numerals. Rare example of this little-used Indian Ocean route to the Cape; double the 1s-4d rate making a total 2s-8d franking. Exhibition Item. PHOTO | £300 | |||||||||||||||
| 1451 | CHEAPEST & MOST EXPENSIVE 1860s RATES COMPARED INC. RARE "VIA MAURITIUS" RATE; 25 Nov. 1865 env. (faults repaired at top & flap faults but attractive) to a British Officer at Cape Town endorsed "Via Marseilles" and franked by Pl.9 2d Blues (2) + Pl.4 1/- green all tied by "ROSCREA/397" Irish duplexes; rare example of the 1s-4d rate which went via France and Mauritius. Plus a 5 Jan. 1866 mourning env. to the CGH "Royal Observatory" endorsed "By Private Ship" and so only prepaid for the 4d rate with a pair of Pl.9 2d Blues. Good contrasting pair; the most expensive and cheapest rates to CGH at this date. (2 covers). PHOTO PLATE 67B | £200 | |||||||||||||||
| 1452 | RARE 3s-2d RATE FOR A TRIPLE WEIGHT PLUS (OVERPAID?) LATE FEE; 8 Aug. 1871 front to Grahams Town "p. Mail Steamer" franked by Pl.13 2d Blue +Pl.4 1/- green +Pl.1 2/- blue all tied by fine "LONDON/103" duplexes with fine red boxed London "L 1" (Late Fee Paid 1d) mark and v. fine Cape Town transit c.d.s. (12 Sept.) nearby. Remarkable triple 1/- rate with a 2d Blue apparently overpaying the 1d Late Fee. Unique franking?! PHOTO PLATE 67B | £120 | |||||||||||||||
| 1453 | RARE USAGE OF 2d REGISTERED ENVELOPE UPRATED WITH 2d BLUES; 28 Apr. 1879 usage of the small QV 2d regd. env. (opened out for display, minor wear) most exceptionally uprated with three Pl.15 2d Blues tied by light " " duplexes, having London and Cape Town transit regd. datestamps on the front. Due to the short time that 2d Blues and regd. envelopes overlapped, combination usages such as this are rare. PHOTO PLATE 67B | £100 | |||||||||||||||
| MAURITIUS, 1865-67 | |||||||||||||||||
| 1454 | SCARCE 10d-RATE COVER WITH RED "41⁄2d" ACCOUNTANCY MARK REDIRECTED TO SOUILLAC; 25 Aug. 1865 env. (flap faults) to Port Louis "Via Marseilles" franked by Pl.9 2d Blue Pair + Small Letters 6d lilac tied by poor Stevenage numerals (c.d.s. on reverse), having a very fine red "41⁄2d" Accountancy Mark (amount due from GB to Mauritius) on the front; endorsed "Beauchamp" & "Souillac" (redirected?) with a partial early blue "SOUILLAC" c.d.s. across tears on the flap. Attractive. PHOTO PLATE 67B | £120 | |||||||||||||||
| 1455 | SPECTACULAR 4-COLOUR FRANKING COVER AT THE DOUBLE (1s-8d) RATE, REDIRECTED BACK TO G.B.; Colourful 22 June 1867 env. (some edge wear etc.) to a British Officer in "Mauritius" franked by Pl.9 2d Blues (5) +Pl.4 3d rose-red +Pl.5 6d mauve (wing margin; small cut) +Pl.86 1d Red all tied by mostly fine Scottish "PAISLEY/277" duplexes; redirected back to G.B. (endorsed "Address not known by 22nd Regt." on the flap) and then redirected from Chatham to Newcastle on Tyne (manuscript "1" charge for redirection) but apparently still not found so returned to sender endorsed "Gone no address" on the front. Marvellous Exhibition Item. PHOTO | £260 | |||||||||||||||
| INDIA, 1859-80 | |||||||||||||||||
| 1456 | UNDERPAID 1/- RATE COVER TO BENGAL WITH "INSUFFICIENTLY/STAMPED", ETC.; 2 Jan. 1859 mourning env. to "The Commander in Chief's Camp, Bengal Presidency, India" endorsed "Via Marseilles & Bombay" and franked (for the 9d 1⁄4oz rate) by Pl.7 2d Blue (early usage) + 6d lilac + 1d Red 'stars' all tied by poor (Odiham?) numerals having a v. fine blue-green "HECKFIELD" UDC (Hants.) on the flap; as the letter weighed above the quarter ounce it has a near fine "INSUFFICIENTLY/STAMPED" mark a m's "6" charge (3d deficiency + 3d fine) and a faint encircled Indian "..Bg/As.6" all on the front. PHOTO PLATE 67B | £120 | |||||||||||||||
| 1457 | PAIR OF UNDERPAID 3-COLOUR FRANKING COVERS FROM KENT TO OUDE/ALYGHUR; Stained Feb. 1859 env. (flap lost) to Lucknow "via Marseilles" with Pl.7 2d Blue (early use) + 6d lilac + 1d Red 'stars' all tied by Deal "240" numerals but over weight so having a fine red "INSUFFICIENTLY/STAMPED", m/s "6" and v. fine Indian encircled "St. Bg./As.6" mark all on the front, having a partial blue "[UP]PER DEAL" UDC on the reverse. Plus matching pretty 1 Aug. 1863 mourning env. to Alyghur "Via Marseilles & Bombay" similarly franked with Pl.9 2d Blue + Small Letters 6d lilac + 1d Red 'stars' all tied by fine "TUNBRIDGE WELLS/820" duplexes but again overweight and so with v. fine London "DEFICIENT POSTAGE/1d/HALF FINE 3d/4d" mark overlapping fine Indian encircled "ST. BG./A-P/4 8" charge-mark. Scarce pair which shlould have been prepaid the 1/- 1⁄2oz rate. (2 covers). PHOTO PLATE 67B | £150 | |||||||||||||||
| 1458 | PURE 2d BLUE FRANKINGS ON 6d & 8d RATE COVERS; July 1859 & May 1880 envs. to Sumbulpore ("Via Southampton overland") & Nedgherries (UPU period) each franked purely by Pl.7 2d Blues (Strip of Three) or Pl.15 2d Blues (4; one over small opening tear) all tied by London duplexes; the first was the normal 6d rate via Egypt, but the second has "ZB" codes in the duplexes so appears to be the normal UPU 6d rate plus a 2d Late Fee. Attractive pair. (2 covers). PHOTO PLATE 67B | £120 | |||||||||||||||
| 1459 | "NIZAM's DOMINIONS" - 9d-RATE COVER WITH 3-COLOUR FRANKING; 4 Feb. 1861 env. to "Mominabad, Nizam's Dominions, India" endorsed "Via Marseilles" and franked by Pl.8 2d Blue + 6d lilac + 1d Red 'stars' all tied by v. fine "LONDON S.W./SW/24" duplexes. Attractive cover at the 9d rate via France. PHOTO PLATE 67B | £120 | |||||||||||||||
| 1460 | PAIR OF DIFFERENT FRANKINGS ON 10d-RATE COVERS TO BOMBAY; July 1863 + Nov. 1867 covers to Bombay (former endorsed "via Marseilles" franked respectively by Pl.9 2d Blue (2) + Small Letters 6d mauve tied by fine "BRIGHTON/132" duplexes, or by Pl.9 2d Blue + Pl.7 4d vermilion (2) tied by v. fine Scottish "GLASGOW/159" duplexes. Attractive pair both routed via France. (2 covers). PHOTO PLATE 68A | £120 | |||||||||||||||
| 1461 | FRENCH INDIA - 11d-RATE COVER (9d POSTAGE + 2d LATE FEE) TO PONDICHERRY; 10 Feb. 1864 E (overall toning) to Pondicherry endorsed "via Marseille" franked by Pl.9 2d Blue + Small Letters 9d bistre (wing margin; some toning) tied by London tall "6" numerals having a mostly very fine large red "PONDICHERRY/1864/MR 11" arrival c.d.s. on the flap. Scarce destination and an unusual franking; 2d Late Fee paid in addition to the normal 9d postage rate. PHOTO PLATE 68A | £120 | |||||||||||||||
| 1462 | "NIZAM's DOMINIONS" - COLOURFUL 3-COLOUR FRANKING COVER AT THE 1s-8d RATE VIA FRANCE; 1 Sept. 1866 mourning env. (edge wear) to "Bolarum, Nizam's Dominions" endorsed "Via Marseilles & Bombay" franked by Pl.9 2d Blue +Pl.5 6d mauve +Pl.4 1/- green all tied by mostly fine "HASTINGS/342" duplexes. An unusual and attractive 3-colour franking for the double 10d rate. PHOTO PLATE 68A | £140 | |||||||||||||||
| 1463 | 10d-RATE 2d BLUE FRANKING COVER REDIRECTED WITH INDIAN 1a BROWN PAIR EX ALLAHABAD; Spectacular 24 Dec. 1866 env. (minor faults at corners) to "Allahabad, NW Province" endorsed "Via Marseilles" franked by Pl.9 2d Blue Pair & Strip of Three for the single 10d rate; forwarded to Agra with India 1a brown pair at top left tied by forwarder's manuscript "Re-stamped 2 annas" and by partial fine "ALLAHABAD/26" duplex, and mostly fine watery blue large "TRAVELLING POST OFFICE/N.W.P." c.d.s. on the front. Rare thus; Exhibition Item. PHOTO | £150 | |||||||||||||||
| 1464 | ISLE OF WIGHT - REMARKABLE SEXTUPLE RATE COVER UNDERPAID BY 10d & SO CHARGED POSTAGE DUE; Long 17 Aug. 1867 env. (some faults and edge wear but attractive) to Calcutta "Via Bombay & Marseille" and "To be forwarded & Registered" franked by Pl.9 2d Blue + Pl.4 1/- green Strip of Four all cancelled and tied by fair "B89" Shanklin (IOW) numerals and a manuscript "1/1" charge, with a mostly v. fine boxed "EXCG./[2]/OZ/DEFICIENT POSTAGE [10]/BRITISH SHARE OF FINE [3]" mark as well as scarce Indian circular "St. Bg./10-8/As." mark all on the front. The backstamps include a very fine small "SHANKLIN" c.d.s. Exceptional item that should have been prepaid the sextuple 10d rate but which had only been prepaid for the quintuple 10d rate. PHOTO. | £120 | |||||||||||||||
| 1465 | SCARCE PRINTED MATTER 2d-RATE WRAPPERS TO SEKREE & BOMBAY; Long Jan. 1869 open-ended wrapper (faults at foot) with printed London firm's heading to "Sekree, Rajpootana" franked by a single Pl.12 2d Blue tied by a tall London "10" numeral, having various Indian Backstamps and a poor serpentine-framed "MISSENT TO SEEPREE"(?) on the front. plus large part c.1874 E to Bombay (printed address with Forbes & Forbes heading and "VIA BRINDISI" with single Pl.14 2d Blue tied by fair tall London numeral. Scarce pair; these 2d Printed Matter rates are seldom seen to India. (2 covers). PHOTO PLATE 68A. | £150 | |||||||||||||||
| 1466 | RARE 2s-4d RATE 3-COLOUR FRANKING COVER WITH EXTRA 2d LATE FEE PAID; Unusual 4 Mar. 1870 E: (minor wrinkling) to Calcutta "Via Marseilles" colourfully franked by Pl.13 2d Blue +Pl.4 1/- green (2) +Pl.114 1d Reds (minor faults) all tied by fine "LONDON/106" duplexes; this is a double weight letter prepaid at the 2s-2d (up to 1oz) rate plus a 2d Late Fee. Rare thus. PHOTO PLATE 68A | £150 | |||||||||||||||
| 1467 | RARE 4d LATE FEE REGISTERED FRANKING 4-COLOUR FRANKING COVER TO POON; Amazing 10 June 1870 env. (blue embossed "OPTICIAN" imprint on front) to Poona endorsed "registered" & "Via Marseilles" franked by Pl.13 2d Blue +Pl.4 1/- green +Pl.8 6d mauve +Pl.134 1d Red all tied by fine tall London "W.C/36" numerals with blue "HIGH HOLBORN W.C/D.O" and v. fine red "REGISTERED/W.C.D.O." c.d.s.'s on the front. Rare example of the special 4d Late Fee only used for Registered Mail; the 1s-9d rate is made up of the single 1s-1d postage rate plus 4d for registration plus 4d for the special Late Fee. Exhibition Quality. [Illustrated in GB Journal, Jan. 2003, p.12.] PHOTO | £300 | |||||||||||||||
| 1468 | RARE 2s-3d LATE FEE 3-COLOUR FRANKING COVER TO CALCUTTA WITH BOXED "L1" MARK; Attractive 24 June 1870 EL (minor wrinkling) to Calcutta "Via Marseilles" franked most unusually, for the double 1s-1d rate with extra 1d Late Fee, by Pl.13 2d Blue +Pl.1 2/- Blue +Pl.130(?) 1d Red all tied by mostly fine "LONDON/91" duplexes, having a very fine red boxed London "L1" mark (crease; 1d Late Fee paid) on the front and a mostly v. fine blue oval Aden-Bombay "SEA POST OFFICE/F" d.s. on the flap. Rare franking and rare rate. PHOTO | £200 | |||||||||||||||
| 1469 | REDUCING RATES OF THE EARLY U.P.U. - 8d & 5d RATE COVERS; Sept. 1876 & Nov. 1877 pair of envs. to Calcutta/Dharmsala both endorsed "via Brindisi" and franked for the single 8d rate with Pl.15 2d Blue with either Pl.19 3d rose-reds (2; all perfin "DB") or Pl.15 6d grey; plus fine Dec. 1880 mourning env. to Madras paid at the UPU double rate (5d) with Pl.15 and 1d venetian reds (3). Latter ex Nottingham, the others ex London. Good trio. (3 covers). | £120 | |||||||||||||||
| 1470 | RARE 2d BLUE BLOCK OF FOUR ON COVER AT U.P.U. 8d RATE TO INDIA; Attractive 27 June 1878 env. (slight toning and edge wear do not detract) to Agra franked for the early UPU 8d rate via Italy by a Block of Four Pl.15 2d Blues (AG/BH ; AG with corner fault) tied by mostly fine "LONDON E.C./EC/66" duplexes. Rare; Robert has only recorded a handful of Blocks of Four of this 2d Blue issue on cover in over 30 years of searching. Exhibition Item. PHOTO | £200 | |||||||||||||||
| 1471 | AFGHANISTAN - HAZARA/PESHAWAR FIELD FORCE COVER EX WALES WITH 2d BLUES FOR THE 6d RATE; 12 June 1879 env. to "Hazara Mountain Battery. Peshawar Valley Field Force, India" endorsed "via Brindisi" and franked by Pl.15 2d Blues (3) tied by mostly fine "ABERGELE" duplexes, endorsed "Landi Kotal" in pencil on the front and having a mostly fine "LANDI KOTAL PO" c.d.s. (July 7?) on the reverse. Rare cover t o the Indian P.O. nearest to the Khyber Pass, in the period of continuing unrest between the 2nd & 3rd Afghan Wars. PHOTO PLATE 68A | £150 | |||||||||||||||
| INDIA - INGOING EXPRESS MAIL EX G.B., | |||||||||||||||||
| 1472 | EARLY "BY EXPRESS FROM BOMBAY" PREPAID (IN CASH) COVER TO CALCUTTA VIA FRANCE; 25 July 1855 EL prepaid "1/10" in cash with red "LONDON/PAID" c.d.s. endorsed "Overland via Marseilles via Bombay" at top and "by Express from Bombay" at foot; there is an unclear Calcutta Aug. 1855 transit c.d.s. on the reverse. Both Blair/Martin & the Moubrays state that this Express service across India was withdrawn some time in 1853 but no official Notice appears to have been unearthed as yet; could this cover prove that it continued into 1855? The "Express" endorsement is the correct wording as per the 1847 Notice. Fine and intriguing. Note: Max Smith and Robert are writing a book on the subject of Express Fee, After Packet and Late Fee letters in India to be published by the Stuart Rossiter Trust in the next twelve months. PHOTO PLATE 68A | £100 | |||||||||||||||
| 1473 | SUPERB 3-COLOUR FRANKING "REGISTERED/AT/GLASGOW" 3s-3d RATE COVER BY "EXPRESS BOMBAY TO CALCUTTA"; 17 Nov. 1860 EL to Calcutta correctly endorsed "Via Marseilles & Bombay; express Bombay to Calcutta" at top and franked by Pl.8 2d Blue + 1d Red 'stars' + 1/- greens (3) all tied by v. fine but light "GLASGOW/159" duplexes, having a v. fine red boxed "REGISTERED/AT/GLASGOW" on the front beside a mostly v. fine red London "[Crown]/REGISTERED" mark, along with red oval "REGISTERED/LONDON" d.s. overstruck by the rare small "EXPRESS/BOMBAY/PAID" c.d.s. This 3s-3d rate was correct for this rarely used service; 9d postage via Marseilles + 6d Reg. fee + 2s-0d prepaid Indian Express Fee. Believed to be the finest of the few surviving examples to Calcutta of this Express prepayment rate. Exhibition Item; one of the most attractive of all Robert's covers. Copies of the three other covers seen by Robert are included. PHOTO | £500 | |||||||||||||||
| 1474 | RARE 'DOUBLE BLUE' 2s-2d RATE "PER BOMBAY EXPRESS" COVER TO CALCUTTA; Unusual 8 May 1868 E (minor edge wear) to Calcutta "Via Marseilles & per Bombay Express" franked by a Pl.1 2/- Blue plus Pl.9 2d Blue both tied by fine "498" numeral with v. fine supporting 2-ring red "MANCHESTER/PAID" c.d.s. alongside. Rare franking. The special (registered mail only) Bombay Express service from G.B. had apparently ended in Dec. 1861, so this endorsement is intriguing; the rate is double the 1s-1d rate. PHOTO PLATE 68A | £260 | |||||||||||||||
| INDIA - OUTGOING EXPRESS MAIL TO EUROPE | |||||||||||||||||
| 1475 | EARLY "GOVERNMENT EXPRESS" ENDORSEMENT ON COVER TO G.B., ETC.; Small flimsy 22 Jan. 1842 EL (filing notes affect address and endorsement) to Huth & Co. in London from "Calcutta" unusually endorsed "Government Express, Overland Mail - via Falmouth" above the address, having a fine red octagon-framed "CALCUTTA/STEAM LETTER/Paid[1-4]" d.s. on the flap with matching boxed "INDIA" on the front, charged "1/-" on arrival. Plus interesting 2 June 1841 EL prepaid 1/6 from London to Madeira with reference to "The Express has arrived this morning from India stating that hostilities had recommenced with the Chinese...the dates from Bombay are to the 1st of May, so rapid is the communication now." (2 covers). PHOTO PLATE 68A | £120 | |||||||||||||||
| 1476 | "PER GOVERNMENT EXPRESS" ENDORSEMENT ON COVER TO G.B.; 8 July 1842 EL Huth & Co in London clearly endorsed "Per Government Express via Marseilles" at top and charged "2/8" with a fine red octagon-framed "CALCUTTA/STEAM LETTER/Paid[1-7]" d.s. on the flap matching the boxed "INDIA" on the front. Scarce thus. PHOTO PLATE 68A | £150 | |||||||||||||||
| 1477 | "PER OVERLAND EXPRESS" COVER FROM MADRAS TO FRANCE; Fine 9/10 June 1842 EL from "Madras" to Bordeaux endorsed "Per Overland Express" and charged "14" on arrival with very fine boxed "MADRAS/Paid" and octagon-framed "MADRAS/STEAM LETTER/Paid[5As]" datestamps (latter very scarce) nicely placed on the flaps along with manuscript "Express Charge 8As", having fine red boxed "PAQUEBOTS/DE LA/MEDITERRANEE" and oval-framed red "INDIA" on the front. Exhibition Quality and rare thus. PHOTO PLATE 68A | £120 | |||||||||||||||
| 1478 | "PER EXPRESS VIA BOMBAY" COVER FROM MADRAS TO G.B.; Neat 24 Sept. 1846 env. (minor corner wear) to Hungerford endorsed "Per Express Via Bombay & South[ampt]on" with v. fine red boxed "MADRAS/Paid" d.s. on the reverse beside "Express 1 Rupee...[Postage]10 As" endorsement, having fair red crescent-framed "INDIA PAID" mark on the front. Rare thus. PHOTO PLATE 68A | £120 | |||||||||||||||
| 1479 | FRENCH INDIA - RARE PONDICHERY "EXPRESS POSTAGE" COVER TO FRANCE; 23/24 Oct. 1851 EL from "Pondichery" to Bordeaux endorsed "Overland Express via Bombay" on the front along with mostly fine red boxed "PONDICHERY/Paid" d.s. (unusual struck on the front) and matching v. fine red crescent-framed "INDIA PAID" marks; the boxed "Paid" d.s. is endorsed with the rates; "As10 [Postage] [+] As8 Express postage". There is also a mostly fine red 2-ring "INDES OR./1 MARSEILLE 1" c.d.s. and a "10" arrival charge on the front. Rare thus. [The similar 1842 Pondichery Express cover in Cavendish's Sept. 2004 Mike Scott Archer auction (lot 1110) sold for £572.] PHOTO PLATE 68B | £300 | |||||||||||||||
| 1480 | EARLY POST-MUTINY "EX[PRESS]/CALCUTTA" COVER TO G.B. WITH 8as POSTAGE FRANKING; 19 May 1859 env. to London endorsed "p. Alena[?] via Suez & Marseilles" franked by India 2as pale brown (4) all tied by mostly v. fine Calcutta "B/1" octagons with fine red boxed "INDIA PAID" On the front, having a very fine rare red 2-ring "+ G.P.O. +/+1859 +/EX[PRESS]./CALCUTTA/MY.19" c.d.s. on the reverse. Redirected locally in London (and so without extra charge). The Express Service (for which the 1 rupee fee was prepaid in cash) was only reintroduced (after the Indian Mutiny) on 6 May 1859, a mere 13 days before this letter was posted. Exhibition Item. PHOTO. | £240 | |||||||||||||||
| 1481 | "EX[PRESS]./BOMBAY" COVER FROM CALCUTTA TO G.B. WITH 6as POSTAGE FRANKING; 2 July 1861 env. (damp affected; some faults) to Edinburgh "P. Bombay Express, Via M[arseilles]" franked by India 4as black + 2as rose tie by m/s "Stamped", Calcutta c.d.s. & "B/1" octagon, having a fine red boxed "INDIA PAID" on the front, and a mostly v. fine small red "EX./BOMBAY" c.d.s. (12 July) on the reverse. The 1 Rupee Express Fee was prepaid in cash. Rare thus. PHOTO PLATE 68B | £200 | |||||||||||||||
| 1482 | RARE "EXPRESS PACKET" COVER TO U.S.A. WITH 32as FRANKING & "EXPRESS LETTER/GPO/ CALCUTTA" OCTAGON; Remarkable and colourful 24 Nov. 1868 env. to "Boston, U.S. America" endorsed "Via Bombay & Marseilles" and "Express Packet", franked for the high 32as rate (inc. Express Fee; payable in stamps from 30 Jan. 1865) by India 8as rose Strip of Three + 4as green (2) all tied by fine blue Calcutta "B/1" octagons, having a mostly very fine and very scarce red "EXPRESS LETTER/GPO/CALCUTTA" octagonal d.s. on the reverse, and a fine red "BOSTON/PAID" arrival c.d.s. (6 Jan. 1869) on the front. Rare destination for an early Express Letter. PHOTO | £300 | |||||||||||||||
| 1483 | RARE "EXPRESS PACKET" COVER TO FRANCE WITH BLUE DIAMOND "GB/1F66c" MARK; 24 Jan. 1868 EL (ink mark on front) to Bordeaux endorsed "p. Express Packet" and franked by India 4as green tied by private "Stamped" mark and v. fine blue Calcutta "B/1" octagon with a very fine matching diamond-framed "GB/1F66c" Accountancy Mark on the front, charged "10" [decimes]on arrival. There is also a partly fine blue "EXPRESS LETTER/GPO/CALCUTTA" octagonal d.s. in BLUE (scarce colour) across the seal on the reverse. Possibly sent by the Kedgeree "After Packet" service; not prepaid sufficiently for the overland Indian Express service. PHOTO PLATE 68B | £260 | |||||||||||||||
| 1484 | RARE "EXPRESS LETTER" WITH 3-COLOUR FRANKING TO ITALY VIA "PIROSCAFI/POSTALI/ ITALIANI"; 24 July 1868 E (edge wear and some reinforcing of folds but attractive; an account of coral sales) to Genoa endorsed (in red) "P. Overland Express Via Bombay" and "Via Alexandria & Brindisi", franked by India 1a brown + 4as green +8as red all tied by fine blue Calcutta "B/1" octagons, having a mostly v. fine red "EXPRESS LETTER/GPO/CALCUTTA" octagonal d.s. on the flap slightly overlapped by a fine boxed black "PIROSCAFI/POSTALI/ITALIANI" mark. Rare thus. PHOTO | £300 | |||||||||||||||
| CEYLON, 1861-79 | |||||||||||||||||
| 1485 | 3-COLOUR FRANKING COVER AT THE 1/- RATE VIA FRANCE; 10 Apr. 1861 env. (minor faults;mostly on reverse) to Colombo "Via Marseilles" unusually franked for the half ounce rate by Pl.8 2d Blues (2) +1d Red 'stars' (2) +6d lilac all tied by scarce v. fine "LONDON-E/E/14" duplexes with a mostly fine red "COLOMBO/POST PAID" arrival c.d.s. on the front. Unusual and attractive 3-colour franking for this 1/- rate. PHOTO PLATE 68B | £160 | |||||||||||||||
| 1486 | SINGLE RATES VIA SOUTHAMPTON BEFORE & AFTER THE U.P.U.; 25 Sept. 1861 env. (+ contents) to Kandy "Via Southampton" franked by Pl.8 2d Blue +4d rose-carmine tied by fine "171" Scottish numerals matching the "HADDINGTON" c.d.s. on the reverse; plus 12 Dec. 1879 env. to "Gampaha Estate, Fort Macdonald" franked by Plo.15 2d Blue pair tied by London duplexes having fine black "FORT MACDONALD/PAID" arrival c.d.s. on the flap. Good pair at the 8d & 4d rates. (2 covers). PHOTO PLATE 68B | £150 | |||||||||||||||
| 1487 | 3-COLOUR FRANKING COVER AT THE 9d RATE TO COLOMBO VIA FRANCE; Attractive 26 Dec. 1861 env. to Colombo "Via Marseilles" franked by Pl.9 2d Blue +1d Red 'stars' +6d lilac all tied by v. fine scarce "LONDON-E/E/11" duplexes with a fair arrival c.d.s. on reverse. Colourful 9d-rate franking. PHOTO PLATE 68B | £160 | |||||||||||||||
| 1488 | SCOTLAND - 3-COLOUR FRANKING COVER TO COLOMBO AT THE 11d RATE (INC. LATE FEE); Fine 25 Sept. 1866 E to Colombo "Via Marseilles" franked by Pl.9 2d Blue +Pl.84 1d Red +Pl.8 4d vermilion (2) all tied by v. fine "GLASGOW/159" duplexes with a mostly fine small red "COLOMBO/PAID" arrival c.d.s. on the front. The normal half ounce rate was 10d at this date so the extra 1d must have been the Late Fee. PHOTO PLATE 68B | £160 | |||||||||||||||
| 1489 | RARE 'DOUBLE BLUE' 2s-2d RATE COVER VIA FRANCE TO A P&O PASSENGER AT POINT DE GALLE; Unusual 16 July 1869 env. unusually addressed "Care of the Agent, P & O Co., Point de Galle" [for a] "Passenger on board Mail Steamer from Australia", routed "Via Marseilles" and so franked for the double rate of 2s-2d with Pl.13 2d Blue +Pl.1 2/- Blue both tied by v. fine "LONDON-W/W/29" duplexes. Scarce and unusual franking. PHOTO | £300 | |||||||||||||||
| 1490 | UNDERPAID PRE-U.P.U. PERIOD COVER FRANKED WITH ONLY 8d INSTEAD OF 11d; 3 Aug. 1876 env. (closed tear through address, etc.) to "Badulla" endorsed "Via Marseilles" but only franked by Pl.14 2d Blue +Pl.15 6d grey and so charged "48" (cents on arrival) with mostly fine boxed London "DEFICIENT POSTAGE 3d/FINE___9d/[=]1/-" mark on the front. Underpaid mail to Ceylon is rare. [Ex Michael Jackson.] PHOTO PLATE 68B | £150 | |||||||||||||||
| MALAYAN STATES, 1861-80 | |||||||||||||||||
| 1491 | SINGAPORE - RARE 1d PINK ENVELOPE UPRATED WITH 2d BLUE & 6d LILAC; Fine 7 Aug. 1861 usage of the 1d Pink Postal Stationery envelope to "Singapore Via Marseilles" uprated with Pl.9 2d Blue + 6d lilac both tied by mostly fine Scottish "60" numerals with matching v. fine "DUNNING" c.d.s. on the reverse. Rare usage of this Postal Stationery for the 9d rate via France. PHOTO PLATE 68B | £200 | |||||||||||||||
| 1492 | SINGAPORE - ROUTED VIA ITALY - UNUSUAL 2d+1/- FRANKING FOR THE 1s-2d RATE; 27 Oct. 1876 env. (minor wrinkling at right) to "Singapore, Straits Settlements " endorsed "Via Brindisi" unusually franked by Pl.15 2d Blue +Pl.12 1/- green both tied by fine "PADDINGTON.W/P/19" duplexes. Attractive and rare combination.PHOTO PLATE 68B | £120 | |||||||||||||||
| 1493 | PENANG - 3rd LARGEST (?) 2d BLUES FRANKING ON REMARKABLE REGISTERED COVER FROM WALES; Long 18 Oct. 1880 env. (roughly opened at top and some whitening of the blue paper) to "Penang" endorsed "Registered" and franked by no less than 11 Pl.15 2d Blues (some faults; originally a Block of Nine and a Pair) all tied by mostly fine "SWANSEA/763" duplexes, having near fine red oval "REGISTERED/LONDON" transit d.s. on the front. Exceptional Registered cover to a rare destination. PHOTO. | £300 | |||||||||||||||
| INDONESIA, 1877 | |||||||||||||||||
| 1494 | JAVA - RARE 1s-2d RATE COVER "VIA FRENCH PACKET" TO SOURABAYA; 3 May 1877 env. (minor faults) addressed to "Sourabaya, Java" and endorsed "Via French Packet" franked by Pl.15 2d Blue +Pl.12 1/- green (bo th very slightly over the edge) tied by mostly fine "CHELTENHAM/177" duplexes, having a partly fine "SOERABAIJA" arrival c.d.s. (13 June) on the reverse. Early covers to Java are seldom seen.PHOTO PLATE 68B | £150 | |||||||||||||||
| HONG KONG & TREATY PORTS, 1859-71 | |||||||||||||||||
| 1495 | HONG KONG - 2nd OPIUM WAR 3-COLOUR FRANKING COVER TO "VOLUNTEER, CHINA WAR"; Unusual and attractive 26 May 1860 EL (from "Mayfair") to "H.M.S. Chesapeake, Hong Kong, China" unusually endorsed "Volunteer, China War", franked by Pl.8 2d Blue +1d Red 'stars' +6d lilac all tied by v. fine "LONDON/W/12" Sideways Duplexes. Rare Opium Wars cover and a very fine and colourful franking. Exhibition Quality. PHOTO | £200 | |||||||||||||||
| 1496 | HONG KONG - 3-COLOUR FRANKING COVER FOR THE 2s-10d 1oz RATE PLUS 2d LATE FEE; Attractive 27 Feb. 1865 E (worn folds and some reinforcing) to "Hong Kong, China" endorsed "Via Marseilles" and franked by Pl.9 2d Blue +Pl.4 1/- green (2) + Small Letters 4d vermilion(2) all tied by mostly fine London "6" tall diamonds, with red crayon "2" on the front (2d credit to HK) and mostly fine blue "HONG KONG" arrival c.d.s. (10 Apr.) across the join on the reverse. Spectacular franking for the rare 1oz 2s-8d rate with an extra 2d Late Fee. Exhibition Item. PHOTO | £240 | |||||||||||||||
| 1497 | CANTON, CHINA - 2nd OPIUM WAR - INGOING NAVAL OFFICER's LETTER WITH 3-COLOUR FRANKING; Fine 9 Nov. 1859 env. (small marks clear of stamps but with contents) addressed to a British Royal Marines officer at the "Heights of Canton, China" endorsed "VIa Marseilles" and franked by Pl.7 2d Blue +1d Red 'stars' +6d lilac all tied by fine "CLIFTON/959" duplexes, having a fine blue 27 Dec. "HONG KONG" transit c.d.s. Rare 2nd Opium War cover and an unusual 3-colour franking for the 9d rate. [With p. copy of old photos of the addressee, later General Geoffrey Mairis.] PHOTO PLATE 69 | £240 | |||||||||||||||
| 1498 | SHANGHAI - INGOING 1s-4d RATE COVER VIA FRANCE WITH BLUE "SHANGHAE" ARRIVAL C.D.S.; Attractive 26 Dec. 1866 env. (small tear at foot does not detract) to "Shanghae, China" endorsed "via Marseilles" franked by Pl.9 2d Blue Pair +Pl.4 1/- green all tied by fine London duplexes, having a v. fine red "1d" Accountancy Mark (1d postage due to Shanghai) on the front, having a mostly fine 15 Feb. 1867 blue "SHANGHAE/C" arrival c.d.s. on the reverse. Rare thus. PHOTO PLATE 69 | £160 | |||||||||||||||
| 1499 | YOKOHAMA - 1s-5d RATE 3-COLOUR FRANKING COVER WITH 1d LATE FEE PAID; Fine 3 Dec. 1869 EL from London to "Yokohama, Japan" endorsed "Via Marseilles" and franked by Pl.13 2d Blue +Pl.5 3d rose-red +Pl.8 6d mauve (2) all tied by fine London duplexes, having v. fine "HONG-KONG" (16 Jan.) and "YOKOHAMA" (24 Jan.) British P.O. c.d.s.'s on the reverse. The rate via France was 1s-4d at this date, so the franking includes an extra 1d Late Fee. On the voyage from HK to Japan the ship carrying this letter - the P&O SS 'Bombay' collided with the 'Oneida'; 115 lives were lost in this incident on the latter ship. Exhibition Quality. PHOTO | £300 | |||||||||||||||
| 1500 | YOKOHAMA - 1s-5d RATE COVER WITH DIFFERENT 3-COLOUR FRANKING INC. 1d LATE FEE; Fine 3 Nov. 1871 E (slight flap faults) to "Yokohama, Japan" endorsed "Via Brindisi, Brit. Pkt." and franked by Pl.13 2d Blue +Pl.6 3d rose-red +Pl.5 1/- green all tied by v. fine "LONDON/9" duplexes, having fine black "HONG-KONG/C" and v. fine blue "YOKOHAMA/A" c.d.s.'s on the reverse. The rate was 1s-4d via Italy to which was added a 1d Late Fee. Exhibition Quality. PHOTO | £260 | |||||||||||||||
| FIJI, 1871 | |||||||||||||||||
| 1501 | RARE POST-FRANCO-PRUSSIAN WAR UPRATED 1d PINK COVER VIA BRINDISI TO "PORT MORTON"; Very fine 27 Jan. 1871 usage of the 1d pink Postal Stationery env. (+ contents; interesting references to land speculation in Fiji and the ending of the War in France) to "Port Morton, Figi" [sic] uprated with a Pl.13 2d Blue +Pl.8 6d mauve (latter off-centre) tied by very fine "LONDON S.E./S.E./19" duplexes; endorsed "Via Brindisi" and "via Australia". This 9d rate was only introduced at the end of the Franco-Prussian War on 16 Dec. 1870. One of the most attractive and unusual uprated 1d pink envelopes that we can recall having seen. PHOTO | £300 | |||||||||||||||
| AUSTRALIAN STATES, 1859-80 | |||||||||||||||||
| 1502 | "AUSTRALIAN STATION" - NAVAL "MESS PRESIDENT" COVER TO H.M.S. BLANCHE; Fine 20 Sept. 1870 env. (WH Smiths flap) to "The President, Gun Room Mess, HMS 'Blanche', Australian Station" franked by Pl.13 2d Blues Strip of Three tied by v. fine "LONDON W.C." duplexes, endorsed on reverse as "R[eceived] 6/12/[18]70". During 1870 HMS "Blanche" was surveying in the Auckland Islands 350 miles South of NZ. PHOTO PLATE 69 | £100 | |||||||||||||||
| 1503 | NEW SOUTH WALES - 10d-RATE PAIR WITH DIFFERENT FRANKINGS; Apr. 1864 + Mar. 1866 envs. addressed to "Steam Mills, Kembla, Wollongong, NSW" and routed "Via Marseilles" franked by Pl.9 2d Blues (2) +Small Letters 6d lilac all tied by near fine "LONDON SW" duplexes, or addressed to "Hunters Hill, Sydney" franked by Pl.9 2d Blue pair +Pl.4 2d rose-red pair tied by fine Charing Cross duplexes; both with good backstamps. (2 covers). PHOTO PLATE 69 | £140 | |||||||||||||||
| 1504 | NEW SOUTH WALES - 10d-RATE COVER WITH PURELY 2d BLUES FRANKING; Attractive 20 May 1870 env. to Sydney "Via Marseilles" franked by Pl.13 2d Blues (5) tied by partly fine "LONDON" duplexes. Unusual franking for this 10d rate. PHOTO PLATE 69 | £120 | |||||||||||||||
| 1505 | NEW SOUTH WALES - "BRITISH ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF SCIENCE" COVER AT THE 8d RATE; 8 July 1876 env. (printed B.A.A.S. heading partly beneath stamps) to Sydney franked by Pl.14 2d Blue +Pl.117 3d rose-red pair all tied by fine "LONDON/WC/8" duplexes, having manuscript "With Prof. Williamson's Compliments" beneath the flap (probably Prof. W.C. WIlliamson, one of the founders of palaeobotany). Attractive franking. PHOTO PLATE 69 | £100 | |||||||||||||||
| 1506 | NEW SOUTH WALES - PRINTED MATTER 2d RATE COVER WITH PICTORIAL MASON's ADVERT; 11 July 1877 EL (printed contents ref. grave stone prices) to Sydney PO Box (redirected to "Tempe") endorsed "Book Post" and franked by a Pl.15 2d Blue tied by a fine "ABERDEEN/1" duplex; there is an attractive illustrated vignette of gravestones on the flap. Rare reduced printed matter rate to Australia. PHOTO PLATE 69 | £120 | |||||||||||||||
| 1507 | SOUTH AUSTRALIA - 6d-RATE COVER TO P.O. WITH OVAL "ADVERTISED UNCLAIMED/ADELAIDE" D.S.; Fine 7 Oct. 1859 EL to Adelaide P.O. franked by Pl.7 2d Blue +4d rose-carmine tied by fine Moreton in Marsh "534" numerals but not claimed by the addressee so having a mostly fine 11 Dec. 1859 "G.P.O./ADELAIDE" c.d.s. and v. fine scarce double-oval 31 Jan. 1860 "ADVERTISED UNCLAIMED/ADELAIDE" d.s. both on the front. Attractive. PHOTO PLATE 69 | £120 | |||||||||||||||
| 1508 | SOUTH AUSTRALIA - 2d BLUE STRIP OF THREE COVER TO WALLAROO; 2 Dec. 1870 env. franked by vertical Strip of Three Pl.13 2d Blues tied by fine Weymouth duplexes having a fine scarce "WALLAROO/S.A" c.d.s. on the reverse. Attractive 6d-rate cover. PHOTO PLATE 69 | £100 | |||||||||||||||
| 1509 | TASMANIA - UNDERPAID 3-COLOUR FRANKING COVER TO MOSS; 24 Apr. 1861 env. (edge wear and flap faults affecting top edge) to "Mona Vale, Moss" endorsed "Via Marseilles" so franked for the 9d (up to 1⁄4oz) rate with Pl.8 2d Blue +1d Red 'stars' + 6d lilac (perf. faults) all tied by mostly fine "CHELTENHAM/177" duplexes, but over-weight so charged "9" with a fine scarce "Deficient Postage [3d]/Fine [6]" mark (of London F.B.) on the front. Redirected to "Woolmers, Longford". Scarce franking and marks. PHOTO PLATE 69 | £140 | |||||||||||||||
| 1510 | TASMANIA/VICTORIA - BOXED "MIS·SENT TO/MELBOURNE·VICTORIA" MARK ON COVER TO SWANSEA; 4 May 1880 env. (minor wear & small closed tear at top) to "Kelvedon, Swansea, Tasmania" franked for the 6d rate via San Francisco by irregular Strip of Three Pl.15 2d Blues tied by fine "GREENWICH" duplexes (closed tear) with fine arrival c.d.s. on the front, having a mostly v. fine boxed "MIS·SENT TO/MELBOURNE· VICTORIA" mark (v. scarce) on also the front. Presumably the letter was put in the wrong bag in London. Exhibition Item. PHOTO PLATE 69 | £300 | |||||||||||||||
| 1511 | VICTORIA - 4-COLOUR FRANKING FOR THE 1s-9d RATE VIA FRANCE; Attractive 25 Feb. 1859 mourning env. (slight edge wear) to Sir Henry Barkly in Melbourne endorsed "via Marseilles" and franked for the 1⁄2oz to 3⁄4oz rate with Pl.7 2d Blue (early usage) + 1d Red 'stars' + 6d lilac + 1/- green (overlapped to avoid covering the "via Marseilles" annotation) all tied by v. fine London "28" diamond numerals. Exceptional franking; one of only a handful of 4-Colour Frankings in the whole Robert Johnson Collection. PHOTO PLATE 69 | £240 | |||||||||||||||
| 1512 | VICTORIA - SINGLE 6d & TRIPLE 8d RATE COVERS FROM LONDON TO MELBOURNE; 17 Feb. 1860 env. endorsed "via Marseilles" franked by Pl.8 2d Blue + 4d rose-carmine tied by v. fine "LONDON-N" duplexes with a very fine blue "ENFIELD/FORTY HILL" UDC on the side-flap (opened out for display); plus 7 July 1876 env. (faults at foot and some creasing) endorsed "via Brindisi" franked by Pl.14 2d Blues (3) +Pl.15 6d grey (3) all tied by partly fine "LONDON-W" duplexes. Good pair; the latter weighed over 1oz & up to 11⁄2oz. (2 covers). PHOTO | £150 | |||||||||||||||
| 1513 | VICTORIA - 3-COLOUR FRANKING COVER AT THE 1/- RATE VIA SOUTHAMPTON; 17 May 1860 env. to Melbourne unusually franked by Pl.8 2d Blue +1d Red 'stars' (4; one with faults) +6d lilac all tied by very fine "LONDON-N" duplexes. Attractive way of making up the double rate. PHOTO | £140 | |||||||||||||||
| 1514 | VICTORIA - 3-COLOUR FRANKING FOR THE SINGLE 9d RATE VIA FRANCE; 26 Apr. 1862 env. to Melbourne "via Marseilles" franked by Pl.9 2d Blue +1d Red 'stars' + 6d lilac all tied by v. fine "LONDON -N.W." duplexes. Attractive 9d-rate franking. PHOTO | £140 | |||||||||||||||
| 1515 | VICTORIA - DOUBLE RATE COVER WITH UNUSUAL 9d PAIR +2d BLUE FRANKING; 10 Sept. 1868 env. to Melbourne "Via Marseilles" franked by Pl.9 2d Blue +Pl.4 9d Bistre Pair tied by near fine "ABERDEEN/1" duplexes. Rare franking for the 1s8d (double 10d) rate. PHOTO | £120 | |||||||||||||||
| 1516 | VICTORIA - 2nd LARGEST (?) 2d BLUE (PLATE Nos.) FRANKING - THIRTEEN ON 2s-3d-RATE COVER; Extraordinary 23 Jan. 1874 long env. (understandable edge wear & filing crease affecting one stamp) to Melbourne "via Brindisi" franked (for the triple 9d rate) by no less than Thirteen Pl.14 2d Blues - Rare Block of Eight, Pair & 3 Singles (minor faults) - and a single Pl.149(?) 1d Red all tied by v. fine "MAIDSTONE/495" duplexes. Stunning franking; thought to be the second largest recorded Final Issue 2d Blues cover, second only to the cover addressed to France (see above) with 17 examples. Probably the only recorded Block of Eight on cover. Wonderful Exhibition Item. PHOTO | £400 | |||||||||||||||
| 1517 | VICTORIA - PAIR OF REGISTERED SINGLE/DOUBLE RATE COVERS INC. 3-COLOUR FRANKING; Unusual Sept. 1878 + Oct. 1879 envs. (faults, creases, etc.) from London to Melbourne "via Brindisi" at the single (8d+2d fee) and double (8dx2 + 2d fee) registered rates; franked by Pl.15 2d Blue +Pl.1 8d orange or Pl.15 2d Blue +Pl.16(?) 4d sage-green +Pl.13 1/- green - all tied by v. fine London "R" oval numerals ("3" & "4" respectively). The first was much travelled (redirected to Daylesford and back; endorsed "No Value"!) and has Melbourne oval-framed "REGISTERED" and "UNCLAIMED" marks as well as a fine scarce green "D.L.B./MELBOURNE" c.d.s. (2 covers). PHOTO | £200 | |||||||||||||||
| 1518 | WESTERN AUSTRALIA - 4-COLOUR FRANKING FOR THE 4s-4d RATE (INC. 4d LATE FEE) TO GUILDFORD; Remarkable 26 July 1860 E (minor wrinkling barely detracts) addressed to "Guildford, Western Australia" and endorsed "via Marseilles", franked for the 13⁄4oz-2oz rate of 4s-0d (8 times the French 3d 1⁄4oz rate plus 4 times the British 6d 1⁄2oz rate) plus an extra 4d Late Fee; all tied by mostly very fine London 'twin' "46" numerals. Very rare 4-colour franking and a rare destination (early mail into W.A. is seldom seen); possibly a unique franking. Exhibition Item. PHOTO | £500 | |||||||||||||||
| NEW ZEALAND, 1861-72 | |||||||||||||||||
| 1519 | ROUTED VIA FRANCE - 3-COLOUR FRANKING FOR THE 8d RATE TO AUCKLAND; 25 Sept. 1861 EL to Auckland "via Marseilles" franked by Pl.9 2d Blue +1d Red 'stars' +6d lilac all tied by v. fine "LIVERPOOL/466" duplexes. Fine and attractive. PHOTO | £150 | |||||||||||||||
| 1520 | NORTHAMPTON 'SPOON' DUPLEXES ON 3-COLOUR FRANKING COVER VIA FRANCE; 25 Apr. 1862 env. (some crumpling around edges affecting stamps; with contents) to Auckland "via Marseilles" franked by Pl.9 2d Blue (crease, etc.), 6d lilac (3; wrinkles) +1d Red 'stars' all tied by mostly very fine scarce "NORTHAMPTON/570" Spoon Duplexes, with Auckland arrival c.d.s. (24 June) on the front. This was the 1s-9d rate for weights over 1⁄2oz & up to 3⁄4oz. Rare example of a 3-Colour Franking with a Spoon Duplex. PHOTO | £150 | |||||||||||||||
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