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Canterbury. 1672 (May 30) Entire letter to John Moris in Old Jury, London, with a 2d charge and a Bishop Mark. The writer, Peter Monchablon, asks for letters to be directed to St. Stephen's in Canterbury. Also a 1661 Hermannides map of Canterbury. £80-100
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Deal. 1680 (Oct 16) Entire letter sent free of charge from London to Deal, headed "for His Maj Service" and signed "Derby House, 16th Oct. 80, Brisbane", addressed "To Capt Kempthorne, Commander of his Maj. Shipp the Kingfisher in the Downs", with a "OC/16" Bishop Mark on the reverse. Sent from the Office of the Lord High Admiral of England, Kempthorne is directed to sail to Deptford to get refitted as one of the convoy ships to the herring fleet; he is to stop at Longreach or Erith to take out guns and powder. An interesting early official free frank. Photo on Page 205. £120-150
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Deal. 1707 (Aug 16) Letter of Safe Conduct signed by Robert Harley, Principal Secretary of State and member of Her Majestys Privy Council, allowing the bearer John Clark (amended to Francis Clark) and his servant Thomas Smith to travel freely to and from Deal during the next three weeks, signed at Whitehall. The letter bears a fine seal and two embossed 6d tax stamps. Very rare. £350-400
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1716 Entire letter from London "To Will Brockman Esq to be left at the Posthouse in Canterbury"; 1720 entire letter from Dover "To Mr John Martin these present at Loose near Maidstone in Kent p. Maidstone Bagg", carried via London; and 1716 entire letter from Deal to London, all charged 3d with Bishop Marks. All well written up with 1712 Lasor map of Canterbury or 1720 Owen & Bowen maps of the post roads from Dover to Rochester or Deal to Dover. (3). £100-120
| Other Pre-1850 Postal History | |
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1692-1814 Entire letters privately carried for part or all of their journey, some with extra charges shown for local delivery from the office of destination, including 1692 entire letter from Rolvenden to Loose signed by the carrier Joseph Iggleden, 1796 Canterbury to Maidstone "By Newsman, paid", c.1820 local Canterbury letter "By Best Newsman", 1800-02 entire letters to Charlton Place showing 1d or 1½d local delivery charges from Canterbury (4), 1801-14 Biddenden 1d charge (3), 1800-05 entire letters to Cobb & Co. in Margate with "3" charges (2) or endorsed by bank messengers (2), 1783 entire letters to Charing endorsed "By the Faversham bag to be sent by express from Faversham to Charing" or "By an especial messenger from Faversham to Charing" with 3d charges. An interesting lot. (16). £350-400
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Ashford. 1731 (Dec 18) Entire letter to London backstamped with fine "ASHFORD" and a "20/DE" Bishop Mark. A rare handstamp, not recorded in the County Catalogue, 25 years before the first listed handstamp of Ashford. £120-150
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Deal. 1755 (June 24) Entire letter from Elizabeth Stowe, Postmistress at Deal, "I received your favour of the 15 inst. but the ships for Jamaica was sailed before it came to hand and so return the enclosed", addressed "To Mr Caleb Dickinson at Georges Coffee House, Temple Barr, London", very unusual. £100-120
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Hawkhurst. 1841 Entires to Rye bearing a 1d black (four good margins) or a 1d red both tied by black Maltese Crosses with "HAWKHURST / 48" backstamps, a late use of this second type mileage mark. (2). £120-150
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Maidstone. 1721 (Oct 23) Entire letter from Leeds Castle "To The Right Hon. Lord Fairfax at Toms Coffee House in Covent Garden, London", backstamped "MAIDS / TON" and a "25/OC" Bishop Mark. A rare early handstamp, unlisted in the British County Catalogue. Photo on Page 205. £200-220
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Maidstone. 1840 Entire letter to London bearing a 1d black, FK plate 2 with four good margins, tied by a red Maltese Cross; and 1842 entire letter to Leigh with red "P.1" (KT733), both with Maidstone datestamps on the front. (2). £120-150
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Rochester/Shooters Hill. 1840 Covers from Rochester to Peckham both endorsed "Shooters Hill Bag", one prepaid 1d in cash, the other with a 1d black, HH plate 5 with four margins, placed in the lower left corner and tied by a red Maltese Cross, both with Rochester and Shooters Hill double arc datestamps. A fine and unusual pair carried by the Shooters Hill Cross Post. (2). Photo on Page 205. £120-150
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Sevenoaks. 1849 Covers (one just 88x50mm) sent to Maidstone or Sandhurst via Staplehurst with red circular framed "PAID ID" (KT1052), fine and very scarce. (2). £120-150
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Tenterden. 1841 (June 1) Entire letter to Rye bearing a 1d black, SE plate 6 with good margins; and an 1843 1d pink envelope to Woolwich, both cancelled by a black Maltese Cross, backstamped at Tenterden. (2). £120-150
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Tunbridge. 1842 Entire letter from London to Trowbridge prepaid 1d in cash and 1844 O.H.M.S letter from London to Hadlow with a Paid datestamp, both handstamped "MISSENT /- TO - / TUNBRIDGE" (KT1255), the first in red and the second in black. A fine and scarce pair. (2). Photo on Page 205. £250-300
| Uniform 4d Post / 1d Post | |
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Sheerness - First Day of 4d Post. 1839 (Dec 5) Entire letter to Guernsey, charged 4d on the first day of Uniform 4d Post, backstamped with a fine red "SHEERNESS" (Dec 5) c.d.s and at London (Dec 6). The letter describes the passage from Guernsey to Weymouth and the coach journey to London. A fine and scarce first day 4d Post letter. Photo on Page 205. £350-400
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Goudhurst. 1839 (Dec 6) Entire to London charged 4d, with the scarce "Goodhurst / Penny Post" error of spelling handstamp (KT480), backstamped at Lamberhurst and London. In 1840 this handstamp was altered to the correct Goudhurst spelling by filing off the top of the second "o". £100-120
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Rochester. 1840 (Jan 8) Entire letter from John Graham, Headmaster of the Free School, prepaid 4d to London with red "PAID" (KT917), Rochester and London datestamps, light file fold, otherwise fine and very scarce. £100-120
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1839 (Dec 16) - 1840 (Jan 1) Entire letters and entires posted during the 4d Post period, various rates including Lenham to Charing charged 1d with boxed "Maidstone / Penny Post", Gravesend to Rochester unpaid and charged 2d, Ashford to Charing prepaid 2d, unpaid 4d rates from Charing to London or Deal to Lerwick (a saving of 2/8½ on the pre-4d Post rate), prepaid 4d from Charing to London. An interesting lot, local rates unusual during this period. (6). £150-180
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Rochester - Last Day 4d Post/First Day UPP. 1840 (Jan 9/10) Two entire letters from London to Rochester both prepaid on the last day of Uniform 4d Postage, both turned and posted back from Rochester to London on the following day, the first day of Uniform Penny Postage, one prepaid 1d, the other unpaid so charged 2d. A remarkable pair, both of which fold to display both address panels. Light file folds, otherwise fine and unique. (2). Photo on Page 207. £1,000-1,200
| Soldiers and Sailors Letters | |
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Sheerness. 1803 Entire letter to London, endorsed on the reverse "His M. Ship Winchelsea at the Nore, Dec. 21 1803" and countersigned by an officer, prepaid at the 1d concession rate, backstamped "SHEERNESS / 51" with a London Paid datestamp. The writer tells how he was impressed, needs money and wants to try and get out of the navy. An uncommon sailors 1d rate, allowed at the 1d concession despite not showing the senders name or rank on the outside. £120-150
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Dover. 1811 Printed "Western Regiment of Royal Middlesex Militia" certificate, stating that William Allingford enrolled in 1808 as a substitute for Thomas Edwards drawn by ballot to serve as a Principal for the Parish of St. James, Clerkenwell, with a letter from Dover Castle. Posted to his wife at Braintree, endorsed "William Allenford, Private, Captn Storys Co., Royal West Middx Militia" and countersigned, prepaid at the 1d rate, with "DOVER / 72" handstamp, fine and unusual. £120-150
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Deal. 1812 Entire letter to Aberdeen, endorsed on the reverse "Robert Umphray, Seaman, H.M.S Warrior at the Downs January 28 1812" and countersigned, prepaid at the 1d rate, handstamped "DEAL / 74", datestamps of London and Edinburgh. An uncommon 1d rate sailors letter. £100-120
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Woolwich. 1834-38 Entire letters prepaid at the 1d rate, the first from John Cass, Quarter Master Serjeant First Battn Royal Artillery" inscribed "Paid a Penny" with "T.P / Woolwich"; the second "from 4 Company Charles Heath, Private Royal Marines" with red handstruck "1" and "WOOLWICH / 1 Py P Paid", red London Paid datestamps. A good pair, the red "1" and "1 Py P. Paid" marks only used on soldiers and sailors letters prior to 1840 and therefore scarce. (2). £160-200
| Napoleonic War - Prisoner of War Mail | |
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Chatham - The "Sandwich". 1806 (Oct 10) Entire letter from a French P.O.W "a Bord du Ponton Le Sandwich en riviere de Chatam", addressed to London and posted in the London 2d Post, handstamped oval "TRANSPORT OFFICE / (crown) / G.R / PRISONERS OF WAR" with a "2" charge mark and indistinct Two-Penny Post handstamp, backstamped in London. A fine P.O.W letter from the hulk "Sandwich" at Chatham. Photo on Page 207. £300-350
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Chatham - The "Rochester". 1806 (Nov 10) Entire letter from Croisic addressed to "Monsieur Guillaume, tartare a bord du ponton Le Rochester prisonnier de querre a Chatam en Engleterre" and endorsed "post paye" with "42 / GUERANDE" handstamp, the reverse with "8d". A fine letter to a naval prisoner on the prison hulk "Rochester". Photo on Page 207. £250-300
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Chatham - The "Canada". 1811 (May 17) Entire letter from Paris to "Monsieur Conscience ex Sayeur principal de armee d'Espagne actuellemen prisonnier de querre en angleterre a bord du Canada a Chatam", with "f. 1300", rated "6" in red and black, an unusually fine strike of the oval "TRANSPORT OFFICE / (crown) / G.R / PRISONERS OF WAR" and London backstamp (Aug 30). A fine letter to a P.O.W on the prison hulk "Canada". Photo on Page 207. £400-500
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Chatham - The "Canada". 1812 (Jan 10) Similar entire letter from France to Monsieur Conscience on the prison hulk "Canada" at Chatham, with an unusually fine oval "TRANSPORT OFFICE / (crown) / G.R / PRISONERS OF WAR", no datestamps or rate, inscribed as received on April 6. A fine letter to the "Canada". Photo on Page 207. £400-500
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Chatham - The "Brunswick". 1813 (Oct 10) Similar small entire letter to Monsieur Conscience on the prison hulk "Brunswick" at Chatham, rated "7" in red and black, with an unusually fine oval "TRANSPORT OFFICE / (crown) / G.R / PRISONERS OF WAR" and a London datestamp (Jan 6), inscribed as received on Jan. 20. A fine letter to the "Brunswick". Photo on Back Cover. £400-500
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Chatham - The "Brunswick". 1813 (Nov 10) Similar small entire letter to Monsieur Conscience on the prison hulk "Brunswick" at Chatham, rated "7" in red and black, with an unusually fine oval "TRANSPORT OFFICE / (crown) / G.R / PRISONERS OF WAR" and a London datestamp (Jan 3), inscribed as received on Jan. 20. A fine letter to the "Brunswick". Photo on Page 210. £400-500
| Exhibitions and Special Events | |
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1836-47 Printed circulars from 1836 Kent and Canterbury Cattle Show held at Canterbury on Dec. 16th, posted to Blean with "Wingham" handstamp; 1840 (Dec 26) Kent and Maidstone Cattle, posted from Maidstone with red "P.1" (KT733) and a 1d black tied by a red Maltese Cross, redirected from Foots Cray to Lichfield with another 1d black which was tied by a black Maltese Cross, this second stamp tragically now removed with another 1d black now hinged in its place, still a remarkable item showing red and black Maltese Crosses; 1844 (Oct 15) Kent and Maidstone Cattle Show, posted from Maidstone with a 1d red; 1847 (Oct 14) Kent Agricultural Association ploughing match at St. Pauls Cray, posted from Dartford to Frognal prepaid in cash. (4). £240-300
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1899-1949 Agricultural Show cancels with 1899 (June 15) "ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SHOW / MAIDSTONE" c.d.s on piece (Pearson 40, only recorded date, not known on cover), 1924-38 skeleton datestamps on registered covers comprising 1924 (July 11) "KCA SHOW / ASHFORD" (with C.O.P and handbill), 1925 (June 3) "SHOW YARD / MAIDSTONE" (with C.O.P, also two extra C.O.Ps), 1927 (July 16) "SHOW GROUND / SEVENOAKS KENT" (with C.O.P, also extra C.O.P and strike on piece), 1928 (July 18) "AGRICULTURAL SHOW / FOLKESTONE", 1929 (July 20) "FOLKESTONE / AGRICULTURAL SHOW" (with C.O.P), 1930 (July 19) "FOLKESTONE / AGRICULTURAL SHOW" (also letter on illustrated notepaper), 1931 (July 14 & 17) "CANTERBURY / AGRIC SHOW" (also show label), 1935 (June 13) "SHOW GROUND / ASHFORD KENT", 1937 (July 14) "CANTERBURY / AGRIC TL SHOW", 1938 (July 13) "KENT AGRI SHOW / FOLKESTONE" (also a postcard), 1947-48 covers with Maidstone skeleton or double ring c.d.s. An exceptional lot, the 1924 datestamp not recorded by Pearson. (26). Photo on Page 210. £700-800
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1930-38 Margate Conference and Congress skeletons on registered covers comprising 1930 (June 24) "MARGATE / SANITARY CONGRESS" (with C.O.P), 1935 (May 13) "ROTARY CONFERENCE / MARGATE", 1935 (Sep 4) "TDE UNION CONGRESS / MARGATE" (with piece cut from C.O.P), 1938 (Apr 18) "NUT CONFERENCE / MARGATE" (with C.O.P and postcard), 1938 (June 6) "ODDFELLOWS C'FCE / MARGATE" (with C.O.P). Also special cancels used at 1937 Folkestone Philatelic Congress (2), 1966 Boy Scout rally at Sevenoaks (2), 1981 and 1985 Open Golf Championships at Sandwich. A scarce lot. (16). Photo on Page 210. £300-350
| Ship Letters, India Letters & Mobile Boxes | |
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1804 Entire letter from New York to Liverpool with "CANTERBURY / 56" mileage mark and oval "SHIP / (crown) / LETTER" of London (Rob S.10), backstamped in London (Oct 13), charged 1/2. The only recorded Canterbury Ship Letter, probably landed in the vicinity of Herne Bay or Whitstable and taken to the nearest post town. An exceptional and unique ship letter. Photo on Page 210. £800-1,000
| Chatham | |
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1802 Entire letter from Malta to Tunbridge Wells and redirected to London with oval "SHIP / (crown) / LETTER" of London (S.10), "TUNB-WELLS / 36" and London backstamps (Oct 7/10), carried from Malta on the "Blonde" frigate. The inland postage of 5d (30-50 miles from London) and the absence of a Queenborough ship letter suggests this letter must have been landed at the naval base at Chatham. Photo on Page 210. £350-400
| Deal | |
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1775 Entire letter from Lisbon to London "By the Hunter Capt Kennedy, Q.D.C" with superb "DEAL / SHIP LRE" (S.2) and a "2/NO" Bishop Mark, exhibition quality. Photo on Page 210. £130-150
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1790 (Oct 13) Entire letter from Capt. G. Faith of the "Bessy" enroute from Honduras to London, written off Dover; he reports his arrival and writes "we was boarded by three ships of war who wanted to press our sailors ..... sent the doctor to look at them which he did and told me they were not fit to go among fit people. They now stow away, so I hope to get them all safe up - if we can get past the Guard Ship in the Downs". Handstamped "DEAL / SHIP-LRE" (S.4), charged 5d. An interesting letter, ex Robertson. £300-350
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1794 Entire letter from New York to Alnwick sent per "Sansom" Capt. Smith, with rare red "DEAL / SHIP LRE" (S.4) and a London datestamp (Feb 5). The letter refers to the sending of mail - "I have made inquiry respecting the mode of conveying letters between this place and Britain. Formerly the packets went regularly once a month, but since the war in Europe commenced they go betwixt Falmouth and Halifax and are forwarded to New York. To remedy this in some measure every vessel bound for Europe hangs up a bag in the Coffee House with her name and destination, into which letters are put. The expense is only 2c about 1d sterling. The same plan is pursued in Greenock and I believe in London". £250-300
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1795 Entire letter from Charleston to London with superb curved "DEAL / SHIP LRE" (S.5, first year of use) and a London datestamp (Aug 20), carried on the "Roebuck", Capt. Cattle, charged 5d. Exhibition quality. Photo on Page 210. £150-200
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1821 Entire letter from Port au Prince to London with "DEAL / SHIP LETTER" (S.8), charged 2/8, carried on the "Idris", Capt. Evans. Backstamped with a London c.d.s (Oct 19) and the large double ring "AGENTS to the COMMITTEE of LLOYDS, RAMSGATE & DEAL / Forwarded / By y.o: H. Servts / Goodwin Curling & Co / Deal", a fine and scarce forwarding agents cachet. Photo on Page 210. £400-450
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1823 (Jan 7) Entire letter from China to England carried on the second return voyage of East Indiaman "Orwell" via St. Helena, with "DEAL / SHIP LETTER" (S.8) and a London backstamp (May 12). The letter refers to a ship wreck off the Palwan Coast of the Philippines, "I am afraid my packet (of letters) perished with the unfortunate "Regent". We were not more than 12 miles from her at the time, but it was blowing a gale of wind upon a lee shore and it being quite dark we could of course render her no assistance, but the best part of the crew are saved". Tear at upper right corner and a little toning but a scarce early letter from China. Photo on Page 212. £400-500
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1814-23 Letters sent via forwarding agents comprising 1814 entire letter to Margate written on the East Indiaman "Thomas Grenville" at the Downs, with a Deal 74 datestamp, endorsed "Forwarded with Messrs J & E. Iggulden's best compliments, Deal Sunday aft", probably landed by the pilot; 1821 entire from Buenos Ayres to London with "DEAL / SHIP LETTER" (S.8) endorsed "Forwarded from Deal 20 March by y.obed. sts Goodwin Curling & Co, agents to Lloyds, N.B letters or orders forwarded to ships within Downs"; and 1823 entire letter from Philadelphia to London per "Ship Electra, Capt. Geo, Robinson" with "DEAL / SHIP LETTER" (S.8) and oval F.A.C. "EDWARD IGGULDEN / DEAL / AGENT FOR SHIPPING". (3). £140-180
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1823 Entire letter from Batavia to London "P. Countess of Harcourt, Capt. Bunn" with "DEAL / SHIP LETTER" (S.8), backstamped by a London c.d.s and superb double ring "AGENTS to the COMMITTEE of LLOYDS, RAMSGATE & DEAL / Forwarded / By y.o: H. Servts / Goodwin Curling & Co / Deal". Exhibition quality strike of this scarce F.A.C., undoubtedly the finest known. Photo on Page 212. £600-750
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1829 Entire letter from Hobart to London charged 1/4 with an unusually fine oval "HOBART TOWN / V.D.L" on the front, backstamped with a London c.d.s (Oct 21) and "DEAL / SHIP LETTER" (S.8), carried on the "Margaret" Brig, Capt. Craig. £150-200
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1826-33 Entire letters, the first from Bahia to Liverpool "p. Phoenix" with "SHIP LETTER / DEAL" (S.9); the second written by Capt. Bunker on the whaling ship "Harriet" off Payta with "DEAL / SHIP LETTER" (S.8). He writes to his employees in London "A rather tedious passage in consequence of foul winds along the Patagonian Coast and light winds off the Coast of Peru. We saw several large whales at lat. 59, long 78 West but did not succeed in capturing them. I now intend to proceed to Japan by way of the Marques Islands". (2). £100-150
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1836 Entire letters from Boston or New York to London both carried on the "St. James", Capt. Sebor (Red Swallowtail Line), taken in a sealed bag from Deal to the London Ship Letter Office where they received the red "SHIP LETTER / DEAL" (S.10) with a matching London c.d.s (Jan 25). A scarce ship letter handstamp. (2). £100-120
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1837 Entire letter from Canton to London "per Falcon" with fine blue "DEAL / SHIP LETTER" (S.8), backstamped in London (Oct 5), charged 1/4. Horizontal fold, otherwise a fine early letter from China, which reports on opium prices and cargos, the ship letter scarce in blue. £200-250
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1840 Entire letter from New Orleans to London endorsed "pr Ship Udine" and "B/L Consignees" with "DEAL / SHIP LETTER" (S.8) and red "(crown) / EXEMPT SHIP LR" (Ex1 of London) with a matching London c.d.s (Sep 24). Charged 3d, the unpaid inland postage of 2d + 1d captains gratuity. A fine and scarce exempt ship letter. Photo on Page 212. £200-250
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1841 Entire letter from Porto to London "p. Red Port", endorsed "Consignees of part of the Cargo", containing a bill of lading for five pipes of red port, handstamped "DEAL / SHIP LETTER" (S.8) and London "(crown) / EXEMPT SHIP LR" (Ex2) in black, backstamped in London (Jan 18) and charged 3d. Light file folds, small fault at upper right edge, otherwise fine and a scarce exempt ship letter. Photo on Page 212. £200-250
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1850-54 Entire letters with "DEAL / SHIP LETTER" (S.8), the first letter from Mauritius to Bordeaux "p. John Hullet" with the ship letter in blue, also with a Mauritius G.P.O c.d.s and red boxed "COLONIES / &c. ART. 13"; the other from Colombo to London "per William Brown" with the ship letter in red. A good pair, this ship letter handstamp scarce in blue and rare in red. (2). Photo on Page 212. £300-350
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1855 Entire letter from St. Helena to Marseille carried on the "George" to Deal rated 6d, charged 15 decimes in France, with red "DEAL / SHIP LETTER" (S.8) and orange boxed "COLONIES / &c ART. 13", London (Nov 7) and French datestamps. A fine letter from St. Helena, the ship letter rare in red. Photo on Page 212. £500-600
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