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Isle of Arran. 1809-1907 Entire letters, entires, covers and cards including 1809-16 entire letter and an entire both handstamped "ARRAN" with a Saltcoats transit mark, 1839 entire letter from Irvine to Arran prepaid 8d + 1d penny post charge with a Saltcoats Penny Post handstamp, 1857 cover from Russia to Arran, 1844 entire letter franked 1d with "BRODICK" straight line handstamp, 1842 1d pink envelope with straight line "LAMLASH" handstamp in red, later postcards, etc. (17). £180-220
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1823-1931 Entire letters, covers and cards mostly from or to various islands including Islay, Cumbrae, Bute, Skye and Mull, including 1851 "MILLPORT" undated circle in blue and later datestamps, 1856 entire letter with 1d red tied by rare boxed "BOWMORE VILLIGE" Scots local cancel (two heavy vertical file folds with some discoloration), 1837 entire letter to Portsoy redirected to Carndow, 1831 entire letter with "PORTSOY" straight line handstamp, similar 1830 "ROTHSAY" handstamp, Kerrycroy rubber c.d.s, Portree mileage mark and boxed datestamp, Tobermory straight line and mileage marks, 1854 "ISLE OF WHITHORN" undated circle, "GLASGOW GK ST / BL" backstamp, later postcards, etc. (43). £250-300
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Isle of Skye. 1900 cover posted from Aberdeen to Yorkshire franked 1d, the reverse depicting the Broadford Hotel on Skye with mountains behind and a steamer in front of the hotel. A little light spotting mainly to the front, a most attractive cover. £80-100
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Isle of Lewis - Named Steamer Mail. 1848-49 Entire letters from Stornoway to Glasgow with 1d reds cancelled "310" (the first in blue) and blue Stornoway backstamps, both endorsed to go by private ships directly to Glasgow (instead of the twice weekly packet to Poolewe), the 1848 entire letter endorsed "Pr Mary Jane Steamer" and the 1849 entire letter endorsed "P. Marquis of Stafford Steamer". The 1848 entire letter with tape repairs to reverse tears but the front fine, the other item superb. A rare pair, very few such items recorded endorsed by named steamers, both ex Robertson collection with the 1849 entire letter illustrated on page B54/B of his fine book on ship letters. (2). Photo on Page 210. £300-400
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South Uist. 1885-86 Covers to Glasgow both endorsed to go by private ships to Oban where the 1d lilacs were cancelled, the first cover with a Lochboisdale Pier backstamp endorsed "per steamer to Oban", the second cover endorsed "per Trojan". Very unusual. (2). £80-100
| Campbelton Steam Boat Mail | |
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1831 (Jan 14) Entire letter from Campbelton to Lee with an unusually fine strike of the rare "CAMPBELTON / STEAM BOAT" handstamp on the front, charged 10d (2d steamboat fee to Ayr and 8d Ayr to Lanark) with an "Addl / 1/2" handstamp. This Steam Boat handstamp was introduced in 1830 when the Post Office agreed to pay masters 2d a letter to carry mail between Campbeltown and Ayr, in order to combat the smuggling of letters by steamers; the handstamp is only recorded in 1830-31 and is rare even in this period as most mail continued to go by the overland route. Also 1797 entire letter from Dumfries to Campbeltown sent overland via Glasgow. (2). Photo on Page 210. £500-600
| Uist to Dunvegan Packet | |
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1842 (Oct 19) Entire letter written from Lochmaddy to Portree, carried by Post Office Packet to Dunvegan backstamped with scarce "UIST TO / DUNVEGAN" and a boxed Dunvegan datestamp (Oct 26), franked by a 1d red pair (one with faults) each tied by a Maltese Cross. Similar Post Office Packets between the Scottish Islands operated on at least five routes by 1836, but strangely a handstamp was only supplied to this one service between Uist and Skye; the handstamp is recorded from 1836 until 1842. Photo on Page 210. £250-300
| David MacBrayne Envelopes, Stationery & Ephemera | |
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1882 Letter written and signed by David MacBrayne, the letterhead depicting a steamer in an oval frame with "Highland Steam Packet Office / David MacBrayne" in the surround; an 1885 cover posted from Greenock to Glasgow, the flap printed with a similar logo but showing a differing steamer, the surround with the words "Glasgow & Highland Steamers / David MacBrayne"; and 1881 letter on steamer "Columba" notepaper depicting the landing of St. Columba on the Island of Iona. (3). £120-150
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1903-13 Pictorial envelopes (3) and a postcard all postally used, the 1904 cover with a coloured view of a steamer at Fingals Cave, the 1908 cover depicting a steamer printed in black with red funnels, the final 1913 cover printed in blue and red depicting a steamer and the wording "Glasgow and Highland Royal Mail Steamers", the 1903 coloured postcard depicting R.M.S Columba. (4). Photo on Page 210. £200-250
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1908 Cover printed in black and red depicting a steamer, posted to Paris with KEVII 1d and 1 1/2d cancelled at Oban, the enclosed letter on superb coloured notepaper of "The Royal Route, Glasgow & Highland Royal Mail Steamers, David MacBrayne Ltd" depicting Staffa and Iona; the French tourist refers to his trip from Oban to Iona and Staffa where he saw Fingals Cave. The cover very slightly reduced at right upon opening with the corner of the 1 1/2d stamp clipped off, otherwise fine. £100-120
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Unused stationery comprising envelope with a coloured view of a steamer at Fingals Cave, Staffa and enclosed coloured notepaper depicting Iona and Staffa; envelope and matching notepaper printed in blue and red depicting a steamer and "The Royal Route" crossed flags logo; coloured postcards depicting R.M.S Columba or views of the lakes and mountains; also a Time Table and Fare List for the Columba and Iona with a coloured picture of a steamer, and a Tariff and Wine card for the Columba. An attractive and scarce group. (8). £200-250
| Greenock & Ardrishaig Packet | |
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1855 Greenock & Ardrishaig Post Office time-bill with printed times for the steamer service between Greenock and Ardrishaig calling at Strone, Dunoon, Innellan, Rothesay and Tarbert, with handwritten times for the proposed service by the Loch Fyne Steamer, and for the mail cart service from Ardrishaig to Lochgilphead. The initial service was operated by Hutcheson & Co. on the "Rothsay Castle" from 1st March 1855 until Hutcheson's terminated the contract on 18th October of that year; the service was then taken over by the Glasgow & Loch Fyne Packet Co using the "Inverary Castle", and ran until March 1856. This time-bill evidently concerns the change in operating company in October 1855, showing times of both the Hutcheson and Glasgow & Loch Fyne Packet services, the journey time between Greenock and Ardrishaig increasing from 4 hours to 6 hours with the change of contract. An important document, just one other time-bill recorded from the initial 1855 service. See online catalogue for illustration. £300-400
| First Type "Greenock & Ardrishaig Packet" Datestamps | |
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1879 (July 25) Cover to Lossiemouth with 1d red cancelled by "GREENOCK & ARDRISHAIG PACKET / 163" duplex code "A" (used on the outward morning sailing), offloaded and backstamped at Clachan, with datestamps of Elgin (skeleton) and Lossiemouth. This first type duplex was only used between 1st July and 8th August 1879, when separate named datestamps for the "Columba" and "Iona" were introduced. Photo on Page 210. £300-350
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1879 (July 28) 1/2d Postal stationery card uprated with a 1d red, written from the Isle of Jura to Sacramento, California with a "CRAIGHOUSE" c.d.s on reverse, the card and stamp then each cancelled the following day with the scarce first type "GREENOCK & ARDRISHAIG PACKET / 163" duplex code "B" (return afternoon sailing). The only example of this first duplex we have recorded on a postcard or on mail addressed overseas. Central vertical fold with small tear at upper edge, otherwise fine and an exceptional use of this rare datestamp. Photo on Page 214. £500-600
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1879 (July 25) Cover franked 1d from Rothesay to Paisley backstamped by superb "GREENOCK & ARDRISHAIG PACKET" c.d.s code "B". This first type c.d.s only used as a backstamp on letters posted ashore but sorted on the steamer; only three or four examples are recorded dated between 16th and 29th July 1879. Exhibition quality and one of the rarest of all the G & A Packet datestamps. Photo on Page 214. £700-800
| "Columba" Datestamps | |
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Piece bearing a proof impression of the Columba Steamer c.d.s without date (Mackay type GA4 without side arcs, cut to shape but rare); piece with 1d lilac tied by Columba duplex code "B" (GA3); and 1877 4d green plate 16 (S.G. 153) cancelled by Columba Steamer duplex code "B", the only surface printed stamp above a 2 1/2d value we have seen with a G & A cancel. (3). Photo on Page 196. £80-100
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1884 Cover from Musselburgh addressed to "Charles Dalrymple Esq. M.P, Care of the Captain, S.S Columba, Ardrishaig"; 1899-1900 coloured David MacBrayne postcards depicting the Columba, the first a court size card with QV 1/2d tied by type GA5 Columba Steamer duplex code "B", the other a normal size card to Germany with 1d lilac tied by type GA3 Columba Steamer duplex code "A"; also picture postcards or photos of the Columba (8) and a 1901 card from the Glasgow Exhibition. (12). £180-220
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1880 Covers to Dunoon with Columba Steamer 163 duplex cancels code B, used on the return afternoon sailing, comprising type GA3 cancelling a 1d venetian red or type GA5 with side arcs cancelling a 1d red, the second with light folds, otherwise fine and early examples of these cancels. (2). £120-150
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1880-89 Entire letter and covers (3) all backstamped with the Columba Steamer single ring c.d.s, comprising type GA4 code "A" on cover from Tarbert to Strone and code "B" on cover from Rothesay to Dunoon; type GA6 (side bars) code "A" on 1880 (Aug 27) entire letter from Campbeltown to Inverary and code "B" on cover from Lochgilphead to Dunoon. The 1880 entire letter with vertical fold, otherwise fine and a scarce group showing both c.d.s types with both codes. Mackay only recorded a single example GA4 code "A" and no examples of GA6 code "A", this example still being the earliest known. (4). £180-220
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1882 Postcards (2) and covers (3) all cancelled by Columba Steamer 163 duplexs comprising type GA5 (side arcs) code "A" on 1882 1d postcard to Belgium, and type GA3 code "A" (3, one of these posted at Skipness and cancelled on the Columba on the following day) or code "B". The two cards with faults, the three covers fine. (5). £180-220
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1882 Cover from Edinburgh to Bridgend, Island of Jura, but returned "not found", and a 1900 postcard from Austria to Tarbert redirected to Oban, both sorted on the Columba on their return journey with a Columba Steamer code "B" duplex (type GA5) on the front deliberately applied so the bars are off the item therefore giving the appearance of being a single ring datestamp. An unusual pair. (2). Photo on Page 214. £160-200
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1884 Unsealed cover sent at the 1/2d printed matter rate from London to Dunoon, redirected to Ayr with an unusual boxed " 1/2" charge mark applied, backstamped with the Columba Steamer type GA6 c.d.s, code "B". £100-120
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1885-92 Covers posted at Kirn, both backstamped with Columba Steamer type GA6 c.d.s code "B", the first a 1d pink envelope to Germany uprated with 1/2d and 1d stamps, the other franked 2 1/2d to Victoria. (2). £120-140
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1886 1d Brown postcard to Russia and 1894 1d orange postcard to Germany both cancelled by Columba Steamer 163 duplexs, code "A", both with the c.d.s portion almost inverted, the first card with type GA3 datestamp, redirected from Odessa to Sebastopol with datestamps of both towns, the other card with type GA5 datestamp. A fine pair, the Russia destination unusual. £120-140
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1901 Covers with the first type (GA26) double ring c.d.s unusually applied as a backstamp, one a Zanzibar 2a registration envelope bearing five 1/2a stamps sent to Glasgow and redirected to Innellan with code "A" datestamp; the other from Oban to Lamlash with an interesting enclosed letter on Caledonian Hotel notepaper and a code "B" datestamp, both dated in June, earlier than recorded by Mackay. (2). £150-180
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1905-12 Postcards (6) and a cover all franked 1d, one card with KEVII Harrison 1d to a passenger on the liner "Canada" at Liverpool, the others addressed abroad, to Penang (with Penang and Dato Kramat arrival datestamps), Sweden, Russia, USA (2) or France, all cancelled by double ring datestamps, types GA13 code "A" (2) or "B" (2), GA17 code "B", GA20 code "B" (2), one on a coloured MacBrayne card, also two cards of the ship. An unusual group. (9). £200-250
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1903-11 Postcards franked 1/2d all cancelled by double ring datestamps comprising types GA13 code "A" (3) or "B" (4, one unusually with the year omitted), GA17 code "A" (2) or "B", GA20 code "A" (4) or "B" (2), three on differing coloured David MacBrayne cards, also another card of the ship. (17). £200-240
| "Iona" Datestamps | |
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1879 (Dec 24) Cover with enclosed letter written and posted from Tarbert to Lachute, Canada East, the 2 1/2d rosy-mauve plate 14 stamp tied by superb Iona Steamer 163 duplex code "B", small edge tear at base, otherwise very fine and unusual. Photo on Page 214. £160-200
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1879-80 Covers with 1d reds tied by fine Iona Steamer 163 duplexs with codes "A" or "B", the code "B" cancel posted and backstamped at Toward, this cover with light folds, otherwise both fine and early. (2). £120-150
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1880 Covers to Greenock, both posted and backstamped at Innellan with the stamps cancelled by the Iona Steamer 163 duplex code "B", one franked by a 1d venetian red, the other unusually bearing 1/2d plate 8 pair, very light folds, otherwise both fine and early. (2). £150-180
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1880 Covers to the Isle of Islay, one a 1d pink envelope from Campbeltown to Bowmore, the other from Paisley to Port Ellen, both returned marked "Deceased" or "Not Known" and sorted on the Iona on their return journey with the code "B" duplex on the front deliberately applied so the "163" numeral is off the cover, therefore giving the appearance of being a single ring datestamp. An unusual pair. (2). £140-160
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1879-82 Covers backstamped with the Iona Steamer single ring c.d.s, the first from Campbeltown to Greenock with code "A" c.d.s of SP29 79, the others from Rothesay to Paisley or Lochgilphead to Dunoon with the code "B" c.d.s. All fine, the code "A" c.d.s very scarce and early. (3). £140-160
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1886-95 Covers with 1d lilacs cancelled by "IONA STEAMER / 163" double ring datestamps with codes "A" or "B", the "B" code cover posted and backstamped at Toward. Also the similar Iona Steamer datestamps used as backstamps with code "A" on a cover from Tayinloan and code "B" on a cover from Innellan to Greenock. A few small faults, the datestamps all fine. (4). £160-200
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1886 (Mar 24) Cover to California bearing 1884 2 1/2d lilac tied by "PORTASKAIG" c.d.s (Isle of Islay) and Kelseville, Lake Co., California arrival c.d.s, redirected to San Francisco, backstamps include "IONA STEAMER / 163" double ring c.d.s code "B". An unusual cover from Islay to U.S.A. £100-120
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1888 (Oct 3) Stampless cover to Glasgow charged 2d with a fine "IONA STEAMER / 163" double ring datestamp, light horizontal fold, otherwise fine and an unusual cover posted unpaid on the steamer. Photo on Page 214. £100-120
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1901-04 Covers (2) and 1903 postcards (2), the 1901 cover from Tarbert to Colintraive backstamped by double ring c.d.s type GA14 code "A" (AP 9, earlier than recorded by Mackay), 1904 cover from Port Ellen to North Berwick with type GA16 code "B" backstamps; the two postcards both cancelled by the type GA14 code "B" c.d.s with varieties inverted "8" for "B" in code or year omitted. Four unusual items. (4). £180-220
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1902-13 Postcards (14) and a cover all cancelled by Iona double ring datestamps comprising type GA14 code "A" (2) or "B" (3), type GA16 code "A" or "B" (2) and type GA23 code "A" (3) or "B" (4, also a single stamp), one card sent to New South Wales but only franked 1/2d, another card franked 1d, three on coloured David MacBrayne postcards. Also three cards depicting the ship. (19). £240-280
| "Iona" Datestamps Used on the "Chevalier" or "Grenadier"
The "Columba" and "Iona" operated between Greenock and Ardrishaig during the popular summer months, whilst the winter service was unusually operated by the "Chevalier", sometimes supplemented by the "Grenadier" from 1886. During 1890 the "Grenadier" operated until June 21st whilst the "Iona" was being refitted. However the "Grenadier" did not get its own datestamp until 1895 and the "Chevalier" not until 1901; prior to this the "Iona" datestamps were used on these two ships. Their use is scarce as little mail was posted on board during the winter period. | |
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1881 (Nov 12) Poor Law assessment form posted from Tighnabruaich to Ormidale at the printed matter rate with the 1/2d green stamp cancelled on the "Chevalier" by the Iona Steamer 163 code "B" duplex, strangely reposted a week later with a 1d receipt stamp applied inside to show the tax had been paid, another 1/2d green stamp applied over the original stamp and again cancelled on the "Chevalier" by the Iona Steamer duplex with a second strike below. Very unusual. Photo on Page 214. £150-200
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1884 (Dec 23) Poor Law assessment form with a 1d receipt stamp inside, posted from Tighnabruaich to Glendaruel sent at the printed matter rate, the 1/2d blue stamp cancelled on the "Chevalier" by the "IONA STEAMER / 163" double ring, fine and unusual. £100-120
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1883-91 Covers (6) with Iona Steamer code "B" datestamps applied on the "Chevalier" comprising 1883 cover (reverse sliced in half to display backstamps) from Ardrishaig to Innellan and redirected to Dunoon unusually with both the Iona Steamer single ring c.d.s and the Iona Steamer duplex applied so the numeral is off the cover and therefore appearing as a c.d.s; 1883 entire letter from Rothesay to Dunoon with single ring c.d.s backstamp; cover posted at Ardfern (faults) and an entire letter both cancelled by the Iona Steamer 163 double ring c.d.s; and covers from Ardfern to Paisley or Innellan to Dunoon backstamped with the same double ring c.d.s. Also four single stamps with this Iona Steamer 163 double ring cancel. A scarce group. (10). £300-350
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1887 and 1891 Covers to Paisley cancelled on the "Grenadier" by the double ring "IONA STEAMER / 163" c.d.s code "B", and an 1888 cover from Campbeltown to Lochgilphead backstamped by the same code "A" datestamp. A few small faults but scarce cancels used on the "Grenadier". (3). £150-180
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1889 (Jan 3) 1/2d Postcard written from Tighnabruaich to Irvine, posted on the "Grenadier" and cancelled by a fine "IONA STEAMER / 163" code "B" double ring c.d.s, scarce and unusual on a postcard. Photo on Page 214. £120-150
| "Grenadier" Datestamps | |
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1897 (Feb 15) Cover to Carnoustie with 1d lilac cancelled by superb "GRENADIER STEAMER / 163" double ring c.d.s and 1896 cover (edge stain) from Bowmore to Neilston backstamped with the same code "B" c.d.s., also pieces (2) and a stamp cancelled by the code "A" c.d.s. (cut to shape) or code "B" c.d.s. (2). A very scarce c.d.s used as a cancellation on cover. (5). Photo on Page 214. £360-420
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1902-07 Registered covers all backstamped by the second type Grenadier c.d.s (GA12) code "A", three 1902 covers from Dunoon or Bedford (2) to Colintraive, Bute; the 1907 cover an O.R.C 4d registration envelope uprated 3d sent from Vrede to Glasgow and redirected to Innellan with a registration label applied at Glasgow. (4). £220-260
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1901-08 Postcards (4) and covers (2) with the type GA12 c.d.s, the cards all cancelled by code "A" (2) or "B" (2) datestamp, the covers sent from Bowmore to Glasgow with code "B" backstamp or from Innellan to Tighnabruaich with code "A" backstamp. Also three coloured David MacBrayne cards probably posted on the "Grenadier" whilst in the Western Isles and cancelled at Oban, and four cards or photos of the ship. (13). £350-400
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1903-09 Postcards (2) and a cover with the very scarce third type Grenadier c.d.s (GA18, "Greenock" in full), the two cards with KEVII 1/2d cancelled by code "A" (AP3 09, code unrecorded by Mackay) or code "B" (No 9 03, earliest recorded date), the 1904 cover from Innellan to India with code "B" backstamp. A rare group. (3). Photo on Page 218. £350-400
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1911 (Jan 11) Novelty postcard with a plastic baby attached to the picture side, the KEVII 1/2d stamp cancelled by a fine Grenadier type GA 21 c.d.s, code "A", a "1d" charge mark and "LIABLE TO LETTER RATE / LSS" applied at Lochgilphead, attractive and very unusual. £120-150
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1912-14 Postcards franked 1/2d (2) and a cover franked 1d, all cancelled by the final Grenadier c.d.s type GA21, code "A" or "B" (2), fine and scarce. (3). £300-350
| "Chevalier" Datestamps | |
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Single 1d stamps with Chevalier cancels comprising KEVII 1d (2) with 1903 c.d.s type GA15 codes "A" and "B" (torn), or KGV 1d Downey Head with type GA22 c.d.s code "B". Also a 1902 postcard written on the "Chevalier" but cancelled on the "Columba" with GA13 code "B" c.d.s, and a real photo postcard of the "Chevalier". Scarce cancels even on single stamps. (5). Photo on Page 196. £100-120
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1902 (Nov 7) KEVII 3d Registration envelope size F from Tarbert, Lochfyne to London with two strikes of the "Chevalier" type GA15 code "B" c.d.s applied, one to each side of the cover, very scarce and unusual. Photo on Page 218. £600-700
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