THE TONY EASTGATE COLLECTIONS OF FIJI & NEW CALEDONIA
Featuring superb covers of all periods ranging from Pre-stamp and 1st-Issue covers through to World War II, with an emphasis on destinations, rates, routes and eye-appeal. Assembled over almost 50 years and Internationally exhibited in several continents. |
|
FIJI - PRE 1870 MAIL - EARLY LETTER REFERRING CANNIBALISM IN FIJI; 17 June 1837 EL to Bristol with London Paid c.d.s. from the Mission House, Hatton Garden. Writer states 'We have received a number of letters from the Friendly Islands.....that cannibalism prevails amongst the Fijians....Parents bake and eat the remains of their own children...' Remarkable observations of the early missionaries. £150
|
|
|
FIJI - PRE 1870 MAIL - EARLY LETTER WRITTEN AT SOMO SOMO; 15 July 1840 EL (few wrinkles and internal stains) to London written missionaries Rev. Lyth & John Hunt. Carried by Rev. Waterhouse on the mission ship Triton to Hobart with arrival d.s. on front and then sent by the 'Mary Hay' (endorsed at left) to London with "SHIP LETTER" and London c.d.s. on rear. Contents read 'The inhabitants of Somo Somo are proverbial even in Fiji for their depraved habits...another chief of high rank followed the example of the King['s conversion to christianity]........about the same time a poor girl whom we delivered from the murderous hands of a Chief, who was about to strangle her because she was ill'. Exceptional and early contemporary reporting of the Islands and the attempts at spreading the gospel £1,500
|
|
|
FIJI - PRE 1870 MAIL - RARE EARLY LOCAL CANOE MAIL; 20 Aug. 1849 EL to Nugulau and addressed to the US.Consul J.B.Williams, written by Rev. Lyth at the Mission Viwa and apparently carried privately as it is without any markings. Contents state 'The Chief Ngawimdy desires....you send him six muskets......also 2 kegs of powder'. £400
|
|
|
FIJI - PRE 1870 MAIL - EARLY MISSIONARY LETTER TO AUSTRALIA; July 1852 EL to Sydney (redirected to Goulburn) written by John Watsford at the Viwa Mission House to Viti Levu. Carried privately to Auckland with c.d.s. on face and Sydney Ship Letter d.s. with "3"(d) ship letter charge h.s. on front and re-rated '5'(d) to include the inland redirection. Contents inc. 'One poor fellow with his head smashed was dragged...to be eaten the other day.....these dark parts of the earth are full of habitues of cruelty'. Important content as to the challenges faced by the Church £1,500
|
|
|
FIJI - PRE 1870 MAIL - EARLY LOCAL LETTER TO THE AMERICAN CONSUL; 20 Feb. 1854 EL to J.B.Williams, Consul, Fejee Islands carried privately and without markings, written at Tui Levuka signed by locals Chiefs with 'X' marks and the signatures of European witnesses below. £300
|
|
|
FIJI - PRE 1870 MAIL - STAMPLESS LETTER SENT VIA SYDNEY; 29 Oct. 1858 unfranked EL to London, written by William Moore at Lythville Rewa and 'N.S.W' within three ovals h.s. on face alongside '6'(d) pre-paid ship letter rate with Sydney Ship letter and London Paid c.d.s. on front. Note: The British Consular P.O. opened in Levuka the month prior though no markings were in use at the time. £750
|
|
|
FIJI - PRE 1870 MAIL - EARLY CORRESPONDENCE, MAPS, PHOTO ETC.; 1869-71 letters written locally to E.Vincent Sandilands (1847-71) one with env. but without markings, two early printed maps of Fiji, c1872 photo of the King of Fiji, piece of a receipt(?) with GPO Levuka c.d.s. of 6.11.1876, 1872/74 Fijian Govt. Debenture or Certificate of Indebtedness etc. (16 items) £150
|
|
|
FIJI - 1870s MAIL - NEW SOUTH WALES FRANKING APPLIED IN FIJI; 12 Oct. 1870 env. (with contents, datelined at Port Morton - written by E.Vincent Sandilands [1847-71] to his father) to London franked NSW 6d Diadem tied by N.S.W in three concentric ovals and with Ship Letter Sydney c.d.s. on rear. Important and exceptionally rare stamped cover originating in Fiji. Note: A stock of N.S.W stamps was obtained in 1863 from the PMG in Sydney however mail was still transhipped and cancelled in Sydney Cross Reference: NEW SOUTH WALES £3,000
|
|
|
FIJI - 1870s MAIL - NEW SOUTH FRANKING ON LETTER ORIGINATING IN FIJI; 27 Sep. 1871 long env. (few faults and repairs) to England franked NSW marginal 1/- Diadem tied by Sydney duplex endorsed 'British Consulate Fiji & Tonga' at lower left and 'On Her Britannic Majestys Service' at top. Rear with Hythe/Kent arrival c.d.s. Probably unique double-weight letter with a NSW franking. £2,000
|
|
|
FIJI - 1870s MAIL - SPECTACULAR 2c ON 1d FRANKING WITH SUVA MANUSCRIPT CANCEL; 26 Aug. 1872 env. (faults & a few repairs) to England franked 2c on 1d Blue (12 - two defective where over the edge of the env.) and tied to env. or each other by mss. 'Suva 26/8/72'. Rear with Levuka and Lincoln c.d.s. Presumably an additional 1d was paid in cash for the 25c 1 oz. rate as no 1c value existed. Major exhibition item. Sold for £2640 in April 1989 £5,000
|
|
|
FIJI - 1870s MAIL - VERY RARE BA MANUSCRIPT CANCEL; Oct. 1872 part front franked 2c on 1d Blue (9) and with mss. cancels 'Ba, Oct 10th 1872 Ba Ba Ba/Ba Ba' one tied by part Levuka c.d.s. and apparently representing the treble (1½ oz.) rate of 18¾c, the fraction probably cash paid as impossible to frank and very unusual thus. £500
|
|
|
FIJI - 1870s MAIL - SAVU SAVU BAY MANUSCRIPT CANCELS ON COVER; 4 June 1874 front and part back to London franked pair 12c on 6d tied by 'Savu Savu Bay' 4/6/74' mss. cancels with G.P.O Levuka c.d.s. alongside and two London arrival d.s. on rear. Rated '6'(d) on front as the franking apparently unrecognised until Fiji was ceded to Great Britain. Important exhibition item £4,000
|
|
|
FIJI - 1870s MAIL - REMARKABLE FRANKING TO AUSTRIA; 14 Sep. 1875 env. (few stains removed) to Natagedl, Moravia (redirected to Czernahora) franked 12c on 6c VR and 2d on 6c on 3c VR tied to cover or each other by 'ray' cancels. Levuka c.d.s. on rear and London Paid transit d.s. on front. Extraordinary destination and a major exhibition item thus. Ex Robertson (1992) sold for £3000. Holcombe Cert. (1988) Cross Reference: REDIRECTED MAIL £4,000
|
|
|
FIJI - 1870s MAIL - THE MAGNIFICENT "ECLIPSE OF THE MOON" COVER; 3 Oct. 1876 front (few faults) to England franked 6c on 3d VR (12 inc. three pairs - two showing combination of Roman & Gothic lettering) with mss. cancel 'Eclipse of the Moon - 10 3rd 1876" and sent from the expedition to view the Eclipse. Faint Levuka c.d.s. centrally placed and carried on the Zealandia to San Francisco. An exceptional exhibition item of the utmost importance. Ex T.V.Roberts and Robertson (1992) Sold for £3500 £5,000
|
|
|
FIJI - 1870s MAIL - SAVU SAVU MANUSCRIPT CANCEL ON PIECE; Fragment (toned) franked 2d on 3d VR (5 inc. two pairs) with 'Savu Savu/5 June 76' and with additional Levuka c.d.s. of 12.6.1876. Very rare manuscript cancel. £300
|
|
|
FIJI - 1870s MAIL - SPECTACULAR FIJI/USA COMBINATION FRANKING; 10 May 1877 env. (light stains, slightly reduced at left) to California franked USA 3c banknote (few perf defects) & pair Fiji VR 6d all tied to cover or each other by Levuka c.d.s. San Francisco arrival c.d.s. and bold "5"(c) internal rate h.s. on front. Note: As Fiji was not yet a UPU member, the USA franking may have been an attempt to pay the internal US postage. Probably unique combination and an exceptional exhibition item Cross Reference: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, COMBINATION COVERS £7,500
|
|
|
FIJI - 1870s MAIL - VERY RARE LOCAL COVER WITH 2d ON 3d FRANKING; 20 Dec. 1877 env. (central crease, flap defective) to Nasova (Governor's Residence) franked 2d on 3d VR tied by rays cancel with Levuka c.d.s. alongside. Attractive. Ex Robertson (1992) Sold for £800 £2,000
|
|
|
FIJI - 1870s MAIL - EXCEPTIONAL MISSENT LOOSE LETTER; Dec. 1878 env. (minor blemishes) to Isle of Man franked VR 6d Carmine Rose (2) on wove paper tied by Melbourne 'killer' barred '1' numerals with framed "MIS-SENT TO/MELBOURNE - VICTORIA" and framed "LOOSE/SHIP LETTER" h.s. at top. Rear with Melbourne and Douglas c.d.s. Highly unusual example of missorted mail cancelled en route. Very important exhibition item. Cross Reference: INSTRUCTIONAL MARKS, VICTORIA, PAQUEBOTS, MISSENT MAIL £3,000
|
|
|
FIJI - 1870s MAIL - OFFICIAL DOUBLE WEIGHT LETTER TO ENGLAND; 21 June 1879 unfranked OHMS long env. (creases, flap defective) to Leeds rated '1/-' at left with 'Surveyor Generals Office' in mss. at lower left and centrally placed Leeds arrival c.d.s. Rather uncommon official mail. Cross Reference: OFFICIAL MAIL £500
|
|
|
FIJI - 1870s MAIL - MAIL CARRIED IN THE NAVAL BAG TO ENGLAND; 3 Dec. 1879 env. (few tears at top and with H.M.S.Emerald imprint on rear flap) to England endorsed from 'Levuka/Fiji' at left and 'Via Melbourne and Brindisi' at top left. Carried by Admiralty bag to Melbourne and thence via Brindisi to London where franked 1d Red tied by London WC duplex and endorsed 'Over one oz' and red "D" with circle applied and charged '1'(d) on front. Very unusual postage due cover avoiding the conventional method of transmission. Cross Reference: NAVAL MAIL, POSTAGE DUE COVERS £1,200
|
|
|
FIJI - 1880s MAIL - SUPERB POSTAGE DUE COVER TO USA WITH MANUSCRIPT CANCELS; 27 July 1880 env. (with contents, datelined at Loma Loma) to USA franked pair 4d on 3d VR Mauve each initialled 'HT(ripp) the Postmaster at Loma Loma and tied by ray cancels with faint Levuka c.d.s. alongside. Circular "DUE/5" h.s. and 5c p.due affixed below just tied by heavy ink cancel. Rear with San Francisco transit c.d.s. Ex Dale-Lichtenstein (1990) sold for £1100 £1,200
|
|
|
FIJI - 1880s MAIL - EARLY LETTERS TO LADY ROMILLY; Three letters on either OHMS/FIJI letterhead or headed Government House dated March or July 1880 (another undated) all to Lady Romilly in London and one with matched env. posted locally in London franked 1d Venetian Red tied by London WC duplex. One is from her son, Hugh, who writes 'We go to Samoa, Tonga and Rotuma on the Emerald. I think I shall relieve Murray at Rotuma...when I shall hold the double position of Private Sec and the far higher one of Commissioner...', further letters on plain paper of Feb./Mar. 1880 (whilst at Rotumah), Apr. 1880 to his brother Harry (with env. but carried privately), of Nov. 1880 written in Rotumah or Sydney and 'Received at Florence May 1881' in mss. on front, another undated in Hugh's hand but from a Fijian chief and of July 1881 written at Nasova plus three photographic sketches of Rotuma by Sir Arthur Gordon (14 items) £300
|
|
|
FIJI - 1880s MAIL - OFFICIAL ENVELOPE TO LONDON CARRIED IN A DIPLOMATIC BAG; 27 Sep. 1880 Fiji OHMS (mss. deleted) printed long env. to Lady Romilly in london franked 1d Venetian Red tied by London WC duplex with matched contents written on printed OHMS/FIJI letterhead from her son Hugh describing his first visit to Rotuma and an original 31 July 1880 printed Fiji Royal Gazette referring to his official appointment as Private Secretary. (3 items) Cross Reference: OFFICIAL MAIL £300
|
|
|
FIJI - 1880s MAIL - SCARCE TOWN LETTER; 29 Oct. 1880 env. (few peripheral faults) to Levuka franked 1d VR tied by two strikes of 'ray' cancels and a curious marking of dots(?). Rear with company cachet for HENRY CAVE/SUVA FIJI. £300
|
|
|
FIJI - 1880s MAIL - LOCAL & OFFICIAL MAIL; Quartet with an Nov. 1880 letter (no cover) to Lady Romilly by Sir Arthur Gordon (at Bournemouth), Fiji Governor (1875-80) who mentions 'Romilly has just gone to Rotumah.....[to] prepared for...hoisting the flag in about 3 weeks time', Oct. 1881 EL in native language from Urone to Navuloa, carried entirely by canoe or hand and 1885/89 OHMS Printed Government free frank wrappers to Apia or Calcutta, indicia cancelled with 'rays' or much more unusually with a Suva c.d.s. (4 items) Cross Reference: OFFICIAL MAIL £240
|
|
|
FIJI - 1880s MAIL - VERY RARE 1d MILITARY CONCESSION RATE FROM A SHIP IN LEVUKA; cJune 1881 env. (repairs & peripheral faults) to London franked 1d Venetian Red tied by barred 'FB' (Foreign Branch) h.s. and from 'W.Basley Seaman H.M.S.Alacrity/Levuka Fiji' and authorised by Commanding Officer at lower left. Rear with three London cds's. Major exhibition item and important example of military concession mail Cross Reference: MILITARY - PENNY CONCESSION RATES £1,500
|
|
|
FIJI - 1880s MAIL - RARE DOUBLE WEIGHT COVER TO SCOTLAND; 17 Apr. 1884 env. (few tone spots) to Scotland franked 4d on 3d VR (4 inc. a pair) all tied by Levuka c.d.s. with Ayr cds on rear. Unusual example of the double 8d per ½ oz. rate. £500
|
|
|
FIJI - 1880s MAIL - SCARCE 2d INTERNAL RATE COVER; 1 May 1885 env. (stains on flap) to Raki Raki franked 2d Green tied by 'Steven's & Johnson's' trading store cachet (from Elliston P.O) and tied in transit by Suva cds. Rear with Levuka cds and carried down the Rewa River to Suva and on the Ocean Queen to Raki Raki. £400
|
|
|
FIJI - 1880s MAIL - CORRESPONDENCE FROM A DISTRICT COMMISSIONER IN FIJI; Range of letters written by (Sir) Basil Home Thomson, District Commissioner at Colo West mainly from Fort Carnarvon, Loma Loma or S.S.Suva (off Tulagi) one states 'I am the only Colonial Officer who knows Tongan affairs & speaks the language....' plus a 28 June 1887 env. (flap faults) to London franked 2d (5 inc. a pair and a separated marginal pair) tied by Suva cds. (10 letters + 1 cover) Cross Reference: SOLOMON ISLANDS £300
|
|
|
FIJI - 1880s MAIL - INSUFFICIENTLY PAID COVER TO SAMOA; 31 Mar. 1888 env. (corner cut and rear stained) to Apia franked 1d + 4d on 3d tied by Levuka c.d.s. with v.fine framed "DEFICIENT POSTAGE '1d'/FINE '1d'} '2d/to pay'". Unusual postage due mail Cross Reference: POSTAGE DUE COVERS £400
|
|
| |
FIJI - 1880s MAIL - REDIRECTED POSTAGE DUE COVER TO AUSTRALIA; 7 Nov. 1888 env. (few flap faults) to Sydney franked 1d Blue (2, one with wing margin at base) each tied by Levuka c.d.s. Redirected to Melbourne with Sydney "2D" h.s. on face and Melbourne oval "2D/MORE TO PAY" h.s. at top. Rear with Sydney and Melbourne cds's. Cross Reference: POSTAGE DUE COVERS, NEW SOUTH WALES, VICTORIA, REDIRECTED MAIL £300
|
|
| |
FIJI - 1880s MAIL - MANUSCRIPT CANCEL FROM LOMA LOMA(?); 26 Aug. 1888 env. (minor blemishes) to Sydney franked 2d Green just tied by mss. blue pencil cross with mss 'Loma Loma 26/8/88' at top right with Suva cds on rear. £150
|
|
| |
FIJI - 1880s MAIL - MANUSCRIPT OUTER ISLAND CANCEL; 27 Aug. 1888 env. (minor blemishes) to Sydney franked 2d Green tied by mss. blue pencil cross and originating from one of the outer islands (?) though with mss 'Levuka 26/8/88' at left and tied in transit by Levuka cds with Suva cds on rear. £150
|
|
| |
FIJI - 1880s MAIL - REDIRECTED MANUSCRIPT POSTAGE DUE COVER TO AUSTRALIA; 13 Dec. 1888 env. to Sydney franked 2d Green tied by Levuka cds and redirected to Melbourne with mss. value "'2d'/TO PAY" oval h.s. on front and rear with Suva cds and Sydney duplex. Cross Reference: VICTORIA, POSTAGE DUE COVERS, REDIRECTED MAIL, FALSE £240
|
|
|
FIJI - 1880s MAIL - POSTAGE DUE COVER TO NEW YORK; 15 Jan. 1889 env. (few faults) to NY franked pair 4d on 3d pair tied by Levuka c.d.s. with additional strike nearby and "U.S.CHARGE/TO COLLECT/5 CENTS" h.s. at top. Rear with Suva and San Francisco cds. Cross Reference: POSTAGE DUE COVERS £200
|
|
|
FIJI - 1880s MAIL - DOUBLE RATE COVER TO GERMANY; 8 May 1889 env. to Hamburg franked 4d on 3d [4 - strip of three & single - latter with perf fault) tied by Suva cds. Rear with Naples and Hamburg cds. Scarce destination £300
|
|
|
FIJI - 1890s-1909 MAIL FINAL VR PERIOD - PROVISIONAL OVERPRINTS ON COVER; 2 May 1891 env. (few faults) to London franked pair 2½d on 2d tied by Levuka cds. Rear with Suva transit and London arrival cds's. £200
|
|
|
FIJI - 1890s-1909 MAIL FINAL VR PERIOD - REGISTERED COVER TO ENGLAND; 31 Oct. 1891 env. (peripheral faults, mild toning - turned and reused, originally an OHMS stampless env. to Levuka) to England franked pair 6d (perf faults) & strip of three 1d (central unit defective) with oval "REGISTERED '784' LEVUKA FIJI" and double-lined oval "R" h.s. on front. Oval London reg. ds and Bideford arrival cds on rear. 'VR' official resealing tape also on rear. Unusual thus. Cross Reference: REGISTERED MAIL, REDIRECTED MAIL, OFFICIAL MAIL, INSTRUCTIONAL MARKS £200
|
|
|
FIJI - 1890s-1909 MAIL FINAL VR PERIOD - MAIL ADDRESSED OVERSEAS AT DIFFERENT RATES; Feb. 1892 env. to Apia franked 2d Green (imperf at base) and tied by Levuka c.d.s. Carried to (and only paid as far as) Auckland on the S.S.Suva and Aug. (?) 1892 env. to Dresden (redirected locally) franked 2½d apparently cancelled on arrival with Dresden cds yet with faint Fiji cds alongside and Dresden and Venie cds on rear. Former Ex Dale-Lichtenstein (1990) (2 covers) Cross Reference: REDIRECTED MAIL £200
|
|
|
FIJI - 1890s-1909 MAIL FINAL VR PERIOD - REGISTERED OFFICIAL ENVELOPES TO EUROPE; 17 Mar. 1892 OHMS env. (few stains) used privately to Frankfurt and franked ½d on 1d (12 - strip of three [on rear], four pairs and single - imperf at base) + 2½d all tied by Suva cds to cover or each other and rear with Naples and Frankfurt cds and 21 June 1892 unfranked printed OHMS env. to London endorsed 'Leslie Walker' (PMG 1880-1905) at lower left and redirected to Amsterdam and registered at London franked QV 5d + 2d tied by Stoke Newington Sub Office cds. A most unusual pair (2 covers) Cross Reference: OFFICIAL MAIL, REDIRECTED MAIL, REGISTERED MAIL, QV JUBILEE ISSUES £300
|
|
|
FIJI - 1890s-1909 MAIL FINAL VR PERIOD - RARE PROVISIONAL PAIR ON COVER; 25 July 1892 env. (minor faults) to London franked vertical pair 5d on 4d tied by Suva cds with oval reg. London ds also on front. Note: Only 5000 of these stamps were overprinted following Fiji joining the UPU. £400
|
|
|
FIJI - 1890s-1909 MAIL FINAL VR PERIOD - LOOSE LETTER POSTAGE DUE COVER TO AUSTRALIA; cApr. 1893 env. (rear flap roughly opened) to Sydney franked 2d + pair 1d for the double 2d rate, cancelled on arrival with two strikes of the Sydney duplex with double-lined oval "LOOSE SHIP/LETTER" h.s. alongside. Charged "2D" h.s. on front and pair of NSW 1d p.dues applied and tied by treble concentric ovals. V.fine. Important and very rare exhibition item. Ex Robertson (1992) Lot 140 Cross Reference: PAQUEBOTS, POSTAGE DUE COVERS, NEW SOUTH WALES, FALSE £1,200
|
|
|
FIJI - 1890s-1909 MAIL FINAL VR PERIOD - UPRATED OFFICIAL MAIL TO INDIA; May 1893 printed OHMS wrapper to Calcutta, the indicia covered by a 1d Blue franking and tied by 'rays' cancel with Calcutta arrival cds at left. Note: Following Fiji joining the UPU it was no longer possible to send unfranked official mail to an overseas country. Cross Reference: OFFICIAL MAIL, PRINTED MATTER £200
|
|
|
FIJI - 1890s-1909 MAIL FINAL VR PERIOD - SCARCE PROVISIONALS ON COVER; 31 Dec. 1892 large env. (peripheral faults at left) to England franked strip of three 5d on 6d and pair 2½d all tied by Suva cds with bold double-lined "R" on front and London hooded reg. ds also on front. Redirected from Uxbridge to London and rear with Uxbridge and West Drayton cds. Cross Reference: REDIRECTED MAIL, REGISTERED MAIL £300
|
|
|
FIJI - 1890s-1909 MAIL FINAL VR PERIOD - LATE USE OF THE 1d VR ON MAIL TO A FIJIAN; 11 May 1894 env. (creased and stained) to Rewa franked 1875 2d on 6c on 3d VR tied by GPO Suva cds. Unusual £150
|
|
|
FIJI - 1890s-1909 MAIL FINAL VR PERIOD - CAKE FAIR ENVELOPE USED & UPRATED; Rare 26 May 1894 "CAKE FAIR 6D" printed stationery env. (dusting, peripheral faults and torn flap) addressed locally to the 'Colonial Postmaster' uprated with 1d value and both adhesive and indicia tied or cancelled by GPO Suva cds. Cross Reference: POSTAL STATIONERY £500
|
|
|
FIJI - 1890s-1909 MAIL FINAL VR PERIOD - THREE COLOUR PROVISIONAL FRANKING; 31 May 1894 env. (stain on rear) to London franked 5d on 6d, 2½d on 2d & ½d on 1d all tied by Suva cds with bold oval "R" h.s. on front. Rear with oval reg. S.W.D.C ds. Unusual Cross Reference: REGISTERED MAIL £300
|
|
|
FIJI - 1890s-1909 MAIL FINAL VR PERIOD - RARE ROTUMAH RESIDENT COMMISSIONER MARKING; June 1894 env. (few blemishes) to Suva franked 2d Green (defective perfs) tied by undated double-lined "RESIDENT COMMISSIONER/[CROWN]/ROTUMAH" h.s. in Blue and additionally tied by Suva cds upon arrival. Rear with Levuka and Suva cds. Rare mail from this origin over 300mi from the main group of islands. £500
|
|
|
FIJI - 1890s-1909 MAIL FINAL VR PERIOD - REGISTERED COVER TO JAPAN; 18 June 1894 OHMS linen-lined env. (toned and used privately) with philatelic yet spectacular franking of ½d (8 inc. an interpanneau block of four & two pairs), 1d (5 inc. a pair) & 2d (3 inc. a pair) all tied or cancelled by Suva cds and/or Blue reg. crayon cross. Different bold oval "R" h.s. on front and rear with Sydney, Hong Kong and Yokohama cds and redirected locally. Cross Reference: REGISTERED MAIL £200
|
|
|
FIJI - 1890s-1909 MAIL FINAL VR PERIOD - RARE RED SUVA GPO DATESTAMP; 1 Oct. 1894 env. to Hamburg franked 5d + 2½d each tied by red GPO Suva cds with an additional and superb strike at left. Bold oval "R" h.s. also on face and Hamburg arrival cds on rear. Note: Red ink only in use from Sep. - Dec. 1894 £300
|
|
