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c.1835-38 Free fronts signed by the Postmaster General the Earl of Lichfield or Secretary of the Post Office Col. Maberley both with red crowned oval "To be / delivered / FREE" (Jay 717), and a front to "Smart Esq, Mail Co. Department, General Post Office" signed by George Louis, Superintendent of Mail Coaches to the G.P.O, with red octagonal framed "To be / delivered / Free" (Jay 716). (3). £100-120
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1835 (Aug 23) Entire letter to the Royal Hospital, Chelsea, endorsed "Application, A Pensioners Instructions required", prepaid at the 1d soldiers rate, with red crowned octagonal "To be / delivered / Free" (Jay 716), boxed "T.P / Rate 2" crossed out. Sent by James Campbell, late 85th foot, requesting new pension instructions as his previous instructions have been wantonly destroyed by his wife. A very unusual use of this handstamp on a letter accepted at the 1d soldiers rate. Photo on Page 76. £150-180
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Sunday Datestamps. 1821-39 Entire letters, entires or covers (5) and fronts (5) all with Free datestamps and Sunday datestamps in red, Jay 28 or 30 (9), also circular framed "C" (2, Jay 32a), or "V" (Jay 34a). (10). £100-120
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Local Post / Penny Posts. 1815-39 Entires or covers (7) and fronts (26) all sent free but posted into the London local post or provincial penny posts, with "To Pay 2d only" or "To Pay 1d only" handstamps. (33). £100-120
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Abuse of Franking. 1770-1838 Entire letters, all with the contents written by individuals who have not franked the letters, including 1833 entire with letters from Lord Raglan and Col. James Delap but franked by Lord St. Vincent (faults), one 1787 letter posted in Ireland with straight line "THO<+H>S<$> TOWN", all clear abuses of the franking privilege. Also a 1813 letter from Viscount Hinchingbrooke near Cadiz to Francis Freeling stating he is sending letters under cover to Freeling and a further batch with his father Lord Sandwich and asks that they all be posted in England franked! (12). £180-200
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Robert Wallace - Franking Abuse. 1839 (June 6) Entire letter written from Bolton by James Maccall, to his father in Scotland, posted in London the following day franked by Robert Wallace, the postal reformer. An unusual abuse of the franking privilege by Wallace, whose campaigning with Rowland Hill led to the abolition of free franking and cheap uniform postage in 1840. Photo on Page 78. £150-180
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India Letter / Franking Abuse. 1833 Entire letter from Bombay to London with boxed "INDIA LETTER / PORTSMOUTH" and London arrival c.d.s (May 15), enclosed within a wrapper and forwarded the following day as a free frank to a Mrs Bowen (who is mentioned in the letter) at Haverford West, an unusual abuse of the franking privilege. £120-150
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Uniform 4d Post / Mail from Abroad. 1839 (Nov 26) Entire letter from Rome to The Duke of Sutherland in London with December 9th arrival c.d.s, charged 1/7, redirected on the same day to Staffordshire with a red Free datestamp. Very unusual. £120-150
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Free Franks Addressed Abroad. 1824 Entire letter to Jamaica, and c.1820 entire with printed "Admiralty Office / J.W Croker" and O.H.M.S heading addressed to Canada, endorsed "By Packet", both with red Free datestamps. The second with a few minor edge faults, two unusual free franks to abroad. (2). £140-160
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Free Frank Addressed Abroad. 1836 (Dec 23) Entire with printed "ARMY PAY-OFFICE / Pursuant to Act of Parliament" and an O.H.M.S heading, addressed to the British Consul in Nantes, red Free datestamp with "FREE" crossed out, datestamps of London, Calais and Nantes, charged 6f. Minor edge faults, an unusual failed free frank to France. £120-140
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Channel Islands. 1796 (Mar 25) Letter (first page missing) from Paul Le Mesurier (M.P for Southwark, later Lord Mayor) to Thomas De Sausmarez in Guernsey with a fine Free c.d.s and "2" charge for delivery by the Guernsey Postmistress Ann Watson, with her bill for postage on letters delivered to Sausmarez between May 1795 and March 1796, the final entry being the 2d charge for this letter on March 27th. A rare letter and matching Guernsey postage account. (2). £150-180
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Channel Islands. 1801-05 Entire letters (2) and entires from Newport or London (3) all sent free to Thomas Sausmarez in Guernsey, three with Free datestamps, three signed by the Judge Advocate General. Also an 1829 letter from Lord Napier to Francis Freeling asking if he can frank letters to Jersey and Guernsey; and 1830 letter from Major Macbean, 84th Foot in Jersey, to Freeling, complaining that he had to pay 1/6 postage on a letter franked by Mr Barrow, Secretary to the Admiralty. (6). £180-220
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Newspapers. c.1800 Printed wrapper to Lord Sydney, for sending franked newspapers; 1809 G.P.O Dublin printed receipt from William Armitage for the delivery of Irish newspapers; 1813 receipt from Thomas Hird, Clerk of the Bristol Road, for the delivery of newspapers from the G.P.O London; 1824 and 1834 printed acts on the conveyance of newspapers. A scarce group. (5). £140-160
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Newspapers. 1707 The "Post-Man" newspaper to Rye charged 2d, 1714/15 "The Evening Post" newspaper to Reading both sent free, signed "Frank, Rich. Bigg" or "Frank Ja. Jennings", all with Bishop Marks, unusual. (3). £200-250
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Foreign Office - Diplomatic Bags. 1827-38 Vellum parcel tags with printed O.H.M.S heading and address of Lord Viscount Dudley or Lord Viscount Palmerston, Principal Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, the first from Stockholm endorsed "via Gothenburgh" and signed "Bloomfield"; the second endorsed "By Messrs Kay, St Petersburgh" and signed "J.K Millbanke" with a London c.d.s (Aug 20). Carried by diplomatic messenger to London, the second then apparently delivered by post free of charge, very scarce. (2). Photo on Page 78. £200-250
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Bishops. c.1780-1837 Entire letters or entires (7) and fronts (20) sent as free letters, all signed by Bishops, including Norwich, York, etc., many with biographical notes on the senders. (27). £150-180
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House of Commons. 1823 (Mar 4) Entire with printed heading "HOUSE OF COMMONS" and address "To The Churchwardens and Overseers of (Aylsham)", with "FREE / F. FREELING" in the lower corner, red Free datestamp. With the original enclosure comprising a form showing the total monies levied and expended on the poor, with an accompanying letter from the House of Commons, the address panel with printed heading and address "POOR RETURNS / To The Clerk of The House of Commons London / FREE / F. FREELING". A rare use of the House of Commons heading on a free letter, possibly unique with the similarly printed enclosure, the form having been completed for the Parish of Aylsham but never posted back to the House of Commons. (2). Photo on Page 78. £700-800
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Prisons. 1784 (Dec 15) Small letter from Horfield to Droitwich reporting the escape of Hodges and two other felons from prison, asking what action should be taken against the Keeper of the prison, who the writer suspects of being concerned in the escape. Sent free of charge to Edward Bearcroft MP, with scarce "22 BRISTOL" first type mileage mark, very unusual. £120-150
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Board of Health / Cholera. 1831 (Nov 23) Printed letter giving precautions to be taken against the spread of Asiatic Cholera, the partly printed address panel "To the Chairman of the Board of Health at Wiveliscombe"; and an 1832 poster "Spasmodic or Asiatic Cholera - The Medical Members of the Wiveliscombe Board of Health, at a meeting held at the White Hart, give as their opinion, after a mature consideration of the subject" listing preventative measures, presumably produced as a response to the 1831 letter sent from Whitehall. Also an 1832 printed circular from an Asylum, Brislington House, listing the precautions taken against cholera, posted to Chard with Bristol Py Post datestamp and "No. 13" of Brislington. An interesting and scarce group. (3). £200-250
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Charity Commissioners / Poor Law. 1836 (Nov 18) Long entire with printed heading "Office of the Commissioners of Charities, pursuant to an Act of Parliament passed in the sixth year of the Reign of His Majesty King William the Fourth" with "Free" printed at the left, red Free datestamp, minor edge faults but unusual; 1835 Charity Commissioners Act which includes the granting of free postage; and 1840 (Jan 8) letter from the Poor Law Commissioners to Col. Maberley apologising for the quantity and size of parcels being sent by post, which will be collected back from the G.P.O and sent by private conveyance. 2,000 Brochures are due to be sent the following day; they will show a specimen to Maberley to decide if they can be sent free on Jan 9th or should be detained until the 10th when they will be chargeable. An interesting reference to the abolition of franking and introduction of Penny Postage. (3). £140-160
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Office of Woods. 1803-10 Acts on the Office of Surveyor General of Woods (3); 1837-39 O.H.M.S wrappers with "Office of Woods, &c" imprint, the first posted within the London Local Post with unusual "FOR DELIVERY" handstamp charged 2d (faults), the second with 10 Dec 1839 Free datestamp sent during the Uniform 4d Post Period; and 1834 letter from the Commissioner of Woods and Forests to Sir Francis Freeling requesting franking be extended to his office and asking for a refund of postage on an enclosed letter. (6). £160-180
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Chelsea Hospital / Ireland. 1824-37 Entires with printed heading "Pursuant to Act of Parliament Fifty-Four George the Third" and "Chelsea Hospital", or "Pursuant to Act of Parliament Seventh George the Fourth" and "Royal Hospital, Chelsea" both sent free to Ireland but endorsed "Not Known" or "not called for" and returned after several weeks or months, the first with "C<+H>L<$>BLAKENY / 84", the second with boxed "Enniskillen / Penny Post" and "No. 7". Also 1826 printed letter from the Chelsea Agent's Office in Dublin with printed frank of "E.S LEES" on the address panel, sent free to Strokestown, turned and posted free to the Secretary of War, tape stains but unusual. (3). £160-180
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Chelsea Hospital. 1788-1839 Entire letter and entires (4) comprising 1788 entire to Chelsea Hospital with circular "FREE / C" (reduced in size); 1824 letter to Chelsea Hospital charged 2/9 but redirected to the Paymaster General, endorsed "Official" with the charge cancelled and a Free datestamp; 1832 entire from Alloa to the Paymaster General, endorsed "Chelsea Pensioners", Free datestamp with the charge and "Addl/½" deleted; 1834-39 printed Royal Hospital Chelsea wrappers, one with Free datestamps the other with printed "Collector of Excise" address sent to Scotland with the charge deleted but "½" handstamp applied in error. (5). £150-180
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Navy Office. 1753-1813 Entire letters all with O.H.M.S headings but prepaid in cash, comprising 1753 letter to H.M. Ship "Gibraltar" at Portsmouth concerning a payment to the Ordnance due to a discrepancy in the accounts of provisions provided by the purser or sent to the Victualling Office, endorsed "P.Pd 4d" (but actually paid 3d); 1810 letter to "Capt. Down, Redwing, Mediterranean" endorsed "Navy Office P.P 3/-"; and 1813 letter with unusual printed O.H.M.S heading, "Navy Office / Post Paid (2/2)" and part address, to "Captn Decker, H.M.S Vestal, West Indies" with Paid c.d.s but endorsed "Forwarded by Mr J. Ironmonger". (3). £240-280
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Navy. 1805-39 Entire letter and entires (7) all with printed O.H.M.S or "Pursuant to Act of Parliament ..." headings and imprints of "Admiralty", "Admiralty Office" or "Navy Pay Office", four with the names of George Elliott, J.W Croker or Charles Wood printed on the front, seven with free datestamps including 1805 Navy Pay Office letter concerning a claim for wages or prize money for a seaman from H.M.S "Anson" unusually sent to Guernsey but missent to Helston. Also 1830 Navy Act which includes clauses on franking letters. (9). £200-250
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Admiralty / Disinfection. 1836 (July 26) Entire letter from an Assistant Surgeon on H.M.S Tribune, Gulf of Smyrna, addressed to Sir Wm Burnett, Physician General, Admiralty, requesting promotion to Surgeon and enclosing copies of testimonies from Surgeons he had worked under. Carried back to England by hand, but disinfected at Semlin, with the "NETTO DI FUORA ET DI DENTRO" cachet on reverse, very unusual. £120-140
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Victualling Office. 1794-1828 Entire letters, the 1794 (May 21) letter to H.M.S "Bonetta" at Portsmouth with manuscript O.H.M.S heading but prepaid 1/2, fine red experimental type "POST / PAID" datestamp (Jay 97, only used April-July 1794); the 1828 letter with printed O.H.M.S heading and "Victualling Office" prepaid 8d to H.M.S "Gloucester" at Sheerness. (2). £150-180
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Scotland - Edinburgh. 1782 (Apr 5) Entire letter from London to Edinburgh, signed "Free Hunter Blair", with a London Bishop Mark on reverse but no Free handstamp applied in London, red circular "FREE / E" therefore applied in Edinburgh. A scarce handstamp, which appears to be about 24mm diameter (only listed as 20 or 22mm in the handbook on Edinburgh postal markings), only about 15 examples of these Edinburgh Free handstamps recorded, some of which are on fronts only. Photo on Page 78. £200-250
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Scotland - Money Order Office. 1808 (Oct 3) Partly printed letter from the Money Order Office in Edinburgh, "Your account with this office for the quarter ended June 5 1808 has been examined and found to be correct. Balance £39.16.1 in our favour, which sum has been duly paid", the partly printed address with "Money Order Office" heading and "F. Freeling" signature, sent from Edinburgh to the Postmaster of Elgin with red c.d.s. Very scarce. Photo on Page 78. £240-280
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Ireland - Explanatory Handstamps. 1824-39 Entire letter, entires (3) and an envelope all with Free datestamps and explanatory handstamps in red, comprising boxed "TOO LATE / H" or small type "TOO-LATE" of Dublin, circular "MID / DAY / MAIL" of Dublin, "CORK EVG MAIL" on 1824 entire from Mitchels Town endorsed "On the business of the Commissions of the Irish Fisheries", or scarce "Redirected / at Belfast" on 1839 entire from London to Belfast, redirected to Liverpool and then to London with three Free datestamps. Vertical file folds, the last with edge faults and a little overstruck, two to Edward Lees at the Dublin G.P.O. (5). £200-250
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Ireland - Charter Schools. 1821 (May 21) Entire letter with printed heading "On the Business of the Charter Schools" with very scarce handstruck "Free / Aug. Godby", sent from Dublin to Killoteran with red Free datestamp. Godby was Secretary of the Irish Post Office, replacing Edward Lees early in 1821. Minor soiling and edge faults but very scarce, ex. F.E Dixon with an article by him on this item. £180-200
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Ireland - Kilmainham Hospital. 1808 Entire from Scotland endorsed "A Soldiers Affidavit" and 1822 entire letter from Ballymena both to "The Register of the Royal Hospital Kilmainham, Dublin", with mermaid type Free (a good strike but partly overstruck) or mermaid removed type Free. Also 1803 Act granting rates and duties upon letters and packets sent by post within Ireland. (3). £120-140
| Maritime Mail
(Also see lots 6-20, 395, 457) | |
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1745-1888 Post Office Notices (3), newspapers and Parliamentary Returns concerning ship or packet letters, the P.O Notices comprising 1854 Mails to Australia to be sent by the sailing vessel "James Baines" as the Screw Steam Shipping Co is unable to provide a steam vessel to carry the mails in December, 1880 Ship Letter rates to and from G.B, 1884 Brazil and River Plate resumption of regular mail service; also 1745 London Gazette containing a notice on the West Indies packet service, 1859 69 page Parliamentary Return on mails to and from British North America, etc. (13). £120-150
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Steamer Cachets - "Snowdon". 1913 Picture postcard of the turbine steamer "St. Seirol", with message "We are on a trip on the paddle boat", KGV ½d cancelled at Glyn Garth (Anglesey), with large violet cachet "L & N.W.S.S Co., LTD / SNOWDON". Also a postcard "Relief Map of North Wales" with note on reverse "via "Snowdon" to Llandudno from Menai Bridge". A very scarce steamer cachet. (2). Photo on Page 78. £150-180
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Mobile Boxes - Folkstone. 1845 (Aug 22) Entire letter from Boulogne to London with superb small boxed "M-B" and matching Folkstone backstamp, charged 10d, very fine. Photo on Page 78. £250-300
| Greenock & Ardrishaig Packet | |
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1879 (July 24) Cover to Greenock with Tarbert backstamp, the 1d red cancelled by "GREENOCK & ARDRISHAIG PACKET / 163" first type duplex code "B", only recorded 2nd July - 8th August 1879. Closed tear at upper edge which just goes into the upper part of the c.d.s, otherwise fine and very scarce. Photo on Page 84. £250-300
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"Chevalier" / "Fusilier". 1897 Cover with printed David MacBrayne flap, posted from London to USA franked 2½d, the enclosed letter written on "Steamship Chevalier" printed notepaper, and a 1906 David MacBrayne official postcard written on the "Chevalier" sailing to Rothesay, posted at Ardrishaig. Also picture postcards of the "Fusilier" (2) or "Chevalier". (5). £100-120
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"Chevalier". 1902 (Dec 19) Picture postcard of S.S "Linnet" at Ardrishaig, a KEVII ½d cancelled by "GK & ARDRISHAIG PACKET / B / CHEVALIER" wide type c.d.s, an unusually fine strike of this scarce datestamp. Also a card of the ship. (2). Photo on Page 84. £400-500
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"Chevalier". 1903 (Jan 3) Cover franked 1d from Innellan to Paisley, backstamped partial "(GK & A)RDISHAIG PACKET / B / CHEVALIER" wide type c.d.s, very scarce, especially as a transit datestamp. Also a 1903 (Feb 5) piece with KEVII 1d cancelled by this rare "CHEVALIER" c.d.s code "A", cut around the cancel. (2). £150-180
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"Chevalier". 1907 (Dec 23) Picture postcard to Glasgow with KEVII ½d cancelled by "GK & ARDRISHAIG PACKET / A / CHEVALIER" wide type c.d.s, minor corner creasing. Also a real photo postcard of the steamer. The latest recorded use of this first type "Chevalier" c.d.s, very scarce, ex. Roger Hosking collection. (2). Photo on Page 84. £280-350
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Chevalier. 1913 (Jan 30) Cover to London with KGV 1d tied by "GK & ARDRISHAIG PACKET / CHEVALIER" narrow type c.d.s, code "B", only recorded 21st January to 23rd April 1913. Fine and very scarce. Also a postcard of the ship. (2). Photo on Page 84. £350-450
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1916 (Aug 24) Picture postcard to Glasgow with KGV ½d cancelled "GK & ARDRISHAIG PACKET" c.d.s code "B" with the ship's name removed. A very fine example of this uncommon c.d.s, recorded April 1916-February 1917. Photo on Page 84. £150-180
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1916 (Sep 12) Picture postcard with KGV ½d tied by "GK & ARDRISHAIG PACKET" c.d.s code "A" (outward morning sailing) with ship's name removed. A scarce datestamp, only recorded June to September 1916 with code "A", this card the latest recorded example. Photo on Page 84. £140-160
| G.B/U.S Sea Post Office | |
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1905 Picture postcard from Italy to Scotland with "MISSENT TO / U.S SEA P.O No 4" and partial "UNITED STATES / SEA P.O" duplex applied on S.S "St Paul", and 1911 postcard from Italy to South Africa with "MISSENT" handstamp alongside "TRANSATLANTIC POST OFFICE / 2" c.d.s. (2). £100-120
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1906 (Oct 20) Picture postcard of Bermuda with KEVII 1d tied by "TRANSATLANTIC POST OFFICE PLYMOUTH / 3" c.d.s applied on S.S "St Louis", superb and very scarce. Photo on Page 84. £160-180
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1907 (Dec 4) Picture postcard from Bristol to Hampshire franked ½d, with British Sea Post Office c.d.s code "7" and "INSUFFICIENTLY / ADDRESSED" cachet. Address partly (but neatly) drawn through, otherwise fine and rare. Only two examples of this cachet recorded, clearly applied on S.S "St Louis", superb and very scarce. Photo on Page 84. £140-160
| Ship Letters | |
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Birmingham. 1907 (Aug 9) Picture postcard of Japan, addressed to England, a G.B 1d cancelled a month later by superb "BIRMINGHAM / SHIP" c.d.s, unusual. Photo on Page 86. £120-150
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Dartmouth. 1790 (July 26) Entire letter from Antigua to Christopher Bethel, Anti Gallican Coffee House, London "p. the Turner, Capt Young" with "DARTMOUTH / SHIP LRE" (S1), scarce this fine. Ex Robertson. Photo on Page 86. £300-350
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Dartmouth/Stokenham. 1832 (Mar 24) Entire letter from St. Vincent to London "p. Chieftan" landed by pilot at the village of Stokenham (nine miles south west of Dartmouth) and handstamped "No. 1" and "Dartmouth / Penny Post", a "DARTMOUTH / SHIP LETTER" (S3) applied. Fine and very unusual. Photo on Page 86. £500-600
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Liverpool. 1784 (Aug 28) Entire letter from Jamaica to London "P. Camilla" with "LIVERPOOL / SHIP LETTER" (S2), also backstamped "LIVER / POOL", an unusual combination of handstamps. £100-120
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