Lot 285
Used to England: 1873 (22 Nov.) private ship double rate cover from King Williams Town to London, England bearing 1864-77 4d blue (2), somewhat faintly canceled by barred oval "4" handstamp additionally with postmaster applied pen strokes as the canceller was faint and inadequately obliterated the stamps, endorsed "Per Donald Currie’s Line," bears double arc KING WILLIAMS TOWN NO 21 1873 c.d.s., very scarce large red "4" handstamp, 4d credit to the Currie Line and CAPE-TOWN NO 27 73 CAPE-COLONY c.d.s., backstamped with London receiver of January 1874, scarce., ex Dillaway (SG 24a).
Estimate $200 - 300
The manuscript cancellation of stamps with pen strokes or initials and dates prevented re-use or theft and this practice was approved by the Postal Administration. Stamps could also have been pre-cancelled before use, but the most interesting examples are those pen cancels emanating from smaller post offices or agencies that were without, or temporarily without, formal cancellers. The cover above was carried on postcart Route 26 (King Williams Town - 7 days) to Cape Town.
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| Opening Bid $95 |
