Lot 289
Used to England: 1874 (9 Apr.) private ship double (initially rated singly) rate cover from Port Elizabeth to London, England bearing 1864-77 4d blue with wing margin at right, cancelled by barred oval "2" handstamp, cover is endorsed "Per Windsor Castle’ s.s.," it literally missed the boat hence "TOO LATE" handstamp, cover bears faint PORT ELIZABETH AP 9 74 c.d.s., red manuscript crayon "2" crossed out and replaced with "4" (the correct credit to the Currie Line for a double rate letter), additionally with circular "MORE TO PAY" handstamp, FB (Foreign Branch) double circle of 5 June 1874 and manuscript "8" for 8d postage due to be collected as the letter was underfranked, backstamped with red SHIP LETTER LONDON JU 5 74 c.d.s., flap with embossed PORT ELIZABETH/J O SMITH & CO./ALGOA BAY seal, a lovely postal history cover showing two aspects of the discipline., ex Dillaway (SG 24a).
Estimate $300 - 400
Posted on 9 April, this letter just missed the Windsor Castle sailing of 10 April and was finally delivered on 5 June – an overdue delivery of 58 days – explained by the TOO LATE handstamp.
|
| |
| Opening Bid $145 |
