Covers: Note: Only 23 covers with 1d Courier frankings are known; one 6d rate, nine 4d rate and thirteen 1d rate covers Earliest Known Usage of the 1d Courier 1853 (Nov 9) Entire from Private R. Robertson in Hobart Town (from the same correspondence as the 1855 1d concession rate cover featured later in the auction), sent to Scotland with two pairs of 1853 1d blue, medium soft yellowish paper, pos. 11-12 & 17-18, both touched in places, tied by light “64” numerals along with faint G.P.O. cds. Stamps paying the 4d Ship Letter rate and with hs “8”, carried from Melbourne by S.S. “Great Britain” departing on Nov 19, reverse with “LIVERPOOL / SHIP LETTER” and Blairgowrie arrival cds, cover appears to have been lightly cleaned and pressed, still very fine in appearance The earliest known usage of this issue, which was issued only 8 days before. An important exhibition item Provenance: Featured in “Philatelist” April 1983 (photocopy included); Robson Lowe auction May 1983 lot 138 realised £6’500 (featured on front cover)