Lot 30078 – 1854-57 Post Paid 1d red, position 2, on soldier’s letter

1854-57 Post Paid 1d red, position 2, large margins all around, cancelled by ‘1’ numeral hs with matching octagonal ‘MAHÉBOURG/JU19 1855’ hs in blue on soldier’s envelope (upper back flap lacking) to London, addressed ‘From No. 2986 Lieutenant George Johnson, 65th H. L. Infantry, Mauritius’, and endorsed with the corresponding commanding officer validating the 1d concessional rate with its signature, charged with the Penny double collect rate denoting ‘2’ on arrival, bs with receiving cds, corner crease at top left and cover faults, one of only three concessional soldier’s letters recorded in the ‘Post Paid‘ Issues, a fascinating and important rarity, ex Raffray, Chand and “Tatiana”, cert. Brandon (2007).