Lot 20057 – UNIQUE FRANKING: 1848-59 Post Paid 1d red, early impression, HORIZONTAL STRIP OF THREE on 1854 folded letter sheet

A UNIQUE FRANKING

1d red, HORIZONTAL STRIP OF THREE, position 7-9, close to very large uneven margins, all cancelled by blue numeral ‘1’ in two concentric circles, on 1854 folded letter sheet sent locally from Mahebourg to Port Louis, showing ‘MAURITIUS/GPO’ crowned ds and blue bevelled framed ‘Mahebourg/AU.10.1857’ ds, some cover faults and creases, a very important showpiece, this being the only such franking recorded

This is possibly the finest 1d Post Paid cover on the basis of colour and shade

Rate: 3d inland letter rate. As per ordinance No. 8 and 9 of 1850, (No.8) postage on a letter not exceeding 1/2 ounce from a rural post town or village to Port Louis was 2d and (No.9) 1d was added for Town postage within Port Louis regardless of weight.

Provenance: Ibbotson

Schindler

Vikram Chand

Expertise: Cert. Peter Holcombe (1988), BPA (1991) and David Brandon (2007)