Lot 60467 – 1849 (May 30) Front (and part back) with two-line “Registered / Sydney.” handstamp

1849 (May 30) Front (and part back) from Sydney to UK endorsed “pr Royal Saxon / via India” with two-line “Registered / Sydney.” handstamp (White Type R1) in red applied by the postmaster for local 6d registration payable in cash and 3s1d payable by the recipient (2s7d double ship letter via India and Marseilles plus 6d U.K. registration), 3d prepaid for overseas ship letter per “PAID SHIP LETTER / SYDNEY” datestamp in red, a rare registered usage from this period, ex Alan Holyoake RDP FRPSL.

Note: The fee was 6d irrespective of destination which had to be prepaid and before 1850 was a prerequisite of the Second Clerk at Sydney and of the postmasters in the country offices. No receipt was given but “Registered / Sydney” was stamped in red on the cover to denote pre-payment.