Lot 50967 – The Highest Recorded Franking of the “B” overprints: 1883 (Oct 27) Envelope with 1882-85 wmk CC 8c orange pair and 24c green

The Highest Recorded Franking of the “B” overprints

40c Franking: 1883 (Oct 27) Envelope from the Count de Kergaradec at French Consulate in Bangkok to his wife in Angers, France with 1882-85 wmk CC 8c orange pair and 24c green tied by a “BANGKOK/OC.27.83” cds, with red Modane à Paris transit alongside, and red “SINGAPORE/NO.3.83/PAID” cds and additional Paris and Anger backstamps also alongside, stamps excised on a large piece and reattached on to the original envelope, some minor creasing otherwise fine and extremely rare exhibition showpiece. (Numbered “24” in crayon, being the code for each letter sent between the Count and the Countess)

This is the only known usage of the 40c franking paying the five times rate.

A magnificent showpiece of the highest calibre for the greatest of connoisseurs.

Note: The envelope is accompanied by an extensive twenty-page letter of social and political interest. Captain White commanding the British steamer Hecuba (589 tons) left for Singapore on 27 Oct 1883 and arrived there on 2 Nov. On 6 Nov mail left for Europe aboard the P&O mail steamer Sutlej (2155 tons).