Lot 50961 – 1869 (Aug 1) entire from Antananarivo to the London Missionary Society in England, carried to Mauritius and franked with De La Rue 1863-72 1s orange and 4d

1869 (Aug 1) entire from Antananarivo to the London Missionary Society in England, carried to Mauritius and franked with De La Rue 1863-72 1s orange and 4d rose cancelled by “B53” numerals, “9d” accountancy charge and London arrival, Mauritius bs, filing folds affecting stamps, a rare cover from Madagascar with interesting contents about the Christian church on the island.

Extracts from the contents: “I asked Mr Jakes to notice the situation of the principal places in the Fianarantsoa country so that a map may be made”…”You will hear from other sources of the laying of the foundation of the Royal Chapel. This has created immense satisfaction among the Christians and wonder among all…There can be no drawing back now, and the fact that the paper inclosed in the bottle and placed under the foundation stone forbids any future monarch from destroying it will have very great influence with those who succeed the present Queen…it is expected complete in about a year from this time…The only draw back is that it will be built by forced labour, but this cannot be avoided. This custom is so old + so familiar to the people“.