Lot 51787 – 1864 Envelope from Zanzibar franked Mauritius 1863 6d + 1s cancelled B64 in transit in the Seychelles

1864 (Oct) Envelope sent to Augustus Arnold in the care of Rufus Green & Company at Providence, Rhode Island (United States), manuscript annotation bottom left: ‘Leopold Acevedo, Zanzibar’. Envelope franked Mauritius 1863 6d + 1s cancelled B64 in transit in the Seychelles, one of 3 known such covers emanating from the Zanzibar and routed through the Seychelles, this being the earliest one recorded and hence the first cover from Zanzibar bearing adhesives for pre-paid delivery, very important postal history item (sold 2014 David Feldman, Dubro collection €14,000 + commission).

The Universities’ Mission archives note that Mauritius adhesives were the only stamps available in this period. Rufus Green & Company began trading In Zanzibar in 1852 and were an important player in breaking the near monopoly held by Salem traders for trade between the United States & Zanzibar.