Lot 60482 – 1856 (Jan 30) Entire to Scotland endorsed « Per Hellespont / via Singapore », with two 1854-55 Woodblock 6d

1856 (Jan 30) Entire to Scotland endorsed « Per Hellespont / via Singapore », with two 1854-55 Woodblock 6d (one four margined, one 3 1/2) tied by « 1 » barred circles paying the double rate, reverse with Melbourne FE 16 despatch and London MY 4 transit, Edinburgh MY 5 arrival, with « MORE TO PAY » hs applied in London with ms « 8 », fine and rare mail carried by this steamer from which little surviving mail is recorded.

Note: During the Crimean War many P&O ships were pressed into naval service so mail services became infrequent and relied upon private shipping. The « Hellespont » was a coastal steamer that was sent to Singapore to be sold.