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).