Lot 60387 – 1891 Lithographed Issues: Unique Mixed Franking Cover

1891 Lithographed Issues: Unique Mixed Franking Cover (SG 1 & SG 2). An extraordinary cover, bearing three examples of ½ anna blue (SG 1) and one 2 annas rose (SG 2), paying the composite rates of 2 annas registration fee, 1 anna acknowledgment, and ½ anna letter rate. The stamps are cancelled by local manuscript markings, on an undated legal notice sent from Nandgaon to Mokhli (a village in the Dondagarh region within the State), representing a genuine commercial usage.

This is the only known mixed franking cover of SG 1 and SG 2 in private hands. The only other recorded example is held in the National Postal Museum, USA, and bears only multiples of the ½ anna blue (SG 1). A further mixed franking example is known but is considered philatelically inspired (Haverbeck Sale, 1973, Lot 1833). This important cover is illustrated in Dan Walker, India Post, Vol. 58/2 (2024), p. 59. A major rarity of the highest order, combining true commercial usage, unique franking, and significant provenance. Ex Dan Walker (SG £1,500 for used singles; unpriced on cover due to extreme rarity).