Lot 40567 – 1868 (May 26) Officers’ concessionary envelope sent from Bridgetown to England

1868 (May 26) Officers’ concessionary envelope sent from Bridgetown to England, endorsed at to « Officers’ letter / from W. W. W. Poole / Staff Surgeon Major » and « Treasury Warrant Sept 27th 1867 » (denoting the document authorising the concession), countersigned by the commanding officer at left, and franked with 1861-70 Britannia 6d bright orange tied by oval « 1 » numeral, reverse with despatch and Chatham arrival cds, roughly torn open and slightly reduced at left, some minor toning, a very rare officer’s letter, with the few known all coming from the Mrs Poole correspondence, with this being the only example with the Treasury Warrant endorsement.

Note: Soldiers and sailors serving in Barbados were privileged to send letters to England for 1d, with Officers having to pay 6d and the normal rate for letters to 1/2oz being 1s.