Lot 40216 – 1840 2d deep full blue pl.1 EA-EF strip of 6, DI-DL strip of 4 and DG single on entire from Ireland to Trieste, Austria

1840 2d deep full blue pl.1 EA-EF strip of 6, DI-DL strip of 4 and DG single on entire from Ireland to Trieste, Austria, each neatly and uniformly cancelled by a fine strike of the black Maltese Cross, with Ballycastle 13 4 41 despatch along with Dublin, London and Paris transits and finally a Trieste 26 AVR arrival.

The senders prepayment of 1s10d was correct and intended to be forwarded from London by Thames Packet via Hamburg (1/8 for letters out of London, 1/10 for letters originating beyond London). The foreign Office however decided to send the letter via France (for this route 1/7 would have been sufficient, although only prepaid to the Swiss or German border e.g. the French offices of Huningen or Forbach). This route was confirmed by the Paris marking « A.T.F ». In Trieste the letter was charged « 38 » kreuzer C.M. (Convention currency), to be split up in 14 kreuzer domestic charge (tariff on foreign incoming letters 1817-1842) + 10 kreuzer Swiss and 14 kreuzer French transit, the latter being prepaid, but neglected by the Austrians.

A truly remarkable multiple franking from Ireland.

Expertise: Cert. Brandon (1999) and Van Der Linden (1999).

Provenance: Sugden, Burrus, Koehler auction (1968), « Emerald ».