1870 mourning wrapper from unknown South American provenance addressed to Paris, France, annotated to travel via the United States, the front bearing New York ‘12’ transit and faint London cds as well as fine diamond-framed accountancy ‘G.B./ 3f.60c., Calais A Paris tpo and rated ‘12’ decimes on arrival. Some damage to rear.
1877 Ship’s mail bag cover (flap missing) to Kent bearing Great Britain 1d red plates 178, 179 (5) and 182 (3), some apparently re-used with previous fragments beneath. This 9d, was equivalent of 36c. rate, cancelled by ‘43’ numeral obliterators, endorsed “Via Brandesi” but carried via Southampton rather than Brindisi with Feb 26 1877 transit backstamp. Ex Scott-Archer.
1879 (1 Feb) outer letter sheet to Zurich, Switzerland, franked rouletted pair of 16c. tied by Buenos Aires cds, endorsed “pr Biela” , Southampton Ship Letter and Ship Letter London cds both of MR 6, arrival backstamp.
1881 (12/7) underfranked envelope to Tonbridge, England franked 1880 10pf vertical pair tied Hamburg cds, framed Unzureichend/ franeirt handstamp and at left similar two-line italic handstamp, framed ‘T.’ and handstamped ‘5’ charge, Tunbridge arrival backstamp.
1881 small envelope to London, endorsed across top “From Gibbs Seaman H.M Ship CarysfortFlying Squadron Sidney New South Wales Australia”, initialled bottom left corner by Commanding Officer, franked 1880-81 1d venetian-red cancelled by ‘FB’ obliterator. Reverse with red London cancels of 6th and 7th Sept.
1889 cover to Falmouth franked 1882-86 20c. tied by faint Jacmel cds, reverse with Redruth and Plymouth transits plus arrival cds of following day.
1891 stampless envelope ex Government House to London, endorsed “pr Amber Via Gibraltar” and initialled in the corner “W.B.G.” of W.B Griffith, the Governor. On arrival in London with good strike of Official Paid London E.C. cds. Faults to the periphery of the envelope, a rare Official cover.
1901 picture postcard entitled ‘Chinese Band’ to London from the H.M.S Astraea, dated “8 Nov 1901”, this ship sailing from Hong Kong on 9th November. Without despatch postal markings, franked Great Britain 1d lilac denoting that the card was sent by naval ship’s mailbag paid by 1d. military concessionary rate. London cds of DE 8 and Croydon arrival of same date. Postcard with misplaced text on reverse.
1905 (15 May) stampless picture postcard to London annotated “par Napo” with ornate circular FRANCA/ Iquitos handstamp, Iquitos date stamp bottom left, Southampton Packet-Letter transit. On arrival violet manuscript “No such number” plus signature. Small tear at base of card, still a good example of Amazon river mail.
Cape of Good Hope: 1847 outer letter sheet to London struck with the Cape Town Crowned oval handstamp (unclear date), leaving on 6th Jan via the “Planet”, arriving London 17th March. Landed at Deal and struck in black with INDIAN LETTER/ DEAL handstamp. A very late usage.
la1875 (OC 30) envelope to Kensington, London, probably from Latin America, annotated originally to go “Per French Packet, Via St Nazaire” but instead taken privately to London, franked 1d., plate 166 and put into the post at Lombard Street.
Scotland: 1768 entire from USA to Glasgow bearing endorsement of Captain bottom left, top left with partial strike of Pt. Glasgow/ Ship Letter handstamp. With message from a new arrival “We are now going up the river and I hope to be at Petersburg in a few hours...I like the country here very well”. A very early use of this ship letter mark.
Tasmania 1842 entire to London with manuscript rate markings, red PAID date stamp, reverse with straight-line SHIP LETTER and red cds
Undated entire to Bristol from Porto, endorsed “to be forwarded”, rated “1/9” on arrival and struck with the undated ‘LISBON F’ handstamp on reverse.
Victoria 1870 cover to London, redirected on arrival to "Conservative Club", bearing single franking 10d. blackish brown/pink tied Melbourne duplex, small circular framed 'R' handstamp with crown at top applied in London, arrival backstamps. The stamp has been lifted from envelope and hinged in place