Lot 5

GB 1858 SG40 Pl.46 Cover from HMS Racer

Stamps & Covers Of The World | 5957

Auction: 21 November 2023 at 12:30 GMT

£144

Description

1858 Maritime mail. Very fine cover from on board HMS Racer (Anchored off Antwerp) to Musselburgh, paid at a concessionary rate of 1d with a 1d Rose red Pl.46, cancelled by a London "39" numeral with a Ship-Letter/London cds on reverse for AU.13.1858 and a Musselburgh receiver for the following day. _x000D_ HMS Racer accompanied HMS Banshee, the Trinity Steamer and the Royal Yacht HMS Osbourne as part of a diplomatic mission for Queen Victoria and Prince Albert to France following the "Orsini" affair the previous January. Felice Orsini was an Italian refugee from Britain who had attempted to assassinate Napoleon III with an English made bomb. The ensuing diplomatic crisis destabilised the government and Palmerston resigned. The Trinity Steamer returned to England on the 12th, almost certainly carrying this letter.