Lot 1538

TRANSATLANTIC MAIL: 1864 envelope...

Stamps and Postal History of the World | 5919

Auction: 6 October 2020 at 01:00 BST

Estimate: £1,800 - £2,000

Description

TRANSATLANTIC MAIL: 1864 envelope from Morice-Town to a sailor aboard HMS Satellite stationed at Rio de Janeiro, prepaid at the 8d per ¼oz rate by two 4d bright-red, Plate3 (KA, KB), neatly cancelled by Devonport '250' duplexes for MR.23.1864, endorsed in manuscript "Via French Packet" and carried by the Messargeries Impériales steamer "Estramadure" with a fine strike of the very rare octagonal "Postes Français/Estramadure" datestamp on obverse (Salles Fig. 1.006). At this period the British RMSP sailed on the 9th of each month and the French on the 25th, routing this letter by a French packet ensured it arrived almost three weeks earlier than the next RMSP sailing, however this treatment of the mails is scarce and the combination of British mail and the rare French "Estramadure" datestamp is virtually unheard-of. An exhibition quality transatantic GB/French maritime rarity.

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