Great Britain and British Commonwealth POSTAL REFORMS
Sale No: 856
Lot No: 1241
Symbol:
ROBERT WALLACE, JOSEPH HUME & T. SPRING RICE - PRINCIPAL POSTAL REFORMERS' FREE FRANK COVERS; 1826/32/35 trio of fine Es addressed to Joseph Hume (a great supporter of Rowland Hill and Cheap Postage) or to his wife, all franked and signed by famous Postal Reformers; "Robert Wallace" (1835; Grantham to London), "Joseph Hume" (1826; Montrose to his wife in London but he headed it "April" in error for "July" five and "2/4½" postage was charged!), and "T. Spring Rice" (1832; Limerick via Dublin to London; he was Chancellor of the Exchequer 1835-9 and a great supporter of Cheap Postage). Rare and attractive trio. (3 covers) Cross Reference: AUTOGRAPHS, SCOTLAND, IRELAND PRE-1922 - POSTAL HISTORY, FREE MAIL (Image)
Opening GBP 130.00
Sold...GBP 340.00
Closed..Mar-07-2024, 03:00:00 EST
Sold For 340
Sale No: 856
Lot No: 1242
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ORIGIN OF HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT COVERS - "HOUSE OF COMMONS" 1823 FREELING COVER + 1840 1d FRONT; 26 Apr. 1823 E (some light creasing) from London to "Deddington" (Oxfordshire) with red London crowned "FREE" cds, but no franking signature because of the printed "HOUSE OF COMMONS" heading above the address and the printed "FREE/F. FREELING" at lower left. Clearly this rare prestamp OHMS Free design - only 3 other examples have been recorded - was the forerunner of the Jan.-May 1840 Houses of Parliament envelopes. Plus 1 Apr. 1840 front of the 1d "To be posted at the House of Commons only." env. addressed to Stowmarket and signed by "Edmond Wodehouse" (long-term Norfolk MP) with a faint London crowned Official "PAID" cds. Good matched pair. (2 items)Cross Reference: PARLIAMENTARY MAIL, FREE MAIL, SUFFOLK (Image)
Opening GBP 280.00
Sold...GBP 400.00
Closed..Mar-07-2024, 03:00:00 EST
Sold For 400
Sale No: 856
Lot No: 1243
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VERY HIGH PRE-1840 POSTAL RATES - THE 2nd-HIGHEST RECORDED PREPAID RATE - "£2-1s-4d" TO MADEIRA; 8 June 1836 EL prepaid from London to Madeira "P. Packet" that weighed "4 Oz" and so was charged "£2.1.4" the second highest prepaid British postal rate of any kind recorded prior to 1840, which was 16 times the 2s-7d Packet Letter ¼oz rate. It has the London Foreign Branch cds on the flap and was carried by the Packet 'Star', while the Funchal P.O. charged "360" reis on delivery (20r plus 17 times the 20r ¼oz Incoming Ship Letter rate for 4¼oz [had the package become damp en route?]. The contents include; "Spain is in a dreadful state; Anarchy in the Government and Butchery in the field…" (ref. the 1st Carlist War of 1833-40). Prior to 1840, very few letters were prepaid, and any prepaid rates above £1 are rare. [Ex Mike Scott Archer, Cavendish, 16 June 1996, lot 1974, realised £360+BP.]Cross Reference: OVERSEAS DESTINATIONS, MADEIRA, LONDON POSTAL HISTORY (Image)
Opening GBP 260.00
Sold...GBP 280.00
Closed..Mar-07-2024, 03:00:00 EST
Sold For 280
Sale No: 856
Lot No: 1244
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THE 8d STEAMER-LETTER 'CONCESSION' RATE BETWEEN LONDON & ABERDEEN - BOTH WAYS + LAND ROUTE; Rare 1837/8 matched set of covers covers sent at the 8d Steamer Letter rate (2) or at the more expensive land-based 1s-3½d rate; 1837/8 E/EL pair ex London to Aberdeen or prepaid Aberdeen to London and endorsed "Per. Steamer" (as per P.O. rules) so only charged 8d (with red "SHIP LETTER/LONDON" cds, or faint step-type rare "ABERDEEN/SHIP LETTER" + mainly fine red oval "PAID SHIP LETTER/LONDON") Plus 1837 EL prepaid Aberdeen to London by land and so charged "1/3½". Of all the Scottish ports that qualified for this little-known 8d Steamer Letter Concession rate, Aberdeen is arguably the rarest (a 50% postage discount) compared to the land route. Rare trio; the prepaid pair ex Alan Robertson himself and all 3 ex Graham Booth. (3 covers)Cross Reference: SCOTLAND, SHIP LETTERS, LONDON POSTAL HISTORY (Image)
Opening GBP 200.00
Sold...GBP 440.00
Closed..Mar-07-2024, 03:00:00 EST
Sold For 440
Sale No: 856
Lot No: 1245
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Cat No: Collection
MERCANTILE PAPERS - ORIGINAL "THE POST CIRCULAR" NEWSPAPER "No.5" - THE 8-PAGE "DOUBLE NUMBER"; Very fine and complete 24 Apr. 1838 issue of "The Post Circular" (with Henry Cole's pencil number "9" at top of first page; folded neatly to fit on an album page - ex binding and so with slightly ragged edge to the wide margin at left which easily folds under for display) which was the pivotal weapon in Henry Cole's arsenal of 'Mercantile Papers' propaganda. Cole even managed to register this as a 'real' newspaper and so it had to be carried for free by the P.O., and so there is a fine red "POST/CIRCULAR/NEWSPAPER" 1d Tax Stamp on an inner page. The contents start with almost three pages of quoted evidence on illegal letter-carrying and ideas for making "stamps" less liable to forgery, while John Wood of the Stamp Office worried about labels being rubbed off in transit, followed by the House of Lords debates where the PMG said the "The walls of the Post-office would burst" if cheap postage was introduced(!!), and the Earl of Radnor said that he had "seen some of these envelopes [the Charles Whiting 'LONDON DISTRICT POST' letter-sheet Essays] and their composition is extremely beautiful". It then notes that at least 50 country papers have been backing cheap postage, and then quotes Hill's 4th letter to the PMG, along with letters from Bungay, Newcastle and Fife. There is an advert for Hooper's offer of the imminent SCP Report, with a full back-page advert for the "Mutual Life Assurance Society" (with a foldable letter-sheet design for replies). This is MCP2/05 (see JG-T's 'International Postal Reforms', p.338); only three other examples are recorded in private hands. Highly Important Exhibition Item. [Ex the John Dillon set of Mercantile Papers, 1998.] Cross Reference: FREE MAIL, SCOTLAND, SUFFOLK, NEWSPAPER MAIL (Image)
Opening GBP 1,300.00
Sold...GBP 1,400.00
Closed..Mar-07-2024, 03:00:00 EST
Sold For 1400
Sale No: 856
Lot No: 1246
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Cat No: Collection
MERCANTILE PAPERS - RARE "HENRY COLE" CIRCULAR SEEKING PETITIONS IN FAVOUR OF CHEAP POSTAGE; Extremely fine 19 Apr. 1838 printed circular (ideal for an album page; c.11x19cms.) in the handwriting of and "signed" by Henry Cole, the brains behind the whole Cheap Postage campaign and Rowland Hill's assistant at the Treasury for the Treasury Competition and throughout the introduction of cheap postage and stamps. It was sent to banks and financial (and other) businesses in the City of London (and elsewhere?) very early on in the campaign for Uniform Penny Postage; it was only the 3rd M.C.P. circular that was issued. The contents read thus; "I take the liberty of transmitting to you, the accompanying Petition, and of requesting that you will have the kindness to lay it before the members of your Institution. I beg to express a hope that if they concur in the important object of its prayer, they will sign it and that you will favour me with its return." Highly significant and rare Cheap Postage Committee circular (MP3/01 in JG-T's 'International Postal Reforms' listings. One of only 3 examples recorded in private hands. The similar Henry Hooper March 1839 circular letter realised £2,200+BP in Cavendish's Dec. 2022 auction, lot 891. Marvellous Exhibition Item. [Ex George Moffatt's 'Mercantile Papers' set - with Henry Cole's pencil "19i" page number at top right - Harmers, 1 Oct. 1988.] (Image)
Opening GBP 1,000.00
Sold...GBP 2,800.00
Closed..Mar-07-2024, 03:00:00 EST
Sold For 2800
Sale No: 856
Lot No: 1247
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POST OFFICE ACTS COMPENDIUM + SCOTTISH P.O. STAFF STORIES/POEMS BOOK; 1838 large format (foolscap; repaired original worn leather binding - contents fine) "Acts of Parliament relating to the P.O." giving the still relevant parts of Acts from 1710 to 1838. Plus rare 1887 "The Queen's Head - Articles, Tales & Poems...by [Glasgow] P.O. officials" (rebound with front page laid down on cover - split binding at front) with pencil annotation signed by Bruce Auckland that he acquired it "from Frank Staff, Oct. 1953". (2 vols.) Cross Reference: SCOTLAND, POST OFFICE ACTS/NOTICES, SCOTTISH INTEREST (Image)
Opening GBP 48.00
Sold...GBP 50.00
Closed..Mar-07-2024, 03:00:00 EST
Sold For 50
Sale No: 856
Lot No: 1248
Symbol:
Cat No: Collection
MERCANTILE PAPERS - ORIGINAL "THE POST CIRCULAR" NEWSPAPER "No.11" - 4-PAGE SINGLE ISSUE; Fine and complete 17 Apr. 1839 issue of "The Post Circular" (with Henry Cole's pencil number "11" at top of first page; folded neatly to fit on an album page - ex binding and so with slightly ragged edge to central fold which easily folds under for display) which was the pivotal weapon in Henry Cole's arsenal of 'Mercantile Papers' propaganda. Cole even managed to register this as a 'real' newspaper and so it had to be carried for free by the P.O., and so there is a fine red "POST/CIRCULAR/NEWSPAPER" 1d Tax Stamp on page 3. The contents include the usual arguments in favour of cheap (Penny) postage, quotes current postal rates by way of contrast, gives pre-Reform meeting reports (from Portsea, Gloucester, Brighton, Plymouth, Cardiff & Coldstream), quotes from the London and country press on the newly published SCP Report, notes the PO's recent reductions of postage by 1d (not to 1d) between London and 22 country towns - due to changes to actual mileage charging - gives a petition text suitable for schoolboys(!) and for others, prints a Robert Wallace letter ref. being too busy to reply to all correspondents on postal reform, a request for more subscriptions to the MCP (listing subscribers names to date) and only a short advert for de Porquet books. This is MCP2/11 (see JG-T's 'International Postal Reforms', p.338); only three other examples are recorded in private hands. Highly Important Exhibition Item. [Ex the John Dillon set of Mercantile Papers, 1998.] Cross Reference: NEWSPAPER MAIL, SCOTLAND, WELSH POSTAL HISTORY, SUSSEX (Image)
Opening GBP 1,300.00
Sold...GBP 1,600.00
Closed..Mar-07-2024, 03:00:00 EST
Sold For 1600
Sale No: 856
Lot No: 1250
Symbol:
MERCANTILE PAPERS - ORIGINAL "HUSTINGS TICKET" (+ INVITE) FOR "UNIFORM PENNY POSTAGE" MEETING; 31 May 1839 small pale green card "HUSTINGS TICKET" (10.3x7.7cms.) for the original "PUBLIC MEETING TO BE HELD IN THE MANSION HOUSE on FRIDAY next, 31st of MAY 1839... To Petition Parliament for the adoption of Mr. Rowland Hill's Plan of AN UNIFORM PENNY POSTAGE...". Plus a brief accompanying printed invitation (presumably intended to be signed by Henry Cole; "Sir, I beg to transmit you the inclosed Ticket of Admission, and to request your Attendance at the Meeting. An Answer will oblige". These are MP7/05 & MP7/06 (see JG-T's 'International Postal Reforms', p.340); there are only two other examples of this ticket in private hands and only one other example of the accompanying invitation. Very rare pair; ideal for Exhibition. (2 items) [Both ex John Dillon's 'Mercantile Papers' set, 1998 - the invite with Henry Cole's pencil "54" page number partly erased by some idiot(!), and the ticket's pencil "55" totally erased.] Cross Reference: LONDON POSTAL HISTORY, UNIFORM 1d POSTAGE PERIOD (Image)
Opening GBP 650.00
Sold...GBP 3,000.00
Closed..Mar-07-2024, 03:00:00 EST
Sold For 3000
Sale No: 856
Lot No: 1251
Symbol:
MERCANTILE PAPERS - PRINTED LETTER FROM "GEORGE MOFFATT" AT "JERUSALEM COFFEE HOUSE"; 29 May 1839 printed letter (no wrapper - from the bound set of Mercantile Papers presented to George Moffatt; unnecessary reinforced edge at left; faint offset from a poster in the bound set) headed "REDUCTION OF POSTAGE MEETING POSTPONED" and sent from "JERUSALEM COFFEE-HOUSE" [London] "By Order of the Committee [the Mercantile Committee on Postage], GEORGE MOFFATT, Treasurer". It advises that the pro-Postal Reform meeting scheduled for 31 May 1839 had had to be postponed suddenly - until Government put the Plan before Parliament. [The meeting went ahead on 10 July 1839 in the end.] Rare original item from the crucial Campaign for Postal Reform's principal Committee; from the archive of the writer, George Moffatt, himself. This is MP7/07 (see JG-T's 'International Postal Reforms', p.340); there are only two other examples in private hands. [Ex George Moffatt's 'Mercantile Papers' set - with Henry Cole's pencil "52" page number at top right - Harmers, 1 Oct. 1988.] Cross Reference: COFFEE HOUSES, LONDON POSTAL HISTORY (Image)
Opening GBP 500.00
Sold...GBP 2,000.00
Closed..Mar-07-2024, 03:00:00 EST
Sold For 2000
Sale No: 856
Lot No: 1252
Symbol:
MULREADY 1d LETTER-SHEET USED IN JULY 1840 WITH CRITICISM OF ITS POOR QUALITY PAPER; 14 July 1840 usage of the Stereo "A17" 1d Mulready letter-sheet from "EYE" (v. fine UDC on top flap, part of arcs just across join) to Woodbridge cancelled by a very fine orange-red Maltese Cross. Most unusually, the writer - who writes that "Enclosed you have a Catalogue of Mr. Mathew's Auction..." - has commented on the poor Mulready paper; "Excuse this Scribble; if it were not a printed envelope [i.e. a prepaid Mulready] I wd. write it over again - the paper is not good for my pens". It was widely felt that the paper used for Mulreadys was rather cheap and nasty, but this is a rare contemporary comment on this! Cross Reference: MULREADY STATIONERY & PROPAGANDA COVERS, SUFFOLK (Image)
Opening GBP 280.00
Sold...GBP 360.00
Closed..Mar-07-2024, 03:00:00 EST
Sold For 360
Sale No: 856
Lot No: 1254
Symbol:
'TREASURY COMPETITION' "POST OFFICE PERMIT/PRICE 1D....½ OUNCE" ILLUSTRATION ON COVER; Unusual 14 May 1868 env. (slightly trimmed and refolded, with some light staining mainly at edges) to "Steeple Bumpstead, Essex" centrally franked with a 2d Blue (pl.9; crease) tied by an indistinct "LYMINGTON/485" Duplex being placed on a cut-out newspaper illustration of the Charles Whiting 1839/1840 "POST OFFICE PERMIT" 1d Letter-sheet Essay with London, Newmarket & Haverhill backstamps. Oddly (and significantly, given the name?) the envelope has been turned inside-out before use and has a printed address inside; "GEO. H. WHYTING, ESQ., N. B. & M. INSURANCE Co. Threadneedle St., LONDON". [Was Whyting the sender, and/or was he a relative of Charles Whiting?] The illustration of the Essay has newspaper text on the reverse, which has recently been identified and linked to a similar text in the Illustrated London News edition of 8 Aug. 1863, and so is clearly connected to the 7 July 1863 death of William Mulready (research notes included). Unique item! [Ex RL 27 May 1981 auction; lot 36, realised £170 +VAT.]Cross Reference: PICTORIALS, PRINTED, MULREADY STATIONERY & PROPAGANDA COVERS, TREASURY ESSAYS, ETC., HAMPSHIRE (Image)
