CHESTERFIELD - TWICE-CHARGED 1742 FREE; Fine and attractive 3 Apr. 1742 EL to London with very fine "CHESTER/FIELD" on the flap beside the Bishop mark but with the initial "4" charge cancelled (to Sir John Heathcote - ? an M.P.?) although the "4" charge was then reinstated with a P.O. Inspector's initials.Cross Reference: DERBYSHIRE (Image)
Opening GBP 50.00
Sold...GBP 80.00
Closed..Mar-10-2021, 01:00:00 EST
Sold For 80
Sale No: 835
Lot No: 1365
Symbol:
Cat No: Collection
RARE SATIRICAL PAMPHLET REF. THE NEWLY TIGHTENED UP FRANKING LAWS; Fine and very rare 1784 24-page pamphlet (ex binding; c.21x26 cms. - just fits album page) entitled "An authentick letter from a disconsolate Member of Parliament to his unfortunate son, lately convicted of robbing the General Post Office" and published under the suitable pseudonym "FRANCIS FRANKUM"; written to coincide with the 1784 reforms of the franking system which introduced the rule for signing and heading all free franks for the first time. Written in an amusing style to highlight the risks of prosecution (and loss of reputation) that would be faced by those cheating the system, such as "Mr Alderman Invoice, Messrs Packum, Cheatum and Co., Mr./Mrs./Miss Pengrubber, Sukey Sentiment..." etc.! With ownership signature on the title-page of "J. Luther"; thought to have been John Luther (c.1739-1786) who was MP for Essex from 1763-84, and lived at Great Myles at Kelvedon Hatch which is considered to have been one of the largest manor houses in England. Believed to be the only recorded example in private hands and a rare published response to Postal Reform before 1800. [We have traced two other copies in the British Library and one in the Wellcome Foundation collection.]Cross Reference: LITERATURE - PHILATELIC, POSTAL REFORMS, ESSEX (Image)
Opening GBP 70.00
Sold...GBP 180.00
Closed..Mar-10-2021, 01:00:00 EST
Sold For 180
Sale No: 835
Lot No: 1366
Symbol:
SET OF BROWN-BLACK 2-RING UNDATED "FREE" MARKS ("C", "P" & "S") FRANKED BY SAME MP, ETC.; 1788/9 EL/part E & front all franked by the famous and wealthy Welsh M.P. "T[homas] Johnes" (1748-1816; of Hafod, Wales) with mainly fine to v. fine scarce brown-black 2-ring London "FREE" marks with "C"/"P"/"S" (frank Inspectors Coltson, John Palmer & Stafford) - the EL an abuse of privilege with letter from someone else - fine 1835 pair of ELs franked (& written) by "[the Duke of] Newcastle" to Aberystwyth ref. the harbour there, 14 free fronts with Welsh connections, and scarce July 1837 printed 42-page Govt. "Return" listing every British Postmasters' "perquisites" (Late fees, extra 1d's for local 'town' letters, etc.). (4 covers, 15 fronts & 1 Return)Cross Reference: WELSH POSTAL HISTORY, LATE FEE/TOO LATE MAIL, POSTAL REFORMS (Image)
Opening GBP 110.00
Sold...GBP 190.00
Closed..Mar-10-2021, 01:00:00 EST
Sold For 190
Sale No: 835
Lot No: 1367
Symbol:
Cat No: Collection
GROUP INC. RARE DUBLIN TYPE & OFFICIAL ENVS. SIGNED BY PRIME MINISTERS/CHANCELLOR ETC. - 1801-05 'apple' type group (6 fronts plus E), 1822 front with very rare Dublin "FREE[within crown]/SUNDAY" ds, Mar. 1839 env. to Bristol with mostly fine MX type hs, 1836 front & 1865 env. signed at lower left 'Melbourne' or 'Palmerston' both at the times they were PM, 1869 env. signed 'Hatherley' with embossed "LORD CHANCELLOR" on the flap, and 1912 env. with "PRIME MINISTER" imprint at lower left and embossed "THE PRIME MINISTER" on the flap. Interesting group. (13 items)Cross Reference: AUTOGRAPHS (Image)
Opening GBP 120.00
Sold...GBP 160.00
Closed..Mar-10-2021, 01:00:00 EST
Sold For 160
Sale No: 835
Lot No: 1368
Symbol:
RARE FREE FRANKED "ARMED DAILY HORSE POST" FULLY COMPLETED TADCASTER/SETTLE TIME-BILL; Remarkable Aug. 1836 EL (minor toning and a couple of reinforced places in the folds) sent free from "TADCASTER" (v. fine UDC on flap) to "J.A. Fletcher Esq., G.P.O. Surveyor &c., York, Forward." - rare example of the GPO Surveyors' franking of all mail addressed to them. The contents are a very rare survival from the pre-1840 period; a 2-sided printed "TIME BILL" sheet for the "Tadcaster and Settle... ARMED DAILY HORSE POST". While a very small number of similar pre-1840 P.O. Time-bills for mail coaches have survived, we do not recall having seen one like this relating to a horse-post before. Both sides have been fully completed for both outward and return journeys by each Postmaster along the route (5 in all). Wonderful Exhibition Item. Cross Reference: YORKSHIRE, COACHING (Image)
