TASMANIA: Extremely Early Usage January 23, 1854: 1853 4d Plate I, though colour a bit light, margins all around with frame-line barely touched at top, tied on petite calling card envelope rear flap embossed (some light soiling) by "59" in grid AND LAUCESTON 24 JA 32 NSW c.d.s., addressed to Fingal. Rare desirable and cute., The following collections had no 4d covers, Hind, Dale-Lichtenstein, R Gill, Odenweller, Slade-Slade, Consul Weinburger. Covers were found in Caspary (1), Chartwell (1), Burrus (1), Sato, the ultimate (23) (SG 6),

This cover we believe to be Plate I due to the very early date and impression plus it is the only cover known tied by a circular date stamp and there are only 3 older covers. Pages from the "Sato" auction accompany. (Image)

Est. $1,000-1,500