1862 (30 Jan.) front from Galle to London, marked ''via Marseilles'', bearing 4d. dull rose, two superb large-margined examples, with 1d. blue on blued paper and neatly tied by light oval of bars, showing ''GALLE/POST-PAID'' and London Paid arrival (25.2) date-stamps, both in red. Irrefutably the finest of the three known ninepenny rate covers to England bearing this franking. A gem and the most important franking in Ceylon philately as well as being one of the world's great philatelic rarities. B.P.A. Certificate (1983). Sc#3 & 4. SG#2 & 4. PROVENANCE : Michael Stephens, October 1937 Dr. Fleming, February 1951 Dale-Lichtenstein, February 1969 P.C. Pearson, April 1983. (Image)

2d. yellowish green. SUP. (Image)

2p. yellowish-green. VF. (Image)

4p. dull rose. SUP. (Image)

5p. chestnut. SUP. (Image)

10d. dull vermillon. SUP. (Image)

1/2d. dull mauve. Pair. SUP. (Image)

2p. green pair + 6p. brown cancelled by horizontal strips on cover to SOUTH WALES - ENGLAND. Datestamp GALLE APRIL 10 1867. Backstamped MAY 4 1867. TB. (Image)

8d. brown. The top of the sheet. SUP. (Image)

9p. deep-brown. SUP. (Image)

9d. olive-sepia. SUP. (Image)

9p. olive sepia. VF. (Image)

2p. ochre + 2p. yellow. SUP. (Image)

5p. grey-olive. SUP. (Image)

1s. reddish violet. VF. (Image)

10c. on 46c. pale violet. SUP. (Image)

10c. on 64c. red-brown. VF. (Image)

30c. bright mauve and chesnut. Pair. Proof imperf. SUP. (Image)

1000 R. Purple red. A superb unmonted mint top marginal example with fine fresh (unrubbed) colour 2020 David Brandon, 1973 Diena, 1958 BPA certificates (Image)

Telegraph stamps. 50R. brown rose. Filigrane W2 (HISCOCKS 47). VF. (Image)