ACCUMULATION MOSTLY OF FRONTS - notable signatures inc. The Dukes of Norfolk (2, 1832/35), Beaufort (1826), Northumberland (undated), and Hamilton (1835) and PM George Canning; also inc. 1832 front to Edin. with fine green "STIRLING/PENNY POST" and 1832 front ex Ireland with "FREE/DUBLIN" crowned cds to Cheltenham redirected to Malvern with framed "Cheltenham/Penny Post". Also range of EL, some frees, inc. 1835 EL to Wellington ex London charged '5/-', and 1849 pair of EL to Yeovil with BARDON (Som.) or WASHFORD udc, paid 'P1' or 'P4'; plus 1839 piece with mostly fine red oval "CALCUTTA/FREE". (c340 items)Cross Reference: INDIA (Image)

ACCUMULATION OF FREE FRONTS - good range inc. signatures of W E Gladstone (1836, before being PM), Duke of Bedford, etc. Also 1848 handwritten note by actor Henry Betty ('The Young Roscius') admitting two 'to the boxes' for a production of Othello at Royal Standard Theatre. (c240)Cross Reference: AUTOGRAPHS, THEATRE (Image)

EARLY ABUSE OF PRIVILEGE LETTER BY THE POSTMISTRESS; Remarkable 27 Mar. 1721 EL (minor faults; family matters) to The Postmistress Lancaster ex London and with London Bishop mark on rear and "Lancafter" ("ft" joined - W & J 575 - v.rare) turned and readdressed to Burton and endorsed 'free Anne Hopkins' - an abuse of free carriage as not on official business. Note: Anne Hopkins was later dismissed for abuse of free franking on advertising circulars. Very early example of official abuse by a postal employee. Cross Reference: LONDON POSTAL HISTORY, LANCASHIRE, OFFICIAL MAIL, REDIRECTED AND TURNED MAIL (Image)

LANCASTER LOWER CASE MARK; Apr. 1723 EL (minor faults to Liverpool with mostly fine "Lancafter" ("ft" joined - W575 - v.rare) on rear in black. and rated '3'(d). on front. (Image)