Peninsular War. 1811 (July 19) Entire letter to "Lt. Col. The Lord Blantyre, 42nd Royal Highlanders, British Army, Portugal" from his mother in Scotland, apparently sent under cover to the Postmaster General the Earl of Sandwich, who has signed the letter allowing it to go free, with red Free datestamp (July 24) and Foreign Office backstamp. A very unusual abuse of the franking privilege by the Postmaster General, who had unlimited franking powers. Photo on Page 36. (Image1)

India Letter - Cape of Good Hope. 1818 (Apr 15) Entire letter to "Lieut Colonel Warre, D.Q.M. General, Cape of Good Hope" written by his mother, but headed as a free letter and signed by S.R Chapman, Secretary of the Master of Ordnance, who had unlimited franking, with red Free datestamp and scarce black oval datestamp (Jay 1424, used in the Ship Letter Office in 1813-19). Delayed for a week awaiting a suitable ship to the Cape, then handstamped with red crowned boxed "INDIA / LETTER / FREE / LONDON" datestamp (Apr 22). A remarkable item, still the only recorded example of this India Letter Free datestamp (a similar handstamp with "SHIP" at base recorded on three 1816-17 items, this possibly the same handstamp with "SHIP" excised), ex. Jay. Photo on Inside Front Cover. (Image1)

India. 1831 (Sep 19) Entire letter from E.F Fraser in Scotland to his son, W. Fraser in Delhi, sent under cover to Charles Grant, President of the India Board, who has signed and headed the address panel for free postage, a clear abuse of the franking privilege. Handstamped with both Inland and Ship Letter Office Free datestamps in red, the scarce boxed Ship Letter Office Free being the earliest recorded use of the smaller (24x18mm) third type handstamp. Fine and scarce. Photo on Page 36. (Image1)

Greenwich Hospital/Gibraltar. 1810 (May 7) Printed Greenwich Hospital lettersheet addressed to Gibraltar with red Free datestamp and Foreign Office backstamp, signed by Sir John Colpoys, Treasurer of the hospital, who had unlimited franking privileges.

Gibraltar. 1833 Entire to "The Secretary of War, London", headed "On Service" with curved "GIBRALTAR" in black, arrival backstamp (Aug 23). Unusual, the Secretary of War had unlimited franking privileges.

Disinfected Mail - Italy. 1833 (Jan 2) Entire letter franked by John Drinkwater (Comptroller of Army Accounts, who had unlimited franking privileges) to his brother in Naples, with Free datestamp and arrival handstamps, disinfected with vinegar and slits, a rare disinfected free letter.

Forwarding Agent - Portsmouth. 1834 (Feb 7) Free entire from Portsmouth to Scotland, reverse with blue boxed "Forwarded by Yours &c / GARRATT & GIBBON / PORTSMOUTH / AGENTS TO LLOYDS". A rare F.A.C on a free letter, clearly originating overseas.