ROYAL HOUSEHOLDS/'OFFICIAL MAIL' MISCELLANY, INC. LETTERS, ETC.: Two albums housing an 1878-2003 range of envs. (some embossed/crested) with various cyphers/postmarks. One album inc. 1878 env. endorsed "To be forwarded O.H.M.S." with blue "SCIENCE AND ART/V[flowers]R/DEPARTMENT" cachet & red "OFFICIAL PAID/LONDON" cds (signed by Franklin?); 1897 env. (damaged bottom left corner) embossed flap "PRIVY PURSE OFFICE BUCKINGHAM PALACE" to Germany franked 2½d Jubilee signed by "A. Bisse" with printed letter; 1912 env. stamped with the signature of "D.M. Probyn/General, Comptroller to H.M. Queen Alexandra" with violet "GVR" cypher and red "OFFICIAL RAID" cds; 1951 env. ex Clarence House with crest of Prince Philip on flap and addressed in his own hand; plus others ex Balmoral, Sandringham, Windsor, Holyrood, St. James' Palace, Prime Minister, Speaker, House of Commons/Lords; many with cyphers (var. colours) for EVII, GVIR, GRI/VI, EIIR; or cachets of "THE COURT OF THE LORD LYON", "THE ORDERS OF KNIGHTHOOD", "ASCOT OFFICE", "LORD STEWARD", "MASTER OF THE HORSE", "PRIVY PURSE", "ROYAL ALMONRY", "COURTS OF JUSTICE", "ROYAL MINT", etc.; also unused Osborne House letter headed paper, and letters ex Buckingham Palace (2), Sandringham, or Marlborough House (1937 with corresponding letter from LIFE magazine) (112 items). Other album containing 1954-98 envs. addressed to "Wing Commander [or Squadron Leader/Air Marshal, etc.] Beresford Horsley" bearing cachets for "H.Q. FAR EAST AIR FORCE", "AIR MINISTRY", "CHIEF OF DEFENCE STAFF", etc., one stamped "SECRET", some with Royal Household cachets and/or "EIIR" cyphers, etc. An interesting study following his career. (65 envs.) (Image)

RARE "HOODED" LONDON/V.R." CANCELLATION: 1882 (13 Dec.) piece franked ½d green + 1d lilac + 6d grey all tied by very fine (some light smudging) "B" code "LONDON/VR" hooded circles (used at Buckingham Palace), with Redditch cds adjacent.Cross Reference: CANCELLATIONS (Image)

QUEEN VICTORIA MEMORIAL MAIL, ETC.: 5 Nov. 1897 mourning letter from Balmoral Castle thanking R. Holmes for a copy of his book "Queen Victoria" which had just been published. 1901 mourning card depicting QV to Banbury. Two small cards in memory of Queen Victoria. (3 items)Cross Reference: MOURNING ENVELOPES (Image)

THE RARE "HOODED" LONDON/V.R." CANCELLATION: 1883 (26 May) env. (slightly trimmed at left) to Launceston bearing 1880 1½d venetian red cancelled with a very fine "B" code"LONDON/VR" hooded circle. A light crease runs through the adhesive. Also three other examples of the cancellation on stamps. (Image)