Falkland Islands: PURCHASE OF PEBBLE ISLAND STATION: 1869 (Dec. 16) O.H.M.S. envelope to London endorsed from the “GOVERNOR/of the/Falklands” showing one of the earliest known examples of the Falkland Islands F.1 c.d.s. with Falmouth Ship Letter Feb. 17 1870 transit c.d.s. alongside, having been carried by the Lampart & Holt steamship “Flamsteed” from Montevideo,and with next day London arrival datestamps in red on reverse. Some tears and other faults but extraordinary and containing its original enclosure confirming the purchase of Pebble Island. The enclosed letter from Government House to John Markham Dean in Stoke Newington, signed by Governor William Robinson and dated Dec. 14 records that he has the “honour to inform you that I have issued to you a Crown Grant of Pebble Island Station, and exchanged it with your son Mr. George M Dean for a Bill on yourself for £400 at 30 days sight, which I send to the Crown Agents by this mail for collection.” Also the two page letters patent with attached seal of the Falkland Islands, handwritten or part printed on vellum, signed twice by Governor Robinson and dated Dec. 7. Included also is the Bill of Exchange for £400 dated Dec. 10, drawn by George M. Dean payable to Governor Robinson and endorsed on reverse “Pay to the order of the Crown Agents for the Colonies” on Dec. 14, Great Britain Foreign Bill 4s. adhesive affixed at left, tied by ms. “Bank of England/22 March 1870”. Described by Stefan Heijtz as “one of the most amazing Falklands covers in existence” and illustrated as the frontispiece in “The Postal Cancellations of the Falkland Islands” by Robert Barnes (1982). Photo. (Image1)

Falkland Islands: THE BLACK FRANK: 1875 (Feb. 15) a very fine strike on envelope to farmer William Stickney senior at Burstwick, near Hull, with ms. “6” in magenta and red London Paid of Apr. 2 alongside, fine type F.1 “FE 15/1875” despatch c.d.s at left, backstamped Apr. 3 arrival, carried on the “Black Hawk” and the “Neva”, slight staining nevertheless most attractive. Barnes 3/75. R.P.S. certificate (1996). William Stickney junior and his brother Bernard had arrived in the islands in 1867 on the “Diana” and with the Baillon brothers had formed the Baillon & Stickney sheep farming partnership at Fox Bay. Their interests were separated in 1874, the Stickney brothers taking the Spring Point area. Ex Dr. Nabarro, Heyburn and Shepherd. Photo. (Image1)

Falkland Islands: THE BLACK FRANK: 1875 (July 2) good strike on piece from blue envelope, partly overstruck by type F.1 “JY 2/1875” c.d.s., hinge repairs. No full cover from this date is recorded, the envelope carried from Stanley to Montevideo on the “Black Hawk” departing on July 3. SH cat. £500. (Image1)

Falkland Islands: THE RED FRANK, 1878 (Jan. 2) Envelope addressed to F. Coleman of the Falkland Islands Co. in London, with good strike of the Frank, showing prepaid rating “6” in magenta, fine type F.1 despatch c.d.s. at left and red London Paid Feb. 12 arrival backstamp, creased and torn at top from rough opening. Carried on the “Sparrow Hawk” to Montevideo and to Liverpool on the “Valparaiso”. Just 23 Red Frank covers are recorded. Barnes 2/78. Ex Dudley Stone. Photo. (Image1)

Falkland Islands: Souvenir strike of the Red Frank on unaddressed official envelope, also Black Frank (2) and Red Frank (2) on individual laid paper pieces. (5 items) SH cat. £420+. (Image1)

Falkland Islands: 1883 apprenticeship indenture on vellum (353 x 240mm) binding “George Broom of the age of seventeen years by and with the consent of his father George Broome of Falkland Islands, South America” to William Chapman, butcher & draper in Orford, Suffolk for a term of three years and payment of £25, with signatures and 5s. impressed duty stamp, most unusual. George Kettleby Broom (1840-1931), former keeper of the low lighthouse at Orfordness, served as principal lightkeeper of the Cape Pembroke lighthouse from 1877 to 1902. He later retired to Sheringham, close to his son, George Robert William Broome (1866-1943) who had remained in Norfolk, initially in the care of his grandmother, and had made a career in retail.

Falkland Islands: Postal Notices, “MAILS FOR THE/Falkland Islands” G.P.O. notice no. 13 (209 x 338mm) dated 8 May 1883 with time tables (SH cat. £200), also notices no. 21 (17 June 1885, small tape repair) and 29 (28 May 1889), the first with parcel post rates for Gibraltar, the latter for Ascension, St. Helena and “Tristan d’Acunha”, both slightly trimmed. (3 items) Photo.