BATHURST (ST. MARY's) - DOUBLE-RATE PRESTAMP COVER TO G.B. BY SHIP 'PATRIOT' EX "RIVER GAMBIA"; Fine 9 May 1843 E from "[Missionary] George Parsonson, St. Mary's [Gambia]" (filing notes) to London charged "8" and then "1/4" (double rate) with a black London "SHIP LETTER" across the join on the reverse overstruck by a fine red London 27 June cds, showing that it was carried by the ship 'Patriot' (Captain Cuthbertson) which landed her mails (sent on in a closed bag to London) at Dartmouth on 26 June (the only Gambia arrival - from "River Gambia" - near that date that was listed in 'Lloyd's List' - copy included). Early mail from Gambia is much rarer than that from Gold Coast or S. Leone.Cross Reference: SHIP LETTERS (Image)