OFFICER's INGOING 6d-RATE COVER TO ANTI-SLAVERY SHIP "H.M.S. JASEUR"; 22 Aug. 1868 env. from Buxton (Derbys.) at the standard 6d Packet Letter rate to the Commander of “H.M. Ship Jaseur, West Coast Africa” (there are only British transit backstamps as usual for this kind of naval mail); it is franked by the G.B. 6d Mauve (pl.6; wing margin) tied by the “BUXTON/155” Duplex. It was carried by the African Steamship Co. ship ‘Biafra’ on her Maiden voyage (Liverpool 25th Aug. to Lagos 19th Sept.). The ship’s log records that she was at Lagos during the first week of December 1868. It was endorsed “Recd. Decr. 1st” by the addressee, and this suggests that it was held for some two months awaiting the return of the ship from a lengthy anti-slavery cruise along the coast. The 3 months plus transit time is most unusual. The ‘Jaseur’ was a 145-foot ‘Philomel Class’ 5-gun wooden gunboat, being one of 20 similar 1860s vessels, most of which served on anti-slavery duties on the west coast of Africa. Cross Reference: OVERSEAS DESTINATIONS, SLAVES AND SLAVERY, DERBYSHIRE (Image)