1852 (Aug 14t Entire from Melbourne to London originally containing five pounds, endorsed "Registered" and 3d (for the ship rate), manuscript 1/2 in black to be paid by the recipient (8d private ship rate and 6d UK registration), Melbourne oval Paid despatch in red on the front, London arrival, fragment of registration voucher also on reverse which would have been returned to Melbourne, ship unknown but a very fast voyage of 99 days, ex Alan Holyoake RDP FRPSL. (Image)

1856 (Jan 30) Entire to Scotland endorsed "Per Hellespont / via Singapore", with two 1854-55 Woodblock 6d (one four margined, one 3 1/2) tied by "1" barred circles paying the double rate, reverse with Melbourne FE 16 despatch and London MY 4 transit, Edinburgh MY 5 arrival, with "MORE TO PAY" hs applied in London with ms "8", fine and rare mail carried by this steamer from which little surviving mail is recorded. Note: During the Crimean War many P&O ships were pressed into naval service so mail services became infrequent and relied upon private shipping. The "Hellespont" was a coastal steamer that was sent to Singapore to be sold. (Image)

1860 (Oct 25) Merchant's entire from Melbourne to Hong Kong with 1860 Beaded Ovals 6d orange tied by "1" barred circle with clear "OC 25 / 60" despatch for the first day of issue, Hong Kong arrival, endorsed "Pr Behar via Ceylon", some trivial cover imperfections, one of the most attractive of the very few covers recorded bearing this stamp (only 60'000 stamps printed); an outstanding classic first day cover. (Image)

1863-66 Trio of covers with "INSUFFICIENTLY PAID / VIA MARSEILLES" hs in black, red or blue, each with 1862-64 Redrawn 6d black frankings, fine and scarce trio. (Image)

1875 (Mar 25) Envelope sent OHMS with ms legend at top and a fine strike of the "COMMR OF CROWN LANDS & SURVEY" coat-of-arms frank over-struck with Melbourne duplex, sent to Scotland with Edinburgh arrival, very fine. (Image)

1884-1900 Stamp Duty £100 pink-red cancelled-to-order with Melbourne JE 11 01 cds, faintest trace of a bend mentioned for accuracy and reinforced lower left corner perf., very fine and attractive high value (S.G. £1'000). (Image)

This lot will be sold as number 60481A during the public auction.
1855 (Nov 21) Envelope to England with 1855 6d. QV dull orange with wide margins all around (mild corner crease otherwise fine), on cover from MELBOURNE NO 21 1855 to Horsham, Sussex, with clear strike of scarce "AUSTRALIA PACKET PAID LIVERPOOL MR 4 56" cds further to manuscript "per ship James Baines" (BLACK BALL LINE), fine and very scarce.Note: Due to the Crimean war, the General Screw shipping Co. withdrew from its contract for carrying Australian mails when the Admiralty began commandeering their steamships for use in said conflict. P&O did the same in December thus leaving Australia without scheduled steam service. No one knew how long the conflict would last, so the Post Office issued single-voyage contract and foreign mail then reverted to conveyance by sailing ship via Cape Horn (Tierra del Fuego, Chile). This envelope took 95 days to reach GB! It was carried on the Black Ball James Baines which left Melbourne on 28 November 1855 and arrived Liverpool on 2 March 1856. The ship was delayed by calms off Cape Horn. (Image)