ACT OF PARLIAMENT - "An Act for regulating the sending and receiving of Letters and Packets by the Post free from the Duty of Postage [12th July 1837]" 12pp. 12" x 8". The Act rationalised & consolidated existing legislation and listed the Govt. Offices having the privilege of franking mail. Ideal addition to a Postal Reform of Free Frank display. A photocopy accompanies.Cross Reference: P.O. ACTS OF PARLIAMENT, FREES (Image)

WWII BLOOD CHIT - Royal Air Force (RAF) use 17 Languages. Printed in the China/Burma/India theatre of operation. VERY RARE. - By June 1942 the Japanese had driven British, Indian and Chinese forces out of Burma. However, in February 1943 3,000 British and Nepalese Gurkha troops mounted a long-distance raid behind Japanese lines. These troops, known as ‘Chindits’, were commanded by Brigadier Orde Wingate. This very unusual lot is known as a ‘blood chit’ and was carried by the Chindits in case they became separated from their unit and needed assistance from local people. It is made of rayon and measures 15¼" long by 10¾" wide. There were various 'chits' produced which carried a printed message in seventeen languages, including Burmese, Karen, East and West Shan, Thai, Chinese, Tamil, Vietnamese, Bengali, French and English. The message identifies the bearer as an Allied combatant and encourages locals to offer help. This superb lot, an example of which can be seen in the Imperial War Museum, is one which would significantly augment any far east collection of the WWII period. (Single item) Cross Reference: BURMA, CHINA, INDIA, MILITARY - WWII (Image)