4d-RATE FRANKING COVERS TO FRANCE INC. 1st VOYAGE OF NEW ADEN/SUEZ ROUTE, ETC.; Unusual 7 Apr. 1860 env. from Port Louis (fair 2-ring "G P O/MAURITIUS" backstamp) to Bordeaux endorsed "Per Steamer Nepaul Via Aden" with 4d Rose (wide cut wing margin at left) tied by mainly fine "PAID" in circle cancels. Carried on the very first voyage of the new P&O service direct from Mauritius to Aden; with red Marseille "PAYS ETR. V. SUEZ/AMB. D" cds (3 May) on the front with hs "16" French postage due charge-mark, also with a Bordeaux arrival backstamp (4 May). Rare thus. Plus similar 7 Apr. 1860 EL with target cancel, and 1860/1 stamp-removed or part cover also to Bordeaux with single 4d's. (4 items) Cross Reference: FRANCE (Image)

FIRST DAY OF ISSUE USAGE OF THE PERFORATED 2d BLUE ON 4d-RATE COVER TO FRANCE VIA SUEZ; 7 April 1860 EL (minor creasing; the "Duplicate" copy of an 8 March letter) from "Maurice" to Bordeaux "Par Packet via Marseille" with two 1860 perf. 2d Blues (issued 7 April 1860; see SG) placed unusually in the bottom corners (one with wing-margin at right, the other placed upside down; both with a few short/cut perfs.) and each tied by a fine void barred oval. There is a partly fine 2-ring "G P O/MAURITIUS" cds on the flap with the date just discernible, but the v. fine red 2-ring Marseille "PAYS ETR. V. SUEZ/AMB.D" cds (3 May) on the front confirms the voyage dates for the P&O S.S. Nepaul to Suez + S.S. Vectis from Alex. to Marseille. There is a very fine hs "16" (decimes) arrival charge-mark on the front as well. The two similar 4d Red FDCs in the Marion Collection had this same 3 May Marseille datestamp. We have not yet recorded any other First Day Usages of this 2d value, which is much scarcer than the 4d on cover. Important Exhibition Item. Cross Reference: FIRST DAY COVERS, FRANCE (Image)

MAIL TO FRANCE VIA SUEZ - 4d & 1s-4d FRANKINGS SHOWING TRANSITION AWAY FROM FRENCH DELIVERY CHARGES; May/Oct. 1861 ELs trio from Port Louis to Bordeaux each with a single 4d Red (tied by void barred oval or "B53" numerals) and having hs "8"(2) or "9" delivery charge marks; plus attractive 6 May 1862 EL from Port Louis to Marseille with v. fine red Port Louis "P.D." (Paid to destination) mark beside 4d Red + 1/- Buff tied by very fine "B53" numerals for the double 8d rate, but with no delivery charge. Good group. (4 covers) Cross Reference: FRANCE (Image)

LATER PENCE ISSUE COVERS TO FRANCE - 8d, 1s-4d OR 6d RATES WITH VARIED FRANKINGS; 1864-77 group of E/ELs (all but the 1877 pair with v. fine small red Port Louis "P.D." marks) to various French towns; with frankings of 4d Red Pairs (2), scarce 6d+2d, and 4d + 1/- (2) - all with small "B53" cancels - plus 1873/7 quartet with large "B53" cancels or a duplex franked with 4d+1/-, 4d+6d(2), 6d or 3dx2. Attractive lot. (9 covers)Cross Reference: FRANCE (Image)

RARE 6d LATE FEE FRANKING COVER TO FRANCE - POSTED UP TO 30 MINUTES AFTER CLOSURE OF MAIL; Attractive 24 June 1875 E from "Port Louis" to Marseille "via Suez" with 4d Red Pair + 6d Green with fine large "B53 numerals (6d well tied, the pair minutely tied between perfs.) having a blue-black "MAURITIUS/A" cds across the join. This was the regular 8d rate (up to quarter oz) plus the 6d Late Fee for letters posted after the 'closure' of the bag at 2pm and up to 2.30pm. Fine examples of this 6d Late Fee are very seldom seen. Cross Reference: LATE FEE MAIL, FRANCE (Image)

VERY RARE 5/- LATE FEE FRANKING COVER TO FRANCE - POSTED FROM 2 TO 2½ HOURS AFTER CLOSURE OF MAIL; 16 Aug. 1877 EL (light toning and tiny offset ink dots on the front) sent from "Port Louis" to Bordeaux "via Suez & Marseille" with 6d Green + rare 5/- Mauve tied by fine large "B53 numerals having a very fine blue "MAURITIUS/A" cds alongside. This was the regular 6d rate (up to ½oz) to France plus the very high 5s-0d Late Fee for letters posted long after the 2pm 'closure' of the bag; for letters posted from 4pm up to 4.30pm. This 5/- value is rare on cover and only a handful of Late Fee usages such as this have been recorded. [With copy of Bilhaut article in French about this cover and that in the previous lot.] Important Exhibition Item.Cross Reference: LATE FEE MAIL, FRANCE (Image)

MAIL TO GB VIA FRANCE - 9d OR 1s-9d RATES WITH RED M/S "7d" OR "1/-" ACCOUNTANCY MARKINGS; 6 Aug. 1860 env. (some dusting & edge-wear) to Somerset "Via Marseilles" with a single 9d Dull Purple (slight wrinkles) tied by a v. fine void barred oval with fine crowned "MAURITIUS/GPO" ds on reverse and with red ms "7d" (7d due to GB) Accountancy Marking on the front; plus similar 6 July 1863 env. (some edge wear, flap lost, small closed tear at top centre) from Port Louis to London with 1/- Yellow + 9d Dull Purple (both crossed by crease) cancelled by fine "B53" numerals and having a red ms "1/-" (due to GB) alongside. Rare pair. (2 covers) Cross Reference: FRANCE, ACCOUNTANCY MARKS (Image)

SOLDIER's 1d CONCESSION RATE COVER TO GB WITH 1d PURPLE-BROWN TIED BY "B53" DUPLEX; 5 Jan. 1863 env. (overall dusting and some edge wear - address a little faded) from Port Louis to Nottingham with 1d Purple-Brown (slight rubbing at right) tied by a very fine small "MAURITIUS/B53" Duplex, countersigned correctly at the foot for the Soldier's 1d Concession Rate for a soldier of the 2/5th Fusiliers, but most unusually not headed with sender's name, rank and location but still allowed at the 1d Rate although contrary to P.O. regulations. Early and rare Concession Rate cover originating from Mauritius. (Image)

SOLDIER's 1d CONCESSION RATE COVER TO GB WITH 1d PURPLE-BROWN CANCELLED BY "B53" NUMERAL; 6 Oct. 1863 env. (slight dusting) from Port Louis to Glasgow with 1d Purple-Brown (faults) cancelled by a partial fine "B53" numeral having a partly fine blue "MAURITIUS/C" cds on the reverse. The letter was headed & countersigned correctly for the Soldier's 1d Concession Rate for "Sapper Wm. Gibb, 25th Com[pan]y, R[oyal] Engineers" (partly beneath the stamp). Early and rare Concession Rate cover originating from Mauritius. Cross Reference: MILITARY - PENNY CONCESSION RATES (Image)

SOLDIER's 1d CONCESSION RATE COVER TO GB WITH 1d PURPLE-BROWN CANCELLED BY "B53" NUMERAL; 6 Nov. 1863 env. (some dusting) from Port Louis to Glasgow with 1d Purple-Brown (faults) tied by a partly fine "B53" numeral having a fine blue-black "MAURITIUS/C" cds on the reverse. The letter was headed & countersigned correctly for the Soldier's 1d Concession Rate for "Sapper Wm. Gibb, 25 Co[mpany]., R[oyal] Engineers". Early and rare Concession Rate cover originating from Mauritius. Cross Reference: MILITARY - PENNY CONCESSION RATES (Image)

LATER PENCE ISSUE COVERS TO GB INC. 3-COLOUR FRANKING, SINGLE 10d, SINGLE 1/-, ETC.; 1864-74 covers (some creasing etc.) to GB inc. 6 Feb. 1864 with 1/- tied by small "B53" "Via Southampton", 1871 trio to Wiltshire "Via Brindisi" (2) at 9d (3-colour franking; 4d+3d+2d) or 10d (9d + poor 1d or 6d+4d) all tied by large "B53" numerals, and 1874 EL to Ireland "Via Marseille" with single 10d just tied by large "B53". Scarce group. (5 covers) (Image)

RARE "HALF/PENNY" ON 9d DULL PURPLE ON COVER WITH 6d FOR SHORT-LIVED 6½d RATE TO GB; 12 Oct. 1876 env. (red wax seal of USA ? Consulate; some edge wear - mostly at right mainly affecting reverse) to London "Per Messageries Maritime Steamers via Marseille" with 6d Green (small scuff at top left) & the rare "HALF/PENNY" on 9d Dull Purple (only used Feb. to Oct. 1876) tied by fair to fine large "B53" numerals with a very fine blue "MAURITIUS/A" cds on the flap. This unusual 6½d rate was only in effect from Feb. 1876 to Mar. 1877, when it was reduced to 6d for the UPU. This 1876 ½d on 9d surcharge is rare on cover. (Image)

RARE "HALF/PENNY" ON 10d MAROON ON COVER WITH 6d FOR SHORT-LIVED 6½d RATE TO GB; 10 Nov. 1876 env. to London (to the same addressee as the previous lot) "P. Mail Steamer" with 6d Green (corner fault) & the rare "HALF/PENNY" on 10d Maroon (only used Nov. 1876 to Mar. 1877?) tied by fair to very fine large "B53" numerals with a fine blue "MAURITIUS/A" cds (overstruck) on the flap. This unusual 6½d rate was only in effect from Feb. 1876 to Mar. 1877, when it was reduced to 6d for the UPU. This 1876 ½d on 10d surcharge is rare on cover. (Image)

MADAGASCAR - PAIR OF COVERS TO GB VIA MAURITIUS PREPAID WITH EXTRA 6d TO MAURITIUS; Jan. 1871 + [June?] 1875 pair of envs. addressed to members of the Parrett family in Gravesend whose son was the Missionary John Parrett who served in Madagascar from 1862-85 - presumably both sent by John Parrett, because they are each franked for the 1s-4d rate, which was made up of 6d from Madagascar to Mauritius + the regular 10d rate to GB The London Missionary Society maintained an account with the Mauritius P.O. so that these letters could be stamped at Port Louis rather than in Madagascar. They have the 4d + 1/- frankings in each case (the 1/- Blue in 1871 and the 1/- Orange in 1875) all tied by mainly fine to v. fine large "B53" numerals. The first is endorsed "Jany 1871" (by the addressee presumably) on the front although the very fine blue "MAURITIUS/A" cds on the flap is for 8 May. Likewise the 1875 cover has a v. fine "MAURITIUS/A" backstamp of 2 Aug., but the letter was probably written in about June (in Madagascar). Very rare pair showing this special extra 6d rate from Madagascar. [The 1871 cover with BPA Cert. (1995), though with no mention of Madagascar!] (2 covers) Cross Reference: NEW HEBRIDES/VANUATU, MADAGASCAR (Image)

MADAGASCAR - DOUBLE-RATE COVER TO GB VIA MAURITIUS PREPAID WITH EXTRA 1/- TO MAURITIUS; [Aug.?] 1875 env. addressed to a member of the Parrett family in Gravesend whose son was the Missionary John Parrett who served in Madagascar from 1862-85 - presumably sent by John Parrett himself, because it is franked for the double 1s-4d rate, which was made up of 6d from Madagascar to Mauritius + the regular 10d rate to GB The London Missionary Society maintained an account with the Mauritius P.O. so that these letters could be stamped at Port Louis rather than in Madagascar. This cover has a pair of 4d's plus two 1/- Orange (small faults) all tied by mainly fine large "B53" numerals; it has a v. fine blue "MAURITIUS/A" backstamp of 7 Oct., but the letter was probably written in about August (in Madagascar). Very rare example of a double-rate cover sent at this special 'extra 6d' rate from Madagascar. [With BPA Cert. (1995), though with no mention of Madagascar!] Cross Reference: MADAGASCAR (Image)

TO INDIA - EARLY COVER VIA ADEN WITH 3s-3d FRANKING & RED OVAL "REGISTERED/No./MAURITIUS" DS; Attractive 10 Jan. 1873 env. registered from Port Louis to "Bombay per Mail Steamer" with 3d Red and a strip of three 1/- Blues (RH stamp damaged) all tied by fair to fine large "B53" numerals with a very fine scarce oval red "REGISTERED/No./MAURITIUS" ds (earliest recorded date?) alongside as well as a red crayon "2/6" (credit to GB) Accountancy Marking; the backstamps are both in red; "ADEN.STEAMER POINT" (23 Jan.) and "BOMBAY" (31 Jan.). Rare early example of registered mail, and to an uncommon destination at this date. Cross Reference: INDIA, REGISTERED MAIL (Image)

TO ITALIAN STATES (GENOA) - RARE 1d UNSEALED PRINTED MATTER RATE COVER VIA MARSEILLES; 6 Apr. 1861 EL (unsealed as per PO regulations; some overall creasing) from "Port Louis" with printed contents (sugar market report ref. hurricanes, etc.) and endorsed "Prices current" and so franked with only a single 1d Brown (lightly cancelled by a target cancel leaving the Queen's profile clear) tied by ms arrival charge. Also having sender's own FAC on the front and backstamps of Nice, Genoa & ? Rare example of the Printed Matter rate to Italy. Cross Reference: ITALIAN STATES, PRINTED MATTER BY POST (Image)

TO REUNION - EARLY PENCE ISSUE COVERS - SINGLE OR DOUBLE RATES - TO ST. DENIS, ETC.; Fine 4 Oct. 1861 & 18 Oct. 1862 pair of Es from Port Louis to St Denis with single or two 4d Reds respectively (tied by v. fine small duplex of fair/fine "B53" numerals); also having very fine or fair blue boxed St. Denis "M & I" marks on the flaps (indicating mails from Mauritius or India), and charged "20" or "40" (cents) delivery charge in red crayon. Plus fine 14 July 1861 stampless EL from St.Denis to Port Louis with fair blue St. Denis cds and v. fine matching small blue boxed "PF" (paye a frontiere). (3 covers)Cross Reference: REUNION (Image)

TO REUNION - 4d OR 8d RATE COVERS TO ST. DENIS ALL WITH DIFFERENT FRANKINGS; 6 Oct. 1863 E from Port Louis to St. Denis "Pr Norna" with 2d Blue + 6d Slate tied by small "B53" numerals with St. Denis arrival cds and matching mainly fine black boxed "M & I" mark (mail ex Mauritius or India) on the top flap, with red crayon "40" charge on the front; plus 1864/73 pair with 4d Red single or pair tied by small duplex or fine large "B53" numerals having red crayon "20" charge or red P. Louis "P.D." mark. Nice trio. (3 covers)Cross Reference: REUNION (Image)