AFRICA, ASIA & AUSTRALASIA: 1915-2007 group neatly written-up on display pages inc. 7 Aug. 1915 St Helena Colonial Post Office Notice stating a reduction in the rate of postage on literature for the blind to 5d for weights between 20oz to 6lbs; 22 July 1966 "FREE MATTER FOR THE BLIND" label from the Indian Federation for the Blind on packet for Braille card, sent from Taruvai to Vatican City, addressed to "The Pope Paul VI"; 24 May 1978 piece to Derbyshire ex Kenya with Air Mail label and ms "FREE MATTER FOR THE BLIND" in blue ink above address; plus other examples. [See figs. 59 (p.120), 70 (p.129) & 73 (p.133), Blindman's Mail] (33 items) Cross Reference: P.O. NOTICES, KENYA, ST. HELENA, VATICAN CITY (Image)

BELGIUM & HOLLAND: 1905-2005 group of covers neatly written-up on display pages inc. 27 Dec. 1905 env. used in Scaerbeck, Belgium franked 5c cancelled by central cds, with address punched into paper; 3 Feb. 1937 folded Braille sheet to Brussels ex Antwerp franked 5c cancelled by Antwerp slogan postmark, with ms "BRAILLE" in black ink at top, sent under the 1931 tariff for the blind; 17 Sept. 1946 env. used in Amsterdam, sent from an organisation that employs blind people, with no postage stamp affixed; and 1 Feb. 1952 Braille sheet to Paris ex Uccle sent at 40c rate under the 1952 tariff for up to 1kg; plus other similar examples. [See figs. 34-35 (p.95) & 68-69 (p.127), Blindman's Mail] (22 items) Cross Reference: BELGIUM, NETHERLANDS (Image)

ITALY - MAINLY PRE-1950: Large group of folded Braille sheets/cards & covers neatly written-up on display pages inc. 12 Apr. 1915 folded Braille sheet to Florence ex Agnano franked 2c for punched paper for the blind rate up to 1kg; 16 Dec. 1923 folded Braille sheet to Florence ex Catellammare via Lanciano, franked 2c for punched paper for the blind rate + 60c Express fee, both tied by "CHIETI" cds's; 19 Nov. 1926 folded Braille sheet used in Rome with the address in punched letter format, franked 5c tied by Rome cds; 6 Dec. 1936 folded Braille sheet used in Florence franked 2c for punched paper for the blind rate; plus other similar examples inc. Regd & Express mail used to 2001. [See figs. 60-65 (pp.121-24), Blindman's Mail] (55 items) Cross Reference: REGISTERED MAIL, EXPRESS MAIL, ITALY (Image)

ERITREA & ITALY: Pair inc. 18 Jan. 1937 Braille PPC of "Africa Orientale Italiana" to Recanti ex FPO Massaua endorsed "Spedizione Speciale per ciechi" in ink at top right, franked 2c 'camel' (for the special PC rate for the blind introduced 1 Mar. 1913) cancelled by "POSTA MILITAIRE/N101" cds with corresponding military unit cachet; and 30 Aug. 1940 Braille sheet to Malmo ex Genoa franked 5c (for the 1 July 1940 rate). [Originally purchased for £748 (inc. B.P.) in Corinphila's June 2021 auction] (2)Cross Reference: ITALY, EAST AFRICA, WORLDWIDE MILITARY POSTAL HISTORY (Image)

SWITZERLAND - MAINLY 1914-30: Group of covers, cards & Braille sheets inc. 14 July 1914 env. (with Braille card contents) to Freiburg-im-Baden ex Wolfgang franked 5c, cancelled neatly by cds, with purple "Blindenschrift" hs above address; 25 June 1919 env. to Biel ex St Gallen franked by 3c adhesive with "402" opt, specially optd for use by Swiss Welfare organisations ("402" allocated to "Schweizerischer Centralverein fur das Blindenwesen"), cancelled by St Gallen cds; 21 Oct. 1924 env. used in Bern franked by 5c pair each with "141" opts (specially produced for "Bernischer Blinden-Fursorgeverein mit Blindenheim"), cancelled by Bern machine cancel; 10 June 1927 env. to Mogelsberg ex St Gallen franked 20c with "1039" opt (specially produced for "Ostschweizer Blindenheim") cancelled by St Gallen cds; plus other similar examples inc. some with Braille contents. [See figs. 75-77 (p.139-40), Blindman's Mail] (15 items) Cross Reference: SWITZERLAND (Image)

c1923 SCARCE BRAILLE LETTER: Local Rome EL bearing 2c brown paying the 'up to 1kg postal rate'. The EL in Braille. A Diena cert. and initials (1974). Cross Reference: ITALY (Image)

FRANCE: 1822-2008 group of covers, cards and Braille sheets. Inc. 18 Jan. 1910 PC to Finland ex Toulouse sent at UPU foreign rate (10c) prior to introduction of the designated tariff for the blind; 6 Jan. 1923 folded Braille sheets to Jussey ex Epinal franked 2c (1c pair), the domestic tariff for up to 20g for the blind, tied by Epinal cds; 30 Nov 1938 folded Braille sheets to Italy ex Paris franked 20c, the foreign tariff for up to 1kg, tied by cds; plus other similar examples. A wide-ranging group. [See figs. 45-49 (pp.107-111), Blindman's Mail] (38 items) Cross Reference: FRANCE, ITALY, FINLAND, UNIVERSAL POSTAL UNION (Image)

DENMARK, GREENLAND, NORWAY & SWEDEN: 1862-c.2008 group of covers, Braille sheets, etc. inc. 4 Dec. 1862 env. accompanying a parcel (forerunner to parcel card?) from the Royal Blind Institute in Copenhagen to "The Asylum for Idiots" in Edinburgh rated 4¾sgr; 2 Oct. 1865 1Sch P.Stat. env. endorsed "Hierauf eingezahalt" ('here paid in') to the Blind Institute in Neukloster as a forerunner of the money order; plus other similar examples. [See figs. 40-44 (pp.103-107), 57 (p.117), 71-72 (p.132) & 74 (p.136), Blindman's Mail] (40 items) Cross Reference: DENMARK, GREENLAND, NORWAY, SWEDEN (Image)

RUSSIA & EASTERN EUROPE INC. EARLY HUNGARY & CZECH: 1919-2005 group of covers, cards, printed Braille sheets etc. inc. 11 Mar. 1919 10f part lettercard printed with Braille to Budapest ex Paloosa cancelled by Paloosa cds; 21 Feb. 1921 punched paper env. to Humpolec ex Germany, franked 10pf + two other adhesives that were over-wetted and dropped off after cancellation, endorsed "Doslo beze znacek" ('arrived without stamps') by Post Office Clerk along with his signature, but no extra charge; 11 Sept. 1923 Braille sheet to Nurnburg ex Sichov rated 25h (20h + 5h) cancelled by cds, with s/l "BLINDULA SKRIBAJO, SPECIALA TARIFO." hs at top; 18 Dec. 1938 Punched Paper env. to Prague ex Horni Blatna rated 5h; plus other similar examples. [See figs. 37 (p.101), 58 (p.118) & 83 (p.145), Blindman's Mail] (31 items) Cross Reference: RUSSIA, HUNGARY, CZECHOSLOVAKIA, GERMANY (Image)

AUSTRIA, SPAIN, ETC.: 1892-1940 (some later) group neatly written-up on display pages inc. 25 Apr. 1892 env. (with contents) to Klosterneuburg ex Vienna, address & contents in tactile punched letter format, franked 5h (the lowest rate for printed papers), cancelled by "WIEN 17/1" skeleton cds with Klosterneuburg backstamp; 1896 punched paper sheet folded from a complete 1892 2Kr P.Stat wrapper to Vienna ex Trutnov (Trautanau); 4 Mar. 1931 folded Braille sheet to Montelupo Fiorentino ex Vienna rated 8gr (3gr pair + 2gr) cancelled by "WIEN" cds's; 27 Apr. 1940 env. to the National Institute of Young Blind People in Paris ex Bilbao rated 70c (40c + 25c + 5c), with Spanish Military censor cachet on front; plus other similar examples. [See figs. 26-33 (pp.90-94) & 51 (p.112), Blindman's Mail] (20 items) Cross Reference: MILITARY - CENSORED MAIL, AUSTRIA, ITALY, FRANCE (Image)

GERMANY: 1864-1990 group of covers, folded Braille sheets, etc. inc. 1864 Patent to supply soldiers for the army of King George V of Hanover (who was blind from childhood) when required; 28 Nov. 1930 env. (with Braille sheet contents) to Berlin ex Erfurt franked 5pf (over-rated; the tariff was 3pf for up to 1kg from 1923), cancelled by Erfurt cds; 27 Oct. 1930 env. to Berlin ex Erfurt franked 3pf under the rate for up to 1kg, cancelled by oval Leipzig ds; 13 Sept. 1953 'turned' Braille card to Veenhusen ex Oldenburg and returned 2 days later, franked 4pf in both instances under 1948 tariff; 16 Dec. 1955 env. addressed in Braille to Stuttgart ex Eisenach franked by 10pf pair of East Germany adhesives, both tied by "EISENACH 2" cds; plus other similar examples. [See figs. 53-56 (pp.114-116), Blindman's Mail] (31 items) Cross Reference: GERMANY, GERMANY - EAST (Image)

G.B. - 1900-2013 COLLECTION INC. SCARCE EARLY QEII POSTAL STATIONERY, ETC.: Carton containing a wide range of envs., labels, cards, articles etc. Inc. 1900 privately produced ½d PC to Reading ex London, printed with "The British and Foreign Blind Association for Promoting/the Education and Employment of the Blind" on reverse; contemporary Free Post address labels for letters for the blind, unused & one used on env. to Boscombe c.1961; 28 Aug. 1906 Post Office Circular inc. an article on the subject of "Blind Literature" post and the change in rates; 1919 book in Braille and French; scarce QEII stamped to order 1d blue P.Stat. label for "Embossed Literature for the Blind" used in 1962 (2 - both to London ex Kent/Devon); similar ½d gummed label (1)/newspaper wrapper (1) pre-printed with "ARTICLES FOR THE BLIND", both used in London; plus numerous other similar items inc. CDs & USBs containing talking magazines/newspapers/banking information; an RNIB 'Symbol Stick'; etc. A fascinating, widely varied lot which would reward further investigation. (79 items) Cross Reference: GB MIXED POSTAL HISTORY, GREAT BRITAIN (Image)

HENRY FAWCETT, POSTMASTER GENERAL: Group of letters (+ 1 env.) ex Henry Fawcett, Postmaster General from 1881-84, written on his behalf by his scribe, his wife or others. Henry Fawcett lost his sight in 1858 due to a stray gunshot. Inc. 8 Nov. 1882 letter written on PMG embossed letter-headed paper ex Henry Fawcett (written by his clerk acting as scribe, signed by himself) to the Earl of Northbrook, G.C.S.I., regarding the employment of discharged soldiers due to the introduction of the Parcel Post; 3 Aug. 1883 letter written on PMG embossed letter-headed paper ex Henry Fawcett (written by his clerk acting as scribe, signed by himself) to J R Campbell, regarding a letter from the Attorney-General (not present); plus other similar examples, signed either by Fawcett or on his behalf; plus a cabinet portrait captioned "the late Mr Henry Fawcett, M.P.". Neatly written-up on display pages. [See figs. 13 & 14, pp.18-19, Blindman's Mail] (10 items) Cross Reference: PHOTOGRAPHS (Image)

GB - PRINTED MATTER BY POST: Quartet neatly written-up on display pages inc. 1841 pre-printed env. published by the Royal London Ophthalmic Hospital, Moorfields, seeking donations, dated 15 July 1841 but sent to Newcastle-on-Tyne ex London on 24 Sept. 1841, franked by 1841 1d red-brown tied by MX; 16 Jan. 1875 printed notice used in London franked ½d, to "the Subscribers and Donors of the Indigent Blind Visiting Society", with the contents urging an investigation into the alleged mismanagement of the funds for the Society. Also inc. 1854 EL ex Painters' Livery Company, and 1852 EL written by a blind soldier addressed to the Duke of Wellington. (4 items) Cross Reference: PRINTED MATTER BY POST (Image)

IRELAND - STAMPED TO ORDER STATIONERY: 1962/3 pair of labels stamped for 1d in red, for book parcel post for the blind. Used by the National Library of the Blind for return of books from Co. Clare (2 June 1962) and Dublin (19 May 1963). Nicely presented on display page. V. rare. [ex M. Whyte; purchased in our Nov. 2006 auction (lot 890) for £360] (2 labels) Cross Reference: PARCEL POST LABELS, IRELAND (Image)

U.S.A., CANADA & WEST INDIES: 1833-2003 group of ELs, covers & cards inc. Oct. 25 1933 EL to Milford, NH ex Keene with Keene skeleton cds & s/l "PAID" hs on front, sent to the Selectmen of Milford requesting information about the blind residents there, along with 28 Feb. 1834 EL reply stating that there was only one resident, a 60-year-old female farmer who had been blind for 20 years, that indicated she would not become a burden on state funds for financial support; 24 June 1918 env. to London ex Ohio with address in Braille and English, franked 3c tied by Columbus, Ohio machine cancel; Oct. 1903 used in NY illustrated advertising card seeking contributions towards the operation of the Columbia Polytechnic Institute for the Blind, franked 1c cancelled by Binghamton machine cancel; 5 Oct. 1907 env. (with contents) to "Lady Mary Wentworth", GB ex "Helen Keller" (blind & deaf author & lecturer), MA, typed and signed in her own hand, franked by 5c adhesive cancelled by Boston "BACK BAY/STATION" slogan cancel; plus other similar examples inc. a 1982 set of 10 flexible records from the New York Library for the Blind and Visually Handicapped; and examples of Braille translation test exercises. A varied and interesting lot. [See figs. 79-82 (pp.142-144), Blindman's Mail] (30 items) Cross Reference: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, CANADA (Image)

PRE-STAMP & "FREE" FRANKINGS: 1811-35 group of E/ELs, fronts, forms etc. neatly written-up on display pages inc. 22 Feb. 1811 GPO Form from John Charles, Earl of Portsmouth appointing his wife, the Countess, to sign for him on his letters to obtain the 'Free Franking' privilege; another 22 Feb. 1811 GPO Form ex Grace, the Countess of Portsmouth, confirming her appointment by the Earl of Portsmouth to sign his letters for him; 1821/1828 fronts (2) to Bedfordshire or London ex Earl of Coventry, 1821 example with ms "written by Lady Coventry, Ld. C. being blind" and bearing "[crown]/FREE/[date]" cds; 1828 example with red "[crown]/FREE/[date] cds and ms "Coventry.-" (Lady Coventry would have had to complete similar forms to retain the 'free franking' status); 1 Dec. 1835 EL to Cambridge ex Edinburgh from a lady who describes herself as "very blind", writing to her favourite grandson that "[her] time has been employed [...] teaching a poor blind girl to read - by feeling in place of sight [...] It is now satisfactorily ascertained that it is as easy to teach the blind to read by the sense of touch - as it is to teach other individuals by the sense of sight - by means of raised letters - and you cannot fancy the delight & gratification it affords to the poor afflicted individual to feel the independence of reading". Also inc. other similar examples inc. 1831 letter from George V of Hanover, etc. An interesting lot. [See figs. 2 (p.5), 7-8 (p.9), Blindman's Mail] (12 items) Cross Reference: ROYALTY, FREES (Image)

LETTER BEARING SIGNATURE OF KING CHRISTIAN IV OF DENMARK: 3 Oct. 1646 EL to Knight Lutz von Abelfelt, written in German & Latin, regarding tax, bearing King Christian's signature & seal from the Town Hall in Rendsburg. King Christian was blinded in his right eye in 1644 by shrapnel from a cannon exploded by a Swedish cannon ball at the Battle of Colberger Heide. Neatly presented on a display page with small historical write-up.Cross Reference: DENMARK, ROYALTY (Image)

CHINA, JAPAN & FAR EAST: Small 1918-2009 group neatly written-up on display pages inc. 17 Jan. 1918 P.Stat. PC in Braille addressed in Chinese script, cancelled by Chinkiang cds with Wusih arrival mark; 22 July 1952 env. to New York ex Osaka franked by 3y adhesive, sent between two institutions established for the blind; 22 Nov. 1987 env. to Yokohama franked by 20y adhesive with boxed Japanese script hs at lower left signifying "usage for the blind"; plus other similar examples on cover, PC, or folded Braille sheet. [See figs. 36 (p.98), 66 (p.124) & 67 (p.126), Blindman's Mail] (13 items) Cross Reference: CHINA, JAPAN, POSTAL STATIONERY (Image)

ZAIRE - HIGH INFLATION PERIOD MAIL: 1990-99 display collection showing the rising inflation impact on postage costs on mail to UK or German destinations (220z in 1990 rising to equivalent of 378,000,000,000z in 1999). A fascinating and thorough study. (32 covers) (Image)

EXPRESS MIX - REGISTERED, TAKEN BY P.O. MESSENGER, ETC.: 1896-1911 display collection inc. 1896 2d Registered Letter env. ex Bradford to Liverpool endorsed "Immediate/Parcel Post Delivery" ("Parcel Post" crossed out) uprated 4d Jubilee stamp cancelled by oval "REGISTERED/BRADFORD-YORKS" ds's with red Express label adjacent carried by private messenger; also small 1897 env. posted locally in Ramsgate franked 3d carried privately; 1908 wrapper with red Express label endorsed "Posted locally without stamp/Bury 1908"; 1900 env. registered from London to Maidstone franked 6 x 1d Lilacs (1d postage + 2d registration fee + 3d Express fee) with both "R" & "EXPRESS" etiquettes; plus 1910 or 1911 envs. franked 5½d or 4d sent to Holland or Felixstowe with small Express etiquettes. All very fine. (5 covers) (Image)

RARE QV FRANKED "EXPRESS DELIVERY ON SUNDAY" COVER EX KESWICK TO LONDON: Spectacular large env. (minor wrinkling) from Keswick to London endorsed "Express delivery on Sunday" at top left and so franked for the special 1s-4d rate (1s-3d fee plus 1d postage) having 16 1d Lilacs (3 blocks of 4 + pair + 2 singles; some with light stains or scuffs - two wrapped over edge at left) all tied by mainly very fine "KESWICK/6PM" thimble cds's with a fine red P.O. "EXPRESS" label alongside; the flap is endorsed "received 12.30" in pencil. It is thought that only two other QV franking Sunday Express covers have been recorded. Exhibition Item of great visual appeal. [Sold in our Mar. 2021, sale 835 lot 1363, for £550 + B.P.] Cross Reference: WESTMORLAND (Image)

RARE QV FRANKED "EXPRESS DELIVERY ON SUNDAY" COVER EX NEWCASTLE TO LONDON: Attractive env. (slight toning) from Newcastle-on-Tyne to London via Morpeth endorsed "Express delivery/Sunday" at bottom left, prepaid on Saturday when franked 4 x 1d Lilacs (1d postage + 3d towards the express rate, the remaining 1/- rate having been applied to the P.O. E.E. form) the 1d rate tied by a mainly fine "NEWCASTLE-ON-TYNE/7 PM/AU 25/99/10" double circle cds & the remainder tied by very fine "MORPETH/B/26 AU/99/M.O.&S.B." cds's with a red P.O. "EXPRESS" label alongside; the flap with a "MORPETH/10PM" receiving cds. It is thought that only two other QV franking Sunday Express covers have been recorded. Exhibition Item. Cross Reference: NORTHUMBERLAND (Image)

RAILWAY EXPRESS MAIL TO CONNECT WITH SPECIFIC TRAIN: 1901 env. ex London to Edinburgh endorsed "by train leaving Euston at 2.0pm arriving Edinbro 10.30pm. To be handed to PO mgr [messenger] on arrival" franked 4d Jubilee (to pay 1d postage + 3d Express fee) + 2d London & North Western Railway stamp (folded over right edge) all just tied by Threadneedle street cds with large violet oval "EXPRESS." hs; 1902 env. ex London to York endorsed "Express to catch 2.20.from Kings X to York" & "To be forwarded to P.O. messenger at York" franked 4d KEVII tied by "ST. MARTINS L[E GR]AND/E.C." cds with faint large violet oval "EXPRESS." hs.Cross Reference: RAILWAY MAIL (Image)

KEVII FRANKED "EXPRESS DELIVERY ON SUNDAY" COVER EX SPILSBY TO LONDON: 1902 mourning env. (edge wear, some toning & stains) from Spilsby, Lincs. to London endorsed "Express delivery on Sunday" at top left and so franked for the special 10d rate (3d express fee, 6d Sunday fee, 1d postage) having 1d + 3d + 6d all tied by mainly very fine "SPILSBY/B/SP 26/02" thimble cds's with a red P.O. "EXPRESS" label bottom left (folded over edge). Cross Reference: LINCOLNSHIRE (Image)