SHETLAND ISLANDS - "EDINBURGH/SHIP LRE" COVER (REF. PIRATES!...

Hammer

£340

SHETLAND ISLANDS - "EDINBURGH/SHIP LRE" COVER (REF. PIRATES!) & CIRCULAR MILEAGE, ETC.; 1795/99 pair of ELs from "Lerwick" to Bannockburn posted in Edinburgh with red Bishop Mark + transit "FALKIRK" or with mainly fine rare red "EDINBURGH/SHIP LRE" (on the front), charged "3[d]" or "4[d]" respectively; the latter with intriguing contents incl. "[ref. a consignment of cloth;]...If you sent it, it is Captured, as two Vessels from Leith for this place have been taken & carried to Bergen...".Plus 1816 EL to Stirling with fine "LERWICK/778/E" circular mileage on the flap charged "1/2" with Edinr. "Addl/½", and ingoing 1822 EL from Wilson & Co. in Stirling to Lerwick (missent to Glasgow!) charged "1/2½" in all. Scarce group. (4 covers) [See WB pp.71 + 76.] Cross Reference: SHIP LETTERS, SHETLAND ISLES & FAIR ISLE, MILITARY - NAPOLEONIC WAR