UNIQUE(?) GOVERNOR OF MAURITIUS SIGNED FREE FRANK ON INDIA L...

Hammer

£850

UNIQUE(?) GOVERNOR OF MAURITIUS SIGNED FREE FRANK ON INDIA LETTER TO G.B.; 1821 fine long front addressed "On His Majesty's Service" to "Earl Bathurst.... London" (he was Secretary of State for War and the Colonies from 1812 to 1827) and signed by "R. J. Farquhar" at lower left. Sir Robert Townsend Farquhar (1776-1830) was the First Governor of Mauritius (from 1810 to 1823), and he was in Mauritius for most of that time including for the whole of 1821 (during which this letter was sent). The postal marks are mainly very fine strikes of the boxed "INDIA LETTER/DEAL", the very rare 1st-Type chamfered-corners framed crowned 25 July 1821 London Ship Letter Office "FREE" d.s. (Jay L840; only a handful have been recorded), and the regular London Inland Office crowned "FREE" d.s. It is thought that this letter was carried on the ship 'Woodman' (Capt. Kellie) that arrived at Deal (per Lloyd's List of 27 July 1821) from "Bengal &c.". Probably the only recorded India Letter Free Frank from Mauritius.Cross Reference: LONDON POSTAL HISTORY, FREE MAIL, SHIP LETTERS, KENT