FIRST DAY OF ISSUE USAGE OF THE PERFORATED 2d BLUE ON 4d-RAT...

Hammer

£360

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