1839 Pre-stamp mail. Double rate entire sent form Newport to...

Hammer

£550

1839 Pre-stamp mail. Double rate entire sent form Newport to London on the last day of mileage based rates with 4th Dec. London transit cds with red "Bishops Stortford/Penny Post" on flap, black boxed "No.3" Receiving House mark on the front, and the "1/3" rate (double) being partly refunded to "8"(d) as endorsed on front, with a mostly very fine red oval "REBATE/(crown)/INLAND OFFICE"  (Jay L298, ONLY RECORDED ON TWO DAYS, 6th/7th Dec. 1839!) on the front, struck on the Second Day of the Uniform 4d Postage Period! Marvellous example of the iniquitous old "mileage & sheets of paper" based Postal Rates system that was swept away while this letter was being delivered! Some minor staining but an amazingly rare cover.