** VERY EARLY USAGE OF THE 1st-TYPE "PAID" MARK OF GAMBIA - ...

Hammer

£750

** VERY EARLY USAGE OF THE 1st-TYPE "PAID" MARK OF GAMBIA - ON COVER TO FRANCE VIA G.B.; 25 Aug. 1861 small mourning env. (some edge wear and with slight staining at right) to "Espas, Gers" (SW France) with a mainly fine blue double-oval firm's "BARRERE FRERES/BATHURST/RIVIERE DE GAMBIE" cachet at top right and a mainly very fine rare red "BATHURST/PAID/[GAMBIA]" cds at left (slightly overlapped by the Calais transit cds) with red manuscript "5"(?) - credit due to GB from 6d prepaid in all? - and red London "PD" in circle on the front as well as a faint London transit cds (10 Sept.). This was the first postmark used in Gambia, and this cover may be the 3rd earliest recorded example (the two earlier known examples were addressed to GB; see previous lot). A rare early destination and an important Exhibition item. [Ex Glover & ex Athenian, Cavendish April 1996, lot 42; realised £1,725.] Cross Reference: FRANCE