INWARDS CHARGED MAIL BY PRIVATE SHIP; 13 July 1854 env. (min...

Hammer

£460

INWARDS CHARGED MAIL BY PRIVATE SHIP; 13 July 1854 env. (minor faults) to Surrey 'Per Ship Golden Era" franked by a cut-square 1/- blue (three margins) tied by oval "1/V" numeral and part Melbourne d.s., having a fine boxed "LIVERPOOL/SHIP" d.s. on back, charged '8'(d) inwards charge and 8 Sep. 1854 EL to London franked 1/- Octagonal, cut-square, margin at left tied by oval "1/V" cancels with a further '8'(d) inwards ship letter charge on front and carried on the Croesus which broke one of the two propeller fans two days after leaving Melbourne and the other a few weeks later, poor weather forcing a delayed replacement with Cape Horn rounded only under sail. Four other examples recorded by Peace (2013) at pp353-54. Former Ex Purves (1982) and Gunn (2002) (2 covers) Cross Reference: CRASH/WRECK MAIL