MADAGASCAR - DOUBLE-RATE COVER TO GB VIA MAURITIUS PREPAID W...

Hammer

£1,200

MADAGASCAR - DOUBLE-RATE COVER TO GB VIA MAURITIUS PREPAID WITH EXTRA 1/- TO MAURITIUS; [Aug.?] 1875 env. addressed to a member of the Parrett family in Gravesend whose son was the Missionary John Parrett who served in Madagascar from 1862-85 - presumably sent by John Parrett himself, because it is franked for the double 1s-4d rate, which was made up of 6d from Madagascar to Mauritius + the regular 10d rate to GB The London Missionary Society maintained an account with the Mauritius P.O. so that these letters could be stamped at Port Louis rather than in Madagascar. This cover has a pair of 4d's plus two 1/- Orange (small faults) all tied by mainly fine large "B53" numerals; it has a v. fine blue "MAURITIUS/A" backstamp of 7 Oct., but the letter was probably written in about August (in Madagascar). Very rare example of a double-rate cover sent at this special 'extra 6d' rate from Madagascar. [With BPA Cert. (1995), though with no mention of Madagascar!] Cross Reference: MADAGASCAR