COVER AT 1s-5d RATE (EX EGYPT?) TO MADRAS WITH G.B. STAMPS C...

Hammer

£650

COVER AT 1s-5d RATE (EX EGYPT?) TO MADRAS WITH G.B. STAMPS CANCELLED IN TRANSIT IN BOMBAY; Remarkable 28 Mar. 1865 env. (edge wear and overall slight toning etc.) to Madras endorsed "via Alexandria stamped" with GB 1d Red 'Stars' (perf. faults at top) + 4d Vermilion (Small Letters; faulty perfs. at top) + 1/- Green (Small Letters) all tied by the sender's double horizontal manuscript lines but also tied by two mainly very fine "BOMBAY/PM/PAID/1" Duplexes and with no other postal markings. It seems most likely that this letter was posted (from a ship in the Mediterranean?) at Alexandria but escaped cancellation there, being handed directly to a vessel bound for Bombay (c.f. the similar 1864/65 Telegram envelopes with British franking but cancelled in Aden). The 1s-5d was not a postal rate from G.B. or Malta at this date. Further research is needed. Unique(?) G.B. Used Abroad cover. [From a recent original 'find' of family letters and never previously offered for sale.]