RARE "OFFICER'S LETTER, ABYSSINIA EXPEDITION" COVER EX ZULA ...

Hammer

£1,500

RARE "OFFICER'S LETTER, ABYSSINIA EXPEDITION" COVER EX ZULA TO G.B. WITH RARE "A81" MAILBOAT CANCELLATION: Remarkable Dec. 1867 env. to Devon endorsed "Via Marseilles, Officer's Letter, Abyssinia Expedition" franked by GB White Letters 6d Lilac (pl.6; off-centre) cancelled by a very fine rare "A81" Mediterranean Mailboat Cancellation struck on board P&O steamer en route from Alexandria to Marseilles (there is a 20 Jan. 1868 Devonport arrival backstamp). The letter is addressed to a Mrs. Edye and was clearly written by Capt. Joseph Edye, RN, who was in command of HMS Satellite at Zula at this date. Zula was the Red Sea base for the Abyssinian Field Force Expedition where the forces had landed on 28 Nov. 1867. Rare and Important cover from the Naval force of this Campaign, with Expedition's endorsement and rare Mailboat cancel. [See the matching cover from this same correspondence in Cavendish's 'Osborn' Naval Mails 21 June 2007 auction - lot 1 realised £1,400+BP - which had a similarly off-centre plate 6 6d but tied by the C79 Mailboat cancel - illustrated in Osborn's 'Naval Officers Letters', p.20.] Cross Reference: INDIA, MARITIME MAIL, G.B. USED ABROAD STAMPS & COVERS, NAVAL MAIL