CRASH & WRECK MAIL - 6d BRITANNIA COVER TO FRANCE CARRIED ON...

Hammer

£1,400

CRASH & WRECK MAIL - 6d BRITANNIA COVER TO FRANCE CARRIED ON S.S. 'NORTHAM' THAT RAN AGROUND OFF JEDDAH; 8 Aug. 1859 env. (minor creasing & light central vertical fold clear of stamp & marks) from Port Louis (2-ring "G P O/MAURITIUS" backstamp) to Bordeaux "Voie de Suez et Marseille" franked by Britannia 6d Blue (good margins all round, though close at lower right) tied by target cancels. This letter was carried on the P&O S.S. Northam from Sydney to Suez, but she struck a reef off Jeddah en route on 20 Aug., and was refloated 5 days later. Hoggarth & Gwynn record that covers to GB from this voyage have 13 Sept. London backstamps; this cover has a faint 12 Sept. red Marseilles "PAYS ETR. V. SUEZ/AMB. C[?]" cds on the front and TPO/Bordeaux cds's (13 & 14 Sept.) on the reverse. Important and Attractive Exhibition Item for both Mauritius, Saudi & Wreck Mail collectors. Cross Reference: FRANCE, CRASH/WRECK MAIL, SAUDI ARABIA