UNIQUE(?) COVER EX G.B. TO ADEN ENDORSED "Missent to Zula by...

Hammer

£700

UNIQUE(?) COVER EX G.B. TO ADEN ENDORSED "Missent to Zula by London Office 24-4-68, D.M.L." BY FIELD FORCE POSTMASTER: Extraordinary underpaid 27 Mar. 1868 env. (some minor understandable wear and slight ink smudging) from Liverpool "Via Marseilles" to Aden, but clearly put in the wrong bag along with Abyssinia Field Force mail and sent to the Field Force P.O. at Zula in error. Franked by GB 1d Red + 4d Vermilion (pl.9) + 6d Mauve (pl.6) all tied by v. fine overlapped "LIVERPOOL./466" duplexes; but the rate was 1s-1d to Aden so there is also a very fine "DEFICIENT POSTAGE[2]/HALF FINE[4] and a m/s "6½" on the front as well as m/s "11d" (the full 9d fine plus the 2d deficiency). More importantly there is a bold manuscript boxed "Mis.sent to Zula by London Office 24.4.68. D.M.L.2 on the front, which proves that it reached the Field Force although there are only backstamps of "ADEN" and "ADEN STR. POINT" (both 24 Apr.). Mail Missent to overseas Military Expeditions such as this is extremely rare. Exhibition Item. Cross Reference: OVERSEAS DESTINATIONS, MISSENT MAIL, MISSENT MAIL, ADEN