EARLIEST KNOWN (?) INGOING REGISTERED COVER TO NEW CALEDONIA...

Hammer

£300

EARLIEST KNOWN (?) INGOING REGISTERED COVER TO NEW CALEDONIA - 2f-RATE WITH 80c(2) + 40c FRANKING; Extraordinary 23 Aug. 1861 mourning env. (overall creasing and wear but complete) from "RENNES" (cds on front) to a Sergeant of the 2nd Marine Infantry Regiment at "Port de France...Nouvelle Caledonie Voie Suez par Marseille" with Napoleon 80 c Red Pair (close to wide margins all round but with a small nick in one corner and just touched at another corner) and 20c Orange (shaved on two sides, but otherwise good to wide margins) all tied by fine "2650" Rennes dotted diamonds with red boxed "PD" and separate red "CHARGE" alongside, having a faint red boxed "POIDS" mark and French cds's on the reverse. Forwarded to "Kanala" from Noumea. Believed to be the earliest known Registered cover from or to New Caledonia.Cross Reference: FRANCE, REGISTERED MAIL