SPECTACULAR 6as-RATE (4as + 4x½a) COVER TO G.B. REDIRECTED W...

Hammer

£440

SPECTACULAR 6as-RATE (4as + 4x½a) COVER TO G.B. REDIRECTED WITH G.B. 3d ROSE-RED TO FRANCE; 27 Apr. 1874 env. (with contents) to Dover franked by India Strip of Four ½a Blue (3rd stamp with small tear at foot) + 4as Green all endorsed with "Via Southampton Stamped As 6" in manuscript and tied by 2-ring "MEERUT/W" Duplexes; it was then redirected from Dover to Boulogne (25 May) in France with a GB 3d Rose-Red (small corner fault) added at left and tied by a partial very fine "DOVER/258" Duplex with a matching very fine scarce Dover Foreign Branch "P-D" in oval mark. Rare and attractive cover franked by the stamps of two different countries, and possibly unique QV cover from India to G.B. redirected to France. Exhibition Item. [Ex Cavendish June 2009 Gilbert Wheat auction, lot 218 incl. one other ordinary cover; realised £320+BP.]Cross Reference: KENT, OVERSEAS DESTINATIONS, REDIRECTED & TURNED MAIL, FRANCE