RARE GOVERNOR-GENERAL "POST.FREE" COVER TO THE EAST INDIES C...

Hammer

£2,000

RARE GOVERNOR-GENERAL "POST.FREE" COVER TO THE EAST INDIES C-IN-C IN CEYLON; 4 Nov. c.1819 E (side-flaps removed & with some closed tears around the spectacular dark red wax seal; paper wmk. "1817") franked from Calcutta to "Trincomalee" by "[The Marquis of] Hastings" (Governor-General of India from 1813 to 1822) and so with mainly v. fine black boxed "POST.FREE" (HG G3) on the top flap beside a faint red oval "CALCUTTA/GEN. POST OFFICE" d.s. but also having a faint scarce oval Madras "GPO" transit d.s. (22 Nov.). The addressee was "R[ear]. Admiral Sir R[ichard]. King", the East Indies Commander in Chief from 1816 to 1820. Rare Governor's free frank and a rare early free cover between India and Ceylon. Cross Reference: CEYLON/SRI LANKA, FREES