RARE SPANISH ROUTING FOR COMMERCIAL 1804 COVER FROM G.B. TO ...

Hammer

£170

RARE SPANISH ROUTING FOR COMMERCIAL 1804 COVER FROM G.B. TO FRANCE; Unusual 3 Jan. 1804 EL (light staining on front; from disinfection?) from London to Cognac charged "10[d]" with a red 2-ring London "FOREIGN OFFICE" cds (crease) on the side-flap and a matching v. fine London "*" Inspector's Mark on the front beside the mainly fine large red "YNGLATERRA" mark (of Madrid?). Rare example of a letter routed via the neutral Iberian peninsula (Lisbon & Madrid) before Napoleon invaded Spain. Contents (in French) include; "...the Treaty which your Government has signed with Spain must assure the neutrality of that country in the same way as with Portugal. This will always provide us with a route for our communications with you and for trade...". Rare comment on mail problems between the warring nations.Cross Reference: FRANCE, MILITARY - NAPOLEONIC WAR, SPAIN, LONDON POSTAL HISTORY