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Lot# 4501 - Auction 284 - 290

  • Lot# : 4501 Great Britain

    House of Lords 1 d. envelope 1840: "(Temporary.) / To be posted at the HOUSE of LORDS only. / Post Paid.-ONE PENNY.-Weight not to exceed ½ oz.", 130 x 89 mm., a fine used example printed in vermilion on laid paper, watermark Britannia in oval, addressed to 'The Lady Isabelle Blachford, Osborne House, Cowes, Isle of Wight' and struck with 'Crown Paid' datestamp (Jan 21) in red, just five days after issue - this being the earliest recorded date of use for a House of Lords envelope. Some light aging not affecting the excellent appearance of an important and rare cover Gi = £ 12'000.rnNote: Lady Isabella Blachford, née Fitzroy, sold Osborne House and the estate to Queen Victoria in 1845 for the sum of £ 26'000 and a 'grace and favour' appartment at Hampton Court.rnProvenance: Harmers, London, 31 July 1996, lot 503.rnReference: Illustrated in 'Parliamentary Envelopes' by Huggins & Klempka page 42 (2013); Illustrated in 'The Mulready' by Huggins & Holyoake page 32 (2015).
    Starting bid : 2,000 CHF
    Hammer price : 4,800 CHF