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Lot# 2356 - 186-190 Auction

  • Lot# : 2356 India

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    1840 (January 8): Cover originally mailed from CALCUTTA to Major James Cruikshank in London endorsed at lower left 'p. Madagascar', struck on arrival with framed INDIA LETTER / DEAL handstamp in black and charged '8' pence in manuscript. Re-addressed on arrival in London to Croydon and franked by May 1840 1 d. black, plate 1A, lettered SF, large to ample margins just touched at upper left corner, ironed out vertical crease, tied by bold red Maltese Cross with London datestamp on reverse (May 17) - the second sunday of usage of the 1 d. black (SG AS1tg). A marvellous cover full of character and the earliest "Sunday Date" letter from India bearing an adhesive Postage Stamp. The two letters known from Muttra/India re-directed in London on 8 May 1840 were originally written in India as late as 19 March 1840, so this letter is to the best of our knowledge the earliest cover leaving India bearing the world»s First Postage Stamp. Cert. RPS (2013; not mentioning the vertical ironed our crease).
    Provenance: ex Adams collection, (Robson Lowe auction Febr. 1956, lot 155)
    Robson Lowe auction (Jan. 1961; lot 69)
    Starting bid : 20,000 CHF
    Hammer price : not sold