Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 1014 - Collector's Series - Stamps
Lot: 1129

Great Britain Postal History 1858 (14 Aug.) "On Public Service" entire letter to the Naval Academy in London and bearing uncancelled 1856-58 1d.; fine. The consular handstamp was applied to the face and the reverse of the cover and it was posted at the Nieuport Post Office on 29 August and accepted without charge by the Belgian authorities. Unique and a major rarity. Photo Estimate £ 4,500-5,000 This highly interesting letter was placed in a sealed canister by the Harbour Master (Mr. F.B. Martin) at Ramsgate and tossed into the sea and 1pm. on 14 Aug. 1858 to test the "Sets of the tides". Since it was uncertain that the canister would successfully cross the Straits of Dover and reach the continent the 1d. stamp was affixed to pay the return postage if found on an English beach. The canister containing the letter reached Nieuport near Ostende, Belgium, on 28 Aug. and it was taken to the British Consul, where details of its recovery were entered in the space provided, the letter was then resealed. The consular handstamp was applied to the face and the reverse of the cover and it was posted at the Nieuport Post Office on 29 Aug. And accepted without charge by the Belgian authorities, although charged the standard ship letter fee of 8d. on arrival

Sold for
£4,000