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Auction: 1017 - The Peter Stone Collection of Great Britain & Postal History
Lot: 132

x Ship Letter Handstamps England Padstow 1842 (31 July) entire letter headed "Gaboon River, West Africa" to California, rated "1/-" and "8" (both deleted), and "1/8" in red, showing almost superb double oval "Ship Letter/Crown/padstow" (Type S.2) overstruck by framed "No /Detained for Postage" in red, London (3.4) and Boston Ship transit datestamps in red with Bodmin transit datestamp (25.10) on reverse. The interesting comments, written by the missionary Rev. John Leighton Wilson, include "The Gaboon is a noble river, fourteen miles wide at its mouth and navigable large sized vessels to the distance of thirty miles.....We have located on the north side of the river and about eight miles from its mouth. The river is frequented on the south side by Portuguese, Spanish and French vessels, the most of which, especially the two first are engaged in the slave trade.; some minor discolouration and small tear at top of face panel. A remarkable cover full of character. Photo Estimate £ 1,000-1,200 Note: This cover is illustrated in "A History of the Ship Letters of the British Isles" by Alan Robertson, page E.221

Sold for
£2,400