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Auction: 21041 - The "Dubois" Collection of Jamaica Postal History and Stamps - Part II
Lot: 7

The "Dummer" Packet Service, 1702-1711
1705 (9 June) entire letter "p 6 Island Packet Boat" to Messers. Thomas Eyre in London, rated "16" (1/6d. single Packet rate to England - London Gazette, 12-15 March 1706) and showing, on reverse, two "av/6" Bishop marks; overall toning, stains and creases though a rare and very early example of mail sent via this famous Packet Service. Photo

Note: Edmund Dummer, Surveyor-General of the Navy, obtained agreement to operate the first Packet Service in the West Indies from October 1702 . Over-optimism regarding revenue, and the loss of ships by enemy action and storms, led to the end of the venture by December 1711, when Dummer was finally forced into bankruptcy. Dummer died in April 1713

The "6 Island Packet Boat" was formerly called the "Prince". She was captured by a privateer late in 1705



A full chapter on the Dummer Packet Service appears on page 9 of the fine Thomas Foster handbook



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Sold for
£4,800

Starting price
£2400