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Auction: 21045 - The Alan Holyoake Grand Prix Collection of British and International Registered Mail
Lot: 200

(x) India
Mail From United Kingdom
1860 (17 Dec.) entire letter to Calcutta "Via Marseilles & Bombay & express Bombay to Calcutta" bearing 1d. Stars, 2d. blue plate 8 and 1855-57 1/- green in a vertical strip of three (one with defect) cancelled by "498" numerals of Manchester with a good strike of the standard-type Manchester registered dated oval, code "T", fine strikes of the St. Edward's crown/"registered" and the standard-type London registered dated oval; code "BM" and there is a superb strike of the rare, circular "express/bombay/10ja/paid" in red, the reverse with part Calcutta arrival. Vertical crease at right through the two adhesives (1d. has been repaired).


Only four examples of this little used express service have been recorded to Calcutta, only one other shows the Express Bombay Paid datestamp. A very significant and rare cover.

Pays standard postage 9d. registration 6d. and 2/- (per ¼oz.) for the express service. This short-lived express service operated between 27 April 1860 to 31 December 1861

Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium.

Sold for
£7,000

Starting price
£4500