Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 25014 - British Solomon Islands - The Simon Greenwood Collection
Lot: 8

British Solomon Islands
Early Outgoing Mail
The only overseas communication was with Sydney, New South Wales. During this period the Resident Commissioner maintained a private stock of New South Wales stamps and used them on outgoing mail. When the letters arrived at Sydney Post Office, the adhesives were cancelled and the mail forwarded to its destination. Subsequently the General Post Office, and the Postal Department of Sydney arranged to forward all letters to the Solomon Islands in a sealed bag in care of the Resident Commissioner. He, on his part, made up a similar bag containing the letters and the necessary cash to pay the postage fees. On arrival in Sydney the post office undertook the stamping of the letters, applying the postmark, then forwarding them to their destination.
1906 picture postcard apparently written from Gavutu to New Zealand, bearing New South Wales 1d. cancelled by Balmain duplex dated 20 April; some light overall foxing though very rare and believed to be the last recorded date of usage of New South Wales stamps in the Protectorate prior to the introduction of the "paid" h.s. Photo

provenance:
Barry Scott, October 1985

Subject to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.

Estimate
£600 to £800