Description:
1872 (Oct 7) cover to "St Johns/Antigua/West Indies" endorsed "via Brindisi" with Diadems 1/- carmine (a deep rich shade) single & pair tied by fine Sydney duplex cancels, London transit cds of 25NO72 in red on the face where rated "11" but that crossed-through & amended to "1", fine ' B /ANTIGUA/DE18/72' arrival b/s, minor flap fault & small repairs. Very attractive, & to a truly exotic destination. BPA Certificate (2010).
Regarding the rate, the NSW Handbook is unhelpful. Geoff Kellow believes that the rate was 1/9d per ½oz & 3/6d for a double-rate letter. Ben Palmer at page 237 states the rate from Victoria to the West Indies via Brindisi was 1/8d, so an extra 1d from Sydney seems plausible. The 11d charge at London is consistent with single-rate letters from the same correspondence but it is curious here, & the 1d or 1/- fee is incomprehensible. Either this was a double-rate letter underpaid 6d - which seems likely - or it was a single-rate letter overpaid 1/3d!
Symbol : c
Grade : (a-)
Categories: Stamps & Postal History > NEW SOUTH WALES > NEW SOUTH WALES - Postal History