Description:

COVER: 1854 (Dec.22) envelope to "Battersea/Surry" with fine Imperforate 1/- Octagonal tied by Barred Oval '1' and oval 'MELBOURNE/[crown]/DC22 E/VICTORIA' d/s, poor London arrival b/s & fine 'd6' h/s for the shipletter rate due on delivery, a bit soiled.

With the letter headed "Keilor Station/December 5 1854" & signed "James Dixon" who states "...there is a Crystal Palace here which is very well worth seeing...". Ex Rod Moreton. [Dixon was a policeman. He also states "...You have to go through a great deal off hardship out hear...There is plenty of the black natives where I am they are very treacherous. We had a great battle with them a month ago there was eighteen killed..."]