Auction 221 - Australia

1838/41: (1 d.) 'General Post Office / Sydney / New South Wales' circular embossed seal applied on outer letter sheet, a locally used example addressed to George Street South, cancelled by Crown 'Free' datestamp (April 13, 1848) well struck in red. Initially issued in 1838, the embossed seal was applied at 2 d. per letter-sheet to cover the local rate within Sydney. Due to their unpopularity with the public, the rate was reduced to 1 d. in 1841. Statistics for 1848 show an apparent usage of 300 such letters per week, however most appear to have been thrown away. Fine and clear embossing, a very rare example of the earliest recorded Postal Stationery in the World of Philately.rnrnNote: For further information, see RL 'Australasia' Encylopaedia (Volume IV) pages 17 and 76.
Catalogue 221: The Besançon Collection Australia & Australien States