Auction 321 - 332 Europe & Overseas Asia / Africa, Europe A –Z, Collections & Accumulations - Day 4

1855/57: Chalon 1 d. dull carmine on white paper, wmk. Large Star, a horizontal pair of rich colour with huge margins on two sides, shaved at base and with portion of adjoining stamp at left and roughly separated at top left, used on 1855 cover to Alnwick, Northumberland tied by "14" numeral obliterators in black. Prepaid at the Colonial rate of 2 d. but underpaid for the 6d. rate to Great Britain which only became effective on 1 January 1859 and thus charged due with manuscript "d6" to pay in black ink. Reverse with "NELSON / NEW-ZEALAND" despatch cds (Oct 4, 1855) and Alnwick (Feb 4, 1856) arrival cds in black. Small envelope restoration at upper left corner and on small part of back flap not affecting the appearance of an extremely scarce and early usage of the issue in the South Island. One of just three recorded covers bearing a pair of the #1. An Exhibition item. Signed Holcombe Gi = £ 40'000 off cover.rnProvenance: Collection Joseph Hackmey FRPSL, Spink-Shreves, New York, 20 May 2010, lot 2046.rnNote: For a similar usage of internal 2d. rate prepaid and 6d. due, see Part One of the Joseph Hackmey collection, lot 1030.