Corinphila Auction 284-290 Day 3

1865 (April 9): Envelope from Ramandroog to Sandwich, Kent, endorsed "via Madras & Marseilles", bearing 1856/64 2 a. yellow-buff and 4 a. black in an unusual mixed country franking with Great Britain 1 d. rose-red, plate 79, lettered T-I, all three adhesives cancelled / tied by Madras Circle type 6 "C/22" handstamp and manuscript "Ramandroog stamped". Reverse with RAMANDROOG despatch cds, obverse shows contradicting "INDIA PAID" crescent in red, "MADRAS INDIA PAID 1865 AP 12" but also framed INSUFFICIENT in black. Reverse with octagonal BELLARY transit (April 10) datestamp and LONDON transit (May 14) cds, both in red as well as SANDWICH arrival (May 15) cds in black. Cover roughly opened and torn at top left, a fragile item with tear and wear, nevertheless a most interesting and fascinating combination of Indian and British adhesives to pay correctly the 6 a. 8 p. rate via France to Great Britain. Cert. BPA (2012).rnNote: On 1st June 1863 the postal rate to the United Kingdom via Marseilles was reduced from 8 annas to 6 annas 8 pies for a letter up to a half ounce. However, until 1867 no 6 a. 8 p. stamps were available. The present cover shows a provisional combination to pay 6 annas with Indian adhesives and 8 annas equal to 1 pence with a British adhesive. In India itself was no clear opinion if this combination was acceptable as can be seen from the contradicting handstamps on front. In Great Britain, however, the different due markings were crossed out and the cover was accepted as fully paid.