Day 3 - Great Britain, British Colonies, Pre-Union South Africa - the Besançon Collection (Part Ii)

1847: Embossed 1 s. green, Die 1, the famous and spectacular single example and block of eight (4 x 2), used on 1851 entire letter from the Colonial Office in London to Mexico City carried at 6 times rate (the etxt refers to enclosures), the single with just clear to large margins all round and the block just shaved at eeach side on the 'unused' row which was originally folded over the top of the cover and thus remained uncancelled; the remaining five stamps cancelled by London numerals with despatch datestamp (Dec 2) in red displaying well at top. Struck on arrival with "6" (reales) handstruck due marking in red, corresponding exactly with the British rate. The stamps lifted for checking and replaced, one stamp slightly rubbed and the original file fold ironed when opened out for better Exhibit display. Just two examples of this franking exist (the other from the same correspondence, was ex Maximus Part II and Bill Gross, was very similar and is not as fine as this cover) both were originally first sold in September 1960. A magnificent and famous cover, and an outstanding Exhibit item for the connoisseur of the Embossed issue.rnrnProvenance: Harmers, London, 19 Sept 1960, lot 250; Collection 'Chartwell', Spink, London, 29 June 2011, lot 1515.
Catalogue 244: Europe & Overseas