Lot 245 1872 (March 1), cover from Calcutta to Weybridge, Surrey via Brindisi, franked with 8a Queen Victoria, cancelled by manuscript strike dated 1 March alongside rare Cooper 28c handstamp (Renouf Type 18a), this temporary emergency obliterator used only briefly in 1872–73 following withdrawal of regular cancels, reverse showing red double-circle Calcutta India Paid (1 Mar) datestamp and clear Weybridge Station (2 Mar) receiver, light creasing, else a fine and attractive cover showing the short-lived Calcutta emergency cancellation. Sold for C$450.00 plus 18% buyer’s premium.
brindisi
Lot 301, India 1878 official cover Bombay to London, sold for C$210
Lot 301 India 1878, 2a orange strip of three, tied to official cover from Bombay to London, the stamps perforated such that portion of adjoining stamps show at foot, tied to official cover by Bombay JA 14 ‘1’ duplex, endorsed “via Brindisi”, with Bombay (14 Jan) and London (2 Feb) backstamps, piece removed from back flap, else fine. Sold for C$180.00 plus 17% buyer’s premium.
Lot 302, India 1880 cover with manuscript cancel to London, sold for C$210
Lot 302 India 1880, ten 1/2a blue in a block of four, strip of three, pair, and a single, postmarked with indistinct obliterator and cancelled “Postage Paid” in manuscript, to London, endorsed “via Brindisi”, to London, with Ashamboo (26 Jan), Outw Bombay (30 Jan), and London (18 Feb) backstamps, some wrinkling, but an attractive and unusual franking. Sold for C$180.00 plus 17% buyer’s premium.
Lot 305, India 1893 postal stationery cover to Spanish West Indies, sold for C$321
Lot 305 India #88 1893 (January 2), 1a brown purple, uprating 2a6pi surcharged postal stationery cover, tied by “A” circular grid, registered from Dehra Dun to H.B.M. Vice Consul F.W. Ramsden at “St. Jago de Cuba”, SPANISH WEST INDIES, endorsed “via Brindisi” and “via United States”, “Registered London” (21 Jan) oval transit on front, “Sea Post Office B” (7 Jan) and “Santiago de Cuba” (4 Feb) c.d.s. backstamps, repaired opening tears at top and to back, an eye-appealing cover to a scarce destination. (S.G. 88)
F.W. Ramsden, British diplomat, was also the first person documented to have climbed the peak of Pico Turquino, the highest point in Cuba.
Sold for C$275.00 plus 17% buyer’s premium.
Lot 300, India 1872 cover from Tellicherry to Torquay England, sold for C$438
Lot 300 India 1872, 8a rose, single franking cover from Tellicherry to Torquay, misperforated with portion of adjacent stamp showing at top,tied by neatly-struck Tellicherry ’90’ duplex, to Torquay, South Devon, England, handstamped “VIA BOMBAY & BRINDISI” in green, neat “Agence Consulaire de France / Tellicherry / Republique Francaise” consular handstamp on back, with EX Bombay (23 Aug) and Torquay (17 Sep) backstamps, some creasing typical of these flimsy envelopes. Sold for C$375.00 plus 17% buyer’s premium.