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Auction: 15USA - The William H. Gross Collection
Lot: 121

The remarkable and highly important October 30, 1854 folded cover from Manila, Philippines to Sydney, Australia and carried privately to Singapore, bearing India 1854 1a Deep red, Die II, horizontal strip of four (S.G. #13) with ample to mostly very large margins, along with single 4a Indigo and pale red, first printing (S.G. #18) with three margins (just cutting at top), both tied by diamonds of dots of Singapore, the 1a strip also tied by large ""3"" handstamp, and red crayon ""1/-"" below, reverse bears portion of framed ""Singapore/Paid"" in red boxed handstamp, as well as large part of fancy ""Ship Letter/Sydney"" arrival c.d.s., the 4a single with some minor toned spots and part of recipient´s manuscript endorsement carrying over to front of cover, overall very fine.[cr][lf][cr][lf]A stunning and enormously rare cover. Its importance is two fold - it is not only the earliest recorded cover from the Far East bearing stamps, but it is also the earliest recorded use of Indian stamps from this exotic locale. In addition, it is one of only two known 1854 issue covers.[cr][lf][cr][lf]An absolutely essential cover for a truly world class collection or exhibit of this area. Estimate US$ 56,000-70,000

Sold for
$62,950