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Auction: 15USA - The William H. Gross Collection
Lot: 122

November 1854 folded letter from Penang to Marseilles via Alexandria bearing on the reverse a lovely India 1a Red, Die I, ""A"" Stone block of eight (4x2, positions 17-20/25-28; S.G. #12), with large margins all around, cancelled and tied by diamond of dots, and showing alongside a marvelous clear strike of framed ""Penang/Post Paid"" handstamp in red, light strike of blue Alexandria transit c.d.s. also in reverse, front of cover has manuscript ""Overland via Suez"" endorsement and French arrival c.d.s., very fine and exceedingly choice.[cr][lf][cr][lf]A very rare and magnificent franking. One of the finest quality covers extant bearing classic Indian imperforates used from the Penang. In addition to being one of the earliest recorded covers bearing the 1 anna value.[cr][lf][cr][lf]A great postal history rarity for the finest collection.; ex-Dr. Chan Chin Cheung (1961), Donald C. Gray (1962), Charles S. Taylor (1981) and Howard Selzer (1986).[cr] Estimate US$ 38,000-47,500

Sold for
$48,575