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Auction: 16044 - The John Clemente Collection of Tasmania Postal History
Lot: 194

(x) Instructional Markings
Damaged in Transit
1908 (June) U.S. 2c. stationery envelope (additional stamps missing) from New York to Queenstown, showing a fine strike of the rare "damaged in shipwreck "aeon"" with San Francisco transit d.s. and "v. (Arms) "r./found open/..../officially sealed" label (torn through opening) tied by arrival d.s. on reverse. Photo

Note: The ship was wrecked near the south-east point of Christmas Island, Gilbert Islands. The passengers escaped to an uninhabited island where a month later the Captain and three officers tried to reach Fanning Island in an improvised motorboat made from a lifeboat. Due to the engine breaking down just short of their goal they were cast back to Christmas Island. A month later they tried again to reach Fanning Island which was achieved on 18 September. "Manuka" then rescued the stranded party and took on board the mail and the lifeboat which was taken back to Christmas Island but when launched from "Manuka" was driven ashore and became a total wreck. Mail for Australia reach Sydney by the "Manuka" on 8 October after its remarkable journey.

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Estimate
£600 to £800