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Auction: 21040 - Stamps and Postal History of Great Britain
Lot: 1144

Great Britain
1840 One Penny Black
Plate II
JD, uncancelled on 1840 (15 May) entire letter addressed to a Mr. King in Bath, the cover bearing no postal markings whatsoever; the letter insert from a Mr. George King to Francis Baring, Chancellor of the Exchequer, responsible for the Treasury Competition and later created Lord Northbrook (accompanying the entire letter which he had previously received) draws to Mr. Baring's attention the fact that he had received the letter with the adhesive un-cancelled and with no other postal markings. This letter was sent to the Chancellor very soon after the issue of the one penny black, commenting on these apparent deficiencies in the newly incepted postal system and suggestions for its improvement, as to prevent fraud on the Post Office. A fascinating piece of Postal Reform history. Photo

Note: This very rare cover was discovered in the family archive relating to Francis Baring.

provenance:
The Northbrook Papers

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Sold for
£4,500

Starting price
£4800