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Auction: 24018 - Stamps and Covers of the World
Lot: 68

(x) Australian Colonies
Victoria
Frank Stamps
1874 (22 Feb.) "On Her Majesty's Service" envelope with "government botanist/Melbourne" imprint at lower left, addressed to Cape Town, showing circular "chief secretary/victoria" h.s. in deep red cancelled by Melbourne duplex, showing "1d" and London Paid (22.4) c.d.s. in red and arrival datestamp (20.5); minor blemishes. Photo

Note: Ben Palmer's Census No. 5 records only ten pre-UPU covers to Cape of Good Hope.

The letter is addressed in the hand of the eminent Government Botanist, Ferdinand von Mueller, who held the position from 1853, apparently until his death in 1896. In 1856, Sir Henry Barkly was appointed Governor of Victoria, receiving the highest vice-regal salary in the entire British Empire! In 1863 he became Governor of Mauritius, and between 1870 and 1877 of the Cape of Good Hope.

Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium.

Sold for
£400