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Auction: 26019 - Stamps and Covers of Great Britain
Lot: 1003

(x) Great Britain
Postal History
Express Mail
'New Post' - Haste Haste Poste Haste
1654 (22 April) entire letter from Vice Admiral John Lawson "At sea on board the Ffairfax ffrigate [the 'Nonsuch Ketch'] one league off ye South Fforeland" with integral address panel reading "Ffor ye Service of ye State - To the Right Honorable the Commissioners for the Admiralty and Navy at Whitehall: These Present", endorsed "Haste, Haste, poste Haste", though unsigned.

Contents mention receipt of letter aboard the vessel "about six leagues from the Island of Wight East South East" and confirms that he has "sent orders to the ffrigatts at Harwick or Horsley Bay ... to sett saile Immediately, (in in a Capacity) and if they are not ready, then to follow with all possible expedition"; also mentioning that they has landed a "small prise ... laden with wines from Bourdeaux ... which wee sent order to goe into Portsmouth, and ye Nonsuch Ketch followed the Prise in, though I had told the Master they wer to goe in Company with us, And fired three guns one after the other." Signed "Jo: Lawson".

Fine and rare, believed to be the earliest known under the 'New Post' act of 1653 where by Express Messengers became available to all Government Departments - the old style of 'express' endorsement still being in use.

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

Estimate
£4,000 to £6,000

Starting price
£3200