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Auction: 8029 - Soldiers' Rates of the BE - Gerald Sattin Collection
Lot: 209

India 1854 (24 Nov.) entire (central vertical fold) "From Gunner John Brander, No. 3860 of the 2d Co. 3d. Battln Arty doing duty at Convalescent Dept. Darjeeling" to Scotland, marked "Prepaid in India" and countersigned by the Commanding Officer, showing manuscript "Paid -s/1d" in magenta ink and with boxed "india/paid" and London Paid c.d.s. (23.1), the reverse with Darjeeling, Calcutta Ship Letter and London d.s.; an attractive example of the 1d. rate, providing postage had been pre-paid in India in cash. Photo Estimate £ 200-250 Note: When the India Post Office Act XVII was introduced with the issuing of postage stamps it failed to continue the provision of free Inland Postage which had been the British soldier´´s privilege since 1799. The Act was adjusted on 8 November when free Inland Postage was restored on soldier´´s letters to the U.K. but not on inland letters. The right to prepay letters to the U.K. continued to be denied. The 1855 Indian Post Office Manual corrected matters if letters were addressed in the approved manner "for One Penny or Nine Pie, provided the postage is prepaid in India. The postage must be prepaid in cash". If postage was not prepaid, the letter would be charged 2d. on delivery. Very few soldiers had English currency available in India

Sold for
£180