15 October 1854 Nepaul HG 2 Cover

15 October 1854

Used in Nepal, 1854, ½a Indigo, Die II (2D; SG 7). Huge margins to ample at bottom, bold color, cancelled by diamond of dots cancel on large part of folded cover to Calcutta, bold strike of magenta "Nepaul Paid" boxed handstamp with manuscript date "15 Octr 54" and "½a rate, clear Calcutta arrival backstamp, file fold thru stamp of little significance VERY FINE. THIS IS THE EARLIEST USE OF A POSTAGE STAMP IN NEPAL--DATED ABOUT TWO WEEKS AFTER THE INDIA 1854 LITHOGRAPH STAMPS WERE ISSUED. ESPECIALLY DESIRABLE WITH A LARGE-MARGINED STAMP, CLEAR POSTAL MARKINGS AND SIZED FOR DISPLAY ON AN EXHIBIT PAGE. There are a three elements that make this cover significant. First, this is the earliest use of any stamps in Nepal--the Nepalese post office did not issue its own stamps until 1881. Second, the "Nepaul Paid" marking is rare in its own right, with only six or seven examples thought to exist. Third, the India 1854 Lithograph stamps were officially issued on October 1, 1854 (and probably not sold until the next day)--any use in the first month is very scarce and highly sought after, but this use in October 1854 from Nepal is extraordinary. Ex Desai, Haverbeck, and Dr. Hellrigl. With 2016 B.P.A. certificate. To correct the record, letters could be mailed on Sunday, October 1, 1854, so the first day of issue of the Half and One-Anna 1854 stamps is October 1, not October 2.