26 April 1848 Ellichpoor HG 1 Cover

26 April 1848

1848 Ellichpoor – London overland entire via Southampton route, with Ellichpoor Giles 1 "ELLICHPOOR/Paid" handstamp, date "26 Aprl" & rate "6As" (paid 6A inland to Bombay for letter between ¼ to 1 tolah, second weight step, travelling between 400 to 600 miles) applied. Interestingly, "INDIA PAID" (similar to Bombay Giles SD9) handstamp & "8As" in manuscript, indicating steam postage paid to London via Southampton, were applied from Ellichpoor (in the same ink as the Ellichpoor handstamp) as well. Sent to Suez by EIC regular steamer ATALANTA from Bombay on 1st May, travelled overland to Alexandria & then sent to Malta by P&O steamer ARIEL. From there it reached Southampton by P&O steamer TAGUS on 7th June, reached London on the next day, & "PAID/IX/8 JU 8/1848" London Central Office receipt mark was applied prior to delivery.