Tongnoo FP 1

1855

India, Used in Burma, 1854, 1a Deep Red, Die I (4a; SG 11). Nine singles affixed at top and overlapping at places, each cut close with design touched, cancelled or tied by diamond of dots on cover to Kingsbridge, England, sender's directive "via Calcutta & Southampton", rare Tongnoo Post Office 1855 double-circle datestamp on back, boxed "INDIA PAID" handstamp, Calcutta and London transit and Kingsbridge arrival datestamps, receipt docketing also ties stamps, stamps with some faults FINE. AN IMPRESSIVE FRANKING WITH NINE SINGLE ONE-ANNA DIE I LITHOGRAPH STAMPS ON COVER FROM BURMA TO ENGLAND. ONE OF THE LARGEST ONE-ANNA FRANKINGS RECORDED AND ESPECIALLY RARE WITH THE TONGNOO DATESTAMP. We know of only one other cover with nine 1a stamps (made up of pairs and strips) and one larger franking with ten 1a stamps. Both of those covers were posted at Rangoon, a more common origin. Ex "Magnolia".

22 March 1855

Burma 1855 (22 Mar.) entire letter "From Sergeant Thomas Lynam No. 2093 No. 8 Company 1st. Madras Fusiliers" at Tongnoo to Ireland, countersigned by the Commanding Officer and showing a good strike of the "tongnoo/post office" c.d.s., framed "india", manuscript "4" (applied in error) and "2" charge mark, the reverse with Calcutta (17.4), London (5.6) and Limerick (6.6) c.d.s.; fine and rare. Photo Estimate £ 800-1,000 Note: Following the end of the 2nd. Burmese War, Britain annexed the Burmese Province of Pegu. It came within the jurisdiction of India and its post offices, including Tongnoo, came under postal administration of Bengal provenance: Gerald Davis, 1990

1 August 1855

INDIA, Used in Burma, 1854, 2a Green (5; SG 31). Horizontal strip of four, large to full margins all around, cancelled by diamond of dots cancels on cover to London, England, sender's directive "via Calcutta, Paid 8 Annas", red "Tongnoo Post Office 1855 AU 1?" double-circle datestamp, red framed "INDIA PAID" handstamp, Calcutta transit and London (Nov. 10) arrival datestamp, red manuscript "1/" rate marking, cover with slight overall soiling and insignificant top flap flaw VERY FINE. A scarce STRIP OF FOUR OF THE 2-ANNAS TYPOGRAPH—especially rare USED FROM TONGNOO, BURMA, TO ENGLAND. With 2009 Sismondo certificate.

25 August 1855

India, Used in Burma, 1854, 2a Green (5; SG 31). Large balanced margins, tied by diamond of dots cancel with red "Tongnoo Post Office 1855 AU 25" double-circle datestamp on cover to Secunderabad, Calcutta transit and framed Secunderabad arrival backstamps, receipt docketing also ties stamp to cover, cover with very faint soiling and small corner wrinkle to stamp at top right, Very Fine and quite scarce from Tongnoo, ex Dr. Kornan

8 September 1855

Siegel - Used in Burma, 1854, 2a Green (5; SG 31). Horizontal strip of five, mostly large to ample margins, just barely touched at top, intensely rich color and impression, cancelled by diamond of dots on folded cover to London, Englaand, manuscript "via Calcutta, Paid 10a", clearly struck red "Tongnoo Post Office, 1855 SEP 8" double-circle datestamp, strip tied by manuscript "Tongnoo Sept. 8th", red "INDIA PAID" handstamp, Calcutta transit and London arrival datestamp, the latter also tying the strip to cover, some sensible strengthening along internal folds VERY FINE. A RARE AND DESIRABLE STRIP OF FIVE OF THE 2-ANNAS TYPOGRAPH USED FROM TONGNOO, BURMA, TO ENGLAND. The rate paid was for a ½ to 1 tola cover -- 2a for ship letter to Calcutta plus 8a for packet rate via Southampton. Inland postage was still required from non-contract ports in Burma. Ex Davis and Dr. Kornan. Spink - †BURMA Diamond of Dots Cancellation combined with Post Office Datestamps 1855 (6 Sept.) from Tongnoo "Via Calcutta Paid 10as." to London, bearing 2a. deep green strip of five each neatly cancelled and additionally dated in manuscript, showing superb "tongnoo/post office" c.d.s., framed "india/paid" and London Paid c.d.s. (additionally tying the strip) all struck in red, Calcutta c.d.s. on reverse; worn and strengthened at folds, and a few faults on reverse, nevertheless a very rare and most attractive 1854 franking. Photo Estimate £ 2,500-3,000

24 September 1855

Burma Diamond of Dots Cancellation combined with Post Office Datestamps 1855 (24 Sept.) envelope from Toungoo to England, marked "via Calcutta & Marseilles", rated "1/10", bearing 1854 1a. Die I (touched at right and with light staining) cancelled (not tied) by diamond of dots and showing "tongnoo/post office" double-ring d.s. (Type D1) in red alongside with arrival c.d.s. (15.12) on reverse. Rare.

15 October 1855

India, Used in Burma, 1854, 1a Deep Red, Die I (4a; SG 11). Large to ample margins, tied by diamond of dots cancel with red "Tongnoo, Post Office, 1855 OC 15" double-circle datestamp on petite cover to Whitehaven, England, Barker correspondence, sender's directive "via Calcutta & Marseilles", red framed "INDIA" handstamp, partial Calcutta and London (Jan. 1, 1856) transit and Whitehaven (Jan. 2) arrival backstamps, manuscript "1/10" due rate marking, stamp with trace of soiling and minor damage to top flap, Very Fine and scarce, ex Dr. Kornan

15 October 1855

Burma Diamond of Dots Cancellation combined with Post Office Datestamps 1855 (15 Oct.) front from Tongnoo "via Rangoon & Calcutta" to London, bearing 2a. green (5) with margins in places and each clearly cancelled, showing fine "tongnoo/post office" c.d.s. alongside framed "india paid" handstamp, also showing manuscript "2/-" rate mark and London Paid d.s., all in red. A fine and rare combination.