French Rocks HG 1

2 June 1856

Rare C/13 - French Rocks - 1856 June 2nd - Native cover from French Rocks to Cannonore franked with Half Anna Die 3 stamp with perfect rare cancellation of C/13 tied by manuscript "Stamped", back stamped with red ink framed Rectangle French Rocks/ / Paid despatched handstamp, and Cannanore framed Cannanore// Paid

6 February 1857

India, 1854, 4a Red & Blue, 2nd Printing, Head Die II, Frame Die I (6D; SG 19). Cut to shape, tight to ample margins all around, tied by blue "C/13" cancel on cover to Dublin, Ireland, sender's directive "Per Steamer from Madras via Southampton", clear strike of red "FRENCH ROCKS, Paid" despatch handstamp (Giles 1) with manuscript "6-2-57" date added, red crescent "INDIA PAID" handstamp, red Madras (Feb. 9) and London (Mar. 20) transit and Dublin (Mar. 21) arrival datestamps, minor hinge reinforced tears on flap VERY FINE. A RARE USE OF THE 4-ANNAS LITHOGRAPH SECOND PRINTING ON COVER WITH THE BLUE "C/13" CANCEL OF FRENCH ROCKS TO IRELAND. Colored cancels of the Madras Circle "C" cancels (Cooper Ty. 6) are quite rare, particularly so on cover.

8 September 1857

India, 1854, 4a Red & Blue, 4th Printing, Head Die III, Frame Die II (6F; SG 23). Cut to shape, tight but clear margins all around, tied by blue dotted "C/13" cancel on cover to Dublin, Ireland, sender's directive "via Southampton", red framed French Rocks Paid despatch handstamp (Giles 1) with manuscript "8 Sept 1857" date added on back, red "INDIA PAID" crescent handstamp, Madras and London (Oct. 22) transit and Dublin (Oct. 23) arrival datestamps, cover and stamp significantly soiled, despatch datestamp affected by opening flap tears, Fine, the French Rocks marking is noted as scarce by Giles, with 2024 B.P.A. certificate

10 November 1857

1857 (9 Oct.) and (3 Dec.) envelopes from French Rocks and 1858 (3 Aug.) envelope (with letter) from Ootacamund, all from the same correspondence to Dublin, each marked "Per Steamer from Madras" and "Via Southampton", and bearing cut to shape 4a. 5th printing, all clearly cancelled and showing crescent-shaped "india paid" with, on reverse, despatch and Madras datestamps; the last a little soiled

3 December 1857

1857 (9 Oct.) and (3 Dec.) envelopes from French Rocks and 1858 (3 Aug.) envelope (with letter) from Ootacamund, all from the same correspondence to Dublin, each marked "Per Steamer from Madras" and "Via Southampton", and bearing cut to shape 4a. 5th printing, all clearly cancelled and showing crescent-shaped "india paid" with, on reverse, despatch and Madras datestamps; the last a little soiled

1858

Rare c/13 - French Rocks - December 14th 1858 - Entire posted from French Rocks to Madras franked with Half Anna and cancelled with C/13 with manuscript " Stamped Half Anna" backstamped with HG1 French Rocks / / Paid cancellation and Madras delivery cancellation.