Penang FP 6

3 April 1849

Penang 1849 (3 Apr.) entire letter to Boston USA c/o Baring Brothers in London, rated "2/-" and showing, on reverse, a light but legible strike of the very scarce framed "penang/Post Paid" d.s. in red and, on face, framed "india paid", London Paid transit d.s. (31.5), handstruck "48" and "38/cents" h.s. (CJS). Photo

7 April 1849

Penang Early Letters and Handstamps 1849 (7 Apr.) entire letter ex the "Matia" correspondence from Singapore to Cadiz, rated "1/-" and "10", showing on reverse fine framed "penang/Post Paid" d.s. in red (Type P.S.7) and, on face, Alexandria double-arc d.s. (12.5), Malta Lazaret h.s. and Gibraltar boxed "to/pay" h.s. Photo Estimate S$ 600-800

6 April 1851

Straits Settlements Early Letters and Handstamps Penang 1851 (6 Apr.) entire letter to Boston, USA, care of a forwarding agent in London, marked "overland via Southampton", rated "1/-" in red and showing, on reverse, fine boxed "penang/Post Paid" d.s. in red (crossed by two light filing creases) and, on face, two different London transit datestamps, handstruck "24" and "3/cents" handstamp. Photo Estimate S$ 1,000-1,200

14 August 1854

Straits Settlements Early Letters and Handstamps Penang 1854 (14 Aug.) entire ex the "Heard" correspondence to Canton via Hong Kong, marked "p. St. Chusan", rated "4" and showing, on reverse across join, fine framed "penang/Post Paid" d.s. in red and Hong Kong transit d.s. (4.9). Photo Estimate S$ 600-800

20 October 1854

Straits Settlements Penang 1854 (20 Oct.) entire letter to Marseilles, marked "overland via Suez", rated "1/-" in red, showing handstruck "10" (decimes) with, on reverse, framed "penang/Post Paid" d.s. in red (partially oxidised) dated 18 November, and Alexandria (British PO) transit d.s. in green. Photo Estimate S$ 400-500 provenance: Dr. Chua Eu Tiong, July 2005

1 November 1854

Straits Settlements Early Letters and Handstamps Penang 1854 (1 Nov.) entire letter to Bordeaux, marked "via Marseilles", showing on reverse mainly fine framed "penang/Post Paid" d.s. in red, Alexandria British Post Office transit d.s. (7.12), arrival c.d.s. (17.12) and, on face, red Marseilles entry datestamp (26.12) and handstruck "10" (decimes). A very scarce datestamp with less than twenty recorded. Photo Estimate S$ 700-900

18 November 1854

Used in Straits Settlements--Penang, 1854, 1a Red, Die I (4; SG 12). Block of eight (4 x 2), Stone A, Positions 17-20/25-28, mostly large margins all around, ample at bottom right, tied by eight clear strikes of diamond of dots cancel, affixed partly over clearly struck red "Penang, 18 November, Post Paid" boxed datestamp on back of 1854 folded cover (missing interior page, but completely intact outer sheet), addressed to Marseilles, France, sender's directive "Overland via Suez", light strike of blue Alexandria 1854 double-circle datestamp over fold, Marseilles Dec. 26 arrival datestamp EXTREMELY FINE. WIDELY REGARDED AS ONE OF THE FINEST QUALITY EXAMPLES OF THE INDIA 1854 LITHOGRAPH ISSUE USED IN PENANG. THIS SPECTACULAR COVER IS ALSO ONE OF THE EARLIEST USES OF THE LITHOGRAPH ISSUE IN PENANG. A KEY COMPONENT TO ANY INTERNATIONAL GRAND PRIX LEVEL EXHIBIT OF INDIA OR STRAITS SETTLEMENTS. While the blue Alexandria transit datestamp is lightly struck, the 1854 year date is clear. The year is further confirmed by the use of the Proud Type P.S. 7 Penang handstamp--the latest recorded use of this marking is July 1, 1855. 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 November 1854 from Penang is very early and extremely rare. The earliest recorded use from Penang is the October 24, 1854, cover offered in lot 240. Ex Dr. Chan Chin Cheung, Gray, Taylor, Selzer and Gross.

19 December 1854

Penang India used in Penang 1854 Issue 1854 (19 Dec.) entire ex the "Heard" correspondence to Canton via forwarding agent, S.M. Lord, in Hong Kong, bearing a magnificent 4a. 2nd. printing pair with part rosettes at foot and wavy lines, or part thereof on three sides, both centrally cancelled by diamond of dots, rated "1/-" and showing, on reverse across join, framed "penang/Paid" d.s. and Hong Kong arrival c.d.s. (1.1). A magnificent cover and a major exhibition item. Photo Estimate S$ 120,000-150,000 Note: This cover is the earliest recorded use of the India 1854 4a. in the Straits Settlements.

21 December 1854

Straits Settlements Penang 1854 (21 Dec.) entire letter to Paris, showing handstruck "10" (decimes) and, on reverse, fine framed "penang/Post Paid" d.s. in red, Alexandria (British PO) transit d.s. across join and arrival c.d.s. (12.2). Photo Estimate S$ 500-600

24 January 1855

Penang 1855 (24 Jan.) entire letter to Marseilles, marked "Overland via Suez", showing fine framed "penang/Post Paid" d.s. in red struck inverted at lower left, handstruck "10" (decimes) and, on reverse, Alexandria transit d.s. (21.2) in blue. (ID). Photo

June 1855

Penang Covers 1855 (June) entire letter to London datelined "Penang Hills, 14 June", marked "via Southampton", bearing 4a. blue and red first printing horizontal pair with chamfered corners, cancelled by diamond of dots and tied by light arrival c.d.s., showing "penang/p.o." double-ring d.s. in red below dated 11 June (earliest recorded date of use), red crayon "1/-" and, on reverse, framed "penang/Post Paid" with manuscript "June 11" inserted; slightly soiled and some wear along folds. A rare and important cover of exhibition quality. Photo