18 November 1854 Penang FP 6 Cover

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.

"Magnolia" Dr. Chan Chin Cheung Gray Taylor Selzer Gross