1855 Singapore FP 2 Cover

1855

India, Used in Straits Settlements, 1854, 4a Pale Red & Blue, 1st Printing, Head Die I, Frame Die I (6; SG 18). Cut square, tight margins to touching, just tied by dotted diamond cancel, second example (which does not originate) added for aesthetic purposes as one example was removed, on 1855 folded cover originating in Batavia, Dutch East Indies and addressed to San Francisco, California, United States, via Singapore and Hong Kong, Batavia Jul. 6 origin docketing, faint red boxed Singapore Paid (only "16" date legible) applied in transit (stamps cancelled in Singapore), Hong Kong (only "29" date legible) transit, red manuscript "1/-" rate marking, docketing indicating Apr. 16 arrival, addressee's name excised affecting rate marking FINE AND RARE USE OF THE 1854 4-ANNAS LITHOGRAPH FROM THE FIRST PRINTING ON COVER ORIGINATING IN BATAVIA, DUTCH EAST INDIES WITH STAMPS APPLIED IN SINGAPORE AND ADDRESSED TO SAN FRANCISCO -- A PARTICULARLY RARE DESTINATION. WE ARE AWARE OF ONLY ONE OTHER LITHOGRAPH COVER FROM BATAVIA. This cover was likely carried privately twice -- once from Batavia to Singapore, then again from Hong Kong to San Francisco due to the lack of any arrival markings. Very few India 1854 Lithograph Issue covers originated in the Far East - either from Batavia or Manila. We are only aware of one other cover which originates in Batavia (that addressee's name was also excised). Also, the United States is a particularly rare destination for Lithograph covers, particularly the 4a.

"Magnolia"