Lot
1095 
Great Britain, 1707 (Aug. 19) to Chelsea, England, folded letter showing "Payd Peny Post, P, TU" dockraw (RL type 238) postmark; some flaws including taped flap tear, Fine and scarce. Estimate $200 - 300.
Realized: $210
Lot
1096 E
Great Britain, 1837, 1d & 2d Dickinson Prepaid Lettersheet Essays, 1d buff with small tape stain and some splitting along folds, 2d green with top segmented reattached by hinges and a little edge fraying, otherwise F.-V.F., two of several lettersheet proposals submitted to the Treasury Competition in 1839. Estimate $400 - 600.
Lot
1097
Great Britain, 1839 Interim Four Pence Rate, two covers; folded letter from London to Beverley with manuscript 4 rate and reverse with "De - 5, 1839" First Day of Interim Four Pence Rate townmark, also a folded letter from Dublin to Edinburgh with "4" rate handstamp, reverse with "De 10, 39" boxed origin and receiving postmarks in red; the former with toning along file fold and wax seal removed on reverse slightly affecting postmark, otherwise F.-V.F. Estimate $200 - 300.
The short-lived interim four pence rate was introduced on December 5th, 1839 pending the implementation of the one penny rate which went into effect on January 10th of 1840.
Realized: $150
Lot
1098
Great Britain, 1840 Interim Four Pence Rate, folded letter from London to Birmingham, with three strikes of red "Paid, 9 Ja, 1840" cds's and matching "G .P, Paid" in circle handstamp, red manuscript "P4" rate; filing holes with one affecting one postmark at top, otherwise Very Fine, a lovely last day usage of the interim four pence rate. Estimate $200 - 300.
Realized: $375
Lot
1099
Great Britain, 1840 Postal Reform 1d Prepaid Rate, group of four items; includes cover front to Edinburgh with red London "Paid 10 Ja, 1840" First Day of Postal Reform Rate tombstone date stamp and straight line "1d Paid" handstamp, three later 1840 1d paid rare covers including handstamps from Marlborough (6.19), London (6.18) and Liverpool (10.3), Very Fine. Estimate $300 - 400.
Current Opening Bid: $200
Lot 1100 E
Great Britain, 1840 Whiting's Embossed QV Stationery Essay, pair on wove (94x59mm), showing uncrowned Queen's head in engine-turned medallion; some vertical creases affecting left design, otherwise Very Fine, very scarce.Estimate $400 - 600.
Realized: $425
Lot
1101
Great Britain, 1840, 1d House of Commons Prepaid Envelope, stamped imprint on cover to Melton Wood, red London "Paid, 2 Ap, 1840" crown cds; wax seal portion of backflaps removed, Very Fine, very scarce. Estimate $400 - 600.
After the abolition of their franking privileges, members of Parliament complained of the inconvenience of having to go to the post office to prepay their postage in cash. Rowland Hill and the Librarian of the House of Commons hastily prepared stamped envelopes that members could purchase at Westminster Hall. These became the first prepaid stationery adopted under Hill's reform.
Realized: $1,600