Lot
6035 
New Zealand, 1855, Queen Victoria "Chalon Head", 1d red on blue paper, Auckland printing, unwatermarked, right sheet margin single, used in combination with 1857-63 2d pale blue (SG 10) strip of three and a single, all cancelled by numeral "11" barred ovals, matching "Ahuriri, New Zealand, JY22, 1859" rimless cds on blue cover to London, England, endorsed "via Marseilles", red London Paid (10.14) cds also ties two of the 2d. values; the 1d. creased prior to use and the 2d. values with a few defects, a Very Fine use, John Woolfe, Spink, October 2006, lot 252Joseph Hackmey, Spink Shreves, May 2010, lot 2071; with 2006 R.P.S.L. certificate. Scott No. 4. Campbell Paterson No. A1c (2).
SG No. 4 Estimate $3,000 - 4,000.
A REMARKABLE MIXED ISSUE FRANKING AND THE ONLY RECORDED EXAMPLE OF A SINGLE 9D RATE "VIA MARSEILLES" LETTER BEING PAID IN STAMPS PRIOR TO THE AUGUST 1859 INTRODUCTION OF THE 6D STAMPS.
Although marked and paid to go "via Marseilles", the cover appears from the London datestamp to have been sent "via Southampton". The "via Marseilles" mail arrived on October 7th. At this date only 1d, 2d and 1s stamps were available and a minimum of five stamps were needed to make up the 9d rate.
Realized: $2,700