Lot 2026
1/- yellow-green (SG 3), lovely rich color, beautiful sharp highly detailed impression, large to clear margins on three sides, in at right, neatly tied "18" on 1858 (19 May) envelope to London (16.8), with "Otago/New Zealand" origin c.d.s. on reverse, Very Fine and early usage. Campbell Paterson A6a.
Estimate 5,000 - 7,500
BELIEVED TO BE THE SECOND EARLIEST DATED SHILLING COVER.
Expertization: 2006 Odenweller Certificate.
Provenance: Grace Gordon Kaye
Since the 1 shilling stamp was issued in July, 1855, one would assume 19 May 1858 to have been a late usage; however, few such covers were dated at the time, and the shilling rate was not used very much until 27 March 1857, when prepayment became possible. Prior to then, Colonial postage was 2 pence (prepaid), and the recipient had to pay 6 pence or 8 pence for ship letters.
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| Realized $8,500 |
