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Piece 1827 Edinburgh to Queensferry with postage rate 4 and "PAID AT EDIN" CDS in red dated JUN 1 1827. Also has 2 wax seal, a large ornate red seal (wording visible says "Scottish Widows" (insurance)) partially covered by a new black wax seal. Reverse of document appears to be a piece of a post mortem declaration by the coroner/surgeon with some rather gruesome questions - "Have you any suspicion of organic affection of the lungs, heart or other organs?"
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Outer 1845 Kilmarnock to London, with boxed Kilmarnock JN-20-1845 in red, manuscript "2" in red and London Tombstone arrival handstamp single rim. Addressed to Melvill Esq, Secretary at the India House, Military Department, Leadenhall St, London. Phillip Melvill Esq was Military Secretary for the EIC from 1837 to 1858. You have to remind yourself sometimes that British trade interests in those days had a distinctly "military" feel to it...
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Outer 1840 Kingussie to Glasgow with (much to my annoyance!) stamp removed with what looks like remnants of a Red Maltese Cross, as well as KINGUSSIE town mark (type 4/64 £12). Backstamped by "GLASGOW 2 SP 1840 12 NOON" boxed in black and red receivers mark single rim dated SEP 1 1840 codes ▲ N. Would be super valuable with the stamp on it...
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Outer 1834 from Hastings addressed to Duke of Sutherland, Bridgewater House, London, with Hastings Penny Post 2 line in black (type 3/25 £60). As it was not signed, it has been stamped with "To Pay 1d Only" boxed in black (type 1A/19 - £50), and has been stamped with "No.1". Backstamped by Hastings single arc CDS dated JY 23 1834. Cracking item!!
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Nice entire 1846 London local post with some fascinating markings. Front cover has "Chief Office 1d Paid 2 line in red, which is usually accompanied by the backstamp "PD JY 10 1846" code 12NN (Noon posting) in red, but has also been backstamped by "1 An 1 JY 10 1846" code C, which is usually used in conjunction with the oval number obliteration. As a final salute to this fabulous little cover, there is an intact wax seal that has a rooster in the centre and the poignant words "WHILE I LIVE I'LL CROW". Very nice cover
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Entire 1842 Westerleigh to Gloucester with part black MX cancel on front (stamp removed!), backstamped by Chippenham double rim CDS dated JY 30 1842, Gloucester double rim dated JY 31 1842 code B and undated Chipping Sodbury CDS (type 3/14 £20). Fascinating letter to the resident physician at a Lunatic Asylum, enquiring on behalf of the husband of a patient there.
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Entire 1842 New York to London with "1/-" postage rate on front and London receivers mark " S OC 30 1842" (type 1/11 £125). Letter sent by Nevins Townsend & Co. (bond firm in New York) regarding prices in various states. No markings to indicate dispatch from the US unfortunately, but a fine lot nonetheless
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Entire 1841 Dunfermline to Leith with Dunfermline single rim CDS in red dated 1 JAN 1841, arrival mark in red dated JAN 2 1841 codes Z M, and Leith arrival mark in red dated JAN 2 1841. Letter regarding the debt issues of a glazier named Robert Watson, who wants to avoid his estate being sold to pay off a small percentage of his debts
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Entire 1839 Glasgow to Rothesay with Glasgow Paid town mark boxed in red dated 15 FE 1839. The letter is very sweet, a letter from a little girl to her grandpapa written in quite beautiful writing (letter is grubby, looks like it has been read many times!). My children will never write that neatly! The child was one of the children of James McClelland, one of the founders, and first President of IAAG. Mary Ann, born in 1830, died in 1869 and is buried alongside her father and grandpapa in Glasgow necropolis. A wonderful piece of social history