Lot No. 1692
| Auction No. | 10 |
| Category |
Disaster Mail Miscellaneous |
| Est. | $1000 |
| Status | Withdrawn |
1859 P&O Northam (16th July) Register cover from Geelong to London "per Northam via Marseilles" with 1857/59 Emblems 1d x 2, 4d & 1/- Perf. 12 all tied by "6" barred numeral cancels with red oval London Registered datestamp at base. Geelong cds on reverse & red London EC 19 SP. The P&P "Northam" ran aground on a reef in the Red Sea for 5 days & the mail was recovered but no mention of any water damage. The rate from Victoria to England was 6d per half ounce via Southampton or 10d via Marseilles with a 1/- Registration fee. When originally posted this cover must have been fully prepaid at 1/10d, hence the missing stamp at upper right must have been another 4d. There are some pin holes where the missing 4d was once affixed. All these factors plus the water staining show that at least part of the recovered mail was water affected. A splendid looking discovery of some importance. (see inside back cover)