A spectacular uprated franking of the ill-fated Mulready cover. One of only two
recorded 6d frankings prepaid with four additional 1d blacks.
Great Britain 1840 2d Mulready Envelope (Forme 1, Stereo a202), SGME4,2.
A very fine used example uprated to the 6d per 3oz rate with four additional 1d blacks from plate 8 lettered 'QA', 'SE', 'SG' & 'SJ' (SE & SG State 2 provisional printing) all neatly cancelled by crisp black Maltese Crosses.
Sent from London to Dulwich with a "T.P./Chief Office" handstamp and circular date stamp on reverse for 'AU.19.1841;.
Despite some trivial soiling, this is, nevertheless, a spectacular uprated franking, one of only two recorded 6d frankings prepaid with four additional 1d blacks.
Particularly remarkable as an August 1841 usage, combining the short-lived Mulready stationery with four examples of the Penny Black after that stamp had already been superseded by the Penny Red.
Addressed to Dulwich, apparently to Dr George Webster, founder and first President of the original British Medical Association, established in 1836. Webster was a prominent physician and campaigner for medical reform, making this a potentially important historical association.
Of particular visual interest, the central Penny Black in the horizontal strip of three was affixed upside down, creating a striking inverted adhesive within this exceptional multiple franking.
Provenance: Ex Yates & "Mayflower" Collections.
It featured in Alan Holyoake’s Large Gold Medal winning collection and Best in Class at the London 201 International Stamp Exhibition, “The Introduction and Usage of the Mulready Envelope and Letter Sheet Stationery”. The Postal Stationery Society's review of The Mulready Postal Stationery describes Holyoake's collection as the finest collection of Mulready stationery assembled outside the Royal Collection.
Accompanied by a 1996 British Philatelic Association (BPA) Certificate of Authenticity.
One of the great rarities of Great Britain Philately.
An ex Stanley Gibbons stock item.
