New Guinea 1914 (Oct 13) cover to Mrs. R. J. A. Travers, Sydney from her husband Capt Travers, endorsed "On Active Service", franked by 1914-15 New Guinea 2s on 2m blue, 4mm space from setting I position 2, tied by very fine strike of RABAUL type 1 two line datestamp in violet, four days before the official date of issue (Oct 17), SG13.
On the reverse there is a typed certificate, "I hereby certify that the stamp attached to this envelope is one of the original stamps of the 16 sets issued by the Military Govt of New Guinea. Dated October 1st 1914", signed by Capt. Walter Fry, Treasurer.
One of only nine covers (all to Mrs Travers, and each with a different value) known with this pre-release type 1 cancel.
A superb piece of postal history and unique.
Provenance: Ex Gibbs and Creed
Accompanied with a British Philatelic Association (BPA) certificate of authenticity (1982).
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