Auction 321 - 332 Europe & Overseas Asia / Africa, Europe A –Z, Collections & Accumulations - Day 4

1873: First Issue 2 sk. blue and 8 sk. brown, perf. 14 x 13½, used examples on famous 1874 'Danish period' cover to Lower Edmonton, London each neatly tied by grotesque "REYKJAVIK" circular datestamps (June 17) in black with information strike at left. Octagonal framed "SHIP LETTER" applied on arrival in Edinburgh with transit cds on reverse (July 23) and Edmonton arrival cds (July 24) in red. "London / Paid" cds in red (July 24) also on obverse with manuscript "1½ d." British credit in red crayon. The 2 sk. blue is superb ('flawless' - Møller) and the 8 sk. brown was torn when the letter was opened and the diagonal tear partially restored for display but a cover of immense rarity - just three covers are known sent to countries other than Denmark, one of just two recorded with this franking and the sole SHIP LETTER first issue cover recorded. Unique. Certs. Friedl signed Bloch & Muller (1962), Beskow (1985), C.A. Møller (2000), L. Nielsen (2003).rnProvenance: Collection Holger Crawfoord; collection Gene Scott, Hoiland, Copenhagen, 3 May 2000, lot 6015.rnExhibited: Monacophil and offered on the Exhibit page.