Auction 333-341 Western Australia & Great Britain - Day 3

1840: 1 d. black, lettered GG, four margins, used on a printed letteresheet, from England (corresponder 'Thomas Bates, Kirkleavington, Yarm, Nort Yorkshire') to Arbroath, Scotland, dated 23 May 1841, tied by fine black Maltese Cross, with red Edinburgh transit cds to reverse. Cover has been turned and addressed to Perth and franked with an 1841 1 d. red, lettered -G, cut into, tied by black Maltese Cross. To the back is an Arbroath boxed datestamp in black (29 May 1841), with Perth small rectangular arrival alongside also in black (30 May). On arrival redirected to Edinburgh, franked with 1840 1 d. black, lettered QG, overlapping 1 d. red, three margins, cut into across top, tied by black Maltese Coss, with red Edinburgh circular datestamp to back (1 June 1841). Some soiling and slightly reduced to one side. The Printed lettersheet details an extensive account of the 'Pedigree' of the champion Shorthorn bull named 'Duke of Northumberland'. Despite the apparent imperfections a very rare combination franking illustrating the transition from penny black to penny red. Fewer than 40 covers recorded with 1 d. black and 1 d. red in combination; of which 20 are redirected and 3 are turned covers. This is the only turned and redirected example known.
Note: The Shorthorn bull, Duke of Northumberland, was considered to be the crowning achievement of Thomas Bates, as a cattle breeder from North Yorkshire. It was recognised as the Champion bull of England in 1842.  Its weight at three years and eight months was 2520 pounds.
Reference: Great Britain Victorian Mixed Franking Covers, by Ray Simpson & Karl Louis, illustrated pg. 35 (fig. 37), listed as a 'Gold Standard' cover.
Provenance: Ex The 'Chartwell' Collection.