Auction 333-341 Nigeria, Cameroon, Sudan & Worldwide Postal History - Day 4

1859/60: First Issue 1 d. brown-lake on thick paper, imperforate, no watermark, the famous used example of strong rich colour with large even margins all round, tied to 11 March 1860 most part entire letter to Mrs Eliza Sweeting, Bahamas (presumably based on Sweeting Cay) by the earliest recorded usage of the "27" Out Islands numeral obliterator in black. The letter is written apparently from a Lighthouse keeper (or someone employed to build a Lighthouse) to his wife explaining that he did not receive her letter and apologises for not being able to send a reply. The late David Parsons and "Staircase" after extensive research both believed this cover to be the sole first issue cover known. A unique cover and a great rarity of worldwide Classic Philately.
Provenance: Collection "Staircase", Spink, London, 8 April 1999, lot 77.

Note: At this date there were Lighthouses on Abaco Island and another in working order from 1864, one on Berry Island was operational from 1863, two were in operation on Bimini, one on Cay Sal Bank.