Corinphila Auction 291-297 Day 2

Incoming Mail 1847/54: Great Britain Embossed 1 s. green, a used horizontal pair on 1853 cover to Hobarton, Van Diemen's Land tied by London '19' obliterators in black. Framed "TO BE DELIVERED / FREE OF POSTAGE" handstamp in red above the adhesives and reverse with London despatch (Aug 1) and Launceston arrival (Nov 16). A rare cover: from 1st Nov 1853 all delivered incoming mail was free of inland charges, thus this handstamp is a fore-runner of the 'Ship Letter Inwards Free' markings. Most attractive and scarce. Cert. Holcombe (1995).rnNote: The addressee, George Washington Walker (1800-1859) was both a shopkeeper and well respected Quaker in Hobart. Narryna his home, is now the Van Diemen's Land Folk Museum.rnProvenance: Collection Malcolm Groom; Collection John Cress, Leski, Melbourne, 18 Nov 2003, lot 97.