Auction 321 - 332 Australian States & Commonwealth of Australia, St. Helena, Basutoland, Bechuanaland, Swaziland, Brazil 1843 –1870 - Day 1

1849: Two envelopes addressed to Henry Condell, the first Mayor of Melbourne from 1842-1844, both with Postmaster's endorsement "Westbury" and dates of despatch. One endorsed "Paid Sea Postage 9d." with circular "LAUNCESTON" on reverse (Feb 4) in black and "SHIP LETTER / ♚ / MELBOURNE" in red (Feb 18) on reverse and rated '6d.'; the other "Paid Ship Letter 5d." in red ink, similarly cancelled on reverse, rated '3d.' for incoming Ship Letter in manuscript due. Imperfections but an unusual pair.rnNote: Henry Condell (1797-1871), first Mayor of Melbourne 1842-1844, was also the first member for Medlbourne to be elected to the New South Wales Legislative Council on 1 June 1843. He arrived in Tasmania in 1824, moving to Melbourne he made his fortune in brewing and was not averse to donating drinks to willing voters. He returned to England in 1854.rnProvenance: Prestige, Melbourne, 2 May 2014, lot 1471.