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

1856: 6 d. deep lilac, used on large part of cover in combination with 1857 1 d. red, perf. 14, wmk. large crown, seven singles, and 1862 9 d. bistre, plate 2, without hair lines, from London to Hong King, China, dated 12 March 1862, tied by London '47' twin barred oval in black, endorsed 'Via Marseilles', with manuscript 'I' in red. Part of back and top centrally missing, the latter which has been backed but clear of adhesives. However, a spectacular tri-colour combination and a rare 1s 10d franking - 1s 6d was the rate up to ½ oz. for mail sent via Marseilles. One of six covers recorded.
Reference: Great Britain Victorian Mixed Franking Covers, by Ray Simpson & Karl Louis, illustrated on pg. 141 (fig. 212).
Provenance: Ex Gilbert Wheat Collection, Cavendish, 10 June 2009, lot 630.