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

1874 (March 12): Provisional 3 d. on 1 s. green, a used horizontal pair overprinted THREE PENCE diagonally with 'P' and 'R' with same type, used with single 1865 1 d. pale rose-red on 1874 cover (with complete contents) from Hamilton to Alverstoke, Hampshire endorsed 'via New York' and carried on the Steamer 'Metropolis', cancelled by barred numeral in black with "Hamilton / Bermuda" datestamp alongside in black (May 28). Circular "PAID / LIVERPOOL / US PACKET" in red (June 21), reverse with Gosport arrival cds of the following day. The envelope with closed tear but of enormous rarity.
Provenance: Phillips, London, 8 March 1990, lot 65; Collection David Springbett, SG, London, June 1997; Collection W.T. Dickgiesser, Cherrystone, New York, 26 Oct 1999, lot 48.
Note: The contents are written by a Major William Tyler Stuart writing home to his wife, largely concerning the Major's stomach complaints which appear to have worsened as he was to die in Bermuda aged just 43 later in the year. He states that he has sent home £37 and wishes his wife to purchase something nice for their Wedding Anniversary on June 4. Besides the long letter, the lot also contains a Military Commission appointing him as Adjutant with the 36th Regiment of Foot.