Auction 309-320 - Great Britain 1840–1841 Europe & Overseas - Day 5

1840, 1 d. black, lettered KC, used on cover, from Henley-on-Thames to Kelso, three margins, tied unusually by four separate strikes of a red Maltese Cross, with Henley datestamp in red alongside dated 20 August 1840, with endorsement "If absent, to be forwarded immediately", Kelso arrival to reverse dated 24 August 1840, stamp cut into down left side, some soiling to envelope, however extremely scarce example of a contrary to regulations cancel on a penny black, one strike of the Maltese Cross being the rule and multiple strikes uncommon, four strikes is possibly unique; additionally comes with a mourning cover franked with a three margin 1 d. black, sent from Bodmin to Swansea, dated 1 December 1840.