919

Sale number: 27

King George V: Seahorse Covers Etc.: 1913 (December 31st) part parcel from Smithfield Market to Lille in France bearing top marginal [R1/3] Waterlow 2s.6d. with dumb circular ''SMITHFIELD MARKET'' cancellations, very rare. This parcel label to France is unusual in that the stamp is attached to the wrapper rather than to the Parcel Post label, it was probably affixed at the sender's office and then taken to the Smithfield Market Post Office where it was found to require only 1s.9d. postage, the selvedge of the stamp being endorsed 'Senders Excess' and the Parcel Post label affixed at the counter. Photo.

Price Realised UNSOLD

920

Sale number: 27

King George V: Seahorse Covers Etc.: 1915 (Oct. 7th) registered envelope from London to Norway bearing 1/2d. and 4d. and with 1915–18 De La Rue 2s.6d. (marginal) paying the Priority/Express Censorship fee, ''KRISTIANA/10 10 15'' arrival on reverse, probably the earliest known example of this service and the earliest known use of the De La Rue 2s.6d., an important cover. Photo.The prime objective of the War Office in censoring commercial mail was the detection and interception of enemy commerce and illegal trading with the enemy, in support of the economic blockade of Germany. Commercial mail to and from neutral countries, including the U.S.A., was therefore examined closely, and to considerable effect. This inevitably caused delays and problems with urgent business correspondence and led initially to an informal and unauthorised practise of letters being hand delivered to the Postal Censor for immediate examination. In July 1915 formal arrangements for priority censorship of urgent business letters to certain neutral countries were introduced.These were required to bear additional postage of 2s.6d. and to be posted in a special box at London Chief Office, the only office from which the service was initially available. The expensive fee of 2s.6d. was set to ensure that only genuinely urgent items entered the system. Examples of 'half-crown letters' are therefore very scarce and only approximately 20 examples are known, mostly to the U.S.A. and Denmark. Several bear only lower denomination stamps making up the additional half-crown fee.

Price Realised £1850

921

Sale number: 27

King George V: Seahorse Covers Etc.: 1916 (Aug. 29th) registered envelope from London to Buenos Aires bearing 2d. and 21/2d. and with 1915–18 De La Rue 2s.6d. (perfin) paying the Priority/Express Censorship fee, ''BUENOS AIRES/OC 1/1916'' arrival c.d.s. on reverse, the 2s.6d. partly covered by censor label, slight staining and a little crumpled but very scarce. Photo.

Price Realised £380

922

Sale number: 27

King George V: Seahorse Covers Etc.: 1917 (March 22nd) wartime Foreign Office printed diplomatic bag label sent from London to The Hague, signed and dated by the Foreign Secretary 'A.J. Balfour, 22/3/17', bearing on reverse 1913 Waterlow £1 pair and single, 1915–18 De La Rue 5s. and 1912–24 3d. and 1s. (2), paying a total of £3.7s.3d. postage for no less the 331/2lbs, some faults but very rare. Photo.During WW1, the contents of diplomatic bags from neutral countries in transit through or destined for legations in the United Kingdom were routinely subjected to censorship, causing complaints and reprisals from the governments involved. The Netherlands was especially subjected to censorship due to its close proximity and links with Germany. From time to time the mail had fallen into enemy hands or been sunk by the actions of German naval patrols or mines off the Dutch coast. The despatch of diplomatic bags to The Netherlands through the public post, during and shortly after the War, is therefore quite remarkable.

Price Realised £2100

923

Sale number: 27

King George V: Seahorse Covers Etc.: 1917 (July 24th) envelope from London to Switzerland with typed ''Posted with Special Fee.'' in red on front, bearing 21/2d. (perfin) and with 1915–18 De La Rue 2s.6d. paying the Priority/Express Censorship fee, ''STE CROIX/SUISSE/28.VII.17.'' arrival c.d.s. on reverse, exceptional for this and very rare, one of only two known examples of this service to Switzerland. Photo.

Price Realised UNSOLD

924

Sale number: 27

King George V: Seahorse Covers Etc.: 1917 (August 2nd) envelope from London to Denmark, endorsed 'Urgent' and bearing 1d., 21/2d. strip of three and with 1915–18 De La Rue 2s.6d. deep yellow-brown paying the Priority/Express Censorship fee, exceptionally fine for this and most attractive and rare. Photo.

Price Realised UNSOLD

925

Sale number: 27

King George V: Seahorse Covers Etc.: 1917 (December 13th) large part registered Diamond packet wrapper from London to 'The Rough Diamond Committee...Amsterdam', rated at 5s.1d. (thought to be 4s.10d. postage for 2lbs 6oz, 2d. registration and 1d. late fee) pair by 1912–24 1d., 3d. (pair), 1s. (pair) and 1915–18 De La Rue 2s.6d. with ''LONDON CHIEF OFFICE/13 DEC 17'' c.d.s's, the wrapper sealed by three large ''WAR TRADE DEPARTMENT/(CROWN)DIAMOND EXPORT COMMITTEE'' black wax seals. Very rare. Photo.The movement of diamonds came under government control early in the War, with the aim of preventing their passing into German hands through the continental diamond centres of neutral Switzerland and The Netherlands. The arrangements for permitted movements might have remained unknown but for the survival of four packet wrappers sent by registered post to the (Rough) Diamond Committee in Amsterdam, each posted at London Chief Offoce, one in 1915m the other three in November/December (above).Despite various suggestions for special postal rates and express clearance of these packets, the evidence does not support this. Normal postage, registration and express fees, as required, appear to have been paid, and the only special arrangement indicated is that acceptance was restricted to officially sealed packets handed over at a particular desk or section at London Chief Office, after which no further censorship or examination was required. Insurance was not shown and was probably beyond the postal limits and dealt with by other arrangements.

Price Realised UNSOLD

926

Sale number: 27

King George V: Seahorse Covers Etc.: 1917 (Dec. 14th) wartime Foreign Office printed diplomatic bag label sent from London to Abyssinia, signed and dated by the Foreign Secretary 'A.J. Balfour, 14/12/17', bearing on reverse 1915–18 De La Rue 2s.6d. and 10s. vertical pair, some faults but very rare. Photo.

Price Realised UNSOLD

927

Sale number: 27

King George V: Seahorse Covers Etc.: 1918 (Jan. 10th) envelope from London to Denmark, endorsed 'Urgent' and bearing 1d., 21/2d. (3) and with 1915–18 De La Rue 2s.6d. seal-brown paying the Priority/Express Censorship fee, small imperfections, rare. Photo.

Price Realised £700

928

Sale number: 27

King George V: Seahorse Covers Etc.: 1918 (June 14th) registered and insured envelope from Hatton Garden, London, to Bienne, Switzerland, endorsed 'Insured for four hundred pounds', the maximum value insurable, franked at 6s.01/2d. being 5s.10d. insurance plus 21/2d. postage, with 1915–18 De La Rue 5s. pale carmine (worn plate) and 1912–24 9d. agate, subject to riutine censor examination of commercial mail, resealed by OBC labels and a total of six small round ''PC'' (Postal Censor) wax seals. Rare. Photo.

Price Realised UNSOLD

929

Sale number: 27

King George V: Seahorse Covers Etc.: 1918 (July 27th) envelope from London to Switzerland bearing 21/2d. and with 1915–18 De La Rue 2s.6d. paying the Priority/Express Censorship fee, ''BERN/TRANSIT/31.VII.18'' arrival c.d.s. on reverse, some stain spots and cover tear but very rare, one of only two known examples of this service to Switzerland. Photo.

Price Realised £620

930

Sale number: 27

King George V: Seahorse Covers Etc.: 1924 (June 24th) registered insured commercial envelope from the Chilean Nitrate Committee, London, to its equivalent body in Berlin, franked at 5s.9d. including 4s.5d. insurance for declared value of £300, with 1918 Bradbury 5s. etc., very scarce. Photo.

Price Realised £680

931

Sale number: 27

King George V: Seahorse Covers Etc.: 1934 (March 13th), two commercial airmail covers from London to Shanghai by Dutch (KLM) service to Batavia (now Jakarta) and by sea to Shanghai arriving on April 2nd, the airmail labels cancelled, probably at Batavia or Singapore, for onward transmission by surface mail, rates 9s with 1s. (4) and Bradbury 2s.6d. (2) and 10s. with Bradbury 5s. (2), minor creasing at edges, an attractive and scarce pair. Photo.

Price Realised £1350

932

Sale number: 27

King George V: Seahorse Covers Etc.: 1937 (Feb. 10th) printed commercial ''MAIL/URGENT'' blue envelope (scrim-lined) from Fleet St., London, to Christchurch, New Zealand, with 1934 re-engraved 10s. [R6/3] cancelled in violet, a rare commercial single usage (8 x 1/2oz at 1s.3d. per 1/2oz), envelope a little worn at top and right edges. Photo.

Price Realised £380

933

Sale number: 27

King George V: Seahorse Covers Etc.: 1939 (June 26th) registered commercial airmail envelope from London to New York, sent from Bermonsey St. with 1934 re-engraved 2s.6d. double 1s.3d. per 1/2oz airmail postage and 1937–47 3d. paying registration, scarce. Photo.

Price Realised £250

1249

Sale number: 49

King George V: Seahorses: Covers: 1919 (Nov. 11th) London to Paris Airmail Express cover, bearing 21/2d. postage and Bradbury 2s.6d. paying the Airmail fee, all tied by ''13 NO/19'' c.d.s's. some imperfections, scarce. Photo.

Price Realised £200

1250

Sale number: 49

King George V: Seahorses: Covers: 1929–37 five airmail covers all to South America, incl. 1929 envelope to Buenos Aires, bearing 1918 Bradbury 2s.6d. and 5s., 1936 envelope to Buenos Aires, bearing 1934 re-engraved 10s. and 1s. pair, also two other covers, fair to fine. (7 items).

Price Realised £210

1251

Sale number: 49

King George V: Seahorses: Covers: 1932–38 six airmail covers to South America, incl. 1934 (March 15th) envelope from Isle of Wight to Rio de Janeiro, bearing 1918 Bradbury 2s.6d and 1s., with straight line ''ASTURIAS'' in purple, also one other cover, fair to fine. (7 items).

Price Realised UNSOLD

1252

Sale number: 49

King George V: Seahorses: Covers: 1934 (Dec. 14th.) airmail envelope from London to Rio de Janeiro via Stuttgart, bearing 1934 re-engraved 2s.6d. and 1s., with special green ''Weihnacthen'' cachet, scarce. Photo.

Price Realised UNSOLD

1253

Sale number: 49

King George V: Seahorses: Covers: 1935–39 seven covers and two pieces, all to South America, incl. 1936 (May 27th) envelope to Uruguay, bearing 1934 re-engraved 2s.6d. with 6d. and 1s., etc., fair to fine. (9 items).

Price Realised UNSOLD

1254

Sale number: 49

King George V: Seahorses: Covers: 1935 (Jan. 18th.) to 1938 (Nov. 30th.), three airmail covers from London to Buenos Aires, bearing 1934 re-engraved 2s.6d. plus 6d. and 1s, 10s. with 3d. and 1s. pair, 2s.6d. and 9d. (2), all with German Airmail cachets.

Price Realised £95

1255

Sale number: 49

King George V: Seahorses: Covers: 1935 (Jan. 4th) registered airmail envelope from London to Buenos Aires, franked by 1934 re-engraved 5s. (2) 3d. and 1s. pair, all tied by oval ''REGISTERED'' datestamp, also 1937 (Jan. 20th) registered airmail envelope from London to Buenos Aires, bearing 1934 re-engraved 2s.6d., 9d. and 1s., tied by oval ''REGISTERED'' datestamps. Photo.

Price Realised £130

1256

Sale number: 49

King George V: Seahorses: Covers: 1935 (Feb. 7th) to 1941 (June 17th.) five airmail envelopes to Brazil (2), New Zealand, South Africa and U.S.A., all bearing single 1934 re-engraved 2s.6d.

Price Realised £100

1257

Sale number: 49

King George V: Seahorses: Covers: 1935 (July 6th) large registered airmail envelope from London to Buenos Aires, bearing 1934 re-engraved 10s. (2), 5s. (3), also 11/2d. (2) and 1s. (£1.16s. 3d. rate), tied by oval ''REGISTERED'' datestamps, scarce and attractive. Photo.

Price Realised £280

1258

Sale number: 49

King George V: Seahorses: Covers: 1935 (Aug. 13th) airmail envelope from London to Uruguay, bearing 1934 re-engraved 2s.6d. and 9d. pair, 1937 (March 30th) airmail envelope to Uruguay, bearing 1934 re-engraved 2s.6d., 5s. and 6d., also 1937 (May 21st) airmail envelope to Buenos Aires, bearing 1934 re-engraved 2s.6d., 6d. and 1s., fair to fine. (3 items).

Price Realised UNSOLD

1259

Sale number: 49

King George V: Seahorses: Covers: 1936–39 nine airmail covers, incl. 1938 (May 11th) cover to Buenos Aires, bearing 1934 re-engraved 2s.6d., 5s. with 6d., 1938 July 7th) envelope from Cardiff to Australia, bearing 1934 re-engraved 2s.6d., readdressed twice and ending up in New Zealand, etc., fair to fine.

Price Realised UNSOLD

1260

Sale number: 49

King George V: Seahorses: Covers: 1936–39 ten airmail covers, all to South America, incl. 1939 (Jan 13th) two similar covers both to Buenos Aires and bearing 1934 re-engraved 2s.6d., 5s. and 6d., etc., fair to fine.

Price Realised UNSOLD

1261

Sale number: 49

King George V: Seahorses: Covers: 1936 (Jan. 30th) airmail envelope from Glasgow to Dutch East Indies, bearing 1934 re-engraved 5s. and 6d., 1s., tied by ''WESTERN D.O. GLASGOW'' c.d.s's. Photo.

Price Realised £160

1262

Sale number: 49

King George V: Seahorses: Covers: 1936 (May 19th.) airmail envelope from London via France to Tonkin, China, bearing 1934 re-engraved 2s.6d. and 2d., both perfined, unusual. Photo.

Price Realised £170

1263

Sale number: 49

King George V: Seahorses: Covers: 1936 (May 8th) airmail envelope from London to Australia, bearing 1934 re-engraved 10s., tied by rubber ''AIR MAIL/LONDON'' c.d.s. in violet, few imperfections. Photo.

Price Realised UNSOLD

1264

Sale number: 49

King George V: Seahorses: Covers: 1936 (Sept. 23rd) commercial airmail envelope endorsed ''Air Mail Per S.S. Normandie via New York'', from London to Paramaribo, Dutch Guiana, bearing 1934 re-engraved 2s.6d. and 1s., tied by ''LONDON'' machine cancel, few imperfections. Photo.

Price Realised £130

1265

Sale number: 49

King George V: Seahorses: Covers: 1936 (Nov. 8th.) registered commercial airmail cover to Buenos Aires, bearing 1934 re-engraved 5s., 10s. and 11/2d. (2) and 1s., 16s.3d. rate, also 1936 (Dec. 2nd) airmail cover to Sao Paulo, bearing 1934 re-engraved 2s.6d. and 1s., few imperfections. Photo.

Price Realised UNSOLD

1266

Sale number: 49

King George V: Seahorses: Covers: 1937 (May 31st) airmail envelope from London to Uruguay, bearing 1934 re-engraved 10s. with 1s. pair (perfined), tied by rubber ''LONDON/AIR MAIL'' c.d.s's in violet with German Airmail cachet below. Photo.

Price Realised £100

1267

Sale number: 49

King George V: 1913–34 Seahorses: Covers Etc.: 1937 (Oct. 22nd) large piece from a parcel sent from Paisley (probably to Argentina with part c.d.s.) bearing 1934 re-engraved 5s. and 10s. vertical half sheets of twenty (lacking selvedge), a further block of six 5s. and 1934–36 photogravure 3d. and 1s. (pair), making a total franking of £16.12s.3d, all cancelled ''PAISLEY/RENFREWSHIRE/22 OCT 37/3.45 PM'' c.d.s's, some imperfections as to be expected with such a remarkable franking, the largest used block of the 5s. we have seen. Photo.

Price Realised UNSOLD

1268

Sale number: 49

King George V: Seahorses: Covers: 1938 (March 30th) airmail envelope from London to Buenos Aires, bearing 1934 re-engraved 2s.6d. (2), 5s. and 6d. (4), 1s. (3), all tied by ''LONDON/F.S.'' c.d.s.'s, with German airmail cachet in purple. Photo.

Price Realised UNSOLD

1269

Sale number: 49

King George V: Seahorses: Covers: 1939 (Jan. 21st. and April 12th) two airmail envelopes from London to Buenos Aires, one franked 1934 re-engraved 5s. (4), other bearing 5s. (3) and 1s., all perfined ''RM/L'', one with German airmail cachet in purple, some imperfections. Photo.

Price Realised £100

1270

Sale number: 49

King George V: Seahorses: Covers: 1939 (April 5th, May 10th. and May 24th.) three airmail envelopes from London to Buenos Aires, two franked 1934 re-engraved 5s. (4), other bearing 5s. (2) and 1s. (2) all perfined ''RM/L'', two with German airmail cachets in purple, some imperfections. Photo.

Price Realised £160