This is the story of a single letter.
Posted 183 years ago, and still celebrated today.
It encapsulates everything there is to love about postal history.
Incredible rarity. A wonderful connection to the past.
And the thrill of owning a piece no other collector in the world can match.
(Because, if we're honest, we all have that competitive streak in us.)
It's been a real joy to handle and research this item.
And I'm delighted to be able to offer it to you today.
I sincerely hope you take me up on that offer.
An exceptional piece of postal history.
This letter is quite simply the finest-known example of its kind anywhere in the world.
This letter was posted in County Cork, Ireland, on April 28th, 1841.
Just one year after the introduction of the Penny Black, and the birth of the modern postal service.
It was sent to William Roche, a solicitor in Dublin.
Roche later served as crown solicitor for the county and city of Limerick, and solicitor for the War Department in Ireland. He was by all accounts a much respected man.
And the fact that Roche was a solicitor is perhaps the reason this letter survived at all. A personal letter would more than likely have been discarded.
But letters regarding important legal matters would have been carefully filed away in his office, often for years or even decades.
If that's the case, we have Mr Roche to thank for his diligence.
Because today, 183 years on, it remains with us in stunning condition.
It's an exceptional piece, and completely unique.
The finest known of all 2d blue and 1d red combination usages in existence.
Let's take a closer look.
A truly unique combination.
There isn't another letter in the world with this combination of stamps.And that makes it a genuinely exciting piece for anyone who collects early GB postal history.
The 2d blue stamp used on this cover is an 1840 example. It was printed using plate 1-2, before the introduction of the white lines issues in February 1841.
So it's the rarest and most valuable form of the 2d blue.
The two 1d red-brown stamps were printed using plate 1b - one of the plates originally used for the penny black, which the penny red replaced in February 1841.
All three are neatly cancelled with a Maltese Cross.
So this is the only cover known to exist which features the 1841 1d red-brown plate 1b CE and CK stamps together.
That alone makes it a highly significant collector's piece.
And the condition elevates it even further.
It's incredibly rare to find early 2d blue and 1d red combination covers preserved in such good condition, without any staining or creases.
So rare, in fact, that in 2010 this letter made another journey.
This time to the London International Stamp Exhibition.
And one of the greatest prizes in all of philately.
The Grand Prix d'Exposition.
This cover was part of the Mayflower Collection, which won the coveted Grand Prix d'Exposition at the 2010 London International Stamp Exhibition.
It's considered the best collection ever assembled covering the beginning of British postal history.
Today other pieces from that collection are highly prized.
Because only the very best pieces of early GB postal history met the high standards it required to win.
And you can reap the rewards of this illustrious history.
The highest provenance you can hope for is when an item becomes famous by virtue of the collection it was once part of.
It establishes the significance of rare philatelic trophies beyond what they would otherwise appear to have.
So the fact that this cover was part of the Mayflower Collection speaks volumes about its quality, rarity and importance.
In addition, this cover is also supplied with a 1996 independent certificate of authenticity from the Royal Philatelic Society (RPS).
I've rarely offered an item with finer provenance than this.
And should you purchase this cover, its award-winning history will greatly enhance your own collection.
Own this magnificent cover today.
So we return to where we started.
A simple letter and three stamps, posted 183 years ago.
But now the passage of time has turned it into an unrivalled treasure.
And today I can offer it to you for the price of £15,000.
Given its unique nature, peerless condition and Grand Prix-winning provenance...
I strongly believe you could value this cover considerably higher.
(Perhaps even double that price in the right auction room.)
Because the world's finest pieces always sell for a premium.
Particularly those such as this which have been officially recognised at the highest philatelic level.
So if you're assembling a top-tier collection of early British postal history, I would urge you to seriously consider this piece.
It has the power to turn a good collection into a great one.
Because quality like this does not appear on the market every day.
(I honestly wish that it did!)
That's why it's been such a professional thrill to handle this cover.
And if you become the next owner in its long history, you will have the pleasure of enjoying it and proudly displaying it for years to come.
And who knows - it may even bring you an award or two along the way.
If you'd like to purchase this piece for your collection, contact me now.
- Email info@paulfrasercollectibles.com
- Or call us on +44 (0) 1534 639 998
Alternatively, you can place your order immediately.
Simply click the link below to buy from our secure online store.
Purchase this item now
Your personal guarantee.
This item comes with our Lifetime Guarantee of Authenticity, and a 1996 independent certificate of authenticity from the Royal Philatelic Society (RPS).
So you can add it to your collection with complete peace of mind for the future.
It's also covered with our 28-day money back guarantee if you change your mind for any reason.
And international delivery is free and fully insured.
If you wish to purchase this item or discuss it further, contact me now.
You can email me at info@paulfrasercollectibles.com.
Or call me on +44 (0) 1534 639 998.
Thanks for reading.
Until next time,
Owen.
Paul Fraser Collectibles.
P.S. If you collect early British stamps and postal history, you'll likely know of the Mayflower Collection by its reputation for excellence. This is your chance to own a major piece of it - and I would suggest you take it.
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