On this envelope are written the two words that add huge value

You're looking at one of the most desirable items of British postal history in existence.

And today - for the first time - you have the opportunity to own it. (I've just put it live.)

This item has 3 key features you need to know.

And I’m going to jump right in with the most important.

1. This envelope contains two special words. And those words make it a piece of huge rarity.

'Post haste'.

Circled in white: 'post hast'

A phrase we still use today.

It’s what senders would write on envelopes 400 years ago. To instruct the post boy this was an urgent letter and to ride at top speed.

These post haste letters are so rare on the private market today. We’re talking a handful at most. Most were thrown away immediately after being read. And most that remain are now in postal museums or archives.

Post haste letters - the dangers of being a post-boy

Only important government officials could use the “post haste” instruction to transform a regular letter into an express delivery.
And legend has it that a post-boy could be imprisoned (or worse) if he didn’t get the letter to its recipient in time.
The post-boy would gallop through the countryside, changing horses every few miles at the next post office. And everywhere the post-boy stopped, the postmaster would write the time and location on the letter. In this way, these post haste letters were an early form of recorded delivery.

A post rider battling the elements

Post haste letters are so desirable among postal history collectors.

Yet you rarely see them for sale.

And have you noticed what else the sender has written on this envelope?

So rare: "hast hast hast post hast with all speed" - highlighted in white

Such repetition of 'haste' is almost unheard of, and indicates the extraordinary importance of this letter's recipient and contents.

That brings us to point number two.

2. The recipient of this envelope is among the most important and notorious men in British history.

Oliver Cromwell.

Cromwell receives the letter the same year he becomes Lord Protector

The man who tried and succeeded (for a while) to rid Britain of its monarchy.

The letter is from 1653. The same year Cromwell is named Lord Protector. And just four years after he executed Charles I and seized power for himself.

This letter places you in the middle of the action.

And this is the only post haste letter to Cromwell - to our knowledge - that has ever appeared on the private market.

Yet what does the letter state? That’s so important it must go with such haste?

3. History-changing content

The letter contains news for Cromwell of the Battle of the Gabbard

This letter is how Cromwell heard that the Battle of the Gabbard (June 2 and 3) was underway.

The British Navy routed the Dutch fleet off the coast of Suffolk.

Eight Dutch ships were sunk or burned, and 11 captured. No English ships were lost or seriously damaged.

And this letter is the first time Cromwell hears of it.

Further important details you should know

The letter was sent and signed by 'Sam Tavenor' (Governor of Deal Castle in Kent).

He has addressed it: 'For the speciall service of the Commonwealth, To his Exly the Ld Genal, Cromwell at White Hall, London’.

The envelope records a detailed account of the letter’s journey. You can follow its progress from Deal on the Kent coast to Southwark on the edge of London.

D'atched at Deale past 10 at night
Recd att Canterbury past one in the morning
R'd at Setting Born past five in the morn
Recd att Rochester past 8 in ye morning
Dartford now 12
Reced at South Work past 3 in the Afternone

From Southwark it is just 2 miles across London Bridge to Westminster.

From Deal Castle to Oliver Cromwell in London in 18 hours - good going.

I have handled some extraordinary pieces in my time. This is one of the finest. I can think of no other item that so perfectly conveys a moment in British history.

And as a philatelic rarity alone, this item is almost beyond compare.

Both envelope and letter are in excellent condition for their age.

They display beautifully.

And they’re 100% authentic. I have personally examined them. They are genuine.

And the item comes with free, fully-insured, express delivery. And 28-day returns if you don’t fall in love with it.

The price?

Consider. This is a: