A scarce early May date usage on cover with a pair of 2d blues uprating postage rate to 4d.

Great Britain 1840 2d blue Plate 1 cover, SG5.

A very fine envelope sent from Norwich to Fakenham bearing a four margin horizontal pair of 2d blues from Plate 1 lettered 'CG-CH' paying the 4d rate up to 2 ounces. Both stamps are neatly tied by crisp red Maltese Crosses.

Backstamped with a Norwich dispatch circular date stamp for 'MY.15.1840'.

A scarce multiple of this early "May date" usage, with such early covers rarely seen in such fine condition.

This important early piece of British philatelic history is illustrated in the "May Dates" publication by Mike Jackson on page 142.

GB Specialised Catalogue No: DSStf.

Provenance: Ex Durham & Mayflower.

Accompanied with a 1993 British Philatelic Association (BPA) Certificate of Authenticity. 

Discover more about this stamp in our newsletter.

• BUY NOW: Order online, by phone +44 (0)1534 639 998, or via email info@paulfrasercollectibles.com