Gibraltar 1860 (Mar) soldier's cover addressed to 'His Grace, Duke of Norfolk, No 21 St James Square, London, England', correctly endorsed from 'J. Cunniff Boy. On Board H.M.S. James Watt. Gibraltar' and countersigned by Lt Lawson in place of the Commanding officer, franked at 1d concessionary rate by GB 1856-58 1d rose-red.
Tied by London Foreign Branch '30' numeral with red London 'BO/LONDON/MR 20 60' arrival backstamp.
Carried per P&O "Ceylon" departed Gibraltar 14/3/1860; arrived Southampton 19/3/1860.
A delightful cover despite small repaired fault to flap, far above average condition for a soldier's cover, and most unusual from a 'Boy'.
Provenance: Ex Geoffrey Osborn (private transaction), Stanley Gibbons.
Boys aged between 14 and 18 could enlist. Boy 3rd Class was the lowest rank in the Royal Navy.
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