Great Britain 1840 1d black, plate 1a, SG2, May Date "9th May" cover.
A superb entire letter sent from Bristol to Stourbridge bearing a large four margin 1d black, plate 1a, lettered "CI", neatly tied by a crisp strike of a distinctive Bristol deep red-brown Maltese Cross found only in the first month of use.
Backstamped by a Bristol despatch circular date stamp for the fourth day of issue "MY 9 1840".
A very attractive early "May Date" cover with the side flap neatly unfolded for display purposes.
A beautiful exhibition quality display cover bearing the world's first postage stamp marking the dawn of prepaid postage and spawning a communications revolution.
Provenance: Ex Seymour, Alan Holyoake Grand Prix Gold Medal Winning "Mayflower Collection". Illustrated in "May Dates" by Mike Jackson on page 104.
Accompanied with a 2010 British Philatelic Association (BPA) Certificate of Authenticity.
