Autumn Auction

1874 (Oct 24) Officer’s letter sent from Naval Instructor Joseph D. Paul serving on the H.M.S. “Glasgow” to his fiancée Fanny May Gibbs at London. The log of the “Glasgow” records the ship arriving at Zanzibar from the Comoros Islands on 18 September 1874 and departing for the Seychelles on 5 October. B.I.S.N. Company’s “Euphrates” carried the mails from Zanzibar on 24 September, connecting with the P. & O.’s “Mirzapore” arriving at Southampton on 1 November and London the following day. The cover bears a block of nine and a strip of three GB 1858-79 1d red pl.120 correctly paying the 12d Officer’s rate. Very attractive and rare. Ex Geoffrey Osborne.