Auction #20

Lebanon British. Cover from the war office of London sent by Rt. Hon. Spencer Compton Cavendish, marquis of Hartingdom on 27/4/1883 to His Highness Ikbul ud Dowla G.C.S.I. (Grand Commander Star of India) in Baghdad. Red cancel "LONDON OFFICIAL PAID C" and date. The envelope intentionally was sent to Beirut (back cancel fig. 25 Cedar cat on 7/5/1883) to be forworded via overland desert mail to Baghdad. EXCEPTIONAL POSTAL USE OF OVERLAND ROUTE, AT THAT TIME NORMALLY USED ONLY FOR OFFICIAL AND SECRET MAIL OUT OF POSTAL SERVICE.