Auction 333-341 Australian States & Commonwealth of Australia and New Zealand – The ‚KOOYONG‘ Collection - Day 2

Late Mail 1863/72: 4 d. rose and 6 d. dull violet, each in pairs, used on 1864 entire letter to Bordeaux endorsed "via Suez et Marseille", paying the 8 d. single rate to France + Late Fee charge of 1 s., tied by "B53" obliterators in black. Reverse with "Mauritius" code B despatch cds (Sept 6) in blue and carried on the P&O "Norna" to Suez and thence on the "Ripon" from Alexandria to Marseille with red "P.D." and circular "POSS. ANG. V. SUEZ  / A MARSEILLE A" in red (Oct 9) applied on arrival in Marseilles (Salles fig. 1874).Cette and Bordeaux (Oct 10) cds's on reverse. A rare cover - due to the charges shown below Late Fee Mail is rare.
Note: Late Fee regulations introduced in 1862 scheduled the Late Fee surcharge as follows: between 2 and 2.30 pm = 6d., 2.30 and 3.00 pm = 1s. and between 4.00 and 4.30 pm the enormous charge of 5s. was due.