Lot 5
1840, Mulready 1d. black envelope, stereo A139, a used example cancelled by fine red Maltese Cross,
mailed by Rowland Hill to 'M.B. Peacock, General Post Office', signed at lower left by "R. Hill", with London despatch
cds (Aug 12, 1840) and arrival (Aug 13) on reverse. Minor wear at top but a spectacular usage for the Postal Historian
- Mark B. Peacock was Solicitor to the General Post Office, employed with them from 1825 until 1862. He was deemed
by Rowland Hill to be the sole high Official of the GPO not opposed to the introduction of Penny Postage and five days
before this Mulready was sent he had been instrumental in the Postal Reform Bill passing the House of Lords. Rare, most attractive and
of great posted history signifiied, certificate Karl Louis BPP (2016) (SG ME2)
Note: The Karl Louis Card Index records just three Mulready envelopes bearing Rowland Hill's signature, the above example
to M.B. Peacock, another addressed to John Rawsthorne in Manchester who was the manufacturing chemist who supplied
the gum for the 1d. black and the third example addressed to J.B. Bacon of Perkins Bacon, the printers of the 1d. black; this
last example is housed in the collection of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, leavoing just two examples available to collectors.
