Lot no. 1222

1854/57, 4 sk. orange-brown with large margins, tied by clear strike of numeral "87" to lettersheet, previously postmarked "LYGUMKLOSTER 10/11 1857" (the stamp slightly applied above the postmark) to Copenhagen. An extremely fine letter which shows a postal fraud committed by a postal clerk. The letter was brought into the post office where the clerk received 6 skilling in cash; he postmarked the letter, but did not endorse it with "franco" and later applied a 4 skilling stamp from the post office stock, pocketing 2 skilling for himself. The only recorded example of such a fraud for the first issues of Denmark. Certificate Nielsen (1999)