Letter from C. Matcham at Yass, New South Wales, to England, 1859

Description

A stampless entire letter posted from Yass in the Southern Tablelands of New South Wales in 1859, bearing a fine octagonal framed "YASS / POST PAID" handstamp in red and the oval crowned "PAID SHIP LETTER / SYDNEY" datestamp also in red, together with manuscript rate marks. The reverse carries the oval "GENERAL POST OFFICE / SYDNEY" despatch datestamp of 19 January, a red Brighton arrival cancellation of 12 July 1859, and a framed "INDIA LETTER / BRIGHTON" handstamp marking its arrival in England by the long sea route via the Indian Ocean. The interior is densely cross-written in two directions to save paper and postage, in the hand of C. Matcham and refers to family news, the writer's plans to come home within the fortnight, and remembrances to relations. Folded and sealed in the usual manner of pre-envelope correspondence, with light soiling and the remains of a wax seal; postally a desirable example combining colonial New South Wales and British India-Letter markings.