Dear members,
I have got seen some letters to Crimea with 3 d postal rate. Now, you see the envelope to Crimea with 2 Two pence blues plate 5. The letter has got travel over Marseille. To France was the postal rate 4 d. What is correct.
Thank you
Hi Ingo,
Sorry for late reply - but no one else has! The correct rate was 3d via Marseilles by French packet. THis was a French postal concession rate for the troops in the Crimea and was withdrawn after the war ended. Your letter was overpaid 1d for whatever reason - sender had 2d stamps but no 1d stamp? The relevant entry in my "UK Letter Rates 1635-1900" reads: 1854, May. Armed Forces in the Crimea – letters via France. GPO Notice dated May 1854
"The French Government having liberally offered to place the British Forces in Turkey, and the Black Sea upon the same advantageous footing with the French Forces in respect of correspondence conveyed by French Mediterranean packets, and Her Majesty's Government having accepted this offer, Close Mails will hereafter be sent to the British Forces in Turkey by the route of France; and all letters and Newspapers upon which the requisite amount of postage has been prepaid will be sent in these Mails, unless otherwise directed.
Rates. "Letters addressed to an officer in the British Army or Navy, or to a Non-Commissioned Officer, Private Soldier, or Seaman in Turkey or the Black Sea":
3d to ¼oz, 6d to ½oz, 1/- to 1oz, 1/2d for 1 to 2oz, 1/4d 2 to 3 oz, 1/6d over 3 and under 3½oz, 2/4d 3½ to 4 oz. Then add 2d British for each extra oz, 10d French for every extra 3½oz.
Best wishes
Colin
Thank you Colin!!!