Great Britain Clipper “Schomberg”. 1855 (Oct 4) Entire letter to Launceston, Tasmania, prepaid 6d with red “LONDON PAID” c.d.s and an inspectors handstamp, red “1d” (due from G.B to Tasmania) and an “L/OC 5/A” lozenge datestamp of Liverpool, red diamond arrival backstamp “SHIP-LETTER / INWARDS FREE” (Dec. 31). Carried on the Black Ball clipper “Schomberg” (the largest sailing ship yet built in Britain) which left Liverpool on 6th October on her maiden voyage, bound for Melbourne. The ship ran aground on December 27th about 100 miles short of Melbourne, on an uncharted sand spit west of Cape Otway, Victoria; all passengers and mail were saved by the steamer “Queen” and landed at Melbourne the following day, but the “Schomberg” broke up and became a total loss. Light horizontal fold, otherwise very fine, only about half a dozen covers recorded carried on this ill-fated maiden voyage of the “Schomberg”. Also copies of an illustration of the ship and a relevant newspaper cutting. Photo on Page 10. £1,200-1,400 Dealer Argyll Etkin Auction Starting Price: 1200.00 GBP (via Philasearch.com: 32nd Argyll Etkin Worldwide Stamps and Postal History - item 9350-A32-45)
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