Los 1591 Dänemark

Postal routes to the GAPU, Prussia; 1855 (April 25): Entire letter from Copenhagen as part of the famous Heyn correspondence to Danzig, internally dated “Elsineur 24 April 1855”, from the second Danish to the third German rayon, bearing 2 RBS Thiele blue (plate II, type 10, sheet position 50) in combination with a strip of five of the 1854 dotted spandrels 4 sk. brown (print 1, plate II) (AFA 2b+4), fresh and fine examples with good to large margins, tied by ‘1’ numeral with matching KIØBENHAVN datestamp alongside. Reverse with “LUEBECK BAHNHOF” transit (April 26) and Danzig distribution (April 27) cds’s. Handwritten “3/2” indicates the split of the rate of 22 skilling equal to 5 silbergroschen with 3 sgr. for Prussia and 2 sgr. for Denmark, the weiterfranco is noted in addition in red crayon. The 2 RBS was originally issued in May 1851 to exclusively cover the rate for local postage within Copenhagen. From 15 July 1854, the Post allowed the 2 RBS to be used also on mail to foreign destinations. Therefore, for a brief period, the 2 RBS could be used to pay a few foreign letter rates not dividable by 4 skilling. A total of 14 mixed frankings with 2 RBS have been recorded. A fresh, flawless and most attractive entire showing the correct 22 skilling rate using a 2 RBS adhesive, a high-calibre item with an impressive provenance for a most advanced collection of classic Denmark, signed Bloch & A. Diena; certs. Nielsen (2003/2008), Møller (2004). Provenance: Collection H. Mott (Hafnia 1976); collection John Jacob Engellau, Corinphila sale 65 (1981), lot 5162; Christie’s auction (June 1990); collection Peer Lorentzen, Højland sale 45, lot 144; collection Jussi Touri, Højland sales 118 lot 636 and 132 lot 1627.