Page 47 - Johnson_CapeOfGoodHope
P. 47
CAPE OF GOOD HOPE
Port Elizabeth to Germany
June 1885
r~£a4la,{
I' , ~r;~)
V
Main feature
The conclusion that this registered letter contained printed matter and
was sent open to Cape Town to comply with regulations that it should
be open for inspection. The book rate included most printed matter
except newspapers and the rate to Germany was 2d for 2 ozs.
The letter rate to Germany would have been 7'/z or 'lz oz. Sample rate would have been 2d for 2 ozs but
nothing of intrinsic value could be sent by sample post. The sender was a manufacturer 's agent whose
mark on the back includes 'samples to be seen'.
If the endorsement 'Old stamps' was put on to describe the contents at the time of posting then it is
likely that they would have been of intrinsic value used or unused. See over to detect the cds of Cape
Town Registered letter office underneath the sealed flape dge indicating that the letter was open for
inspection on arrival at Cape Town and then sealed there as a balance between security and regulations .
Th reduced rate is confrrmed by the red 1 being the accountancy mark to show 1 d as a forward credit to
the UK. Sent on the Trojan [one of the vesels of the Union Steamship Company]. 
