GREAT BRITAIN, 1840, House of Lords, 1p Red on Buff entire (SG PE5). Printed "(Temporary.) To be posted at the House of Lords only. Post Paid.--ONE PENNY.--Weight not to exceed -1/2 oz." at top of Parliamentary envelope with clear strike of red "Paid 12 MR 12 1840" crowned circle handstamp and addressed to Edgeware, intact red wax seal on back with clear "Honi. Soit Qui Mal Y Pense" slogan (loosely translated as "Shame be to him who thinks evil of it" or "Evil on he who thinks evil") and Coat of Arms, addressed in the hand of the Duke of Wellington, faint horizontal file fold at top

VERY FINE. AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE HOUSE OF LORDS ONE-PENNY ENVELOPE USED IN MARCH 1840. VERY FEW ARE KNOWN. THIS IS ESPECIALLY DESIRABLE, AS IT IS ADDRESSED IN THE HAND OF THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON. THE HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT ENVELOPES ARE NOW LISTED IN THE STANLEY GIBBONS CATALOGUE.

According to British Pictorial Envelopes of the 19th Century, "Free frank privileges for members of the Houses of Parliament ceased with the introduction of Uniform Penny Postage on the 10th of January. After consultation, Rowland Hill arranged for plain printed envelopes to be supplied, probably free, to members of both houses in their stationery racks. When posted in the official boxes in Parliament they would incur no postal charges. The covers which bore the note "Temporary" ceased to be available from the 5th of May 1840."

As official envelopes, these have now rightly been given their own catalogue listing in the 2013 Stanley Gibbons Stamp Catalogue. Unlisted in Scott. Stanley Gibbons value

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