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, clear strike of red "Paid 4 MY 4 1840" crowned circle handstamp and used in London, red receiving datestamp at left, missing top flap and slightly reduced at top, some edge tears and slight soiling

VERY FINE APPEARANCE. AN EXTREMELY RARE HOUSE OF LORDS ONE-PENNY ENVELOPE USED ON MAY 4, 1840 -- THE DAY BEFORE THEY WERE NO LONGER AVAILABLE FOR USE. THIS MAY BE THE LATEST RECORDED USE. 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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