VICTORIA, 1850, 3p Light Blue, Type II (3a; SG 7). Two singles, large margins to just in, tied by oval handstamps on J. Valentine Ocean Penny Postage propaganda cover, State 3 of the design which was the first with four ships at right removed to give additional room for the address, to London, England, red "Ship Letter Melbourne OC 9 1852" and London backstamps, endorsed "By Ship Marco Polo" at center, neat manuscript "8" due marking, some slight overall wear not mentioned on accompanying certificate

VERY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL AND RARE EXAMPLE OF J. VALENTINE'S OCEAN PENNY POST PROPAGANDA ENVELOPE USED FROM AUSTRALIA TO ENGLAND, WITH ONE OF THE VICTORIA STAMPS AFFIXED OVER THE ALLEGORICAL FIGURE OF PEACE AT LEFT -- ESPECIALLY DESIRABLE AS THIS WAS CARRIED ON THE CLIPPER SHIP MARCO POLO ON THE FIRST TRIP BACK TO LIVERPOOL.

The Marco Polo, built as a cargo ship, was launched near St. John in New Brunswick in April 1851. In June 1852 the Marco Polo was bought by James Baines of Liverpool for the Black Ball Line of Australian packets.

Accompanied by another example of the Ocean Penny Postage cover, State 5a, addressed to Hobart Town in Van Diemen's Land with manuscript "pr Derwent 5/6/52" and carried privately. The two covers, one from and one to Australia, make an outstanding exhibition pair. First ex Haas and Risvold, and with 1974 and 2010 B.P.A. certificates.

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