UGANDA, 1896, 4a Black, "L" Overprint (57; SG 73). First Printing, sheet margin at right from Position R 2/4, tied by "Kampala 26 NO 98" circular datestamp (also just ties B.E.A. stamp) on cover in the hand of Rev. M. J. Hall to Rev. F. Rowling in Leeds, England, used in combination with British East Africa 1896 2-1/2a Dark Blue (76; SG 68) and tied by Mombasa Jan. 3, 1899 datestamp, cover with slightly rough edges

VERY FINE AND REMARKABLE USE OF THE 4-ANNAS TYPESET WITH "L" OVERPRINT ACCEPTED ON COVER ADDRESSED TO ENGLAND. THIS IS ONE OF ONLY SEVENTEEN COVERS OR FRONTS WITH THE "L" OVERPRINT AND THE EARLIEST RECORDED USE OF A CIRCULAR DATESTAMP ON OVERSEAS MAIL.

Following the construction of the Uganda Railway through British East Africa, transit times between Kampala and Mombasa were greatly reduced to around 40 days.

Ex Trapnell.

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