1871 TOO-LATE from Pietermaritzburg to Pine Town: Envelope franked QV 1d POSTAGE ovpt (SG 60) tied by numeral canceller 1. GPO cds 25 8 1871and the boxed TOO-LATE handstamp which includes the HYPHEN not shown in current literature. On reverse in pink, the embossing of the "Colonial Engineers Office Natal" and arrival mark AU 26. Some minor imperfections, very rare.
Hart does not include the hyphenated TOO-LATE in his definitive book. This example is also TWO YEARS earlier than described and used on LOCAL MAIL. After recording that the handstamp "...found on covers addressed overseas...the handstamp was applied to a cover which was received too late to catch a specific ship." Hart ends "...ONE cover has been noted with this handstamp sent from Pinetown to Durban but it is possible that the handstamp was applied in error." Interesting!
