1856 Attractive blue envelope from Somerset East to England, endorsed "prepaid", rated "8" and franked with a full margined pair of 4d blue triangulars (tiny imperfection in corner margin clear of the design). The adhesives crisply tied by small triangular defacer. On reverse an excellent array of full clear postmarks both in black & red. VF, nice example of the early 8d rate. Prepayment of mail to the UK was not possible in this period, the 8d due being handstamped or marked in manuscript. The 8d paid with the stamps was for internal mail within the Cape and a 4d port charge levied on incoming or outgoing mail items.
