1867 PORT ELIZABETH PENNY RATE LOCAL "DROP" LETTER: Charming small format envelope posted locally within Port Elizabeth (cds JA 31 67) to "Mr Boon / Port Elizabeth Fire Assurance Co / Main Street". Franked 1d rose (SG 5a) triangular clear to full margins neatly tied by light Barred Numeral 2 canceller leaving Hope unobscured. VF, delightful. An exceedingly rare example of this local 1d franking (within the Colony's secondary city) of which we record only five representative examples. An exhibition piece for the postal history connoisseur. Ex collections Carnegie, Johnson & Dillaway. See additional image. The term "Drop Letter" refers to those letters mailed within the municipal boundaries of a town providing the service/rate. It was effective in Cape Town from 15th September 1860 and from 1st May 1861 in Port Elizabeth, a requirement being that at least twice-daily services existed between the dispatch/receiving offices. PILLAR BOXES were provided in select locations, thus the term "Drop Letter". As postal services expanded the reduced rate came to apply to regional mailings, examples still uncommon, but not to be confused with true within-city-limits Drop Letters.
