British Solomon Islands
cover 1906 (12 Apr.) OHBMS envelope to Apia, Samoa, signed by Charles Woodford, the Resident Commissioner, showing very fine framed "BRITISH/SOLOMON/ISLANDS/PAID" handstamp with New South Wales 2½d. adjacent tied by Sydney duplex and showing arrival c.d.s. on reverse; the envelope horizontal and vertical folds neither of which affects fine appearance. Most unusual with the handstamp clearly visible and thought to be the earliest recorded date of use
Details
cover 1906 (12 Apr.) OHBMS envelope to Apia, Samoa, signed by Charles Woodford, the Resident Commissioner, showing very fine framed "BRITISH/SOLOMON/ISLANDS/PAID" handstamp with New South Wales 2½d. adjacent tied by Sydney duplex and showing arrival c.d.s. on reverse; the envelope horizontal and vertical folds neither of which affects fine appearance. Most unusual with the handstamp clearly visible and thought to be the earliest recorded date of use
Further details
Note:The Resident Commissioner was receiving cash from residents to pay the necessary postal fees for New South Wales stamps. He ordered a "Paid" handstamp from Sydney early in 1906, and on receipt it was used on mail matter indicating the postal fee has been received. The Commissioner then forwarded his personal bank cheque to the Sydney Postmaster for the total amount required to frank the letters included in the outbound mail bag. At Sydney the mail was received, and the correct New South Wales stamps were affixed and then postmarked with the Sydney datestamp. The custom was to place the postage over the Paid mark and then cancel the adhesives.