144672 1842 MAIL PORTSMOUTH TO LONDON POST PAID IN CASH WITH FINE STRIKE PORSTMOUTH BLACK MALTESE CROSS AT UPPER RIGHT WHERE STAMP USUALLY AFFIXED.

1842 MAIL PORTSMOUTH TO LONDON POST PAID IN CASH WITH FINE STRIKE PORSTMOUTH BLACK MALTESE CROSS AT UPPER RIGHT WHERE STAMP USUALLY AFFIXED. Wrapper, minor reinforcements on reverse from Portsmouth 'To the Secretary Military Department, East India House, London', post paid in cash with manuscript '1' in red, and two strikes 'PORTSMOUTH' date stamp MR 2 1842 and MR 3 1842, the former struck at upper right, evidently incorrectly dated and overstruck fine strike black Maltese cross of Portsmouth. Very scarce and unusual out of course use of the Maltese cross. (Ref 144672).