Stamps and Postal History of Snark

My first Snark cover appeared in the post today (note to self - buy them from phantasmagoria not eBay.  It's cheaper and the designer get the money).

I thought you'd be interested to see it.  And I'll show you others as I accumulate them.

Hilary will like this one as it features a cracking Lighthouse.

As eny fule kno Snark has been proven to be an island in Indonesia.  This cover (front    back)  is to London and was stamped with the four Hunting Tax stamps made valid for postage by the "Postage" overprint.  It is postmarked Snark Island on 6 Feb 1884.  From the backstamps it was carried by the Dutch ship Karang and arrived at Singapore on 2 March 1884.  It seems to have been surcharged 10c by the Karang (or someone using the same colour ink at any rate).  It passed through Southampton on 9 April 1884 and has a London arrival mark dated 10 April 1884.

Like all great covers this tells a lovely tale of its passage through the world.  So much more interesting than stamps I feel.

Keith


Edited by Keith - 28 June 2010 at 07:36

lovely indeed! thanks for scanning and posting Keith
toast

We are in agreement Steve as New Guinea is in Indonesia.

Keith

Both.  Geographically, Indonesia is an archipelago between the Indian and Pacific Oceans  Politically it is a country which covers most, but not all, of the archipelago.  New Guinea is in both.  Now stop diverting the thread away from the topic or next time I'm passing Wrexham......!

Edited by Keith - 28 June 2010 at 23:16

Keith wrote: I've just realised that the Hunting Tax stamps overprinted "Postage" do not appear in the catalogue. And they are not part of my collection of stamps.  Or I've gone blind.So that suggests that they were overprinted for this voyage because of a shortage of other Snark stamps.  Can anyone throw any light on this?  Does anyone have them as mint stamps?Keith

They are the Feb 1884 issue. Cat No 28-31
The design represents some of the wuipment needed for Snark hunting; thimble, forks, smiles and soap