Earliest usage of Chalons?

[Lars Peter Svendsen]

According to Tinsley (Page 21) the Fourpence Chalon were issued to the Post Office by the Treasurer on the 17 August 1855.
The earliest cover is 12 September 1855 (Page 23)
At the Sato sale a cover cancelled 14 SP 14 1855 was sold with the comment: "Earliest cover recorded Sep 12 by Tinsley although this is called into question by Sato"
Can anyone document an earlier usage of Chalons than 14 September 1855?

Chalon 4d cover from 14 September 1855

Chalon 4d 14 SP 1855.jpg (51.51 KiB) Viewed 1570 times

[admin]

The TPS has a copy of the Sato Exhibit and there seems to be nothing in the text on the pages which sheds any light on this. The sheet featuring the 4d Cover says " Earliest known use of the Chalon Head Issues" and there is nothing in the text on the page indicating an earlier use.
Sorry, this is not much help. Perhaps Mr Sato might be able to shed some light on this?

[Malcolm Groom]

The date stated by Tinsley also correlates with the date of issue recorded by Bassett Hull on page 34...500 sheets of 4d stamps issued on Aug.17 1855.... taken from the notation on the back of the Perkins Bacon invoice sighted by BH.

The earliest recorded cover cited by Tinsley is presumably still out there somewhere unless Sato-san is aware that it is a mis-reading of the date? With an issue date of the 4d value of August 17 an earlier dated cover is 'possible'



Malcolm