Every now and again you see a cover that you just have to purchase. This is one of those.
Bisected stamps were rarely authorised for use by Postal Authorities in the British Commonwealth so when you see a cover with a bisect on, interest is instantly aroused.
If genuine, these bisects on cover are typically rarities in philately and command a premium. The fact that I picked this up for a few pounds tells a story in its own right.
The cover is very neat (another giveaway that it may be contrived) and clean and is addressed to Sydney H. Harris Esq. on Enterprise Road in Christ Church, Barbados.
The bisected 2d stamp (SG250d) has been placed upright on the cover and is cleanly struck with a wonderful double ring CDS from GPO, dated 19th April 1947.
There is a mention of Sydney H Harris online in The Nation newspaper who marked his passing in 2011 and give the dates we can presume that this letter was addressed to him. If so then he would have been 22 when this letter was sent to him and perhaps, a member of the Barbados Philatelic Society?
The reverse of the cover shows a receiving mark from Christ Church dated the same day.
So, a neatly addressed cover, looking perhaps philatelically contrived, sent and received the same day, Saturday 19th April 1947.
The clincher however that this is not as it seems is the accompanying letter from Steve Drewett at Empire Stamp Auctions which looks like this.
The interesting piece is the handwritten note at the bottom which reads;
“Michael Hamilton Auction No 3 1st October 1991, Lot 90 have vertically bisected 2d SG250d Pmk’d GPO 19 Ap 1947, D/Ring CDS. Unauthorised used – unsure.”
This is then followed by the very observant;
“Strange that the cancel is the same date as mine – These are probably manufactured!”
So, a philatelic cover? Almost certainly. Interesting? Definitely. I find it endlessly fascinating exploring the variety of philatelic material created by collectors and philatelic or not, it’s found a way into my collection and display of these fascinating Badge of the Colony stamps.