Great Britain Specialised, Lot 2590

ROYALTY - UNIQUE(?) KGV INITIALLED ("G") COVER TO NORWAY WITH UNRECORDED "BALMORAL CASTLE" IN BLUE OF REGD. LABEL; Spectacular 24 Aug. 1910 mourning env. (slightly roughly opened at top) registered in KGV's own hand to (his son-in-law) "H.M. The King of Norway, Christiania, Norway" and intriguingly endorsed "By F.O. Bag" (there are backstamps of Edinburgh & London) franked by KEVII 4d & ½d (the new KGV stamps were not ready until 1911 although KEVII had died on 6 May 1910) tied by very fine scarce "BALMORAL CASTLE/[crown]" cds's with near fine purple "EviiR" Cypher mark at lower left beside the sender's personal "G" initial (the KGV Cypher was not ready yet); but also having a large blue P.O. "R" label precancelled with a very fine blue unrecorded (?) "BALMORAL/CASTLE" 2-line mark. The very fine black wax seal has the "G/[crown]/V" monogram. Stunning example of the new King's personal mail before his Cypher mark or new stamps were ready. Exhibition Quality. [Sold in Cavendish March 2010 auction for £2,880 inc. BP] Cross Reference : AUTOGRAPHS, SCOTLAND, NORWAY, REDIRECTED & TURNED MAIL