Parcel Post 1884: De La Rue High-Values, 2 shilling 6 pence lilac and 5 shilling rose, in combination with Jubilee 1888, 5 pence dull purple & blue vertical pair and 1887, 1 shilling dull green together with 1888, £1 brown-lilac, Three-Orbs wmk., all of good colour, perforations mainly fine, tied by oval “REGISTERED LONDON 9 NO 88” to the reverse of a “On Her Britannic Majesty's Service” parcel tag, sent to Berlin, Germany, by the British Prime Minister Lord Salisbury (signed at top), addressed to “Sir Edward B. Malet, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary”. Front, signed “Salisbury", endorsed ”By post registered" and dated “Nov. 9 1888” with Foreign Office wax seal. Soiling and creasing as might be expected, not affecting adhesives. The odd short perforation, and the lower 5 pence has a clipped corner lower left. The 2 shilling 6 pence side is affected by its proximity to the edge of the tag. A most spectacular franking and great rarity of Great Britain philately. A unique piece. Cert. Louis (1997).
