1861 "Sailors Letter" from Japan with G.B. 1d addressed to Stonehaven, Scotland.
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1861 a small sailors envelope complete with original letter "From James Dixon, Cooper, H.M.Ship Vulcan" in Japan dated for 1st January, addressed to his brother in Stonehaven bearing an 1857 1d rose-red issue being tied by the "A86" mailboat numeral in black ink, bearing on front in red ink the transit mark "CR" for Caledonian Railway and dated on reverse for MR 22 1861. H.M.S. Vulcan was a troopship and James Dixon writes of leaving Hong Kong full of provisions, with the weather being very cold.From August 1850 Sailors serving overseas could send letters home at the privilege rate of 1d pre-paid by the addition of a postage stamp and countersigned by the commanding officer. Letters from ordinary ratings on the Far East Station at this time are very rare indeed. Bov#372
