Postage Rates via Marseilles 1857-1880 (to New Zealand)

[Jstim]

I've managed to find in Colin Tabeart's book (Rates Routes and Ships out and Home) Pages 9 & 10 a number of key dates & rates for mail from the UK to the Australia & New Zealand via Marseilles. For ½ oz this appears to be :
Jan 1857 - 1/-. (for ¼ oz there also appears to have been a 9d. rate until 1863)
Jun 1863 - 10d.
July 1864 - 1/4d. (for period of two weeks before reverting to 10d).
Jul 1867 - 8d.

What I've not been able to find is a date or rate that explains a cover I have dated 26 NO 63 with 11d. applied. (1d Reds x2 & 9d Straw). The cover is endorsed Via Marseilles. I have entertain the thought that it could be overpaid, or even gone a different route but neither make sense.

Any help would be very much appreciated to add to the information I have on dates and rates, and also to explain the 11d. applied to this letter to Wellington, New Zealand.

[mozzerb]

Most likely seems to be 10d basic rate + 1d late fee -- I know explaining odd amounts as a late fee is a bit of a cliche, but it is sometimes the right answer! In particular, this is an overseas letter -- where paying extra to make sure it caught the ship might be important to save days or even weeks. You do see a reasonable number of 1d late fees paid on overseas mail from this period.

Have a look at the John Parmenter late fees book -- downloadable here:

https://www.gbps.org.uk/information/dow ... ations.php

[Jstim]

Thank you for the prompt reply and link to John Parmenter's book - I didn't know about this. You are right I should have considered a Late Fee, and agree it is probably the right answer.

[penny_red]

You don't say what cancels are on the item but if it has any of the double cancels of 45/45 to 49/49 and/or a small blue thimble on the reverse(used for evening despatch) then it's probably a Late Fee paid.

[Jstim]

Yep - a blue "thimble" cancellation. "MK London NO-25 63". Any idea what the MK is?
Thanks for the head up on evening dispatch. Are there any books that reference this cancellation that I could read up on? Thanks for your help!

[penny_red]

The Parmenter book that Maurice referenced earlier has a very brief explanation on page 66 about the blue thimble mark.
Colin Hanson