India 1870 Single weight letter from Abbotabad (now in Pakistan) Oct 16 sent to Cardiff 14 Nov sent “Via Bombay and best route open” paying the 8A8p single rate for a single weight letter sent “via Marseilles”. Extremely rare usage showing rerouting via Brindisi after posting because of closure of the Marseille route in October 1870 during the Franco-Prussian War and application of the rare “Deficient Postage” h.s. to cover the resultant higher 3d. charge for the Brindisi route. Travelled on the P&O “China” and surcharged 3d as indicated by the “Insufficiently Paid/for Brindisi Route/Deficient Postage/3d” PM. Mail from the “Baroda” the previous week was the first to be sent via Brindisi, with notice of the change in routing telegraphed to Aden and Bombay 20 Oct., so underpaid letters would thereafter be subject to 6d. fine as well as the deficiency. Thus, mail from only two sailings could be treated in this manner.
SG Cat - Scott Type CVR
