Panama

Covers and stamps / Great Britain Used Abroad / Panama / Military

1884 (MY 3) large cover (edge faults) to Lew Down, Devon, headed "from W. Lockbert CC, HMS Swiftsure, Pacific" and countersigned by the Commanding Officer, but presumably over the 1/2 oz. so paid at the full civilian rate of 4d., a Great Britain 1d. lilac strip of four cancelled C35 obliterators, A Panama cds of British Post Office just below. The Panama office closed in 1881 and these cancels were only used in transit thereafter. Faults to the envelope do not detract from a very unusual and scarce cover from a British naval ship in the Pacific