3 pairs of 2d Blues on a cover addressed to Captain J.J. Best arriving in Corfu on July 3 1841 and cancelled first by light red Maltese Crosses. The 1s postage paying the half ounce rate via Falmouth.
The letter was sent back to England with manscript charge marks indicating a 1s charge for the redirection. The cover arrived in Malta on July 10, 1841. Disinfection slits were applied and the cover handstamped “PURIFIE AU LAZARET / MALTE”.
When the letter was returned to England, the incorrect red cancellation was subsequently canceled again with black Maltese Crosses with one of the pairs (BE-BF) only receiving a single cancellation contrary to regulations.
The cover arrived in London on August 9 1841, there it was determined that the recipient could be reached in Gosport (the 1s charge increased to 1’1) where the cover arrived August 10. This turned out to be wrong and the letter was therefore returned to Cox & Co. in London arriving August 11. Another attempt to deliver was made in Maidstone (the charge increased to 1’2) on August 14, which again was unsuccessful. Finally the letter was sent (with no further charge) to: 10 Royal Crescent, Brighton, Sussex and the addressee finally reached there.