Rare 1840 2d blue strip stamp

1840 2d. blue strip of three used on cover from Dornoch to Edinburgh. This is a valuable item of G.B. postal history. The world’s first postage stamp was the famous penny black. It was issued on 6 May 1840. Some 68 million were printed. The two penny blue was issued two days later on 8 May 1840. Only some six million were printed. Only a small fraction of either issue survive to this day but the 1840 2d blue is much more valuable than the penny black being significantly more scarce. The technical description of the item being auctioned is as follows: The 1840 two pence blue strip of three (letters TG - TI) used on cover and sent from Dornoch to Edinburgh on April 1st 1844. The stamps are a lovely fresh bright blue colour. Each has been cancelled with a clear strike of the Maltese Cross in black ink. The front of the cover shows the Dornoch accepting hand stamp bearing the date and the reverse shows the Edinburgh receiving hand stamp (1st & 2nd April respectively.) All exactly as photographed. The addressee is “Baxter & Macdougall W. S.” - a firm of solicitors in Edinburgh. The handwritten content of the letter is legible and relates to the sequestration/bankruptcy of an individual. The initials W.S represent “Writers to the Signet”. The Society of Writers to His Majesty's Signet is an Edinburgh-based, private society of Scottish solicitors, dating back to 1594 and part of the College of Justice. Writers to the Signet originally had special privileges in relation to the drawing up of documents required to be signeted. Current day members of the Society are entitled to the postnominal letters W.S. A very attractive and scarce item of postal history. Fine examples of the multiple use on cover of the 2d blue are much sought after by collectors.We hope this will appeal to any established collectors or anyone seeking an alternative investment item. Provenance: ex. STANLEY GIBBONS acquired by the donor around 1998.