51th Auction - Day 2

Neusüdwales: 1901, "GOVERNOR-GENERAL AUSTRALIA / FRANK STAMP", blue handstamp on official mourning c
1901, "GOVERNOR-GENERAL AUSTRALIA / FRANK STAMP", blue handstamp on official mourning cover with arms of the Governor-General of Australia on reverse, addressed to London in England, on the frontside additional cds Postage Paid Sydney, 5.MR.01, arrival mark London on reverse. VF condition.
The Earl of Hopetoun, the Governor-General-elect, arrived from England in mid-December 1900 and spent a short period in Sydney where he was supplied with his "personal" frank handstamp.
The "free postage" privilege was introduced on 1.1.1901 until franking privileges for all government departments and other authorized users were abolished on October 31st 1902.
Scarce postal history cover!