SPECTACULAR PERU/G.B. COMBINATION COVER EX TACNA VIA ARICA (...

SPECTACULAR PERU/G.B. COMBINATION COVER EX TACNA VIA ARICA (POST-EARTHQUAKE) WITH STAMPS CANCELLED BY TACNA C.D.S. OR ARICA M/S SQUIGGLE & LONDON 'ZIG-ZAGS'; Remarkable, colourful and very rare 5/7 Oct. 1869 EL (in French; internal stains barely noticeable) from "Tacna" to France "Via Panama & Southampton" with a Peru 1d Green (near 3m) tied by a partial "TACNA/-o-" cds as well as GB 4d Vermilion (pl.10) and 6d Lilac (pl.6) tied by a simple ink m/s 'squiggle' although there is a nearly fine small red British P.O. "ARICA" cds on the front along with a fine "PANAMA/TRANSIT" d.s. (20 Oct.; arrived on the PSNC 'Peru II') and London "PAID" transit cds (13 Nov.). The stamps could not be tied by the usual Arica British PO "C36" Numeral because it had destroyed in the 13 Aug. 1868 earthquake and was not replaced by the Duplex until 1870. So, in London,. the GB stamps were further cancelled by very fine handstruck zig-zag Inspector's Marks and the red oval "PD" was applied to emphasise that it was fully prepaid. Only one similar cover has been recorded; in Cavendish 'Derek Seaton' auction, 120/9/14; lot 485, realised £3,400 +BP, which is also illustrated in Parmenter's Used Abroad book. [This cover is illust. in PSNC; p.146.] Important Exhibition Item for collectors of many different subjects and countries!Cross Reference: G.B. USED ABROAD STAMPS & COVERS, SURFACE-PRINTED ISSUES, COMBINATION COVERS, PANAMA & CANAL ZONE