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UGANDA, 1895, 5(c) on 10(c) Black, Wide Letters, Wide Stamp, Manuscript Provisional (SG 8). Horizontal se-tenant strip of three, right stamp with manuscript "5" above printed "10" which is crossed out and "EM" for Rev. Millar, left pair normal, dividing line mostly complete at bottom and parts at left and right, cancelled and tied by diagonal manuscript strokes on cover to Rev. W. A. Crabtree in Luba's, Busoga, presumably sent by Rev. Millar from Mengo, manuscript "1 box sent by canoe" at top left and light "25" on right stamp likely indicating postage required, cover with vertical file fold clear of stamps and stamps with light pre-use crease

VERY FINE. THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST ICONIC RARITIES OF UGANDA -- THE ONLY RECORDED EXAMPLE OF THE 5-COWRIES ON 10-COWRIES MANUSCRIPT PROVISIONAL ON THE FIRST ISSUE. THIS IS ALSO THE ONLY KNOWN MANUSCRIPT SURCHARGE CONTAINED WITHIN A MULTIPLE. AN AMAZING SHOWPIECE AND KEY TO ANY AWARD-WINNING UGANDA EXHIBIT OR COLLECTION.

With the exception of the item offered here used by Rev. Millar (presumably at Mengo), nearly all provisionals were done by Rev. Blackledge from the Mission at Ngogwe. The majority of which were to create a 15 cowries stamp as none were printed during the production of the First Issue. Since postage was roughly proportional to distance, we presume there was a need for a 15 cowries rate and hence the production of these manuscript provisionals, as there are two surviving covers with single 15(c) provisionals (ex Hind).

The rarity of these manuscript provisionals cannot be overstated. A review of the finest Uganda collections formed reveal that David Sey owned six, Ferrary and Hind owned three (likely the same examples), Peyton ("Isleham") owned two, Dunstan and Reynard owned a single example, and none were owned by either Hunt or Col. Danson. Mr. Griffith-Jones remarkably has two offered in this sale. This value is currently unlisted in Scott and was only annotated in Stanley Gibbons up until the 2011 edition. This was after it was sold at auction in 2009 for the first time in nearly 40 years.

Illustrated in Robson Lowe, "The Uganda Missionaries," Supplement to The Philatelist, Aug. 1974 (p. 5). Ex Reynard. With 1970 R.P.S. certificate. SG £70,000

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