A Recent Acquisition - Cover From Seychelles

This a stamped envelope dated July 30, 1898. It is not listed in Scott's catalog. Does anyone have a catalog that lists it?

Nice envelope. Any markings on the back?

I think 30c would've covered Registered service to Europe...not to the U.S. though?

Yes, there is one marking on reverse. In one inch diam. circle, has 5 lines of type, from top to bottom:
P.O.N.Y/J/9-7-98/s-1P/PAID ALL
I can scan if you would like.

The envelope shows no signs of Registered handling - no blue lines, no item number, etc. The Seychelles "cents" were based on 100 cents to a rupee; this colony did not have a 30c postage stamp through July 1898, which suggests that no postal service cost precisely that amount.

It's also interesting that no city is indicated in the postmark.

Maybe because Seychelles is so small that it was understood that the city of origin was Victoria?

These envelopes, or at least very similar ones, are found valued downward with an overprinted 18c.

I think this one might be B3 in the H & G catalogue.

In looking at a few 30c envelopes online, it looks like they often went to the New World, with no special handling. So whether the rate to the New World was 30c, or something close enough to overspend on these, it seems like a lot of money, when you are not getting any special service.

The addressee on that cover was a well known philatelist of his day. In fact, in 1952, his collection went to the auction block with Siegel & Co.: