Victoria (Australia) "Lightning" Packet Ship Cover - 1856

This cover was posted on the clipper "Lightning". The clipper made the trip from Geelong to Britain in just three days. The stamp is just barely four margins (less than a millimeter).



Closeup on the stamp and cancels



For an utterly huge and ridiculous sized image visit (you were warned): https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3731...943b47_o.jpg

I am wondering if I paid the right amount for it (neither overpaid nor underpaid). It is the most I have spent for a single philatelic item. Any guesses as to value?

Three months, I think, Smauggie Lightning-fast Australia Post took 3 days just to get an outsize envelope from my local letterbox to a street address in the City last week.

I know nothing about the stamp or cover, but this Web site

http://www.stampsofvictoria.com/

might help.

By a nice coincidence, I was down in Geelong yesterday, for a family occasion. Geelong has probably declined in importance since the time your cover was posted. Coming from there, the Lightning was probably carrying wool.

It's a woodblock! http://www.stampsofvictoria.com/wood.php

It's been a good show, I also picked up my first Greenland package stamp and a couple of Spanish philatelic exhibition covers. Oh, and Exportas. Lots of Mexican Exportas.

A tip'o'the hat to you Mr. Tonymacg for that reference. Mr. Molnar proved to be a true gentleman and an excellent resource.