George V 'Downey Head' Perfin PDn (Transatlantic Po)

Hi,
I know nothing of stamps or perfins (I learned that word today!).
Calling upon you as I am trying to date a postmark on an envelope linked to a victim of the sinking of the Lusitania in 1915.
Stanley Gibbons could not tell me anything at all about the stamp, referring me to the internet.
So far I have identified the stamp as a Die 2 George V 'Downey Head', so 1912, some 3 years before the disaster. Of course the stamp may have been in sender's pocket a long time...
Postmark: Transatlantic post office, April. I can't make out anything else.
But the person in question appears to have made the transatlantic crossing numerous times.
PERFIN: PDN
This might give me a clue as to where the stamp came from (a ship?) and when.
It's a mystery...to me. Thanks Z

Almost immediate reply to myself and to all...
I had a flash just as I pressed the post button for my first post, and have figured the source of the perfin. And it ties in with the story of the envelope.
I was going to post it here, but wondered if it would spoil someone's fun, having only just set the task...
It is pretty obscure.
Z

This cancellation was, I think, used between 1908 and 1914, so predates the sinking.

Zap, for those of us not familiar with perfins (like me!) could you tell us where you think it came from? Also, can you share a scan of the card? It seems like there's a bit of a story attached.

There are 2 very similar PDN perfins, hard to tell them apart. They were used 1890-1915. User is unknown according to the catalog. If the cover suggests who it is, the Perfins Club (GB) would like to know.

Oh... I didn't expect replies so soon.
Hi.quick reply as I'm heading out.
The envelope (no content, sadly) has a pencilled inscription at the back "Atlantic PO Lusitania" (old style handwriting but unsure if it is contemporary).
The addressee bears the name of a passenger who was a victim of the disaster.
It may have been written by the victim himself and addressed to his wife as Mrs His Name.
I've done a bit of digging and he was a regular traveller on this transatlantic route, having business interests in America.
My findings tend to agree with GeoffHa, that the cancellation appears to have been used until 1914,according to Mike Dovey and Julian Jones on the TPO and seapost societywebsite. I can't find any other info on a subsequent transatlantic cancellation.
Also it appears Cunard didn't participate in the postal service, but Lusitania was a Royal Mail Ship, so not sure about that. But it could indicate that the envelope was sent from another ship from another line. It seems Cunard staff would send mail by posting it via another line's ships, thus acquiring a different postmark. But I really am not sure about this.

Finally the Perfin....Hi, Chasa and TimH... I suddenly remembered PDN are the initials of the company owned by this chap. The stamp therefore is likely to be from his business stock rather than the maritime postal services.
So it is entirely conceivable that he would carry stamps on him that might have been issued long before, as they were from his own business. Had he obtained the stamp from a postal service, I would expect it to be more up to date.
The company is still operating and I will in touch with them, as well as a descendant of his I have found.

I did say quick reply as I'm heading out...and I'm still here. Amazing how a simple piece of paper can fire up the imagination! I understand collectors.
Must dash, more details soon.
Z

it would be nice to see a scan of the entire cover plus the back if there are postal markings or anything written. That way the postmark people on here can have a say or opinion... the perfin people can see the ID (as far as I know the PDN is known but not identified on any database I have seen)... the Seapost people can have a look too as well as those who specialize in Tranatlantic shipping mail or a specific Line.