COLLECTIBLE: Used in Straits Settlements--Singapore, 1854, 4a Red & Blue, 1st Printing, Head Die I, Frame Die I (6; SG 18). Ten singles, cut square, margins varying from large to touching outer framelines, cancelled by diamond of dots and tied by a few letters of the address on large-size 1854 (ca. November) cover from Manila, Philippines, to Schwanden, Switzerland, via Singapore, blue "Jenny & Co., Manila" sender's handstamp, blue "Forwarded by Rautenberg Schmidt & Co., Singapore" boxed forwarder's handstamp (Rowe Rarity 3) applied in transit, manuscript directive "via Trieste" probably written by forwarder, rate markings (some tying stamps), Zurich and Glarus transits, Schwanden Jan. 18, 1855 arrival datestamp, cover faulty with edgewear and toning which also affects stamps, but the condition is to be expected for a cover of this size and usage OVERALL FINE APPEARANCE. THIS IS THE LARGEST FRANKING OF THE INDIA 4-ANNAS LITHOGRAPH USED IN SINGAPORE. ONLY A FEW COVERS WITH THE 1854 LITHOGRAPH ISSUE ORIGINATE FROM THE FAR EAST. ESPECIALLY DESIRABLE WITH CUT-SQUARE STAMPS AND MAILED IN THE EARLY MONTHS OF THE 1854 ISSUE. Only a few Indian Lithograph Issue covers are known from the Far East, originating in either Batavia, Dutch East Indies, or Manila, Philippines--all were sent via Singapore. The 4a Lithograph was issued on October 15, 1854. Based on the Swiss arrival datestamp dated January 18, 1855, we believe this cover must have originated in the Philippines and entered the mails in Singapore in late October or early November, making this a very early use of the 1854 Issue from a post office outside India. A significant aspect of this cover is that several stamps are tied by the address, which of course means they must have been affixed when the envelope was addressed in Manila, not applied in transit at Singapore. We know of no other covers with the India 1854 Issue applied in the Philippines. The 40-annas franking is five times the 8a rate per ½ ounce. The original weight must have been between 2 and 2½ ounces. The correspondence is connected to Blumer & Jenny, a Swiss fabrics company founded in 1808 and still operated by the decedents of the original founders. The next largest 4a franking from Singapore is the cover offered in lot 253, with four pairs on a letter originating in Hong Kong Errata: Stamp missing from bottom left.