Lot 2008

1930 (February 20), ‘DAMAGED BY FIRE ON S.S. COMORIN’, handstamp on cover from Australia to London, originating in Sydney, franked with 1½d rose red King George V definitive, tied by Sydney slogan cancellation, bearing black boxed handstamp "DAMAGED BY FIRE ON S.S. COMORIN" on front, imprint on flap of the Expanded Steel and Concrete Products Co, condition was expected for such a cover, a desirable example of disaster mail.

The P&O steamer Comorin departed Sydney on 19 February 1930 bound for England; on the night of 12 March, as she prepared to depart Colombo, Ceylon, a fire broke out in Hold No. 3. Sea water was used to flood the hold, with the fire fully extinguished by 14 March. As a result, much of the mail was water-damaged. The Comorin resumed its voyage on 17 March and arrived in London on 2 April. On 3 April, the Postmaster General announced delays due to the need to dry the mail before delivery.