GB PENNY BLACK Cover MULREADY CARICATURE 1840 Lesage Clerical Envelope CERT A4G3

EXTENSIVELY ILLUSTRATED "Lesage's Clerical Envelope No.2" postally used. A GREAT RARITY used with four margin Penny Black, posted London in June 1840. 1d Black Plate 1b (KF)  well tied by red MX. Addressed to Southwell (Notts). Complete with genuine opinion in the form of a *BPA CERTIFICATE* (2004). Rather harshly states adhesive is stained but this item is overall Very Fine for a used Mulready Caricature of this type & period. The envelope has been skilfully opened-out to display all four illustrated panels of the reverse. Displays very well thus and is remarkably free from opening losses or faults. Note dramatic vignettes which lampoon the character of the LEGAL & CLERICAL professions. A rare early LAW & ORDER thematic. The main vignette features characters FIGHTING in a court-room! One panel features HANGING of victims. Most unusual featuring CAPITAL PUNISHMENT of the period. QUITE POSSIBLY THE BEST PRESERVED POSTALLY USED EXAMPLE OF THIS CARICATURE IN PRIVATE HANDS. Please look at all the scans to help form your own opinion.