A remarkable destination cover.
Posted at Apia, Samoa, on 29 April 1895.
Following a fire on 1 April 1895 which destroyed stocks of all stamps except the 1s value, this diagonal bisect was used as a 2½d stamp for overseas letters between 18 April and 22 May 1895, and was cancelled in blue.
Addressed to an attendee at the Tasmanian International Exhibition, Hobart, Tasmania.
A full post office for the Tasmanian International Exhibition was opened on 15 November 1894. The oval date stamp is in red ink, and struck as a backstamp. Rated 5R for less than 10 copies likely to exist. This is a new latest known date for this office, Hardinge (2019) reporting 23 April 1895, and this clearly showing 16 May 1895.
