1870 mourning cover. A nice example franked with SG43 scarcer plate 135 which is £30 CV off cover.

But what makes it really stand out from the crowd is the recipient: Olga Novikoff.

In modern day parlance she would be called a lobbyist and an influencer. She was a key figure in Anglo-Russian relations in the second half of the 19th century and first decades of the 20th century. A society lady who transformed herself into a political campaigner, journalist and author after her brother became the first Russian volunteer to be killed in the Turco-Serbian war.

She became a confidante and friend of Gladstone and various other prominent figures in British politics and public life. She moved to London permanently in 1876, six years after the date of this cover, and effectively became the unofficial consul of Russia - though was disliked by the official Russian diplomatic corps. She saw her mission as to bridge the gap between Russia and Britain and counter misconceptions about Russian foreign policy.

She died in London exactly 100 years ago this year.

If you want to read more this contemporary account by the leading 19th century journalist William Stead is fascinating:

https://www.attackingthedevil.co.uk/w-t-stead-the-review-of-reviews/madame-olga-novikoff/