Great Britain 1840 1d black plate 1a pair on first day cover, SG2

Great Britain 1840 (6th May) complete "Protestant Dissenters Assurance Company" insurance document sent from London to Stowmarket, Suffolk, franked with horizontal pair of 1840 1d black, plate 1a, lettered 'ID-IF' used to pay the 2d postage rate for an item weighing in excess of ½oz but below 1oz, SG2.

Cancelled by light red Maltese Crosses, handstamped with a London Chief Office circular datestamp of dispatch of "C/MY-6/1840" on the reverse (the time code "C" indicates the evening duty) and dated within "In witness... this sixth day of May 1840, First Day of Official Use."

The document is a magnificently engraved Insurance Certificate issued by the "Protestant Dissenters & General Life & Fire Insurance Company" for loss or damage by fire up to an amount of £200, covering a Meeting House and two adjoining Cottages at Stowmarket, built of timber and tiles and owned by Robert Squirrell, Junior, and clearly officially signed, sealed and dated on 6th May 1840.