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1975 Railway Medallic Silver Proof First Day Cover, 150th Anniversary of The World's First Steam Passenger Train.

£34.00

1975 Railway Sesquicentennial Medallic Silver Proof First Day Cover, commemorating the 150th Anniversary of The World's First Steam Passenger Train. Bearing a solid sterling silver Proof medal, it has been officially hand-cancelled by the Post Office at Darlington, the train's point of departure, on the first day of issue. On 27th September, 1825, George Phenson's 'Locomotion' ushered in a new era in the history of transport when it became the first engine in the world to haul a passenger train. With some 600 passengers either packed aboard or clinging to the sides of the wagons, it took 65 minutes, to cover the 12 miles from Darlington to Stockton. George Stephenson, who started life as a humble carrier of miner's picks, eventually worked his way up to be Directing Engineer at Killingworth Colliery. The first of the railway engineers was truly a self-made man. 'By his own arm he achieved the distinction to which he attained.' Edward Pease was the Quaker banker who, when exploitation of the coal deposits in South Durham began, was anxious to see a railway built to serve them instead of the canal. He founded a company to construct a line between Stockton and Darlington, and the moment Stephenson heard of this he offered Pease his services. There was disagreement at first on the question of haulage. Pease was 'all for horses' but Stephenson, insisting his locomotive was worth 50 horses, won the day. 'Locomotion' is the first of the famous locomotives depicted in the anniversary stamps which were designed by Brian Craker. The others are the 'Abbotsford' of 1876, the 'Caerphilly Castle' of 1923 and British Rail's High-Speed Train of 1975. Note slight ink stains on reverse of cover otherwise Choice Grade.