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Auction: 12005 - Fine Stamps and Covers of China and Hong Kong
Lot: 1780

Hong Kong Treaty Ports Canton 1838 (20 Mar.) William Wetmore entire letter to London "per ´Walmer Castle´", rated "1/6" and bearing, on the reverse, a good strike of the step-type "ship letter/weymouth", partly overstruck by London arrival c.d.s. (10.8). Interesting contents make reference to the opium trade, "... The fact is it is almost impossible to make sales unless we trust the Hongs... ", "... I am afraid the ... opium we have on hand will turn out at nearly a total loss, the quality of a great deal of it is very inferior indeed. Even the very best can scarcely be sold at any price."; horizontal fold Estimate HK$ 2,500-3,000 This letter was written six days later than the duplicate in the previous lot and travelled on the same ship, partly explaing some of the additional delay of those two covers

Sold for
HK$2,800