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Auction: 21042 - The Opium Wars Collection
Lot: 33

First Opium War
The Kowloon Incident
The Outbreak of War
1839 (12 Nov.) entire letter from Thomas Edmond (Bibby Adam & Co.) in Hong Kong to Frederick Huth & Co. in London, carried privately "pr 'John Horton'", rated "8" for internal U.K. postage, unframed "liverpool/ship letter" and London arrival c.d.s. (24.4) on the flap; there are two vertical filing folds.


The letter includes, "As we anticipate the merchant fleet here will move to Tongkoo having been enjoined by Capt. Elliot to do so. The 'Volage' left here yesterday, and the 'Hyacinth' leaves tomorrow. The Hyacinth' will be followed by the majority of the Fleet tomorrow. Last night the Chinese kept up a brisk cannonade against the shipping; from the new Batteries ... No injury has been done however as all the ships are anchored out of range of the Guns. We hear it reported, the Chinese intend to put a stop up the conveyance of British property to Whampoa, in American and other foreign ships ..." He continues, "That if Capt Roberts has no objections to sign the documents required by the Chinese ... and the transshipment of British property be still continued, we shall send her up to Whampoa at once". A very early letter sent from Hong Kong. Scarce thus

provenance:
Eddie Lawrence, September 2014


1839年11月12日由香港Thomas Edmond (Bibby Adam & Co.) 經由私人輪船 "John Horton" 携帶往利物浦再送倫敦Frederick Huth & Co. 信函. 費用為 "8" 英國國內郵費, 有無框"Liverpool/ Ship Letter" 印記及封舌上蓋4日24日倫敦到達戳. 信函上有兩處摺痕. 信中主要內容提及因與中國軍艦交火, 英商船隊紛紛撤離, 以避開中方艦隊炮火. 亦包括两艘英國軍艦窩拉疑號 (HMS Volage) 及海阿新號 (HMS Hyacinth), 都自虎門口 (Bocca Tigris) 退至銅鼓灣 (TongKoo)及重整軍力的情况. 又提及中國炮火並沒有造成任何傷害，因為所有船隻都停泊在槍砲射程之外. 這是一封非常早期由香港寄出的珍罕信函.

Sold for
HK$16,000

Starting price
HK$16000