Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 21042 - The Opium Wars Collection
Lot: 135

The Second Opium War
Whampoa Postal Agency
Incoming Mail
1858 (23 June) printed letter to Augustine Heard & Co in Canton "Per steamer 'Thebes'" bearing India 4a. black tied by "B/1" in octagon, rated "4" and with boxed "regd letter no...." in red, the reverse with Calcutta Ship Letter datestamp overstruck by a fine strike of Hong Kong (13.7) c.d.s.; folding creases and some soiling with adhesive tape repair at left. A very early letter handled by the Whampoa Agency

British naval forces bombarded Canton in late December 1857 and the post office was destroyed. The postal service with Canton had been suspended since then. The blockade of the Canton River was lifted in February 1858. A temporary postal agency was opened at Whampoa on 9th June 1858


詳情請參閱英文說明

Sold for
HK$7,500

Starting price
HK$3800