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Auction: 22066 - Historical Documents, Postal History & Autographs - Featuring the Robin Hunt Collection
Lot: 2031

Burma
An Archive Relating to the Forwarding Agent, Lieut. Thomas Waghorn
A superb holding of archival material illustrating Waghorn's efforts during the First Burmese War and workings of the steamship "Enterprise" including Waghorn's own manuscript copy of the logbook for it's maiden voyage, an 113 day journey from London to Calcutta via St. Tome & Cape Town (August to December 1825). Waghorn attempted to win a 100,000 rupee prize offered by the merchants of Calcutta for a rapid steam-assisted voyage from London to Calcutta and back in fewer than seventy days each way; half of the price was awarded in appreciation of the bravery shown on behalf of the crew. Waghorn recorded the usual log and observations, and on the reverse of one page scribbled down calculations of days steaming, sailing, in port, speeds and rates of coal consumption. It is following this experience that Waghorn became interested in pursuing a faster route for overland mail between Britain and India via the Suez Canal.
Also, a series of correspondence (September - December 1826) including Captain Lowe's orders to Waghorn while in command of the Matchless Cutter, Akyab; Letter from the Marine Board requesting Waghorn's certificates for the positions held during the First Burmese War; Two letter from Captain Forbes to Waghorn as Commander of the Flotilla, Akyab. An invaluable resource to any collector with an interest in Forwarding Agents, Overland Mail between Britain and India, and the First Burmese War.

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Sold for
£4,200

Starting price
£580