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Auction: 26014 - Stamps and Covers of Asia
Lot: 5091

(x) Hong Kong
Postal History
Second Opium War
1858 (26 Oct.) opened-out envelope with entire letter from Albert Markham, "H.M.S. 'Camilla', Canton River" to his mother in Wisconsin, U.S.A. which was carried by naval bag to London with straight-line "packet-letter" applied in red and rated "6" (British packet rate) with the transit c.d.s. (22.12) on the reverse, there is a further "28" manuscript marking (12c. British packet to G.B. plus 16c. transatlantic packet) with New York Br. Pkt. c.d.s. (10.1) and smudged handstruck "33" which was misread by the Wisconsin clerk who wrote "Due 38". With transcript of the letter where he notes the signing of the Peace Treaty and other information. Photo

Note: It is thought that the Packet Letter handstamp was applied in London to ensure the correct rating as this mail unexpectedly arrived on the 'Alhambra' from Gibraltar and not the 'Pera' from Egypt (which lost a propeller after leaving Gibraltar)

Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium.

Estimate
£200 to £250

Starting price
£200