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Auction: 7001 - Fine Stamps & Covers of Hong Kong
Lot: 1003

Hong Kong Postal History First Opium War 1841 (9 Nov.) a very early and long, detailed letter from Capt. Philip Anstruther in Ningpo to his mother, Lady Anstruther, in London and endorsed "China Expedition letter - Overland via Marseilles", rated "3/6", carried to India to be posted, the reverse with a fine strike of boxed Madras Paid datestamp, "india" in oval and two indistinct handstamps on face with London arrival (5/4) on reverse. The letter gives a very interesting insight into the local skirmishes and life at the time; how the prisoners were set to work for a week or two but having their pigtails cut off before being released. "In about February or March we shall set sail for the Mi-a-tau Islands ... at the entrance of the Gulf of Petchelee ... and we shall arrange an attack to drive the Emperor from Pekin and burn his ancestors.". Note that Sir Henry Pottinger´s Expedition had left Hong Kong on 21st August 1841 and by mid October had taken Amoy and Ningpo, where they over-wintered. Included with this lot is some background information and photocopies of other Anstruther letters. Photo Estimate HK$ 15,000-20,000provenance: Sir Percival David, November 1965

Sold for
HK$26,000