Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: CSS109 - The ‘Connaught’ Collection of Hong Kong, Part 2
Lot: 6401

Hong Kong
Postal History
Early Mail From Hong Kong
1839 (9 Sept.) entire letter from J.R. Morrison on board the 'Fort William' to his sister in London "pr Overland Mail" bearing an indistinct oval postmark overstruck by London datestamp (13.2), redirected to Stoke Newington with "Fenchurch St./1py.P.Paid" handstamp plus "1/8" rate mark in red crossed through; the reverse with Singapore boxed Paid datestamp (25.10), faint London arrival (13.2) and manuscript calculation of postage totaling 1 rupee; vertical folding crease.

The long letter gives and account of Capt. Elliot's attempts to buy food and provisions, and the conflict that ensued. He also describes the evacuation of Macao resultant upon the unwillingness of the Portuguese to let the British remain and the feeling of the Chinese that the British were protecting the opium trade. With transcript.

A very important and historic letter which is thought to be the earliest recorded being sent from Hong Kong

His father, John Morrison, was the first protestant missionary in China. After his death, John Morrison replaced him as Chinese Secretary and Interpreter to the Superintendents of British Trade in China, John Morrison was appointed Chinese Secretary to the British East India Company on behalf of the British Government. He was involved in diplomacy during the First Opium War in which he held responsibility for the translation of the Treaty of Nanking. In 1843 he was appointed as Acting Colonial Secretary and a member of the Executive and Legislative Council

Sold for
HK$42,000

Starting price
HK$30000