Auction: CSS109 - The ‘Connaught’ Collection of Hong Kong, Part 2
Lot: 6625
Hong Kong
Military and Naval Mail
Second Opium War
1859 (10 Apr.) neat envelope to J. De Kerjegu, commander of the corvette Laplace between Marseille and Hong Kong with "station d'indo chine" and "voie de suez" bearing 80c. Napoleon (margins touching to large) cancelled by a light strike of petit chiffres "3013" of St Brieuc with the despatch c.d.s. alongside; the reverse bearing c.d.s. including Marseille (12.4) and Hong Kong type 13 in blue (20.5). Particularly fresh and fine
Laplace was an escort ship to the feet carrying the French and English ambassadors to China. Refused passage from Peito, the Franco-British Expedition tried to force its way through but was repelled, suffering severe losses. Following this incident the two European governments decided to send an Expeditionary Force to China
For another April 1859 cover, see lot 6791
Sold for
HK$3,500
Starting price
HK$3500