AMOY POSTAL HISTORY, 1842-1900 |
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THE 2nd-EARLIEST RECORDED COVER FROM AMOY - CAMPAIGN LETTER SENT UNDER COVER TO LONDON & POSTED WITH G.B. 1d RED; Remarkable 30th Nov. 1842 EL (full typed transcript; worn folds but complete and attractive) from "Koolongsoo" (headed thus inside and also with this place and the date of sending clearly endorsed beside the address on the front) to "Jersey", sent outside the mails (by favour of a naval Captain?) to London and posted there, and so with a G.B. 1d Red imperf. (31/2 margins) tied by a very fine London Number "6" in Maltese Cross, with London (18th April 1843) and "JERSEY" (19th April 1843) datestamps on the top flap. Long interesting letter from the addressee's husband, a junior officer with the British Expeditionary Force, en route from Chusan; "We, the left wing, left Chusan on the 16th of Novbr., after being a fortnight on board, and arrived at Kolungsoo on the 22nd of November...Kolungsoo is off Amoy and we are situated on the Western side; it appears a very healthy place, but...Amoy as far as I have heard, is a very large and dirty city, the Residence of a Viceroy. There is very few Chinese here; whole villages have been destroyed and laid waste, by whom I do not know..." Rare and Important Campaign Letter from the closing stages of the 1st Opium War, written only three months after the hand-over of the Treaty Ports to Britain under the Treaty of Nanking on 29th Aug. 1842. Dated more than three years before the earliest Amoy cover recorded by Webb (p.248). [The only earlier Amoy cover that we have recorded was the 4 Mar. 1842 EL to Ceylon in Cavendish's Sept. 2004 auction, lot 550, which realised £2,300.] [Ex Ishikawa, 1980, lot 447. Ex Richard Chan, Cavendish Oct. 2003, lot 234; realised £2,875.] Highly Important Exhibition Item, and possibly the earliest known cover from China with a Postage Stamp. PHOTO - see page no. £2,000
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RARE EARLY PREPAID COVER TO SPAIN VIA GIBRALTAR WITH HONG KONG CROWNED CIRCLE, ETC.; Very fine 21 Mar. 1847 EL (can fold to show the internal heading alongside the address) from "Emuy" (the Spanish for Amoy) prepaid "1/10" (red manuscript rate) to Cadiz with a very fine large 2-ring red "PAID/AT/HONG-KONG" Crowned Circle on the front and a partial 27 March black "HONG-KONG" double-arc c.d.s. on the top flap; addressed "Care of H. L. Glynn Esq., Gibraltar". One of the earliest known letters from Amoy and of Exhibition Quality. [Copy of 2007 RPS cert.] PHOTO - see page no. £750
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OVERLAND INTERNAL COURIER SERVICE COVER TO "CHINCHEW"; Fine 2 Oct. 1847 EL (full typed transcript; no postal markings) sent from "Amoy" addressed to "Schooner Petrel, Chinchew" (a small port used by Opium clippers such as the 'Petrel', not far from Amoy) with important contents about how the letter was carried overland within mainland China; "...as Syme Muir & Co. are about sending the Courier back to Chinchew, I take the opportunity of writing you a few lines in answer to you now before me". It is thought that only four other covers carried by this service have been recorded. Rare and very early internal Chinese Courier cover. PHOTO - see page no. £300
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VERY EARLY INGOING COVER FROM NEW YORK TO AMOY WITH RED "GILPIN'S EXCHANGE" OVAL F.A.C.; Fine 25 Apr. 1848 EL (long personal letter) from "New York" to "Amoy Mission, China" most unusually having no postal markings at all except for a partly fine strike of the large red oval-framed "FORWARDED THROUGH/GILPIN'S EXCHANGE/READING ROOM AND/FOREIGN LETTER OFFICE/N.YORK" beside the address on the front; presumably handed by the New York agents directly to a ship bound for Amoy. Rare and unusual early ingoing cover to this small Treaty Port. PHOTO - see page no. £300
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RARE SMALL BLUE "AMOY/A" C.D.S. ON COVER WITH HONG KONG 8c ORANGE AND "B62" TO U.S.A.; 8 June 1871 env. (Roosevelt 1946 auction mark on flap) to Brooklyn endorsed "[Per] Pacific Mail" with Hong Kong 8c Pale Orange tied by a mainly very fine small "B62" Numeral having a mainly fine small blue "AMOY/A" c.d.s. on the side-flap and a mainly fine red "HONG KONG/PAID ALL" transit c.d.s. (8 June) on the front; also with red manuscript "4" Accountancy Marking (restating the 8c rate in British currency; i.e. 4d) on the front. Fine early Trans-Pacific cover from Amoy. PHOTO - see page no. £300
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RARE SMALL BLUE "AMOY/A" C.D.S. ON COVER WITH HONG KONG 8c ORANGE AND "B62" TO U.S.A.; 21 June 1872 env. to New York endorsed "[Per] Pacific Mail" with Hong Kong 8c Orange tied by a very fine larger "B62" Numeral having a mainly fine small blue "AMOY/A" c.d.s. on the side-flap and a mainly fine red "HONG KONG/PAID ALL" transit c.d.s. (23 Aug.) on the front; also with v. fine San Francisco transit c.d.s. (3 Oct.) and red manuscript "4" Accountancy Marking (restating the 8c rate in British currency; i.e. 4d) on the front. Fine early Trans-Pacific cover from Amoy. PHOTO - see page no. £300
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"AMOY" FIRM'S 'CHOP' WITH "B62" TYING HONG KONG 8c ORANGE ON COVER; 27 Oct. 1873 E from "AMoy" (filing notes) to Hong Kong "P. [Ship] Kwangtung" with HK 8c Orange tied by a mainly very fine double-oval blue "H.A. PETERSEN & Co./AMOY" sender's cachet and by a partial large "B62" Numeral, also having a mainly very fine HK backstamp (209 Oct.; crease). Unusual Amoy usage. PHOTO - see page no. £240
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AMOY USAGE OF THE RARE "5/CENTS" ON 18c LILAC (SHORT "T" VARIETY) POSTAL STATIONERY CARD; 19 Nov. 1879 usage of the 5c on 18c Lilac (surcharge with rare short "T" in "cents"; corner fault) tied to the PC (slight mount faults on reverse) by a nearly fine tall "A1" numeral cancel, with a mostly very fine matching "A/AMOY" c.d.s. (Webb Type E) alongside; addressed to Wimbledon in London with a Christmas/New Year message on the reverse. Very rare and attractive Postal Stationery usage. [Ex Dyer & ex Richard Chan, Cavendish March 2003, lot 109; realised £1,840]. Important Exhibition Item. PHOTO - see page no. £2,000
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AMOY USAGE OF THE RARE "5/CENTS" ON 18c LILAC ON POSTAL STATIONERY CARD; Attractive 12 April 1880 usage of this rare Postcard (minor mount scuffs on reverse) to Hamburg (readdressed locally; Naples Transit backstamp of 14 May) with the stamp tied by both a mainly fine tall "A1" Numeral and by the edge of a mostly fine matching black "A/AMOY" c.d.s. (Webb Type E). Rare Treaty Port usage of this elusive card in fine condition. The three large red Chinese characters struck on the front are the sender's personal greetings mark, and the message is written in a strange pictographic code. [Ex John Parker & Norman Bennett, Cavendish May 2002, lot 908; realised £3,048.] Exhibition Quality. PHOTO - see page no. £2,000
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VERY RARE "D27" NUMERAL CANCEL ON COMMERCIAL USAGE 3c BROWN POSTCARD TO U.S.A.; Very fine 25 Jan. 1881 usage of the Hong Kong 3c Brown PC (closed pin-holes in corners not affecting stamp or marks; minor glue marks on reverse) to Philadelphia "Via San Francisco" cancelled by a mainly very fine strike of the very rare Amoy "D27" Numeral with a very fine matching "AMOY/A" c.d.s. (Webb Type Dii) alongside. The message concerns missing parts for a sewing-machine recently sent from the US and asks for them to be sent by post as Express mail would be too expensive and "There is no parcel post". The "D27" Numeral is very rare on Postal Stationery. [Ex Lee Scamp; copy of RPS 1981 cert.] PHOTO - see page no. £1,500
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QV POSTAL STATIONERY - AMOY USAGES TO DENMARK/GERMANY, INCL. "R" & BOXED REGD. MARK; 23 June 1890 usage of the Hong Kong 3c brown PC to Copenhagen cancelled by a very fine Type E "A/AMOY" c.d.s.; plus a 28 Sept. 1901 Combination usage of the HK 4c Red env. (several Chinese stamps sadly removed from back & front) to Germany endorsed "Registered", cancelled by the 2-ring "REGISTERED/G.P.O. HONG KONG" c.d.s., but also with a superb Chinese P.O. "R" mark, matching boxed "AMOY/No. [E.302]" and bilingual "AMOY" c.d.s. all on the front; the imprinted stamp is also cancelled by the Amoy boxed "I.P.O." mark. Scarce pair. (2 covers). [Both ex Richard Chan, Cavendish Oct. 2003, lot 250; realised £460 the two.] PHOTO - see page no. £300
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SCARCE 20c ON 30c GREY-GREEN SINGLE FRANKING COVER (DOUBLE U.P.U. RATE) TO GERMANY; Attractive 25 July 1895 env. (opened out) to "Wismar" endorsed "Via Vancouver" with Hong Kong 20c o.p. 30c Grey-Green (small Chinese character) tied by a light but recognisable "AMOY/A" c.d.s. with German backstamp (30 Aug.). Scarce stamp on cover from Amoy. PHOTO - see page no. £150
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SCARCE 20c ON 30c GREY-GREEN SINGLE FRANKING COVER (DOUBLE U.P.U. RATE) TO U.S.A.; Fine 1 July 1899 env. (commercial printed address) to "Boston" with Hong Kong 20c o.p. 30c Grey-Green (small Chinese character) tied by a partly fine "AMOY/A" c.d.s. and also cancelled by a small purple oval-framed sender's "T & Co." 'chop' (of Tait & Co.) with US backstamp (28 Aug.). Scarce stamp on cover from Amoy. PHOTO - see page no. £150
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CHINA/HONG KONG COMBINATION COVER REGISTERED TO GERMANY WITH HONG KONG 10c BLOCKS OF 4 & 6, ETC.; Spectacular 17 Aug. 1899 env. (minor edge wear; flap lost) to "Potsdam" endorsed "Registered" and franked for the 5-ounce U.P.U. letter rate (plus 10c Fee) by China $1 + 5c+4c+2c+1c+1/2c(2) all tied by mainly fine bilingual Chinese P.O. "AMOY" c.d.s.'s (except for the 5c which is cancelled (but not tied, though it clearly belongs) by a very fine large Amoy "R" mark, having a mainly fine boxed "AMOY/No." mark alongside, but also franked by Hong Kong 10c Purple on Red Blocks of Six and Four (minor wrinkling in places; partly overlapped and also partly overlapping a China 1/2c & the 2c) and a single all tied and cancelled by very fine boxed Amoy "I.P.O." marks and/or partly fine "HONG-KONG" c.d.s.'s. Superb $1.10-rate Combination Cover. Exhibition Item. PHOTO - see page no. £500
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CHINA/HONG KONG COMBINATION POSTCARDS TO GERMANY WITH HONG KONG 5c's & BOXED "I.P.O." MARKS; 16/17 Feb. 1900 usages of a pair of China 1c Red Postal Stat. PCs (minor creases) to Germany franked for the 4c rate by China 4c Pair or 2c+1c+1/2c(another 1/2d sadly removed) all tied by mainly very fine bilingual Chinese P.O. "AMOY" c.d.s.'s; each also franked by Hong Kong 4c Grey each tied by very fine boxed Amoy "I.P.O." marks and fair to very fine "HONG-KONG" c.d.s.'s (one also tied by German transit c.d.s.'s). Unusual pair posted on consecutive days. Plus 1914 PPC (showing pirates being tortured) to GB with China 2c Green (2) tied by v. fine bilingual "KULANGSU" c.d.s.'s with Amoy transit c.d.s. alongside. (3 cards) PHOTO - see page no. £240
| CANTON - EARLY PRESTAMP MAIL, 1811-1839 | |
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NAPOLEONIC WARS PERIOD "SHIP LETTER/LONDON" COVER FROM 'DUTCH FACTORY' TO G.B.; 26 Jan. 1811 E from "J. H. Rabinel, Canton in China" (filing note that folds neatly to display beside the address-panel; slightly toned filing folds well clear of postal marks)) to London charged "8[d]" (arrival Ship Letter rate) with a mainly fine small "SHIP LETTER/[Crown]/LONDON" c.d.s. (8 Aug.) nicely placed on the front. The writer, Jean Henry Rabinel, was the Chief of the Netherlands Trading Station in Canton (the 'Dutch Factory') at this date; he was buried in Macao in 1816. Mail from China during the Napoleonic Wars period is seldom seen. PHOTO - see page no. £300
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EARLY PRESTAMP COVER SENT BY NAMED SHIP DIRECT TO U.S.A. CHARGED "6[c]" ON ARRIVAL; Fine 9 Feb. 1819 EL from "Canton" to Philadelphia endorsed "[Per Ship] Benj[ami]n Rush" and clearly carried directly to Philadelphia as there are no postal markings except for a fine small Handstruck "6" arrival charge-mark, being the incoming US Ship Letter rate for a letter arriving at the port of destination. The letter gives details of shipping in and out of Canton and details a shipment of silks and "Nankin" dyes; it originally included $3,000 insurance documentation for the shipment. Very few pre-1820 letter to the U.S. have been recorded and pre-1830 letters are rare. PHOTO - see page no. £300
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"DEAL/SHIP LETTER" COVER TO G.B. WITH DESCRIPTION OF A SHIPWRECK OFF THE PHILIPPINE COAST; 7 Jan. 1823 EL (family letter; some reinforced edges and light toning) from "China" (presumably Canton) to G.B. charged "1/4" and then "1/6" with a very fine framed step-type "DEAL/SHIP LETTER" nicely placed on the front and a red London backstamp (12 May). The contents include detail of the writer's recently witnessing the sinking of a ship "off the Palawan Coast" [Philippines]; "...I am afraid my Packet [of letters home] perished with the unfortunate 'Regent'...We were not more than 12 miles from her at the time, but it blowing a gale of [wind?] upon a lee shore & it being quite dark we could of course render her no assistance, but [the] best part of the crew are saved." Pre-1830 letters from China are rare. PHOTO - see page no. £240
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EARLY SHIP LETTER SENT UNDER COVER BY DANISH SHIP TO THE ISLE OF WIGHT; Unusual 27 Dec. 1829 EL (part flap lost and some stain marks) from "Canton" to "London" without postal marks but with very long interesting family contents incl.; "...the opportunity by which this [letter] goes (the Danish Ship Norden to Hambro' calling at Cowes)...Walls have ears...", and a reference to a secret change of employer; "...I am going to be confidential & book keeper to the Agent of Sim Samuel & Lyon Samuels & all the gang...I am to have £1,000...to live in the house both here & at Macao..."! Good early letter carried illegally by a ship's Captain to England to avoid postage charges. PHOTO - see above. £100
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PAIR OF 6c-RATE SHIP LETTERS SENT DIRECTLY TO NEW YORK BY NAMED SHIPS; 18 Dec. 1833 & 18 Apr. 1834 pair of ELs (former with some minor wear/dusting) from "Caton" to New York endorsed by ships "Morrison" or "Philip" and both charge "6[c]" US arrival Ship Letter rate (fine small red h.s. "6" in circle or manuscript "6" respectively); the contents relate to shipments or "Tonquin musk", "2,000 rolls malting" (material) or "Drugs". Good pair. (2 covers) PHOTO - see page no. £200
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RARE P.O. ERROR - "DOVER/INDIA LETTER" REPLACED BY "SHIP LETTER/DOVER" MARKS; Spectacular and fine 24 Apr. 1834 EL (typed transcript) from "Canton" to London "Pr [Ship] Francis Charlotte" charged "1/7" and then "1/7" with a mainly fine large boxed "DOVER/INDIA LETTER" (filing fold) on the flaps overstruck by a mainly fine boxed step-type "SHIP LETTER/DOVER" with a second clearer strike alongside with red London arrival c.d.s. (20 Oct.). Rare example of the Deal P.O. using the wrong mark on a letter from China (from which mail did not benefit from the cheaper East India Co. rates). Good contents concerning great potential for Chinese trade to S. America and to Peru in particular. PHOTO - see page no. £300
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VERY EARLY INGOING COVER FROM INDIA WITH "CALCUTTA/SHIP LETTER" D.S.; 12 Jan. 1835 EL from "Calcutta" to Canton endorsed "p. Red Rover [or first vessel]" with a very fine boxed "CALCUTTA/G.P.O./SHIP LETTER" d.s. on the lower flap and a fine Chinese endorsement (of the Macao/Canton River Boat mail service?) on the top flap. One of the earliest recorded ingoing covers to Canton. PHOTO - see page no. £200
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EARLY COVER TO MACAO WITH RARE RED "Boat OFFICE/10 Cents/MACAO" MARK; 17 Feb. 1835 EL (wrapper with minor edge wear & slight toning at foot well clear of mark) from the "Sturgis" correspondence from "Canton" to his wife in "Macao" endorsed "[Per Ship] Sylph" with a mainly fine red large circular "Boat OFFICE/10 Cents/MACAO" mark on the top flap. The separate double-sheet of contents (worn reinforced folds and closed tears but complete) notes that the writer had sent a letter the previous day to Macao with "a small chair". Good example of one of the very few pre-1840 marks struck in China. PHOTO - see page no. £300
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PRESTAMP COVER BY NAMED SHIP TO U.S.A.; 31 Oct. 1835 EL (folds to show internal heading beside address-panel; family letter) from "Canton" to Salem (Mass.) endorsed "Pr Mary Ballard via New York" and so charged "201/2" (8c SHip Letter + 121/2c inland) with a very fine small red h.s. "SHIP" on the front with a mainly very fine "NEW-YORK" c.d.s. (4 May). Attractive. PHOTO - see page no. £120
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VERY RARE RED "SHIP LETTER/LYME" MARK CANCELLING VERY RARE "INDIA LETTER/LYME" ON COVER TO G.B.; Fine 29 Jan. 1836 EL (folds to display internal heading alongside the address-panel) from "Canton" to London "[Per Ship] MInerva" charged "1/6" with a fair very rare red boxed "INDIA LETTER/LYME" (Rob.In.1; only recorded in black and only for 1832 - only a handful known) struck in error and overstruck by a mainly very fine very rare red boxed step-type "SHIP LETTER/LYME" (Rob.S4; only recorded for 1836 and only a handful known) and a London c.d.s. (10 June) with a second very fine strike of the Ship Letter alongside; all nicely placed on the top flap. Two of the scarcest of all British Ship/India Letter marks on a single cover. Exhibition Quality. £850
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EARLY INGOING MAIL SENT BY PRIVATE HANDS (TO AVOID POSTAGE) BY NAMED SHIPS FROM G.B.; Fine 28 Oct. 1835, 9 Jan. 1836 & 5 Feb. 1836 trio of ELs (interesting family trade contents) from the same correspondence from "Liverpool" to "Canton" endorsed respectively by ships "Gerard", "Solway" or "Martha"; one also with Chinese characters on the front. Very rare early ingoing lot all sent by traders who had access to ships' Captains to carry the letters directly to avoid all postage charges. (3 covers) PHOTO - see page no. £300
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EARLY INGOING MAIL SENT BY PRIVATE HANDS (TO AVOID POSTAGE) BY NAMED SHIPS FROM G.B.; Fine 3 Nov. 1835, 12 Jan. 1836 & 16 Apr. 1836 trio of ELs (interesting family trade contents; latter with part flap lost and address more affected by filing notes) from the same correspondence from "Liverpool" to "Canton" endorsed respectively by ships "Mattaherut[?]", "Solway" or "Heywood"; one also with Chinese characters on the top flap. Very rare early ingoing lot all sent by traders who had access to ships' Captains to carry the letters directly to avoid all postage charges. (3 covers) PHOTO - see page no. £300
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EARLY INGOING MAIL SENT BY PRIVATE HANDS FROM LIVERPOOL - BALANCE OF THIS CORRESPONDENCE; Fine 24 Nov. 1834 - 18 Mar. 1836 ELs (7; interesting family trade contents) from the same correspondence from "Liverpool" to "Canton" (one to "Calcutta but apparently delivered in Canton). Very rare early ingoing lot all sent by traders who had access to ships' Captains to carry the letters directly to avoid all postage charges. Plus 7 other documents/letters (some printed). (14 items) £240
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EARLY RIVER-MAIL SENT BY PRIVATE HANDS FROM CLIPPER "WATER WITCH" AT "LINTIN [ISLAND]"; Fine 28 Feb. - 17 Mar. 1836 trio of ELs (interesting trade contents) from the same correspondence from "Lintin" to "Canton" (the last completed in, and sent from, "Macao" two days later) sent by local River Boat from the small Canton River island of "Lintin" [Lingding], two being headed from the clipper ship "Water Witch"; one endorsed "Favd. by J. Innes Esq." and [in pencil] "Mr. Innes' comp[liment]s.". Very rare early local River mail. The letter from Macao with interesting reference to smugglers; "...the Smugglers were here today and a few deliveries took place, principally Malwa [Opium]". (3 covers) PHOTO - see page no. £300
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EARLY INGOING COVER FROM DUTCH EAST INDIES (JAVA) "PR. [SHIP] MARY ANN"; Fine 22 Apr. 1836 EL (folds to show internal heading alongside address-panel) from a trader at "Sourabaya" [Java] carried privately "Pr [Ship] Mary Ann" to Canton. Unique place of origin for a cover to China at this early date? PHOTO - see page no. £150
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EARLY RIVER-MAIL SENT BY PRIVATE HANDS FROM CLIPPER "WATER WITCH" AT "CUM SING MOON"; Fine 11 July - 14 Aug. 1836 trio of ELs (all will fold to show internal headings alongside the address-panels; interesting opium trade contents) from the same correspondence from "[Clipper ship] Water Witch, Cum Sing Moon" [Canton River] to "Canton" sent by local River Boat from the Canton River location "Cum Sing Moon"; one endorsed ""P. [Ship] Don Juan" with Chinese characters [all in pencil] and one endorsed "[Per Ship] June". One prophetically says; "I have a great horror of being shut up in Canton; if the English send a Fleet out here I hope it will be at the time when we are laying here; I should like to see the Chinese get a drubbing." Very rare early local River mail. (3 covers) PHOTO - see page no. £300
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EARLY RIVER-MAIL SENT BY PRIVATE HANDS FROM CLIPPER "WATER WITCH" AT "CUM SING MOON", ETC.; Fine 16 June - 16 July 1836 trio of ELs (one will fold to show internal heading alongside the address-panel; interesting opium trade contents) from the same correspondence from "[Clipper ship] Water Witch, Cum Sing Moon" [Canton River] to "Canton" sent by local River Boat from the Canton River location "Cum Sing Moon"; one endorsed with Chinese characters [in pencil] and one endorsed "[Per Ship] Hawk". Very rare early local River mail. Plus 4 related 1836 documents/part ELs. (7 items) PHOTO - see page no. £300
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"SHIP LETTER/FALMOUTH" CANCELLING BOXED "INDIA LETTER/FALMOUTH" ON COVER TO G.B.; 21 Nov. 1836 EL (folds to show the internal heading alongside the address-panel) from "Canton" to London "[Per Ship] Asia" charged "5/-" with a partly fine red boxed "INDIA LETTER/FALMOUTH" (Rob.In.1; distinctive ink colour of Falmouth P.O. itself) on the top flap overstruck by a very fine orange-red boxed downward-step-type "SHIP LETTER/FALMOUTH" (Rob.S7) clearly struck in London's distinctive orange-red ink matching the overlapped London arrival c.d.s. (11 Apr.). Contents concern a shipment of tea (Gunpowder & Orange Pekoe) by the 'Asia' herself. Good example of a P.O. error made in Falmouth but corrected on arrival in the capital. PHOTO - see page no. £300
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RARE EARLY LETTER TO AUSTRALIA WITH SYDNEY D.S. & MENTION OF CAPT. ELLIOT'S APPOINTMENT; 19 Dec. 1836 EL (folds to show internal heading beside address; somewhat heavy filing fold across address) from "Canton" to "Sydney, N.S. Wales" and carried by Ship 'Kilmaurs' (noted inside) charged "3[d]" on arrival (N.S.W. incoming Ship Letter rate). The contents include a significant reference to the infamous Capt. Elliot who was to be so intimately connected with the 1st Opium War; "It is now known that Capt. Elliot has superseded Sir G.B. Robinson as 'Senior Superintendent' with £3,000 a year....Capt. E. is, we hear, coming up to have a talk with old Howqua - I propose to turn him out if he comes." Howqua was the senior Hong merchant in Canton and reputedly the wealthiest man in China. Ha also asks "Let me know all about Kangaroo Land."! Rare destination at this early date and intriguing historical contents. Plus 15 Aug. 1836 letter (no wrapper) from the same Canton to Sydney correspondence. (2 items) PHOTO - see page no. £300
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"SHIP LETTER/HASTINGS" CANCELLING BOXED "INDIA LETTER/HASTINGS" ON COVER TO G.B.; 5 Apr. 1837 EL (will fold to show the internal heading alongside the address-panel) from "Canton" to London "Per [Ship] Emma Eugenia" charged "4/-" with a very fine black boxed "INDIA LETTER/HASTINGS" (Rob.In.1) on the top flap overstruck by a very fine orange-red boxed downward-step-type "SHIP LETTER/HASTINGS" (Rob.S4) clearly struck in London (matching the London arrival c.d.s.; 31 Aug.). Good example of a P.O. error made in Hastings but corrected on arrival in the capital. Exhibition Quality. PHOTO - see page no. £300
| CANTON DURING THE 1st OPIUM WAR, 1838-42 | |
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ORIGINS OF THE WAR - "SHIP LETTER/PLYMOUTH" COVER TO G.B. REF. OPIUM & POSSIBLE "DISTURBANCE"; 18 Jan. 1838 E (side-flaps removed) from "Canton" (filing note above address) to Dundee endorsed "Per [Ship] General Kyd" charged "1/11" with a mostly fine rare fancy Scottish Mail Tax "1/2" mark of Bristol on the front and a fair step-type framed "SHIP LETTER/PLYMOUTH" on the top flap. The little contents that remain include tantalising references to trouble brewing prior to the 1st Opium War; "...if an Embassy is sent, let it avow its purpose & coldly carry it thro', demand justice, but as the law of Nations requires. The Chinese have always as yet been allowed to carry their point; they see us here without a single means of defense, not so much as a Man of War [ship] stationed outside by which news of a disturbance could be carried elsewhere, & is it surprising they fancy themselves "Lords of the Universe"? Capt. Eliot, I told you before has left Canton...21st [Jan. 1838] Opium trade...I have often mentioned to you. At present there is a vessel lying at Whampoa...the Mandarins are making a great noise about it...they are punishing the poor unfortunate devil of a Pilot..." Prophetic letter just prior to the outbreak of hostilities. [Ex Martin Willcocks & ex Cavendish June 2006 auction, lot 364; realised £506.] PHOTO - see above. £300
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ORIGINS OF THE WAR - EARLY NEWS OF UNREST AMONG THE CHINESE DUE TO APPEARANCE OF THE BRITISH SQUADRON; 15th Aug. 1838 EL (fully typed transcript; some reinforced folds, small part flap lost but otherwise complete) from "Canton" to Scotland, endorsed "P. [Ship] Anna Robertson", with a partly fine red downward-step-type "SHIP LETTER/DEAL" on the top flap, charged "1/10" with a faint London "1/2" Mail Tax Mark. The letter, written by a British merchant in Canton to his banker brother back in Scotland, gives a fascinating analysis of recent problems in China between the Chinese authorities and the British merchants/navy, which were to lead directly to the 1st Opium War:- "...in the last letter...I alluded to the most hostile position in which we and our most noble Master, the Viceroy, are now placed....the Admiral's retirement to Toonkoo has been far from sufficient to restore confidence among the Mandarin host...[they are] almost daily adding to interruptions and annoyances that threaten of themselves merely to bring the trade in reality to a stand still. For instance they have not allowed one of the Ships that came through the Bogue while the Squadron was at Chuen Pee [?] to commence discharging...they have been torturing and examining all the Pilots that brought them up to ascertain if they had any of the Officers from the Men of War. The Bogue merchants have also, at their directions, sent us an order requiring all ships' boats to call & be searched at no less than three Chop houses on the way from Whampoa, & if they are not obeyed they tell us plump that they will stop the refractory ship's trade. At Macao they now grant passes to the schooners which they are required to display at the Bogue, or submit to be turned back." He goes on to describe a ship's Captain bribing his way out of the blockade, discusses the supposed evils of the Opium Trade, and criticises his American competitors in the China trade. Rare and Historical glimpse of the crucial moments that started the hostilities that became the First Opium War. [Ex Cavendish's Richard Chan auction, Oct. 2003, lot 260; realised £1,725.] PHOTO - see page no. £1,200
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EARLY STAGES OF THE WAR - 'RIVER MAIL' COVER SENT TO AMERICAN SHIP EXPELLED TO WHAMPOA; Fine 2 Jan. 1839 EL from "Canton" to an American ship's Captain ("Capt. William Graves, American Ship Thos. Perkins") at "Whampoa" to which the ship had just been expelled in a dispute with the Chinese over some opium smuggled onshore at Canton; endorsed "[Per] Beef boat" with superb Chinese character endorsement on the lower flap. The contents refer to the ongoing difficulties for trade; "The trade is again open for all those vessels that are secured and I have put in their chops for you to be alongside tomorrow morning". It is recorded that the writer of the letter, "William R. Talbot" was wrongly accused of complicity in this smuggling (on 6 Dec. 1838) for which some coolies were executed on the spot. Significant item from the dawn of the War and a rare local River Letter. PHOTO - see page no. £300
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HOLYHEAD SHIP/INDIA LETTER ERROR COVER WITH UP-TO-DATE NEWS OF THE START OF TRADE EMBARGOES; 15/16 May 1839 EL from "Canton" to Somerset "P. [Ship] Tigris" charged "1/5" and then "1/9" with a very fine rare red boxed "INDIA LETTER/HOLYHEAD" just across the join on the reverse matching the mainly very fine framed step-type "HOLYHEAD/SHIP LETTER" on the front; the India Letter was struck in error and has the word "INDIA" crossed out in manuscript matching the postal rates. The contents are also very significant including; "[ours of 6th instant informed] you that the Trade had been partially reopened & that the Passage Boats were once again permitted to run...[but] no Foreigner is now permitted to visit the Hongs...we expect the Deliveries of Opium surrendered to Government will be completed in a few days...this event will prove the Signal for the suspension of our intercourse with the Chinese & for Foreigners leaving Canton, most parties [are] employed...in saving as much property as possible... The Commissioner's last Edict has partly anticipated Captn. Elliot's forthcoming Proclamation - it announced that the Penalty of the Bonds is hereafter to expected & nearly every Foreigner is preparing for departure for Macao - there to await better times &b the result of such measures as may be adopted by H.M. Government." The War was now inevitable. Important Ship/India Letter with Important Historical contents. PHOTO - see page no. £850
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THE 1st AFGHAN WAR + THE 1st OPIUM WAR - NEWS OF THE FORMER & OF EXPEDITION TO THE LATTER; 6 Feb. - 7 Apr. 1840 EL (toned corner barely detracts) from "Ferozepore" (one J.D. Parsons) to an M.P. in London endorsed "Post pd pr Steamer" with a fair red oval Bombay "INDIA" on the front, along with unusual manuscript "Ind. Postage 1-5-0/Steam 0-13-6/[=] Rs.2-2-6"; charged "3/6" on arrival (London c.d.s. of 7 Apr. 1840), with native endorsement on the flap. The contents are from an East India Co. official (?) who has just returned from Afghanistan; "...I have returned safe from Affghanistan - I wrote to you several times from thence, but as the communication with India was so much interrupted by the Belooches, who robbed & murdered our people whenever they had the opportunity, it's very probable many of my letters never reached their destination." He continues; "As we have a large Force still in Affghanistan, the Governor General thinks my services more important here at present...", and then; "Our Expedition for China is now preparing, and Troops are to be sent from Calcutta. Madras and Ceylon...I much doubt of their producing any good results...threatening Pekin is about the only thing that will bring the Chinese Government to their senses...". [Ex Cavendish Jan. 2006 auction, lot 242; realised £391.] Important Historical letter. PHOTO - see page no. £300
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LIVERPOOL SHIP LETTER TO G.B. DELAYED BY START OF BRITISH BLOCKADE OF THE CANTON RIVER; Fine 10 June 1842 EL (internal heading folds to display beside address-panel) from "Canton" to London "[Per Ship] Mary Ann" charged "1/4" with a very fine "LIVERPOOL/[Crown]/SHIP LETTER" c.d.s. (7 Feb. 1841) on the top flap; an unofficial blockade of the Canton River had begun the day before this letter was written and the full official blockade by the British Navy started from 28 June; it is recorded that the ship that carried this letter finally sailed from Canton on 11 July. Rare example of mail disrupted by the start of Naval activities. PHOTO - see page no. £300
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"OVERLAND" LETTER EX SINGAPORE TO G.B. VIA "INDIA" WITH F.A.C. & NEWS OF ADMIRAL ELLIOT's RESIGNATION, ETC.; Fine 17 Dec. 1840 EL from "Singapore" ("P[er]. Clown to Calcutta") to London by "Overland" route and so charged "2/8" with a very fine red boxed "INDIA" on the front and matching boxed "CALCUTTA/TEAM LETTER" d.s. on the flap beside a very fine double-oval "FORWARDED BY/MESSRs. BAGSHAW & Co./CALCUTTA". The contents include a full account of costs for a voyage of a N.Z. ship to China and states that; "H.M.S. Volage arrived this morning from Macao; Admiral Elliot has resigned command of the Expedition (5 Decr.) and his successor Sir Gordon Bremer, with Capt. Elliott, was up at the Bogue carrying on the negotiations...but whether the Chinese will give in before hostilities are resorted to is uncertain, the probability is they will not...". Rare contemporary news of developments in the 1st Opium War in China. PHOTO - see page no. £240
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NEWS OF RENEWED HOSTILITIES AT CANTON IN "EXPRESS" LETTER FROM INDIA; 22 Apr. 1841 EL from "Calcutta" to Birmingham (ref. glassware; how to suspend chandeliers and with a small sketch of a goblet) endorsed "via Marseilles" and "Express" and so charged "2/8" with a very fine boxed red "INDIA" on the front matching a poor Calcutta d.s. on the reverse. The postscript is significant; "...they have been forced to recommence hostilities in China; Canton is now in the possession of the British, but I am afraid that blockhead Elliot will again depend upon Chinese promises & after being laughed at, hence all to do over again...Opium is still smuggled in to a great extent; the vessels run up the coast & boats come off to buy." Good insight into the failures of Captain Elliot. PHOTO - see page no. £150
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NEWS OF THE "BRITISH EXPEDITION" FROM A U.S. TRADER IN "CANTON"; Fine 30 Sept. 1841 EL (folds to show internal heading beside address-panel) from a recently arrived American ship's Captain from "Canton" to London endorsed (presumably by a Bombay Forwarding Agent) "Via Marseilles 1 January 1842" on the front and so charged "2/8" with a partly fine red oval-framed Bombay "INDIA" mark on the front; there is a London backstamp o 8 Feb. 1842. The letter gives a fascinating insight into developments in China; "I arrived here in the Ship 'Venice' on the 24th inst., and although the British Expedition is still in operation to the Northward, found all quiet here and the trade going on as usual." Chusan was captured by the British the very next day after this letter was written! There was an uneasy peace in Canton at this date after the British forces took over on 27 May 1841, following the burning of the English 'Factory' there on 24 May 1841. PHOTO - see page no. £300
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EARLY INGOING COVER TO CANTON FROM U.S.A. VIA G.B. WITH BOSTON (HARNDEN) F.A.C. MARKS; Fine 31 Mar. 1842 EL (minor closed tears at top centre of address-panel) to "Canton, China" (from the Heard family correspondence) endorsed "Overland Mail" with an 80% (partly off edge) mainly very fine red oval-framed "[FORWARDED] FROM/[HA]RNDEN'S/PACKAGE EXPRESS & FOREIGN/LETTER OFFICE/No.2 COURT ST. BOSTON" on the front along with matching mainly v. fine "Pd/H" in circle (postage accounted for by Harnden & Co.) also having a very fine boxed red "PAID AT/LIVERPOOL" (closed tear) on the front with manuscript "1/-" rate and red manuscript "Via Falmouth". There are no back stamps but the letter would have reached Canton on 8 Aug. 1842 on the 'John Brightman', just a few days after the British took Chinkiangfoo and 3 weeks before the signing of the Treaty of Nanking. One of few known ingoing covers to China during the 1st Opium War period. PHOTO - see page no. £150
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SHIP LETTERS TO G.B. JUST BEFORE THE TREATY WAS RATIFIED - INC. UNIQUE (?) EXAMPLE ON INDIA PACKET LETTER; 24 Apr. & 19 June 1843 EL/E (latter with small fault folded inside) both from "Canton" to the same London address; the first sent by "[Ship] Zephyr" to a Bombay Forwarding Agent then "via Marseilles" and so with v. fine red oval-framed Bombay "INDIA" on the front and charged "2/3", but most exceptionally also with a mainly fine red London "SHIP LETTER" mark on the front [was the regular Packet Ship from Alexandria re-routed for some reason?]. the other sent by "[Ship] Oriental" and charged "8" with a mainly fine black boxed downward step-type "SHIP LETTER/DOVER" across the join on the reverse. Good pair posted after the signing of the Treaty of Nanking (29 Aug. 1842) but before its ratification on 26 June 1843. (2 covers) PHOTO - see page no. £200
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INGOING COVER WITH LATE USAGE OF RARE RED HONG KONG "ARMS" OVAL ON COVER FROM U.S.; Fine 14 June 1843 E from "Boston" (filing note) sent "[Per Ship] Stieglitz" to Heard & Co. in "Canton, China" with no postal marks or arrival date except for a partly fine fancy red oval-framed "HONG KONG POST OFFICE/[Arms]" mark (only recorded July 1842 to Feb. 1844) nicely placed on the front. It is thought that this letter reached Hong Kong early in Nov. 1843; it was posted there. Rare US cover with the HK 'Arms' mark. PHOTO - see page no. £500
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TRIO OF COVERS TO G.B. VIA FRANCE - TWO POSTED IN "HONG-KONG" - ALL AT DIFFERENT RATES; 22 Nov. 1844, 29 Jan. 1846 & 28 Mar. 1846 E + ELs(2) all from "Canton" endorsed "Via Marseilles" to Chichester (2; with long interesting family/trade contents) or London; the first carried privately to Calcutta and posted there (the others with mainly v. fine sanserif "HONG-KONG" c.d.s. back stamps), charged "4/1", "2/3" or "1/10" respectively. The Jan. 1846 EL with interesting reference to ongoing trouble in Canton; "...[ref.] an expected disturbance in Canton...there is now very little danger of such an occurrence - the fact is the people show great opposition to Foreigners entering the City, publishing threatening placards &c, & the local Government are so powerless that they cannot prevent this, or afford protection to the persons of Foreigners within the Walls...the state of Canton has been reported to the Emperor and it remains for him to devise means for the fulfilment of the terms of the Treaty [of Nanking]." Unusual set. PHOTO - see page no. £240
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TRIO OF COVERS TO G.B. VIA FRANCE - TWO POSTED IN "HONG-KONG" - INCL. VERY HIGH ("12/3") RATE; 30 Oct. 1844, 25 Nov. 1846 & 26 Mar. 1849 E + ELs(2) all from "Canton" and endorsed "Via Marseilles" to Huth in London; the first carried privately to Calcutta and posted there charged "4/1"; the others with mainly fine or faint sanserif "HONG-KONG" c.d.s. backstamps, charged "1/10" or "12/3" respectively (the latter an interesting lengthy printed prices current circular with comments on ongoing difficulties with the Chinese; "The excitement amongst the Chinese daily increases...the position of Foreigners is one of doubt and uncertainty...the Chinese have a body of troops collected in the City and a large force has been organised by the people in the suburbs for the protection of private property from the Ladrones who have gathered here in grate numbers in the hope of plunder." Good trio. (3 covers) PHOTO - see page no. £150
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RARE PREPAID COVER TO FRANCE VIA MARSEILLES WITH HONG-KONG DOUBLE-BOXED "PAID" MARK; 23 Apr. 1846 E from "Canton" (file note) prepaid "1/-" to Paris with a superb private firm's red boxed "via Marseilles/Bell & Co." on the front beside a very fine early red double-boxed Hong Kong "PAID" and a poor Marseilles transit c.d.s., having a very fine sanserif "HONG-KONG" c.d.s. (23 May) nicely placed on the top flap beside a Paris arrival c.d.s. (23 July), charged "20" [decimes] on arrival. Spectacular and colourful cover to a rare destination from Canton at this early date. Exhibition Quality. PHOTO - see page no. £500
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