Scan or Photo Courtesy of Siegel Auction Galleries
Date
20 January 1840
Description
INDIA, Hursole, 1840, "HURSOLE/Paid" Handstamp (Giles 1). Exceptional boxed strike in magenta with manuscript "20 Jany 1840" date and "9 ans" rate on bottom flap of folded letter with "post paid to Bombay" along top flap, addressed to William Fanning in Hong Kong Bay, China, sender's directive "per first opportunity", red manuscript "1/2" EXTREMELY FINE STRIKE OF THIS HURSOLE MARKING AND SENT TO HONG KONG DURING THE FIRST OPIUM WAR. The lack of any additional postal markings indicates the possibility that this letter was carried on a military vessel to Hong Kong. During this time, most merchant vessels left Hong Kong harbor due to hostilities.
Auction
Sale 1301, Lot 6020
Same office
Other recorded marks at Hursole
1 markOne other pre-1854 postal marking of Hursole is recorded in the census. Compare it against this mark to place your cover.
About this record
This 20 January 1840 pre stamp cover of British India bears the Hursole HG 1 handstamp of the Bombay Presidency, a mark graded “Common” in this census — the only surviving cover with this mark recorded so far. It has appeared at auction with Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries, Sale 1301, lot 6020.