13 November 1839 Waghorn Cover

13 November 1839

Postal cover from waghorn (), bearing unknown handstamp in unknown. Scarce example of postal history from this office. Corinphila - 1839 (Nov 13): Special letter-sheet with imprinted "FORWARDED BY / MR. WAGHORN'S AGRA AGENCY / MR. MCCALLUM. / Registration fee paid, BOMBAY" (applied after the letter was sealed, one of four such recorded) mailed from Agra, India to Grindlay's East India Agency in London, struck on reverse with watery "AGRA / Paid" datestamp of despatch in red annotated "1 rupee 2 annas" in manuscript for Steam Postage of 8 annas and inland postage of 10 annas (repeated in manuscript but the "8" changed to "9" annas due to the recent rate increase of Steam postage). Carried by the EIC "Berenice" from Bombay (Nov 18), arriving at Suez (Dec 16), thence carried by "HMS Blazer" from Alexandria to Malta, (Dec 29), the "HMS Megeara" to Marseille with London arrival (Jan 9, 1840) cds in black where "3/6d." charge was raised - 1/10d. British postage and 1/8d. French postage for a letter under ½ ounce. Somewhat surprisingly lacking transit markings but the "3/6d." due was presumably deleted once Waghorn's Offi ce had been paid. Scarce and fi ne. Signed Todd AIEP. Note 1: Journey time 57 days.

"Camellia"