16 July 1838 Waghorn Cover

16 July 1838

Corinphila - 1838 (July 16): Entire letter from Calcutta to Morrison Cryder & Co. in London endorsed "per Steamer via Bombay", with reverse showing framed "CALCUTTA / STEAM LETTER / PAID" in red (July 16) and rated in manuscript "15 annas" for internal rate to Bombay, struck with oval framed "Care of Mr. Waghorn / Suez" in black with manuscript "366, PR / SS & Co." of Samuel Smith & Co, Waghorn's Calcutta Agents (Sidebottom type 3) and rectangular framed "INDIA" in red. From Bombay (Aug 1), the cover was carried by the EIC "Atalanta" not to Suez as advertised in the Press but instead went via the Persian Gulf- where this Mail was plundered by Arab marauders - see attached email from the doyen of this area of collecting, Jochen Heddergott, enclosed with this lot. Eventually some of the Mail reached Alexandria where handed to the French P.O. and struck with "Alexandrie / Egypte" cds (Sept 27) with framed "INDIES ORIEN / PAR / ALEXANDRIE" alongside and oval "PAQUEBOTS / DE LA / MEDITERRANÉE" in red. Carried on the "Rhamses" to Syra from there on the "Sesostris" (Oct 1) to Malta where disinfected and struck with circular "PURIFIÉ LAZARET / MALTE" in black, thence on the "Eurotas" to Marseille with Paris transit in blue (Oct 15) and London arrival (Oct 17) in black and framed "BRITISH / FOREIGN" in black showing charge due of 3s. 8d. British Postage + 3s 9d. French Postage in manuscript for a letter under ½ ounce with enclosure, with a total charge of 7/5d. due to pay. A superb and extremely important entire. Signed Todd AIEP. Note 1: Journey time 93 days, roughly a month late

"Camellia"