Waghorn Sidebottom 3a

1838

30 March 1838

EGYPT, 1838, "Care of Mr. Waghorn, Suez" (Sidebottom 3a; Smith 3a). Exceptional strike of oval handstamp with manuscript "1 R" (one rupee) and agent initials on folded letter datelined Calcutta Mar. 30, 1838 and addressed to Bordeaux, France, red Calcutta Steam Letter Apr. 10, 1838 despatch datestamp on back, sender's directive "By Overland", red boxed "INDIA", "Indes Orien par Alexandrie", "Purifie au Lazaret, Malte", and red "Paquebots de la Mediterranee" handstamps, Alexandria May 27 transit and Bordeaux Jun. 16 arrival datestamps, cover with disinfection slits VERY FINE. THIS IS ONE OF THE FINEST STRIKES OF THE TYPE 3a THOMAS WAGHORN HANDSTAMP—APPROXIMATELY EIGHT EXAMPLES RECORDED. At quick glance, this marking is very similar to the Type 3 handstamp. The key difference is in the size of the text, and it is most noticeable in the spacing between "Care of" and the outer oval. Both Sidebottom and Smith record just two examples, used between June and November 1839. We have located eight after a thorough survey of sale records, including the example offered here dated over a year earlier than previously recorded.

1839

5 June 1839

1839 (5.6) Folded lettersheet from Calcutta via Suez to Dublin, Ireland, showing clear strike of the oval “Care of Mr. T. Waghorn / Suez” hs (Smith Type 3a) in black, with boxed “INDIA” alongside, and red boxed “Steam Postage ... “ backstamp in red, with London & Dublin mkgs, a very fine and an extremely rare cover with only 12 recorded by us.

10 July 1839

11 July 1839

11 July 1839

More information on COV-1732 1839 (July 11) entire posted at Calcutta per opium clipper "Waterwitch" which broke a mast off Aden. The mails were eventually carried to Suez per E.I.C. "Constance". Alexandria (Oct 7) to Syra (Oct 10) per French packet "Minos". Syra (Oct 11) to Malta (Oct 14) per FRench packet "Sesostris". Then Malta (Oct 16) to Marseilles (Oct 22) per French packet "Eurotas". Sidebottom type 3a Calcutta Ship Letter Despatch h/s HG SD13

10 August 1839

21 September 1839

1839, "Care of Mr. Waghorn, Suez" (Sidebottom 3a; Smith 3a). Clear strike of oval handstamp with manuscript "one rupee" charge on folded letter datelined Calcutta Sep. 21, 1839, to Bordeaux, France, sender's directive "Via Bombay and Suez per steamer", red boxed Calcutta "Steam Postage" despatch and Bordeaux arrival backstamps, red boxed "INDIA" and "Paquebots de la Mediteranee" handstamps VERY FINE. ONE OF THE RAREST THOMAS WAGHORN HANDSTAMPS WITH APPROXIMATELY EIGHT REPORTED TO EXIST. At quick glance, this marking is very similar to the Type 3 handstamp. The key difference is in the size of the text, and it is most noticeable in the spacing between "Care of" and the outer oval. Both Sidebottom and Smith record just two examples, used between June and November 1839, but we located eight after a thorough survey of sale records. Ex "Oscar", Antonini, and Fikry.

November 1839

Egypt, 1839, "Care of Mr. Waghorn, Suez" (Sidebottom 3a; Smith 3a). Bold strike of oval handstamp with manuscript "1 (rupee)" and agent initials on 1839 folded cover to the Military Department at India House in London, England, bold red "Calcutta, 18_ November 7, FREE" oval despatch datestamp on back, red "INDIA" oval handstamp, London Jan. 9, 1840 arrival backstamp, rated "3/6" VERY FINE. ONE OF THE RAREST THOMAS WAGHORN HANDSTAMPS WITH APPROXIMATELY EIGHT EXAMPLES RECORDED. At quick glance, this marking is very similar to the Type 3 handstamp. The key difference is in the size of the text, and it is most noticeable in the spacing between "Care of" and the outer oval. Both Sidebottom and Smith record just two examples, used between June and November 1839, but we located eight after a thorough survey of sale records. With 1995 Robson Lowe certificate.

5 November 1839

1839 Gowahutty – Cornwall entire via Bombay & overland route, with Gauhatty Giles 3 "GOWAHUTTY/Paid" despatch handstamp, date "5 Nov. 1839" & rate "8as" (Gauhatty–Calcutta single letter inland postage) applied in manuscript, addressed to Messrs Canton & Co. at Calcutta. There, Giles G14 "GPO/1839 Nov 9" receipt & "PM" delivery time mark applied. The agent applied their mark "FORWARDED BY/CANTON & Co./CALCUTTA" & paid the Egyptian transit fee of 1 rupee as a single letter (under ½ oz.) and registered this letter with Waghorn's agent at Calcutta. They applied Sidebottom Type 3a "Care of /Mr. T. Waghorn /Suez." mark and registration No. "488", as well as "1/" indicating 1 rupee, with the agent's signature applied in manuscript. They then posted this letter at the GPO in the usual manner. There, Giles SD13 "STEAM POSTAGE/INLAND DO/TOTAL" despatch & SD16 "INDIA" (port transit) mark applied, rate "9" (9A British steam postage up to Suez) & "14" (14A double letter Calcutta–Bombay inland postage, as between ¼–1 tolah wt.), total "1–7" (total 1R7A) paid by the agent Canton & Co. & applied in manuscript. From Bombay it was sent to Suez via the EIC steamer BERENICE, travelled overland to Alexandria with Mr. Waghorn's couriers, from there sent to Malta via H.M.'s packet BLAZER, then sent to Marseilles via H.M.'s packet MAGEARA, and travelled to London via France. There, "II/9 JA 9/1840" receipt mark & "LONDON/9/JAN/1840" double-ring despatch mark applied, finally delivered at Cornwall & bearing "2/6" (single letter India–UK uniform rate via Marseilles comprising 1s 10d British + 10d French postage, as under ¼ oz.) collected from the recipient.

27 March 1840

(x) Straits Settlements Early Letters and Handstamps Waghorn Mail 1840 (27 Mar.) entire letter to Glasgow, marked "Via Marseilles", rated "6/2", showing framed "india" in red, good to fine oval framed "Care of/Mr T Waghorn/Suez" and, on reverse, oval-framed "forwarded by/lyall matheson & co/calcutta" and arrival datestamp (11.6); the entire with disinfection slits and with staining from disinfection. Believed to be the only cover from the Straits Settlements with a Waghorn cachet. Photo