21 September 1839 Waghorn Sidebottom 3a Cover

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.

"Oscar" Antonini Samir Amin Fikry "Magnolia"