November 1839 Waghorn Sidebottom 3a Cover

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.

"Magnolia"