1837 Waghorn Cover

1837

Postal cover from waghorn (), bearing Unknown handstamp in unknown. Scarce example of postal history from this office. Corinphila - 1837: Entire letter with, sadly one internal page missing, from London to Wetmore & Co. in Canton, China endorsed at top "via Marseilles" and struck with superb "CARE OF MR WAGHORN / ALEXANDRIA" handstamp in black (Sidebottom type 4b - taller lettering), docketed at top right "66 / G.W.W." by George W. Wheatley (Waghorn's Agent in Falmouth). Circular "ANGLETERRE PAR CALAIS" in red and oval "P-D" also in red below. Forwarded again in Bombay as endorsed "Care of Messrs. Leckie & Co., Bombay" and this erased in manuscript when the letter was sent on to China on the "Pearl" with endorsement at top. Full manuscript charges in red on obverse with charges amounting to £1 3s. 6½d. for a letter weighing between 2-2¼ ounces under the 1836 rates = 6/8d. British postage + 16/10½d. French postage to Alexandria. Reverse unusually bears the total charge due of "£2 13s. 6½d." in manuscript (thus Waghorn's charges = £1 10s.), and notifi cation of receipt "Wetmore, Jan 4, 1838" in manuscript. An extraordinary cover to this rare destination and full of charm. Signed Todd AIEP. Provenance: Stanley Gibbons, London, 21 Nov 1997, lot 14