25 January 1839 Waghorn Cover

25 January 1839

Corinphila - 1839 (Jan 25): Prepaid entire letter at single rate from London to William Ferguson in Calcutta, endorsed "via Marseilles", annotated "290 / GWW" (George W. Wheatley), rated "2/8½d." in red manuscript (10d. British postage + 1/10½d. French postage for a letter under ¼ ounce) struck with superb "CARE OF MR. WAGHORN / ALEXANDRIA" in black (Sidebottom type 4b), with London despatch cds (Jan 25) on reverse in black. Oval "P-D" in red; carried from Marseilles on the French steamer "Eurotas" to Malta (Feb 6), "HMS Hermes" to Alexandria (Feb 16) and the EIC "Hugh Lindsay" from Suez (Feb 24) to Bombay with arrival in black (March 24) showing "15" annas charge for journey to Calcutta with "G.P.O." arrival (April 2) in red. Faults at right but a fi ne strike. Signed Todd AIEP. Cert. J. Robineau & V. Pothion (1989). Note 1: Journey time 75 days. Probably the item listed in Sidebottom as cover 60 on page 150. Provenance: Collection Léon Dubus RDP., Drouot, Paris, 6 Oct 1989, lot 589.

Leon Dubrus "Camellia"