22 February 1839 Waghorn Cover

22 February 1839

Corinphila - 1839 (Feb 22): Prepaid entire letter (with printed Prices Current) at single rate from London to Messrs. Guthrie & Co, Singapore, endorsed "via Marseilles", annotated "GWW" (George W. Wheatley) at top right, rated "2/8½d." in red manuscript (10d. British postage + 1/10½d. French postage for a letter under ¼ ounce) struck with very fi ne "CARE OF MR. WAGHORN / ALEXANDRIA" handstamp in black (Sidebottom type 4b), with London despatch cds (Feb 22) on reverse in black. Circular "Angl. / Calais" entry cds (Feb 25) in blue and oval "P-D" in red. From Marseille carried by "HMS Volcano" (March 9) to Malta (March 13) where the Mails were clearly delayed until April 11th when they were picked up by "HMS Blazer" and taken to Alexandria. The entire left Suez (April 17) on the EIC "Atalanta" for Bombay (May 5) where it was placed on the Schooner "Charlotte" which sailed (May 12) for Singapore and China. Slight acid ink discolouration but an extremely rare Waghorn usage to Singapore. Signed Todd AIEP. Note 1: Journey time 72 days. Probably the cover listed in Sidebottom as number 62 on page 150.

"Camellia"