1842 Waghorn Sidebottom 7 Cover

1842

Egypt, 1839, "CARE OF MESSRS. WAGHORN & CO./LONDON. ALEXANDRIA." (Sidebottom 7; Smith 7). Clear and mostly complete strike of two-line handstamp and partial initials belonging to George W. Wheatley (Waghorn's agent in London) on 1842 cover front only addressed to "T.O. Upjohn, Transport Eagle, Captn Patterson, Eastern Expedition, China", light pencil manuscript "Received June 15th 42" along top FINE STRIKE. AN EXCEPTIONALLY RARE COVER FRONT SENT TO THE EASTERN EXPEDITION IN CHINA USING THE WAGHORN TYPE 7 HANDSTAMP. The Type 7 handstamp is quite scarce, with Smith recording only eighteen covers dated between Apr. 25, 1839, and Sep. 1841. Very few Waghorn covers (or fronts such as this) are recorded to the Far East. Especially desirable as it was sent during the First Opium War. By Aug. 1842, the First Opium War came to a conclusion and resulted in Hong Kong being ceded to the British, the opening of five treaty port cities, and reparations of destroyed opium products.

"Magnolia"