31 May 1839 Waghorn Sidebottom 7 Cover

31 May 1839

EGYPT, 1839, "CARE OF MESSRS. WAGHORN & CO./LONDON. ALEXANDRIA." (Sidebottom 7; Smith 7). Clear strike of two-line handstamp and manuscript "G.W.W." initials belonging to George W. Wheatley (Waghorn's agent in London) on folded letter datelined Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, May 31, 1839 and addressed to Calcutta, India, sender's directive "pr Overland Mail via Marseilles", red "P-D" handstamp, Calais Jul. 1 transit and red Calcutta G.P.O. Sept. arrival datestamps, light rate markings, letter regarding business correspondence but makes mention of the "consequence of the difficulties in China with the Opium trade...", the First Opium War began shortly after this cover arrived, slight splitting along folds and minor waterstain at top right VERY FINE. A RARE EXAMPLE OF THE WAGHORN TYPE 7 HANDSTAMP—SMITH RECORDS ONLY EIGHTEEN. THIS IS LIKELY THE ONLY EXAMPLE OF THIS HANDSTAMP USED ON A COVER FROM THE UNITED STATES. Smith records the use of this Type 7 handstamp from Apr. 25, 1839 to Sep. 1841. All examples listed in Sidebottom originate in London. We believe this to be the only example of this marking on a cover from the United States, a very rare origin for any Thomas Waghorn cover.

"Magnolia"