13 July 1839 Waghorn Cover

13 July 1839

Corinphila - Waghorn's Overland Mail - Eastbound 1839 (July 13): Prepaid entire letter at double rate from London to Thomas N. Richards in Calcutta, endorsed "via Marseille" in manuscript and annotated "G177 / GWW" by George W. Wheatley at top right, with "4/7d." in red manuscript (10d. British postage + 3/9d. French postage for a letter under ½ ounce) struck with fi ne "CARE OF MESSRS. WAGHORN & Co. / LONDON ALEXANDRIA" in black (Sidebottom type 7), with London despatch cds (July 15) on reverse in black. Calais entry marking in red and oval "P-D" above, from Marseille and arriving in Alexandria on "HMS Acheron" on July 31st., thence on the EIC "Atalanta" from Suez to Aden and transhipped there to the brig "Orissa" with reverse showing framed "Bombay / Bearing" datestamp (Sept 6) in black with "15" annas charge for onward transmission and Calcutta "G.P.O." arrival in red. A fi ne and extremely rare entire, both Sidebottom and Peter Smith recorded just 8 examples of this handstamp. Signed Todd AIEP. Cert. J. Robineau & V. Pothion (1989). Provenance: Collection Léon Dubus RDP, Drouot, Paris, 6 Oct 1989, lot 588.

Leon Dubus "Camellia"