15 January 1840 Waghorn Cover

15 January 1840

Corinphila - 1840 (Jan 15): Entire letter (less the power or Attorney also enclosed) from London to Madras, prepaid at "7/3½d." in red manuscript for a letter under ¾ ounce with an enclosure (at 1836 rate of 1/8d. British postage + 5/7½d. French postage), annotated at top right "C 61 / GWW" by George W. Wheatley on despatch; beautifully struck with "CARE OF MESSRS. WAGHORN & Co. / LONDON ALEXANDRIA" in black (Sidebottom type 7) and with Wheatley's handstamp (large format) "PER FRENCH STEAMER / VIA MARSEILLES" in black. Reverse with London despatch cds (Jan 16) in black, thence with "Angl. / Calais" entry mark in red (Jan 17) and oval "P-D" in red. From Marseille (Jan 21) carried on the French steamers "Eurotas" to Malta, the "Sesostris" (Jan 21) to Syra, thence from Alexandria to Suez where placed on board the EIC "Berenice" on February 23, with eventual arrival of framed "BOMBAY / Bearing" where charged "15" annas for onward transmission to Madras. A magnifi cent and famous cover of great charm. Signed Todd AIEP. Note 1: By this date the importance of Waghorn & Co. was beginning to wane with the opening of the French route which allowed British steamers to carry mail from Marseilles to Alexandria direct. However in this instance, neither Waghorn nor the British Post Offi ce could help the delays seen here in the monthly service East of Suez. Note 2: Journey time 66 days. Provenance: Collection Frederick Rowland Hill, Christie's, London, 5 Dec 1989, lot 482 (illustrated on the front cover of the catalogue).

Frederick Rowland Hill "Camellia"