16 November 1838 Waghorn Sidebottom 8 Cover

16 November 1838

1838, "CARE OF MESSRS. WAGHORN & CO./L'POOL. ALEXANDRIA." (Sidebottom 8; Smith 8). Clear strike of two-line handstamp with initials at top right (R. T. Willis was Waghorn's agent in Liverpool) on folded letter datelined Philadelphia Pa. Nov. 16, 1838, and addressed to Calcutta, manuscript directive "via Marseilles", London Dec. 11, Liverpool, French and Bombay transit datestamps, red "P-D" handstamp, cover with some minor staining at right and a couple hinge reinforced folds FINE. A RARE EXAMPLE OF THE WAGHORN TYPE 8 HANDSTAMP--SMITH RECORDS ONLY EIGHT. THIS IS THE ONLY COVER WITH THIS HANDSTAMP KNOWN TO US THAT ORIGINATED IN THE UNITED STATES. Smith records eight examples of the Type 8 handstamp, used between Jun. 21, 1838, and Feb. 3, 1840. We are only aware of four covers originating in the United States--this is the only cover with this particular handstamp, which was applied in transit in Liverpool. The other three covers from the U.S. are known with the Type 7 handstamp (similar but with "London" versus "L'pool"). Ex Gibson (with his handstamp) and "Delta".

"Magnolia" Gibson "Delta"