Waghorn Sidebottom 9

May 1839

EGYPT, 1839, "MADRAS NO. (81)/CARE OF MR. WAGHORN/SUEZ" (Sidebottom 9; Smith 9). Exceptionally bold three-lined boxed handstamp with "81" in manuscript on folded letter addressed to Bordeaux, France, red Madras May 25, 1839 boxed despatch datestamp on back, sender's directive "In the care of T. Waghorn, Esq., Suez", red boxed "Paquebots de la Mediterranee" and "India Paid/Packet Letter" in circle, and "Purifie au Lazaret, Malte" handstamps, Alexandria Jul. 17 transit and Bordeaux Aug. 4 arrival datestamps, cover with minor edgewear, rate marking with ink erosion repaired by tape (just affecting Waghorn strike) VERY FINE STRIKE. ONE OF THE RAREST THOMAS WAGHORN HANDSTAMPS—ONLY FIVE EXAMPLES ARE RECORDED. THIS IS THE EARLIEST USE OF THIS HANDSTAMP KNOWN TO US. Sidebottom was evidently unaware of this cover when his book was written, as he notes Madras Nos. 13, 19, and 21. The Magnolia collection had an example noted as "No. 18" (Sale 1286, lot 70) that was also unlisted. Smith records four examples dated between Dec. 21, 1839, and Dec. 18, 1840, but this cover predates that date range by about seven months.

22 May 1839

21 September 1839

10 April 1840

(x) India Early Letters and Handstamps 1840 (10 Apr.) entire letter from Madras to London, rated "2/8" and showing rare framed "madras no./care of mr waghorn/suez." h.s. (Type 9) with manuscipt "19" inserted, oval-framed "india" in red and, on reverse, "madras/Paid" and "madras/steamer/Paid" d.s. also in red. The earliest of the eight recorded covers with this rare Waghorn marking. Photo

18 December 1840

21 December 1840

1840, "MADRAS NO. 18/CARE OF MR. WAGHORN/SUEZ" (Sidebottom 9; Smith 9). Clear strike of three-line handstamp with "18" in manuscript on folded letter with highly detailed financial tables, datelined Madras Dec. 21, 1840 and addressed to Colonel de Havilland in Guernsey, two different Madras Dec. 21, 1840 despatch and London transit datestamps, red "INDIA" oval handstamp, minor mended tear on top flap VERY FINE. ONE OF THE RAREST THOMAS WAGHORN HANDSTAMPS, OF WHICH ONLY FIVE ARE RECORDED. THIS IS THE LATEST RECORDED EXAMPLE AND TO A RARE DESTINATION. Sidebottom was evidently unaware of this cover when his book was written, as he notes Madras Nos. 13, 19, and 21, but not this No. 18. Smith records four examples, which we presume includes this cover, but it is not noted as the latest example. Smith notes dates between Dec. 21, 1839, and Dec. 18, 1840, but his Dec. 21 date could be based on the cover offered here, which was sent in 1840, not 1839. There is one other example in the Heddergott collection (No. 34). Apart from the handstamp type, we know of no other Waghorn cover addressed to Guernsey. The recipient, Lieut. Col. Thomas Fiott de Havilland (1775-1866), was a decorated British army officer who was imprisoned by the French in Egypt in 1801. He served as the Madras Presidency engineer and a member of Guernsey's legislature. In 1823 he returned from India to Guernsey, where he was born, and settled on an estate, which is today the largest privately owned estate on the island.