May 1839 Waghorn Sidebottom 9 Cover

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.

"Magnolia"