2 September 1839 Waghorn Cover

2 September 1839

Postal cover from waghorn (), bearing Unknown handstamp in unknown. Scarce example of postal history from this office. Corinphila - 1839 (Sept 2): Entire letter from Madras to Leghon (Livorno), Italy, struck on reverse with framed "MADRAS / Paid" and rated "1½ rupees" and by octagonal framed "MADRAS / STEAM LETTER / Paid" rated the same with "1 rupee 8 annas" both in red, with very fi ne "MADRAS No. "50" / CARE OF MR. WAGHORN / SUEZ" handstamp in black (Sidebottom type 9). Oval Bombay "INDIA" handstamp in red on obverse. The "Berenice" which departed from Bombay (Sept 13) arrived at Suez (Oct 6) and transferred to the French Post Offi ce where struck with small cartridge "PAQUEBOTS / DE LA / MEDITERANÉE" in red. The Mails from the EIC "Berenice" were then taken by Thomas Waghorn himself aboard the Pasha's Steamer "Generoso" (in direct opposition from the British Offi cials in Alexandria) which departed Alexandria (Oct 13), together with the Mails from Calcutta which had been carried by the Schooner "Waterwitch" to Malta, however it is unclear how the Mails travelled from Malta but this cover shows arrival in Marseille (Oct 25) and thence to Livorno with arrival in black (Oct 30) and charged 5 lire, 10 centesemi in manuscript due to pay. A remarkable and extraordinary entire marked to travel by the French P.O. but instead due to the lateness of the sailings carried privately by Thomas Waghorn: A cover of great beauty and of considerable rarity - a very rare "Waghorn" cover addressed to Italy. Signed Todd AIEP. Note 1: Journey time 59 days. Note 2: See Colin Tabeart "Admiralty Mediterranean Steam Packets" page 58. Note 3: See also the letter from N. de Pothamier off ered under the "Waghorn Organisation" earlier

Max Uehlinger "Camellia"