25 May 1839 Waghorn Cover

25 May 1839

Waghorn's Overland Mail - Westbound 1839 (May 25): Complete invoices from Madras to Bordeaux, France endorsed "To the care of T. Waghorn Esq. Suez" at top and "p. Steamer" at base; struck on reverse with framed "MADRAS / Paid" and rated "8 annas" and by octagonal framed "MADRAS / STEAM LETTER / Paid" rated "8 annas" both in red, circular "INDIA / Packet Letter / PAID" in red with superlative strike of framed "MADRAS NO. "82" / CARE OF MR. WAGHORN / SUEZ" in black (Sidebottom type 9). Carried on the EIC "Hugh Lindsay" on the Persian Gulf route from Bombay (June 3) arriving at Basra, Iraq (June 19), thence to Alexandria where placed in the French P.O. with "INDIES / ALEXANDRIE" cds in black (July 17) and struck with framed "PAQUEBOTS / DE LA / MEDITERANÉE" in red carried on the "Léonidas" via Syra (July 22) and Malta where disinfected with circular "PURIFIÉ AU LAZARET / MALTE" in black on reverse, per the "Mentor" to Marseille (Aug 1) and Bordeaux (Aug 4). A spectacular cover, full of charm and of great rarity. Signed Todd AIEP. Note 1: Journey time 71 days, carried on the same sailing as the previous lot. Note 2: Sidebottom (page 151), lists just 3 covers with this cachet; Peter Smith lists 4 covers; this being the earliest. Note 3: Overall there was no time saved by the Persian Gulf routing - because the letter arrived with the Mails despatched a month later via Suez