364 / März 2017

1840 (Jan 30): Entire letter from Welford endorsed 'via Marseilles' and docketed at '4/2d.' in red manuscript at left with breakdown of charges, with interesting content "we know not where you are...I sent a number of letters to Mr. Hodgson to be forwarded by the land despatch...each letter would cost 4 shillings..", addressed to Dr. Hobson care of Agents in Singapore and Parapatten, Java, eventually delivered to the care of Reverend Bridgman in Macao. Struck on obverse with Liverpool cds (Feb 4) in red, London tombstone 'Paid' despatch (Feb 4) together with immensely rare 'CARE OF MR. WAGHORN / L´POOL.  ALEXANDRIA' in black (Sidebottom type 8, latest recorded of the five strikes of this marking known). Reverse with London cds in black and red, framed 'SINGAPORE / Paid' datestamp in red over a 'Bearing' datestamp in black. An entire of great rarity, listed in Sidebottom on page 150. One of just two Waghorn entires known used to Macau, this being the earliest. Note 1: Addressed care of Reverend Elijah Coleman Bridgman (1801-1861), America's first Protestant Missionary appointed to China, and one of the few missionaries arriving prior to the first Opium War. Fluent in Chinese dialects his extensive writings included 'The Chinese Repository' the world´s first major journal of sinology. As a translator he contributed to America's first treaty with the Chinese Qing dynasty government. He worked in Macau between 1839 and 1841. Note 2: The addressee, Dr. Benjamin Hobson (1816-1873) was a Protestant medical missionary, initially arriving in Macau in December, 1839. He opened a hospital in Macau in August 1840 with a further Hospital opening in Hong Kong a few years later.  Provenance: John K. Sidebottom OBE (Robson Lowe 1953, lot 30)                      'Cicurel' collection (Harmers London 1961, lot 733)

1840 (Nov 3): Entire letter from Welford to Dr. Hobson, Macau Hospital, China; endorsed 'via Marseilles' with manuscript ´G.W.W.' (Wheatley) notation at upper right and struck with superb 'CARE OF MESSRS. WAGHORN & Co. / LONDON. ALEXANDRIA.' handstamp in black (Sidebottom type 7, eight examples recorded). Reverse with framed 'BOMBAY / SHIP LETTER / Bearing' in black (December 14), a journey time of just 41 days. Interesting content: "I was in London this fortnight and ascertained that the Land despatch leaves tomorrow, a letter under a 1/4 of an ounce is 3/8d...".  A remarkable and very rare entire, one of just two known Waghorn covers addressed to Macau. Cert. Holcombe (1987). Note: The addressee, Dr. Benjamin Hobson (1816-1873) was a Protestant medical missionary, initially arriving in Macau in December, 1839. He opened a hospital in Macau in August 1840 with a further Hospital opening in Hong Kong a few years later. Provenance:  John K. Sidebottom OBE (Robson Lowe 1953)                       John Sussex (Christie's 1987)

1845: Entire letter from Edinburgh to William Leslie, Macau endorsed 'via Southampton' with Edinburgh 'Paid' despatch cds (Dec 31, 1844) and London tombstone 'Paid' datestamp (Jan 1, 1845) in red. Manuscript '1/-' prepaid in red with reverse showing double arc HONG KONG cds (April 21) in black. A fresh and fine entire with interesting content including a hand drawn map.  William Leslie was partner of the Hong Kong merchant Dent & Co.