Auction # 72 - Gems of Philately

1814 (Nov. 20) Canton, China to Boston, Mass. via Saybrook Ct. Dateline on folded letter with "Canton Novr 20th. 1814" to Boston Mass., endorsed "Favd. by Capt. Wm Cook", entered mails after 9 months at sea with manuscript "SayBrook Sept 9" 1815 postmark and matching "Sh 20¾" war surcharge rating for 18¾¢ inland postage (12½¢ plus 50% war surcharge) plus 2¢ ship fee, Very Fine.
Estimate; $1,000 - 1,500.

AN EXCEPTIONALLY EARLY AND RARE INCOMING LETTER FROM CHINA TO THE UNITED STATES DURING THE WAR OF 1812 DESCRIBING THE TROUBLES OF WAR AFFECTING THE FAR EAST TRADE.

Interesting letter from Canton showing the difficulties of Far East mail conveyance and multiple copies needing to be sent, "I was much gratified in receiving your Letters per Jacob Jones & Rambler… I wrote you per Tamaahmach, Russell and Sphinx the 24th June, & per Jacob Jones 1st July last, those vessels are loaded lying in the River blockaded by the Grampus & two Frigates. Copies of the above Letters I sent over to manilla by Mr Paine if any opportunity has occurred they are on the road. I also wrote you in April by a Portuguese Schooner from Macao on which Vessel Capt Rogers of late of the Ship Hunter of Boston took passage by that conveyance informed you of the Condemnation of the Ship Katherine, a Survey was called & she was pronounced unfit to repair being totaly rotten… In case of peace, the only Vessel in this River on which I could ship your property was the Meridian late Capt. Woodward. But that vessel, only four years old, two of which she has been on this river, is completely rotten & will certainly be condemned…I hope that peace will soon visit our deplorable County, or my spririts will be broken down…have on hand about forty thousand dollars in Silks & Nankeens mostly purchased before news of War reached us. have purchased no Teas except 200 quarters of Bohea before the War…I write you now particularly - as this letter goes in a Portugese Ship & may never reach you… Wm. Blanchard".