Sale #48 - Hong Kong & Treaty Ports

Hong Kong, 1843 entire letter datelined "Victoria Hong Kong 30th November 1843" to London (14-15.5.44) "Per Steamer overland via Falmouth" redirected to Leamington (16.2) showing fine to very fine "Hong Kong Post Office" Royal Arms h.s. in red with "India" oval h.s. in red adjacent and on reverse "Postage/Inward Bearing Ans. 3/Outward do. 2/5" framed h.s. (edge across the join) reflecting 5a. Indian charge, rated initially in U.K. "1/-" (packet rate via Southampton), re-rated upon redirection "1/1", a very fine example of the popular Hong Kong Arms mark showing a very scarce usage in connection with the tombstone "Postage Inwards" marking applied in India. The letter was incorrectly endorsed "via Falmouth" as the packet service had by this point switched its Engish port to Southampton. Carried by H.M.S. Spiteful Hong Kong (30.11) to Bombay (25.12), East India Co. "Bernice" Bombay (1.1) to Suez (20.1), and P&O "Oriental" Alexandria (24.1) to Southampton (14.2). An important and delightful example of the Hong Kong Arms mark.
Estimate HK$ 100,000 - 120,000
Provenance: Admiral George Dyer.