364 / März 2017

1853: 80 c. carmine on yellowish, a superb large margined example used on 1857 cover to 'Hong Kong ou Macau' endorsed 'voie de Suez', tied by '441' petit chiffres with corresponding Bordeaux cds alongside (June 20). Framed 'P.P.' in red on front and reverse with three French transits including Marseilles (June 22) and HONG KONG double arc arrival cds (Aug 6) in black. Signed Goebel.

1855: Cover from Paris addressed to a sailor on board the French Corvette 'Constantine' at Macau, endorsed 'par Marseille, l'istmus de Suez' in manuscript, franked by 1853 20 c. blue (five examples) overlapping three sides of the envelope and all intact, tied by large 'roulette de gros points' in black. Paris cds of despatch (Nov 23) on front and '1/-' British charge in manuscript alongside. Reverse with faint Hong Kong datestamp of receipt in black. An unusual destination.

1856: Second sheet of entire letter from Paris to Canton, China endorsed 'Overland Mail via Marseilles', franked by 1853 20 c. blue, slight marginal divot and 80 c. carmine on yellowish, tied by mute Paris Star with despatch cds (Sept 5) in black below and framed 'P.P.' in red at left. Struck on arrival with superb strike of the extremely rare Hong Kong "1/-" charge marking in black for amount due for the journey from Alexandria to Canton (for a similar example see John Sussex sale lot 3221) and reverse with HONG KONG cds (Nov 2) in black. A rare and most appealing cover. Signed Goebel.

1859: 2nd Opium War, Covers (2) from the same correspondence, each addressed to Hong Kong to a Captain Kerjegu commanding a French Corvette during the 2nd Opium War, one with 1853 20 c. blue (two fine examples) mailed from St. Brisuc with framed 'P.P.' in red; the second cover with a large margined pair of 1853 40 c. orange tied by '786' petit chiffres mailed from Chateauneuf-Du-Faou struck with framed 'PD' in red and endorsed 'Station Francaise en L'indochine' at base with HONG KONG arrival cds (Oct 23) in blue on reverse. An attractive and scarce pair.

1881: Cover from Nancy addressed to Imperial Customs in Takao, Formosa (Taiwan) endorsed 'via Amoy', franked by Type Sage 15 c. blue and 20 c. bistre on yellowish tied by 'Nancy / Meurthe et Moselle' datestamp in black. Reverse with large 'Tresorie Payeur Général' cachet, Paris cds in blue (July 23) and HONG-KONG transit cds (Aug 25). An extremely scarce destination and a very early date for mail into Taiwan.

1867: Cover from Flensburg to Shanghai, China endorsed 'via Triest' with 1866 10 sgr. rose in two strips of three, tied by FLENSBURG cds's (Sept 4) in black. Reverse with oval Triest (Sept 8) transit, thence via British P.O. in Alexandria with cds (Sept 17) in black on front. Reverse with HONG KONG transit cds (Oct 23) in black. The strips  with repairs, letter sheet with strengthening along folds, one flap added and some sympathetic paper replacement, nevertheless a remarkable and rare franking in the Prussian period to an exotic destination. Signed Kastaun BPP. Cert. Brettl (2016). A. Bourjau and C.A. Huebner opened a merchant business under Bourjau, Huebner & Co. in the 1860's in Hong Kong with a branch office in Shanghai    

1867, cover front of a cash-paid envelope with clear boxed "BARMEN WUPPERFELD 18/1" (1867) adressed to Shanghai, franked in transit with GB 1865/73, 6 d. lilac, tied by "B01" with adjacent clear date stamp "ALEXANDRIA A FE 2 67"; 2 vertical creases strengthened by paper on reverse; an attractive and scarce item, certificate BPA (2016). Overbeck & Co., Shanghai, was founded by the German businessman, adverturer and diplomat Gustav Overbeck (1830-1894). He was appointed Prussian Vice Consul in 1856 and from 1864 also Austrian Consul. He stepped back from Prussian Vice Consul in 1866 with the outbreak of the Austro-Prussian War, but remained Consul of Austria.

1867: Cover from Dresden to Canton, China (Carlowitz correspondence) endorsed 'per Overland  Mail via Trieste' franked by 1863/67 1/2 ngr. orange, 1 ngr. red and three 5 ngr. grey-lilac (2 with faint creases), cancelled by boxed & dated 'Dresden' datestamps (Oct 3) with the pair of 5 ngr. cancelled in manuscript; with 'weiter franco' manuscript '13 4/10' in blue crayon at left over small cover split. The 1 ngr. and single 5 gr. overlapped by Great Britain 1867 1 s. green pl. 4 (SG 117) tied in transit by British P.O. 'BO1' obliterator in black with 'Alexandria' cds above (Oct 17). Placed aboard the P&O Steamer 'Candia' and mis-sorted with rare oval MISSENT / TO / CALCUTTA also tying the 5 ngr. pair in red. Reverse with opening tear but with oval Triest transit and HONG KONG cds in black (Dec 24) and internal docketing of receipt (Dec 26). A magnificent and extremely rare combination cover. Signed Todd AIEP. Cert. Vaatz (2016). Richard von Carlowitz founded a Merchant company in Canton 1846 and acted as Consul for Prussia & Saxony from 1847-1869 and from 1869 for the North german Federation.  

1866: Cover from Sonderburg to H.P. Hansen, care of Mess. Dent & Co., Shanghai, China endorsed 'via Marseilles' franked by 1865 4 sch. brown-ochre, two overlapped singles and a horizontal strip of three, all tied by 'Sonderburg' datestamps (July 10) in black. 'PD' in red alongside with 'Tour-T / Forbach' French entry marking in red (July 13) and reverse with faint Hamburg cds (July 10) and small part of SHANG-HAI / BAU. FRANCAIS cds of receipt. Flap restored and one adhesive slightly rubbed in transit but a most appealing and extremely rare cover. Signed Krüger. Cert. Moller (2016). In 1862, Henry W. Dent had been appointed as Portuguese Consul at Shanghai, then raised to Portuguese Consul-General for China and Japan in 1866. The British merchant H.P.Hansen was Vice-Consul and was finally appointed in 1868 as Acting Consul General for Portugal at Shanghai

1868: Rouletted 1 gr. rose, 2 gr. blue and 5 gr. olive-brown, all used on 1868 cover from Berlin to Hong Kong endorsed 'via Triest per Überland Post', tied by Berlin datestamps (July 2) in blue. Manuscript '7 Wfr.' (weiter franco 7 groschen) at base and reverse with oval 'Triest' transit cds (July 4) and extremely rare circular 'HONG KONG & SINGAPORE / MARINE SORTER / B' handstamp in black (acc. to Webb 7 covers recorded). The envelope with some scuffing and slight repairs with manuscript docketing of receipt on reverse (Aug 20). Cert. Mehlmann (2016).

1870: Cover from Elberfeld Station to Shanghai, China endorsed 'via Marseilles & Suez' franked by 1868 1 gr. rose, 2 gr. blue and 5 gr. ochre-brown (partly slightly oxidized), tied by neat 'ELBERFELD Bhf.' datestamps in black (Aug 18) and by framed 'P.D.' in red. Erquelines French entry marking alongside (Aug 20) and reverse with fine 'SHANG-HAI / BAU. FRANCAIS' cds (Oct 4) in black; a most attractive and scarce franking. Cert. Mehlmann (2016).

1872: Cover from Cologne to Shanghai, China (Peil correspondence) endorsed 'Pr. Engl. Post via Brindisi' at top, franked by 1872 Small Shield 1/3 gr. green, lifted pressed and replaced, 2 gr. violet and 5 gr. ochre-brown all tied by COELN / STADTPOST-EXP No. 1 datestamps (Feb 9) in black. Framed 'P.D.' in red at left and reverse with Verona cds, Brindisi cds (Feb 12) and HONG-KONG transit cds (April 1) in black. Despite imperfections a fine and scarce three colour first issue franking to China. Cert. Holcombe (1988). F. Peil was a German merchant in Hong Kong, employed by the German Krupp Steel company in 1866 after Krupp having failed to sell 1.000 cannons to China. F. Peil originally specialized in the import & export of wines and spirits. At the end of 1870 the Chinese Government finally purchased 191 Krupp cannons.

1872: Wrapper carried from Bremen at Printed Matter rate, addressed to Peil in Shanghai, franked by 1872 Small Shield 1/2 gr. orange and 1 gr. carmine rose, cancelled by BREMEN cds's (June 26) in black with framed 'P.D.' in violet alongside. The stamps have been lifted and re-placed, the cover cleaned and with small repairs; very scarce. Cert. Holcombe (1988). F. Peil was a German merchant in Hong Kong, employed by the German Krupp Steel company in 1866 after Krupp having failed to sell 1.000 cannons to China. F. Peil originally specialized in the import & export of wines and spirits. At the end of 1870 the Chinese Government finally purchased 191 Krupp cannons.  

1873: Cover from Nordhausen to Hong Kong (Peil correspondence), endorsed 'via Brindisi mit Britischer Schiffen', franked by 1872 Small Shield 1/4 gr. violet, 1/2 gr. orange-yellow, 5 gr. ochre-brown and Large Shield 1 gr. rose carmine, cancelled by boxed NORDHAUSEN datestamps (Nov 26) in black. Framed 'P.D.' in black and manuscript '64' centesemi credit in red. Reverse with 'Ala-Verona' cds and HONG KONG / MARINE SORTER / SINGAPORE TO HONG KONG datestamp (Dec 31) in black. The 1/2 gr and 5 gr. affected by ironed file folds but a remarkable four colour franking to a scarce destination. Signed Sommer. F. Peil was a German merchant in Hong Kong, employed by the German Krupp Steel company in 1866 after Krupp having failed to sell 1.000 cannons to China. F. Peil originally specialized in the import & export of wines and spirits. At the end of 1870 the Chinese Government finally purchased 191 Krupp cannons.

1873: Cover from Goettingen to Hong Kong endorsed 'via Brindisi', franked by 1872 Large Shield 1/4 gr. violet, 1 gr. rose (2) and vertical pair of 2 1/2 gr. orange-brown all tied by GOETTINGEN datestamps (Oct 14) in black. Framed 'P.D.' in black at left and manuscript '70' centesemi credit in red. Reverse with 'Ala-Verona' cds, Brindisi cds (Oct 18) and fine HONG KONG / MARINE SORTER / SINGAPORE TO HONG datestamp (Nov 18) in black. Manuscript docketing of receipt on front (Nov 27). Cover cleaned and stamps partly with repairs but a very scarce three colour franking to an unusual destination. Cert. Krug (2016).

1873: Cover from Cologne to Hong Kong (Peil correspondence), endorsed 'via Triest', franked by 1872 Large Shield 1 gr. rose carmine, 2 gr. blue and 5 gr. ochre-brown cancelled by CÖLN BAHNHOF datestamps (Dec 23) in black. Manuscript 'Wf 7' weiter franco credit in red crayon. Reverse with HONG KONG / MARINE SORTER / SINGAPORE TO HONG KONG datestamp (Feb 10, 1874) in black. Light vertical file fold just affects the 2 gr. adhesive but a scarce and most attractive three colour franking to a scarce destination. Cert. Holcombe (1988). The sender was the famous Cologne  „Eau de Cologne Melissengeist“ producer „Klosterfrau Melissengeist“ , founded in 1826 by the nun (Klosterfrau) Maria Clementine Martin.

1874: Cover from Mulhouse (Alsace) to Shanghai, China (Peil correspondence) endorsed 'China via Brindisi' at top, franked by 1872 Small Large Shield 1/4 gr. violet, 1/2 gr. orange each crossed by ironed file fold and a fine 2 gr. blue horizontal strip of three tied by MULHAUSEN I. ELS datestamps (May 15) in black. Framed 'P.D.' in red at left and reverse with Brindisi cds (May 18) and HONG-KONG transit cds (June 21) in black. Despite imperfections a fine and scarce three colour first issue franking to China. Cert. Holcombe (1988). F. Peil was a German merchant in Hong Kong, employed by the German Krupp Steel company in 1866 after Krupp having failed to sell 1.000 cannons to China. F. Peil originally specialized in the import & export of wines and spirits. At the end of 1870 the Chinese Government finally purchased 191 Krupp cannons.

1875/79: 20 pfe. blue, single example tied to 1880 cover, repaired opening tear away from adhesive, addressed to Captain of the British brig 'Pelham' at 'Canton Bund, Shanghai', tied by boxed BRAKE / ZOLL VEREIN datestamp (May 7) in black. Reverse with 'Napoli' (May 11) and 'Hong Kong' (June 20) transit datestamps. 

1878: 'Round the World' card mailed with 1875/79 20 pfe. blue from Hamburg (June 6) to Amoy, China; with Hong Kong 1863/71 4 c. grey and 8 c. dull orange tied by 'A1' obliterator with AMOY cds alongside (July 17), forwarded on again from Amoy via San Francisco with red 'Paid All' cds (Aug 25) to Philadelphia, where franked by 1875 Taylor 5 c. blue cancelled in black with Philadelphia cds in red (Sept 4) at left; and thence back to sender in Hamburg (Sept 18). Reverse with further transits of HONG KONG / MARINE SORTER / SINGAPORE TO HONG KONG cds (July 8), Amoy (July 16), Hong Kong (July 19). The card with corners improved and negligible imperfections due to journey but a remarkable and most attractive usage, the card completing the journey in 105 days.

1891: Cover from Hannover addressed to the Imperial German Legation in Peking, China franked by 1889 20 pf. blue tied by 'Hannover' cds (Dec 23) in black. Reverse with KAISERLICH / DEUTSCHE / POSTAGENTUR / SHANGHAI cds in black (Feb 2, 1892), CUSTOMS / SHANGHAI cds in black (Feb 2) and fine strike of 'I G OF CUSTOMS / PEKING' in blue (Feb 19). Obverse with fine strike of framed 'To Pay.' marking in red for inland transmission. A rare cover.

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)

1840 (Nov 24): Entire letter from ´The Rookery´ endorsed 'per Sylph' addressed to a crew member on 'H.M.S. Melville on the China Expedition' with further docketing at lower left 'if too late to go on first ship from Kedgeree', struck on reverse with framed CALCUTTA / G.P.O. / SHIP LETTER in red (Jan 20, 1841). Manuscript on front "Rec'd at Macao, March 24, 1841". Opinion Holcombe (1987). Note: HMS Melville served as the Flagship of Rear-Admiral George Elliot during the First Opium War. HMS Melville was a 74 gun Wooden Sail of 1817. On 25 February 1841 her main topmast was shot through and rigging damaged during the exchange of fire with the battery of Wantong. HMS Melville was in Macao in early March and sailed from Macao on 25 march 1841 for return to England. According to a notation on front, the cover reached the addressee in Macao on March 24,1841, the day before leaving home for England. Provenance: John Sussex (Christie's 1987)

1842 (Nov 30): Entire letter from Westminster to 'David King, Surgeon of H.M.Ship Cornwallis, Chinese Expedition' struck on despatch with London 'T.P. / Charles St. West.r' in blue and tombstone 'Paid' datestamp in red (Nov 30), endorsed 'Overland Mail' at left and 'Via Falmouth, Paid 1/-' at top right with further red manuscript '1/-' alongside. Rare and most attractive entire. HMS Cornwallis was a 74 gun „Third rate ship“ of the line of the Royal navy, launched 1813 in Bombay. After China’s defeat in the First Opium war, representatives from the British and Qing Empires negotiated a peace treaty aboard Cornwallis in Nanjing. On 29 August 1842, British representative Sir Henry Pottinger and Qing representatives, Qiying, Ilibu and Niujian, signed the ‚Treaty of Nanking‘ aboard  HMS Cornwallis!

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.    

1847, Folded letter with large part of contents from Bristol "Via Southampton" to Hong Kong, franked with 1847/57, 1 s. pale green, tied by numeral "134", Hongkong arrival mark of January 26, 1848, fine and rare very early franked letter to the Far East. Cert. BPA (2016).

1849 (June 6): Printed O.H.M.S. entire from the GPO in London to Canton, requesting payment of 2/11d. due for a Ship Letter held at the London General Post Office addressed Heard & Co. in Canton. Crown London cds in red on front and reverse with double arc HONG KONG arrival cds (Aug 18). Fresh and fine; a most unusual item with scarce destination . Signed Holcombe. In 1830, Augustine Heard  (1785-1868) settled in Canton, China, where he became partner in the trading firm of Samuel Russell & Co. by then the leading American Opium dealer in China. Heard set up his own company, Augustine Heard & Co., in 1840, with Joseph Coolidge and John Murray Forbes. The firm became successful and grew rapidly to become the third largest American firm in China. By 1850 had branch offices, beside the headquarter in Canton, in Hong Kong, Shanghai and Foochow with agencies in Amoy and Ningpo. As with many others American firms involved in trade with China at the time, Augustine Heard & Co. encountered financial difficulties in the 1870s and finally went bankrupt in 1875.

1856: 1 s. green, a fine example in a rich shade, ironed bend of no importance, used on 1861 cover endorsed 'via Marseilles' to Hong Kong, cancelled by Edinburgh / 131 duplex (June 25) in black. Handstruck '1d.' credit marking in red at left and reverse with Peebles despatch cds, London cds (June 26) and HONG KONG arrival (Aug 3) in black.  Provenance: John Sussex (Christie's 1987)

1857: 1 d. red star, used to pay the ´Late Fee´on 1863 entire letter which mentions an enclosure, mailed from London to Hong Kong, endorsed 'via Marseilles', neatly tied by London '7' obliterator with manuscript pre-payment of 2/8d. for double rate at left and further mansucript '2' for Hong Kong credit. A scarce and very attractive usage. Opinion Holcombe (1989). In 1830, Augustine Heard  (1785-1868) settled in Canton, China, where he became partner in the trading firm of Samuel Russell & Co. by then the leading American Opium dealer in China. Heard set up his own company, Augustine Heard & Co., in 1840, with Joseph Coolidge and John Murray Forbes. The firm became successful and grew rapidly to become the third largest American firm in China. By 1850 had branch offices, beside the headquarter in Canton, in Hong Kong, Shanghai and Foochow with agencies in Amoy and Ningpo. As with many others American firms involved in trade with China at the time, Augustine Heard & Co. encountered financial difficulties in the 1870s and finally went bankrupt in 1875.  

2nd Opium War. 1858: Covers (2) each with full original contents, both from Aberdeen endorsed 'via Marseilles' to a surgeon with the 65th Regiment in Hong Kong or Canton, China; each franked by 1857 1 d. red and a horizontal pair of 1856 4 d. rose-carmine, large garter, tied by 'Aberdeen / 1' duplexes. The earlier cover (June 7) with restored flap faults, the second cover (Sept 7) to Canton is very fine with Hong Kong cds (Oct 26) on reverse. A delightful pair. Cert. Holcombe (1987).  

1859: Second opium war: 1856, 6 d. pale lilac, used on cover endorsed 'via Southampton' to Canton, China addressed to Lieut. Pollard on the 'H.M. Gunboat Staunch', neatly tied by 'Plymouth / 620' duplex (April 4). Reverse with 'Stonehouse' undated circular cancellation in blue and London cds of transit in red. A fine and attractive cover. Opinion Holcombe (1987).  HMS Staunch was an Albacore-class wooden screw gunboat launched in 1856. Provenance: John Sussex (Christie's 1987)

1859 (Oct 26): Cover from London to Eugene Buissonnett, Shanghai via Hong Kong, franked by overlapped 1857 1 d. red. pl. 55, 1858 2 d. blue pl. 7 and 1856 6 d. deep lilac all tied by London '10' numeral obliterators. Reverse with 'Hong Kong' transit cds (Dec 15) in black. An attractive cover. Eugene Buissonnett was a French merchant of Shanghai and later author of the book „de Pekin a Shanghai“, published Paris 1871.  

1860: 2nd Opium War: 1857, 1 d. red, horizontal pair and 1856/57 4 d. rose, used on cover endorsed 'via Marseilles' to Canton, China addressed to Lieut. Pollard on 'H.M. Gunboat Staunch', neatly tied by '250' obliterators with 'Devonport' cds on reverse of despatch (Aug 25) and London transit cds in red, struck on obverse with '1d.' credit marking in red. A fine and attractive cover. Opinion Holcombe (1987).  HMS Staunch was an Albacore-class wooden screw gunboat launched in 1856. Provenance: John Sussex (Christie's 1987)

1860: 2nd Opium War, Covers (2) both with original contents from the same correspondence to a Lieutenant Geoffrey Mairis with the Royal Marines Expeditionary Force in China, each franked by 1858 2 d. blue pl. 8 and 1856 6 d. pale lilac and each tied by 'Clifton / 959' duplexes and endorsed 'via Marseilles'. The earlier cover (May 25) with slight flap repair, showing '1d.' credit marking for Hong Kong in red, the second cover (Aug 9) is addressed to Chusan, with Hong Kong backstamp (Sept 19) in black. A scarce and attractive pair. Note: Lieutenant Mairis of the Royal Marines, later General, fought in China 1857-1861, including White Cloud Mountain (1858), occupation of Tsin-Hai, Chusan in april 1860, and the storming and capture of the Taku Forts.

1861: Cover from London to Mess. Buissonnett, Shanghai, China endorsed 'via Marseilles' franked by 1856 6 d. deep lilac (four examples, paying the under 3/4 ounce rate) all tied by London '45' obliterators in black. Manuscript '2' (pence) in red for Hong Kong credit. Reverse with London datestamp (Oct 26) and HONG KONG transit cds (Dec 13). A charming and scarce franking. Eugene Buissonnett was a French merchant of Shanghai and later author of the book „de Pekin a Shanghai“, published Paris 1871. Provenance: John Sussex (Christie's 1987)

1861 (Dec 21): Cover from London to John Lamont, Esq., Hong Kong endorsed 'via Marseilles' franked by 1857 1 d. red star, 1858 2 d. blue pl. 9 and 1856 6 d. lilac in a horizontal pair, lower stamps crossed by ironed file fold, all tied by London '11' obliterators in black. Reverse with London datestamp (Dec 26) in black and HONG KONG arrival cds (Feb 15, 1862). Manuscript '1' (penny) credit to Hong Kong on front of an attractive three colour franking. Signed Pröschold. Cert. Holcombe (1987). Following the defeat in the First Opium War, the Chinese ceded Hong Kong to Britain. John Lamond was an early European settler in Hong Kong. He was a Scottish ship carpenter, settled in East Point as early as 1843 where barques and clippers could be easily looked after and repaired. In 1853 John Lamond built Hong Kong's first steamship, the ‚Queen‘, a wooden boat of 137 tons. In 1859 he built Hong Kong's first dry dock!​