Lot 8060
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)
