Lot 554
China, 1837 (Jul. 2) Canton, China to Philadelphia Pa., folded letter datelined "Canton July 2nd 1837 to William Wetmore and Richard Alsop in Philadelphia, endorsed "Canton Packet" at lower left, red "New Orleans La. Dec. 16" cds and matching "Ship" handstamp with "52" cent rating for double the 25¢ rate plus 2¢ ship fee, lengthy contents (6 pp) and sent by his uncle Samuel Wetmore (whose daughter he would marry just a few months later), contents discuss trade difficulties including opium reading in part "The subject of the legalization of opium appears to have died a natural death. It is scarcely thought of within the past week., deliveries have taken place for the inside market & which have been fair. It would probably have been extended very much for the time, ahd the Madarin put been any thing like reasonableness…We may not expect any advance, on the contrary we fully expect a decline in the prices. Our stock is heavy…", Very Fine, An unusual use from China which entered the U.S. mails at New Orleans..Estimate $1,500 - 2,000.
Realized: $2,600