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Sale 27: The Autumn Sale

Table of Contents

British Commonwealth - Hong Kong: Pre-Adhesive Covers

Lot 563    

Hong Kong, 1854 Hong Kong wreck cover to Harrisburg, Pa. Envelope with "Hong Kong 21 My 1854" cds, and red "Forwarded By Desilver & Co Hong Kong Late A.H. Fryer & Co" (not recorded in Rowe's 1996 revision), indicating that letter probably received by this Hong Kong firm from elsewhere in Orient, Great Britain "1854 7 AU 7" transit cds on back, and "New.York Am Packet Aug 19" cds on front. Although British ½ ounce rate via Southampton was lowered from 1/- to 6d effective 5 May 1854, GB-US accounting had not yet been adjusted at time of mailing of this letter. Manuscript markings: originally rated 1/8, struck through, and GB 24 cents debit noted twice, one of two occurrences of 24c struck through, and New York Exchange Office 45 cents (total due from addressee) hand-stamp also over-struck on 24c. This 45 mark is Winter type 319, applied three years earlier than recorded (Apr 57 - Jun 66), Very Fine.
Estimate    $1,000 - 1,500.

The new P&O steamer "Douro", on her first return voyage from Hong Kong, was damaged in a hurricane that began on 24 May, and was wrecked on north shoal of Paracels Reef on 26 May. Several crew members spent eight days in a small open boat rowing back to Hong Kong for help. On 3 June P&O Agent sent Malta to lend assistance, followed by Tartar on next day. Mails and passengers were initially transferred to Malta, but when P&O Pekin came in sight on 8 June on her voyage to Galle, mails and passengers were transshipped to Pekin. Pekin not used on China-Galle line since 1851. It is believed she made this single Hong Kong-Galle trip in 1854 because regularly scheduled Malta was standing by Douro. Efforts to save Douro were unsuccessful, and on 10 June Malta with rest of passengers and large part of cargo proceeded to Singapore, etc. This cover is an addition to 3 recorded covers saved from the wreck of the Douro (recorded in Far East Mail Ship Itineraries, not listed in Maritime Disaster Mail).

Realized: $1,900

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