Lot
365 
"Sarah Sands" Second Return - 1858 (Apr. 22) Hong Kong, China to New York, N.Y., datelined folded letter endorsed "Via Marseilles", partial Hong Kong (4.22) double-arc backstamp, carried by P&O steamers from Hong Kong via Marseilles, red London (6.12) backstamp and manuscript "24" cent debit to U.S., carried transatlantic by Vanderbilt Line Ariel from Southampton Jun. 16th to New York arriving Jun. 29th, sharp strike of "New - York Am. Pkt. Jun 30" cds and "45" cent due handstamp for ¼ - ½ ounce letter via Marseilles (effective Jan. 1857 to Aug 1861), a Very Fine use at the 45¢ rate. Estimate $400 - 600.
Very interesting letter from Augustine Heard & Co. concerning ship wreck and Second Opium War: "…About 4,000 Packages have been recovered from the wreck of the "Cruiser" and are held by the sailors until some settlement until some settlements are made with the local underwriters of the ship. Some 2000 packages more, report says were carried off by the local Chinese to Whampoa and sold there….The "Grey Feather" has come down the river from Whampoa to complete he loading here, probably with Chow-Chow Cargo…The Chinese traders at Canton, anticipating some hostile proceedings towards foreigners upon the arrival of the new Governor General, who is expected from the north about the 10th, are very anxious to move off what stocks of Teas and other export produce they have remaining on their hands… All the foreign Ambassadors have left Shanghae for the north; and should the Allied Powers carry into effect their reported intentions of stopping the supplies for Pekin serious apprehensions are entertained that the Chinese will take some retaliatory measures at the Treaty Ports…".
Realized: $425