項次 1735

1853 (24 Feb) Shanghai to New York, USA – Taiping Rebellion Episode The content of the letter refers to the early state of the Taiping Rebellion in February 1853, right before the time when the rebels took over Nanking as the Heavenly Capital 天京: “… but this season, the movement has been prevented or delayed by fears as to the result of the rebellion …. The impression is gaining ground among the Chinese that the rebels will not risk an attempt upon Nanking 南京, which is strongly garrisoned with some of the best troops of Empire. They (the rebels) are however in possession of Chongsha 長沙 and Honkow 漢口 ….” Route: Shanghai to New York, USA via Marseilles routed British packet Rate: 65 cents for ¼ oz unpaid rate composed of 34c to British Post Office, 10c to French Post Office, 16c for Transatlantic charge, 5c to US inland charge Marking: 65 handstamp rate in black; 60 manuscript rate; 2(s)/6(d) manuscript rate (for charge to British PO); Hong Kong transit cds (10 Mar 1853); London transit cds (28 Apr 1853)

Ex Drucker Family Collection (Robert A. Siegel Auction, 2/2003) 1853 年 2 月 24 日上海寄至紐約的信函 – 太平天國起義 內容涉及太平天國起義初期與清軍的戰爭及攻克南京（易名天京）前的情況 1852 年 8 月（咸豐二年七月）太平天國攻打長沙，同年 12 月攻下漢陽一帶。1853 年 2 月爆發了「巢湖之戰」，太平軍擊潰清軍。1853 年 3 月爆發「江寧之戰」，太平軍攻克南京，易名天京，清軍兩江總督陣亡。信函所提及的正是上述一段太平天國在其起義初期重要戰事爭奪湖南一帶為其盤據屯兵要點的實紀。 Drucker家族舊藏（2003/2 Siegel）