Great Britain to Hong Kong - Official Parliamentary Mail by Austen
Layard, M.P. 21 July 1865, an official letter endorsed by Austen
Great Britain to Hong Kong - Official Parliamentary Mail by Austen
Layard, M.P. 21 July 1865, an official letter endorsed by Austen H.
Layard, Esq., M.P., bearing a red circular "OFFICIAL PAID / LONDON
/ JY 21/65" handstamp, and addressed to Hongkong. The reverse side
cancelled by Hong-Kong c.d.s. dated 19 September 1865. The letter
bears no adhesive postage, as it was carried under official
franking privilege only granted to members of Parliament and
government officials. A red manuscript "1d" charge is noted at
upper right, likely a postage mark credited to Hong Kong as an
internal accounting. Black manuscript made to the upper left-hand
side: Austen Layard Esq. (1817-1894), who is a celebrated British
politician, diplomat, and archaeologist, was serving as Member of
Parliament and Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs at the
time. He later served as Ambassador to Spain and the Ottoman
Empire. This letter reflects the use of UK official diplomatic or
parliamentary channels for overseas communication during the
mid-19th century British Empire, and its destination-Hong
Kong-underscores Britain's strategic colonial presence in East
Asia. Rarely seen.
1865.7.21 英國國會議員Austen Layard寄香港之公文已付封。封剖開作展示。
