Lot 1833

A group of 3 letters around in 1840s around First Opium War period. All three sent from Macao to United Kingdom. One letter cover dated 19 June 1840, with a black handstamp of “SHIP LETTER”, manuscript rate mark of “8(d)” on the front side. On the reverse, cancelled by Liverpool arrival c.d.s. date 18 Nov 1840 in red. Two complete entire letters of Gladstone & Co. dated 13 Dec 1843, transited to UK via Bombay forward Shinner & Co in manuscript, arrival datestamp on 8 March. The letters mentioned the normalization of trade business albeit some tensions remained between the two countries after the end of First Opium War. Turner & Co is also an active UK merchant which often involved opium trading during the First Opium War.