Lot 2013

1864 (21 Apr) Cover from Shanghai to England, f.w. Napoleon 40c x9 on both sides, tied by 5104 dottedd obliterator, alongside with "COR. D. ARMEE.S" cds. Showing "Via Marseilles" annotation and "PD" marking. The steamship "Hydaspe," replacing the "Impératrice" (damaged at the Port of Wales) on the Suez-Hong Kong route, required the Compagnie des Messageries Maritimes to charter the British steamer "Lotus," which departed Shanghai on April 21, 1864. Arrival in Hong Kong on the 25th, transfer on the 26th to the "Cambodge," and arrival in Suez on May 25. Overland transport to Alexandria and embarkation on the 28th on the "Saïd," arriving in Marseille on June 2. Travel from Paris to Calais on June 3 and distribution in Bideford on June 4. Total transport time: 46 days 1. One of the 3 known French paquebot covers with "5104" + "COR. D. ARMEES" combination 2. Please see pg. 42-43 of "Far East Mail Ship Itineraries Vol 2" by Lee Scamp. 3. Amongst these 3 covers, this is the earliest one.

1864.4.21 上海寄英國，貼拿破崙三世40生丁x9，銷5104殺手戳，另見法軍日戳。Imperatrice號受損，故由Hydaspe號替代行走蘇伊士-香港段，並要求租用英國船隻Lotus號接力。Lotus號4月21日離開上海，25日抵香港。郵件轉由Cambodge號送遞，5.15抵蘇伊士。再由陸路至亞歷山大港。為三件同時蓋有5104 + “CORR D ARMESS”戳之信件中日期最早者。詳見Scamp《Far East Mail Ship Itineraries Vol 2》