Great Britain to Hong Kong - Official Parliamentary Mail by Austen Layard, M.P. 21 July 1865, an official letter endorsed by Austen H.
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
