24c Gray Lilac (37). Used with 3c Dull Red, Ty. III (26) and 12c Black, Plate 3 (36B), well-centered, tied by three clear strikes of Boston large "Paid" grid cancel on blue folded cover to Augustine Heard & Co., Hong Kong, China, red "New York Am. Pkt. Paid Sep. 8" (1860) circular datestamp on back, magenta manuscript "18" credit--carried on the Vanderbilt Line Vanderbilt, departing New York September 8, 1860, and arriving Southampton September 19--red "London Paid EM SP 19 60" datestamp, manuscript "1d" British Colonial credit, "Hong-Kong NO 14 60" receiving backstamp, horizontal file fold thru 3c stamp, small scattered bleached spots in cover

VERY FINE COVER AND EXTREMELY RARE COMBINATION OF 1857-60 ISSUE STAMPS TO PAY THE 39-CENT RATE TO HONG KONG BY BRITISH MAIL VIA MARSEILLES.

This cover was sent by British Mail via Marseilles, following the Peninsular & Oriental Line route via Alexandria, Suez and Galle. It was carried to Hong Kong on the P&O Ganges, departing Galle October 23, 1860, and, after an unusually long trip, it arrived at Hong Kong on November 14.

Ex Starnes.

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