2nd OPIUM WAR - G.B. COVER TO "HMS IMPERIEUSE" WITH "RETURNE...

Hammer

£1,400

2nd OPIUM WAR - G.B. COVER TO "HMS IMPERIEUSE" WITH "RETURNED FOR POSTAGE/THE-AMOUNT/DEFICIENT"; Remarkable 11 Nov. 1859 env. from High Wycombe to an officer on "H.M.S. Imperieuse, Channel Station" with 1d Red tied by the Numeral, but the "Channel Squadron" crossed out (at the London P.O.) as the ship had just left for China (where she was involved in many actions of the 2nd Opium War) and so endorsed "East Indies & China" instead (she sailed via Singapore to Hong Kong); the full 1/- postage was needed for mail to Hong Kong and so there is a very fine and very rare red London haystack-shaped "RETURNED/FOR POSTAGE/[1/-]THE-AMOUNT/DEFICIENT" on the front. The letter may then have been forwarded under cover with the correct postage. The only such returned letter addressed to China/Hong Kong that we have seen. Rare thus. Cross Reference: CHINA, OVERSEAS DESTINATIONS, POSTAGE DUE MARKS, MILITARY