Thailand. 1860 Siam P/S entire containing a letter from King...

Hammer

£2,400

Thailand. 1860 Siam P/S entire containing a letter from King Mongkut (Rama IV) of Siam to British diplomat Thomas George Knox (official translator at the British Consulate, later consul-general and influential court figure in Siam). Knox is mistakenly addressed as 'George Thomas Knox', but the intended recipient is clear. The entire bears two clear hand stamps in rose, incl King Mongkut’s privy seal, and matching wax seal in dark green. The letter, regarding credentials for King Mongkut to meet with representatives of the British Government, is addressed from ‘Betchapoong’ (i.e. 'Phetchabun', the King's summer residence in standardised romanisation). Several notable political and civic figures, correspondents of the King, listed on the reverse - PM Viscount Palmerston, Sir John Bowring, Sir George Bonham, etc. Signed ‘SPM Mongkut on the 3285th day of reign’, SPM being an abbreviation of his title ‘Somdet Phra Menthora’. Few small tears, incl tear to flap, but otherwise a very rare entire on an historically significant topic. Further information: https://www.warwickandwarwick.com/latest-news/rare-siam-royal-pre-stamp-entire-discovered. (See photos) (R).