1906 GUNBOAT HMS TEAL YOCHOW CHINA REG COVER TO GERM (04/17/2011)...

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1906 GUNBOAT HMS TEAL YOCHOW CHINA REG COVER TO GERMANY

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1906 GUNBOAT HMS TEAL YOCHOW CHINA REG COVER TO GERMANY

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Sold Date: 04/17/2011
Channel: Online Auction
Source: eBay
Category: Stamps

Very interesting, and quite attractive, postal cover, containing important original content re rebels, franked with pair of China 10c "Small Dragon" definitives, tied two strikes of bilingual Yochow City, Dec 19 1906, postmarks, boxed violet Yochow City (China) registry marking, to Stutgart, Germany; (on reverse) Shanghai, Dec 24 1906, transit postmrk, Stutgart No, 1, Jan 26 (1907) backstamp. The 4 pp. original letter content is dated (British Yangtze River gunboat) H.M.S. TEAL, Tung-ting Lake, Chenling, China, Dec 17 1906, from Edward Scanlan, to his wife Sophie. Scanlan begins, "Here we are at the entrance to the Tung-ting Lake. They [the Chinese] have a rebellion in this province against the present Government, and as the rebels managed to capture a large town only 45 miles from the capital (Changsha). The Consul there wanted a gunboat sent. However, as there is no water to get there, I am afraid he will have to wait until the water rises. We arrived here on Thurs 13th, and since then things have got quieter, as they have rec'd about 5,000 Chinese troops to the scene of the disturbances. I am rather afraid that we shall have to spend Xmas here, it will be a great nuisance, as one can get nothing to eat, and there are only two or three foreigners in the place. A thunder storm has just commenced, which is most unusual at this time of year. However, I suppose the Chinese will be glad, as it will mean rain, which they badly need. I hope they will send our mails up from Hankow, as we haven't had any for some time. The coffee machine is very nice ... I must get some more coffee from Mr. Schlichling, as we have nearly run out ... I shall be very glad to get away from this place; as I can get no exercise, as I have to be on board to receive heaps of telegrams. I do hope the OLEIL will come up here. I hear that the German Consul General at Hankow has asked for a gunboat ... Both my alligators are dead and thrown overboard. I intend to get another one, and have it stuffed. It only costs a $1 to have it done at the Museum at Shanghai ... I have a lot of men in hospital ... I have a very nice man man, who took the Lindsay's place. The other new men, I do not care much about; but hope they will improve ... [signed] Edward." The river steam gunboat HMS TEAL, one of three ships in her class, displaced 180 tons, was 165 feet in length, had a 24-1/2 inch beam, drew 2 feet of water, and was armed with two 6-pounder guns. She was built of poplar wood in 1901, and served on the Yangtze River, until she was sold in 1931. Both postal cover and letter are in very fine/excellent condition. *** We have been in the postal history business since 1953 and are members of the Military Postal History Society, American Stamp Dealers Association, American Philatelic Society, National Stamp Dealers Association, Philatelic Traders Society (Great Britain), Canadian Stamp Dealers Association (Canada), International Federation of Stamp Dealers Associations, Collectors Club of New York and numerous other philatelic organizations.