STRAITS SETTLEMENTS 1831 SINGAPORE MISSIONARY MAIL R (02/14/2011)...

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STRAITS SETTLEMENTS 1831 SINGAPORE MISSIONARY MAIL RARE

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STRAITS SETTLEMENTS 1831 SINGAPORE MISSIONARY MAIL RARE

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Sold Date: 02/14/2011
Channel: Online Auction
Source: eBay
Category: Stamps

You are bidding for the EARLIEST KNOWN missionary letter from Singapore to London. It was penned in 1831 by the honorable Rev. Samuel Kidd, a pioneering evangelist in Singapore. Kidd was a disciple of the famous Rev Robert Morrison, the first Protestant missionary to enter China! This letter is still in excellent condition and letter was charged the treble letter rate at 2s 4d as it was rather heavy, containing account records! It bears the manuscript inscription 'on board the Edward' and the passage of about five months from Singapore (7 March 1831) to London (4 August 1831) would have passed Galle, Cape of Good Hope and Gibraltar (the old Cape route). There is an oval marking that reads 'Ship Lte (letter) LONDON' and another rectangular marking 'INDIA LETTER/FOLKSTONE'. Besides the London arrival datestamp, there is an added notation inscribed vertically on the right that says 'Read to Eastern Committee, 20 Octr. 1831'. This item is extremely rare and precious. Its contents make fascinating reading (see added scans). For example, Kidd recounted having shipped 'a box containing 100 copies of a Latin work (suggesting the bible here) on the Chinese language!' Great postal history stuff here. Starting at just US$999.99. Good luck in your bidding!