India P.S. “Great Liverpool”. 1845 (Dec 30) Entire letter (with transcript of the contents) from Hydrabad to England endorsed “via Southampton” and “Paid to England” with red boxed “HYDRABAD / Scind / Paid (10as)” and “INDIA PAID”, a red London Paid arrival c.d.s (Mar. 21) and Tring backstamp. The wooden P.&O. paddle steamer “Great Liverpool”, serving the Southampton to Alexandria leg of the route to India, struck a reef near Cape Finisterre on the morning of February 24th, took on water and went ashore near Corcubion. Three passengers were drowned, the remaining crew and passengers reaching the shore in boats; the mail was saved after a hole was cut in the side of the ship, which subsequently broke up. The G.P.O proof books show a cachet for use on mail from this wreck but it was presumably never used, no explanation appearing on any of the three letters recorded from this wreck. An important item of P.&O. postal history, the “Great Liverpool” being one of the ships in the first P.&O. fleet. Photo on Page 17. £1,000-1,200 Dealer Argyll Etkin Auction Starting Price: 1000.00 GBP (via Philasearch.com: 32nd Argyll Etkin Worldwide Stamps and Postal History - item 9350-A32-70)
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