India: 1837, Mahableswar to London, complete folded letter datelined Mahableswar Hills April 25 1837, transported on the experimental Euphrates route organized by Col. Francis Rawdon Chesney. On reverse are two-line “Purifié Lazaret Marseille” and London arrival 12 July 1837. On front are manuscript directive “By the Hugh Linsay” together with framed “PAQUEBOTS DE LA MEDITERRANEE” and “BRITISH FOREIGN”; two disinfection slits, marked 2s 8½d for incoming India letter. This letter is similar to the preceding lot that also went on the Hugh Lindsay steamer; with light folds to cover and some parts of internal paper splitting.
FINE. A RARE AND IMPORTANT LETTER FROM THE THIRD CHESNEY EUPHRATES EXPERIMENTAL EXPEDITION THAT SOUGHT ASSESS THE FEASIBILITY OF AN OVERLAND ROUTE TO INDIA VIA THE EUPHRATES RIVER.
An important forerunner of the organized India-Europe overland mails that demonstrates the experimental Euphrates route. The letter formed part of the 1837 Indian mail handled by Col. Chesney at Bussorah and carried by him overland by camel through Damascus to Beirut, before continuing through the Mediterranean packet system to Marseille and London.
A similar letter, also from the Hugh Lindsey ship, sold as part of the Magnolia Collection, Siegel sale 9043, November 2025, lot 10027, 9500 USD hammer.
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