Lot 10027 India

India, Bombay, 1837, "INDIA/Packet Letter/PAID" Circular Handstamp (Giles SD3). Faint but legible strike in red on folded cover with "Bombay Chamber, April 1837" despatch docketing, addressed to "The Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce" in Glasgow, Scotland, sender's directive "p Hugh Lindsay via Persian Gulf", framed "BRITISH FOREIGN" and "PAQUEBOTS DE LA MEDITERRANEE" handstamps, several disinfection slits and "PURIFIE LAZARET/MARSEILLE" handstamp, London (Jul. 12) transit and Glasgow (Jul. 14) arrival datestamps, manuscript "3-6 (+) 3-9 (=) 7/3" rate marking and framed "1/2" handstamp, cover with heavy file fold, some toning and soiling FINE. AN EXCEPTIONAL COVER CARRIED ON THE THIRD AND FINAL EUPHRATES EXPERIMENTAL EXPEDITION COVER SEEKING TO ESTABLISH A PERMANENT ROUTE BETWEEN INDIA AND GREAT BRITAIN BY COL. FRANCIS RAWDON CHESNEY. Prior to the creation of the Suez Canal — essentially linking Europe and the Far East — alternative routes between Great Britain and India were sought to reduce the time spent traveling around the Cape. This expedition by Col. Chesney sought to find out the viability and navigability of the Euphrates River thru to the Persian Gulf. This expedition also aimed to prevent Russian expansion into the region, which the British saw as a threat to their control in the region. The expedition was ultimately broken up in 1837. This cover departed Bombay (Apr. 28, 1837) on the Hugh Lindsay via Muscat (May 6), Bussadore (May 9), Basra (May 14), then overland to Beirut (Jun. 7), ship to Alexandria, and onwards to Syra (Jun. 21), Malta (Jun. 28), Leghorn (Jul. 4), Marseilles (Jul. 5), ultimately reaching London (Jul. 12) and Glasgow (Jul. 14)