U.S. Naval Depot, Hong Kong - A New Discovery

United States Naval Depot, Hong Kong. Clearly-struck red oval handstamp with intricate design depicting an eagle with a shield as a chest and holding an olive branch in one talon and four arrows in the other with 32-Star design above, on cover addressed to "Marcellus Holtzman, on board United States Steamer 'Water Witch', in care of the American Consul, rio de generio, South America", some cover toning and small repaired nick at bottom

As the United States naval presence in Asia inceased, a depot was established in Hong Kong, in order to provide a ready means of replenishing ships' stores. Mail to and from Hong Kong was usually carried by the British post, either overland, via Marseilles or via Southampton. Normal transit time was approximately six to seven weeks. Destinations such as Rio de Janeiro would take considerably longer, as the mail would have to wait for less frequent ship departures to such a far-flung port.

The marking on this cover is similar in usage to those known from American cities, such as Baltimore, Boston and Brooklyn N.Y. In those instances, the markings were used by a forwarding agent who would coordinate the sending and receiving of mails to various destinations. It is probable that such an agent was established in Hong Kong.

The absence of a year-dated marking makes it necessary to establish when this cover was sent through historical analysis. The Water Witch was a small gunboat recommissioned in 1858 after being damaged in an earlier altercation. It sailed for South America in December 1858 with a small force of warships. News of its departure could have reached Hong Kong by the end of January 1859, and a reply to Brazil could have been expected to arrive there by April. The Water Witch was decommissioned in November 1860, so it probably departed South America in late September 1860. Therefore, the date of mailing probably occurred after January 1859 and before July 1860. The 32 stars in the handstamp design correspond the number of states in this period.

This newly-discovered cover is the only recorded example of the U.S. Naval depot Hong Kong handstamp and will be offered by Robert A. Siegel Auctions for the first time in their 15 May 2002 sale. Estimated at US$7,500 to 10,000.