U.S. Consulate Bangkok

by Charles Chan

I can confirm that the subject handstruck seal, although unrecorded by Col. Webb, was used by U.S. Consulate at Bangkok in 1882 or before (see below for use period). Its occurrence on Hong Kong adhesives is much rarer than another scarce marking U.S. Legation seal of Bangkok used in 1883-1884 (deducted from Ishikawa Sale lot#471 (10c mauve block of 10) and lot#472 (cover).

Mr. M. Houde had published his research result in Hong Kong Study Circle Journal No. 272/p.9-11 (December 1989) titled "Hong Kong Used At the British Consular Post Office At Bangkok", inter alia, listed these 2 U.S. seals : Type 2 - U.S. Consulate Bangkok (19mm) ; and Type T3 - U.S. Legation Bangkok (22mm). I trust the information would be interesting to other collectors and hereby re-produce his findings as follows :-

"The U.S. Consulate Bangkok Handstamp - Type T2

I have observed this 19mm circular handstamp in blue or violet a total of 12 times : on the stamps of Bangkok twice including one cover, the Strait Settlement 7 times and Hong Kong 3 times. In none of these 12 cases is it accompanied by a date stamp thus making it difficult to estimate the period of use. However the cover just mentioned above received a Singapore transit cds on DE/5/82. This handstamp surely predates the U.S. Legation handstamp…..."

Besides Mr. Houde’s findings, the collection of Mr. Anatchai Rattakul (a famous Thai philatelist who won a Large Gold in AUSIPEX 1984 at Melbourne) also showed a copy of Hong Kong QV 10c mauve and Strait Settlement QV 2c and 8c cancelled complete strikes of this Type T2 handstamp (p.8 of his booklet "A Study of Thai Mail 1836-1943"). Taking that the internet auction example of 10 mauve wmk CA and Houde’s recorded 3 occasions : 5c/8c orange, 10c mauve wmk CC and 10c mauve wmk CA (his Table 2, ibid.), all recorded examples were either of 5c or its multiples. As the 1/2 oz. letter rate between Siam and Hong Kong was 5c starting February 1880, it would not be surprised that 5c and 10c would be the only adhesives found with this rare Type T2 handstamp. However, there is an example of 4c grey known with this Type T2 handstamp, it would not be unreasonable to say this handstamp was in use at Bangkok before 1880 where the 4c rate was then in force during June 1876 to February 1880, much ahead then ibid cover with Singapore cds.

Please let us know if you have any other examples.