London Ship Letter 1815

[Frédéric Duchesnay]

Hello
Is this possible to learn more about this letter from Flensburg (Germany/Schleswig-Holstein/Danish border) to Bordeaux via 13/Honfleur.(in red)
Spécially about the date stamp in red "PAID SHIP LETTER LONDON"
Many thanks for any answer
Kind regards.
Fred.

[Frédéric Duchesnay]

Many thanks I found my happyness..(the basic PDF https://www.gbps.org.uk/information/dow ... (1905).pdf is a bit croocked but gives this)..

Ihave my answer...
Fred

[Winston W]

Fred,

That 17 April 1815 date is very interesting. I suggest a scarce example of a letter to France, a month into the War of the Seventh Coalition.

Whilst the 5 in the year seems to have been slightly enhanced, the alternative of 1813 makes no sense, So subject to any dates elsewhere indicating to the contrary, I would go with it being 1815.

[Frédéric Duchesnay]

Fred,

That 17 April 1815 date is very interesting. I suggest a scarce example of a letter to France, a month into the War of the Seventh Coalition.

Whilst the 5 in the year seems to have been slightly enhanced, the alternative of 1813 makes no sense, So subject to any dates elsewhere indicating to the contrary, I would go with it being 1815.

Hello Winston
Many thanks for your answer
Indeed the "5" is enhanced a little in black but sure the letter have been written the 5th of april in Flensburg (Denmark at that time).
Has you said this is an interesting letter because,also,if I understand well the book written by John Hendy ( https://www.gbps.org.uk/information/dow ... rkings/The History of Early Postmarks of the British Isles down to 1840 / pages 43 to 49 ) no marking should have been applyed making it even scarcer.!

[Winston W]

Has you said this is an interesting letter because,also,if I understand well the book written by John Hendy ( https://www.gbps.org.uk/information/dow ... rkings/The History of Early Postmarks of the British Isles down to 1840 / pages 43 to 49 ) no marking should have been applyed making it even scarcer.!

Fred,

Yes indeed, Hendy at page 47 says that. What I don't know is whether that applied to the final war with Napoleon in 1815 as well. Logically it would make good sense not to show the recipient country (France) that a letter was sent by/through an enemy county (GB). But I wonder if the Honfleur-Bordeaux route was controlled by Royalists and so considered not to be enemy territory? With your expert knowledge of Honfleur, what can you say about that part of its journey?

I think Chris King with his Danish interest (and having written The British North Sea Packet Service 1793-1815) will be interested in its Danish origin, and Colin Tabeart will be interested with the Ship Letter mark of this war period. May I please send them your French e-mail address and a scan of your cover?

[Frédéric Duchesnay]

May I please send them your French e-mail address and a scan of your cover?"

Of course Winston you are really welcomed to send them my mail adress. and the scan..!
About the French routage I am working on and I will write more about once I know more about and surely soon as I will ask infos on my favorite french forum (https://collections.forumgratuit.org/forum) where plenty specialists about postage are !
I keep in tuch for sure

[Frédéric Duchesnay]

Hello hello...
so after inquieries
https://collections.forumgratuit.org/t2 ... 815#181166

we do have a letter from Denmark transiting via London and Honfleur to Bordeaux..
11 grammes (up left circled in red)
taxed 6 décimes ( postage between Denmark and England circled in blue),
then in France for a distance of less than 800 km the fee is 9 décimes for 6 grams here we have 11 grams ( up left ) so we multiply by 2 and makes the fee 18 décimes ( May 9 1806 Act ) In 1815 1 shilling are 12 décimes and 2 pence 2 décimes so 14 décimes 1S/2 (circled in red up right ) 1815 act by " Packet boat" ship letter..!

All that added makes indeed 38 ( décimes )( 6 + 18 + 14..)!

Waiting for more knowledge
Kind regards