Description:

1852 British mercantile entire to Sydney "p Chusan Steamer" with London Maltese Cross & 'SHIP-LETTER/ =LONDON=' d/s both of MY14/1852 & both in red, rated "8" in red as a shipletter, 'SHIP LETTER/[crown]/ AU*4/1852/SYDNEY' arrival b/s & very fine strike of the '3' h/s applied to incoming shipletters, minor soiling. An historically important sailing. ["Chusan" departed Southampton 15/5/1852, via Cape Town, arrived at Sydney 3/8/1852. This was the first of only two P&O experimental voyages via the Cape prior to the company being awarded the packet contract in 1853. Because the contract had not yet been awarded, mail carried per "Chusan" was treated as shipletters, despite the ship being a designated packet. It is believed that the '3' h/s was first used on mail per "Chusan"]