Manuscript family news letter to Whampoa, China.
1848. Paper. Letter to Charles Tobey (American) from his sister, dated May 1, 1848. News includes reference to 3 months being a very short passage to China, and the fact that Father is soon going and will hand deliver the letter (as this was). The letter was written in the period between the two Opium Wars (1839 - 1842 and 1856 -1860), which were disputes between Britain and China over trade and sovereignty, which ultimately lead to China being forced to open to international trade.
Miss Tobey's 'home' seems to be a river town near Bedford, Mass. and she speaks of their father, family, friends, in Haverhill and Boston. Family seems to have a connection to China trade as she states, 'Father is going soon to China and will bring [her] letters to him.' She thinks 'there will be ships leaving New Bedford and [her] letters won't have to go overland.'
Sister signs 'E.P.T.' writes "Please destroy" on her letter to Charles. Charles Tobey appears on several ship manifests on whaling vessels out of New Bedford heading to China. He was 42 years old when this letter was written.
4 folding pages of small 4to paper. Letter is written in blue ink on blue paper, folded in half with final size 7 x 10", has remnants of red seal. Upper left corner of the letter has an impression of a round seal or coin with a bird in flight in center. Ink is fading, 2nd page has fold lines with brown stains on folds, and one tear, writing is legible. Good + overall. Item #19483
Price: $125.00