Lot 1177

✉ TAILANDIA. 1799 (Dec. 26). Entire letter written by one George W. Call on Ship ´Sansom´ off Sayer Island (today Ko Similan), opposite modern day Puket, Thailand written to GLASGOW (Scotland). The letter states ´I deem myself fortunate in just meeting the homeward bound fleet under way which opportunity I take with much pleasure to advise you of my safe arrival in Bengal Rivers as we have been longer on the voyage than I expected but very fortunate in meeting with no enemy though there are a number of privateers in the Bay which we must have very narrowly escaped. I shall in all probability reach Calcutta in two or three days whereupon I shall write you more fully. At the first opportunity you will be good enough to mention this to Mr. Taylor with compliments as I defer writing to him until I get to town. A merry Christmas to you, it is more than I have had... Ship Sansom, off Sayer Island´. Struck with fine oval SHIP LETTER-CROWN-DOVER in brownish black on front and with London arrival datestamp in red on reverse (May 20, 1800) and rated 1/9d. to pay (altered from 10d.). A rarity and a truly extraordinary entire, most probably the EARLIEST COVER FROM THAILAND that did service entirely through the Mails rather than the Diplomatic Bag system.