Lot 50959 – 8c Franking: 1884 (Mar 8) Envelope with 1882-85 2c rose and 6c lilac, tied by two strikes of the “BANGKOK/MR.8.84” cds

8c Franking: 1884 (Mar 8) Envelope from the Count de Kergaradec at the French Consulate in Bangkok to his wife in Angers, France with 1882-85 2c rose and 6c lilac, tied by two strikes of the “BANGKOK/MR.8.84” cds, with red Modane à Paris transit and red octagonal “POSS. ANGL. / 18 MARS 84 / PAQ.FR. N N^o3” cds alongside, plus red “SINGAPORE/MR.13.84/PAID” cds and other transit bs, the franking excised on a large piece (clear of the Bangkok cds) and re-joined in its original position, otherwise very fine and an extremely rare exhibition showpiece. (Numbered “34” in crayon, being the code for each letter sent between the Count and the Countess) The very rare combination of values paying the 8c single rate. A magnificent showpiece of the highest calibre for the greatest of connoisseurs.Note: The envelope is accompanied by an extensive eight page letter of social and political interest. Captain Tulloch commanding the British steamer McAlister (642 tons), left for Singapore on 8 March 1884 and arrived on the 13^th. Captain Tillier commanding the French mail Steamer Anadyr (3,714 tons) left Singapore for Marseille on the 18^th.Content: March 4. I resume my interrupted letter; I must tell you about my trip to Bang Pa In, the description of which I promised you in my last letter. Bang Pa In is the summer palace of the King of Siam; it is built on an island in the river, about 90 kilometers above Bangkok. We left on the morning of February 23, around 7am, with the same “picnic boat” and the same steam tug, belonging to the same second King, which he had lent us to spend a day in Paknam and which I have described to you. There were five of us; Mr. Deloncle, Mr. Lorgeon and I, the French; then Mr. Newman, who was going to present to King, Mr. Gould, on the occasion of the latter’s appointment to the Newly created post of Vice Consul of England in Xieng Mai. (Xieng Mai is a Laotian city, dependent on Siam, located in the north, not far from the borders of Burma; this is where the teak wood that is exported from Bangkok comes from; there is water communication). There were in the boat all a crockery belonging to the Second King, table chairs, etc. I had taken Asuy and the cook and we had lunch on board. Around one o’clock in the afternoon, we arrived at Bang Pa In, which almost looks like a small town. A small lighthouse was even built to mark the island at night. Since the King was there, all his steamers were anchored in the vicinity, at least the little ones, those who can go up. Longboats and boats belonging to the people of the court were also docked along the shore, as well as barges for the guards, for horses, etc. There were a lot of them, and it was very lively. I say very animated, I am wrong; That is to say it should have been, but everyone was napping and there was not a cat to receive us. So, we sent ashore, and an hour later one of the King’s many half-brothers came to tell us that H.M. was still sleeping, that he was tired, and would receive us only at five o’clock; then he took us aboard the royal yacht, the Vesatri, where we were offered refreshments, a bath, and rooms to dress in. The ship is very pretty; and I told you, I believe, that it was commanded by a Dane, whose name is Mr. de Richelieu. How there can be Richelieu in Denmark, that’s what I don’t know! At five o’clock, we were, by canoe, disembarking at the palace, which is very large and composed of a host of buildings. There was a guard to pay honors, we crossed a large esplanade, and arrived in front of the palace represented in one of the photographs I send you (the one marked on the back, A), we found ourselves in front of a small lake which is also the one represented in the photograph. The King preferentially lives on another island in the middle of this lake, in a pavilion surrounded by a pretty French garden, or rather Italian; One is obliged to take a boat to reach him, or to pass through the covered carriageway depicted on the right in the photograph. But this passage is reserved for the family and well guarded; and as for the boats, there are only two, which are kept in the evening on the King’s side, who is thus safe and sheltered from intruders. If you have something in a hurry to tell him, you can talk through the phone, which is installed everywhere. There is also telegraph communication with Bangkok, and a small gas plant, which operates when the court is there.