Samoa 1847 (31 Dec) entire letter from Rev. George Turner at Malua to 'Revd Henry Nisbet of Samoa, care of the Revd J. P. Sunderland, Agent of the Lon. Miss. Society, Sydney', with 'SHIP-LETTER/SYDNEY' arrival circular date stamp (MR 9 18(4)8) on upper flap, which would open for display.
Rated '1/-', with interesting sender's endorsement on face panel 'If Mr Nisbet has left please forward to L.M.S. Mission House ...... London', which clearly proved an unnecessary precaution.
The front bears a bold manuscript rate marking, with fine entire letter content faintly visible, and side docketing noting forwarding details:
"By Mr. Nicholls – him self please forward to the Revd. H. Nisbet by first opportunity from London."
This remarkable piece of pre-adhesive transpacific missionary correspondence provides a rare tangible connection to the earliest years of British evangelical activity in the South Pacific.
The fascinating contents make reference to the difficulties of communications (with the charming comment 'The Post Office folks are our best friends after all') and describe recent missionary activity in Samoa.
A desirable early letter between two important figures in the development of Samoa. Postal history at its finest.
Historical Context:
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Henry Nisbet (1818–1878) was one of the most notable missionaries sent by the London Missionary Society (LMS) to Samoa. He arrived in 1841 and played a critical role in establishing Christianity in the region, translating the Bible into Samoan and documenting native customs.
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The London Missionary Society was instrumental in British religious and cultural outreach across Polynesia, with its mail forming a small but highly collectable postal history category.
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The letter was routed via Sydney, the regional hub for missionary, governmental, and naval coordination during the early to mid-19th century.
Such covers were often carried by private ship or favour to missionaries in the field, due to the absence of formal postal routes to many Pacific islands before the 1850s.
Rarity:
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Extremely scarce Polynesian missionary correspondence from this era, especially addressed to Samoa, which remained isolated and rarely reached by regular mail.
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Mail to Henry Nisbet is known but limited. According to missionary archive auction records, less than 10 covers from his early Samoan years are recorded in private hands.
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This particular example is unusually well-preserved, with complete address panel, forwarding instructions, and legible script — making it superior to typical examples of tropical missionary mail, which often suffer from fading or worm damage.
Condition:
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Overall very fine condition for period
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Clean, intact letter sheet with light typical folds
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Clear bold address and forwarding note
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Manuscript charge marking present
Spink (2022): Letter to Fiji missionary station sold for £1,250.
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