Great Britain 1860 Overseas mail 2d blue Plate 8, horizontal strip of 3, SG45.
A very fine entire letter sent from Liverpool via Southampton to Hong Kong, China bearing a horizontal strip VA of three 2d blue stamps from Plate 8 (SG 45) lettered "QE-QG" neatly tied by Liverpool "466" duplexes for "JU.18.1860", with a red "1d" charge mark at foot for local delivery.
Originally endorsed "Per Kangaroo" & "Via Marseille" subsequently crossed out and endorsed "Via Southampton".
Backstamped by a London transit circular date stamp for London "JU.19.1860" and a Hong Kong arrival circular date stamp for "AU. 11.1860".
A magnificent entire letter sent to China during the final months of the Second Opium War.
A fascinating piece of British Empire postal history to a scarce destination.
