24c Gray Lilac (37). Used in a four-color franking with 1c Blue, Type V (24) pair, 3c Dull Red, Type III (26) and 10c Green, Type V (35), tied by multiple strikes of red grid cancel, red "New-York Oct. 2" (1860) circular datestamp on cover addressed to Captain B. W. Crocker of the ship Edwin Forrest, care of DeSilver & Co., Hong Kong, China, with sender's directive "Via Marseilles", although prepaid 39c, this rate was subject to quarter-ounce weight increments and was over the limit, thus marked in red manuscript "over 1/4 oz", routed via Southampton and credited "28" cents in matching manuscript, red "London Paid DT OC 15 60" datestamp, red "1d" British Colonial credit handstamp, "Hong-Kong DE 11 60" receiving backstamp, embossed oval corner card of Crocker, Wood & Co., the ship brokers who operated the Edwin Forrest, manuscript "Sept. 28 1860" refers to origin date of letter, since Captain Crocker perished at sea, this notation must have been written at the office of DeSilver & Co., opening tear along top with small mend affecting 3c (which has a small piece out of lower left), other stamps have a few minor flaws

VERY FINE APPEARANCE. A REMARKABLE COVER WITH A MULTICOLORED 1857 ISSUE FRANKING FOR THE RATE TO HONG KONG BY BRITISH MAIL VIA MARSEILLES--THE ADDRESSEE WENT DOWN WITH HIS SHIP AROUND THE TIME THIS COVER TRAVELED TO CHINA.

The Edwin Forrest, built in 1853 and named after a prominent American Shakespearean actor, was operated by Crocker, Wood & Co. and made regular trips to Hong Kong. It left New York on August 1, 1860, bound for Hong Kong, but was never heard from again. The loss was reported nine months later in various newspapers and maritime journals.

This cover from Crocker, Wood & Co. in New York was addressed to Captain Crocker in Hong Kong and contained a letter dated September 28, 1860. The sender had no way of knowing that the Edwin Forrest, along with its captain, crew, passengers and cargo, would never reach Hong Kong.

Ex Dr. Chase, Ward, Gibson, Dr. Kapiloff and Perlman. Signed by Stanley B. Ashbrook.

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