- £450.00
Thailand. (Thai Navigation Company). 1953. Envelope written from and headed 'M.S. "Prasidsine" addressed to 'Chop Swee Long, Talat, Bandon' bearing Thailand SG 328, 5s purple and SG 321, 20s brown tied by oval "The Thai Navigation Co. Ltd. M.S. "Prasidsine" in violet with Bandon arrival on reverse '9th Oct 96 (1953).
The company was formed as the 'Danish East Asiatic Company' in 1897. The company had a steamer calling port to port from Bangkok down the Malay Peninsula with [passengers, goods and had a contract to carry mail. More vessels were added until the 'Siam Steam Navigation Co. was founded in 1909. In June 1939 the Siam Steam Navigation Company changed its name to the 'Thai Navigation Comp-any Ltd.'. At the same time as the country changed its name. Then in June 1940 the Thai Government purchased ships of the Thai Navigation Company and established its own company.
The mail situation was finally put on an official footing in August 1948 when the Post Office issued permits to post letters on board ships and provided official hand-stamps for the purpose.
The steamers would carry mail from port to port in the mail bag. Loose letters were cancelled by the Purser's fancy rubber hand-stamp and cancelled on board ship are very rare indeed.
