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1903 | Thailand

Ref: DR20055
  • £75.00

Thailand. (Siam Steam Navigation Company - Postmarks). Circa 1903. Siam SG 72, 4a carmine cancelled by straight-line 'S.S. "Redang" in violet.

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 the mail. More vessels were added until the 'Siam Steam Navigation Co.' was founded in 1909. The steamers would carry mail from port to port in the ships mail bag. Loose letters were cancelled by the Purser's fancy rubber hand-stamp and mail cancelled on board ship is very rare indeed.

The 'S.S. "Redang" (531 tons) was built in 1901 and was bought by the 'Danish East Asiatic Company' in 1902.

Ex John Garner collection. John made a wonderful study of these elusive items for over 50 years. He wrote an article for the P.A.T. Journal in 2009 on the history of the little shipping lines that traded along the coast of the Gulf of Siam.