VICTORIA, QUEEN OF ENGLAND. 1819-1901. Autograph Note (unsigned) in the hand of Queen Victoria, ...

VICTORIA, QUEEN OF ENGLAND. 1819-1901. Autograph Note (unsigned) in the hand of Queen Victoria, to an unknown recipient, approving the appointment of John Bowring at Canton, 1p, 8vo (177 x 110 mm), Windsor Castle, October 18, 1848, on her personal stationery with monogram printed in black at upper right, bordered in black, reading: 'The Queen approves that Dr. Bowring shd. be appointed Consul at Canton in the place of Mr. Maiglyor.' Together with blank second sheet of bifolium letterhead (separated), and to which a typed transcription of the note has been laid down. Staining, chip through monogram at corner. Sir John Bowring (1792-1872) was a British economist, writer and MP, who arrived in Canton (Gaungzhou) in 1849 to find a system rife with inefficiency and corruption, and found little help from the Governor of Hong Kong, to whom he was subordinate. He was successful enough in his reforms to be elevated to Governor of Hong Kong himself in 1852. He would hold the post for seven years, but at great cost: during the Second Opium War, he and his wife were among several hundred British citizens poisoned with arsenic in the Esing Bakery incident. His wife was killed, and he was left debilitated for months. Lot to be sold without reserve. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing