Auctions Auctioneers Search Information Email Bid/Request Catalogue
Auction Details - AUCTION ALREADY HELD
Stamps of the World - The Anglo-Boer War, 1899-1902 Featuring Occupation and Siege Issues The Harry Birkhead Collection
Auctioneer: Spink Location: 69 Southampton Row, Bloomsbury, London WC1B 4ET
Contact: Tel: +44 (0)20 7563 4000 Fax: +44 (0)20 7563 4066
Date: 12th March 2014 Time: 10:00AM
Details: Viewing:
19th to 21st February - Stand 122 at Stampex Exhibition
Monday 10th March 10am to 5pm
Tuesday 11th March 10am to 5pm
Private viewing by appointment only
Page: 1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9  
Auction Lots - Page 1

Boer Forces Mail

1
x 1899 (26 Dec.) unstamped "Commando Dienst" envelope from Jacobsdal to Bloemfontein with Stats Veld Kornet cachet used to authorise non-stamped letters, and 1900 (9 Feb.) unstamped "Veltdienst" envelope from Wolvaarts to P.W. Dreyer serving under Gen. Potgieter at Modder River, Johannesburg transit c.d.s. (9.2) on reverse, only six days before the relief of Kimberley; also 1899 (21 Dec.) O.F.S. 1 1/2d. on 2d. stationery card from Jacobsdal to Germany showing "postmeester generaal" oval censor cachet and written nine days after Gen. Methuen's defeat at Magersfontein. An interesting trio £100-120
2
x 1900 (30 Mar.) unstamped envelope to Bethlehem, O.F.S., marked "Veldt dienst" and showing a fine strike of the very rare "p.k. Gn Burger
Lâgér,/30 Mart. 1900" handstamp in violet (one of only three recorded examples), the reverse endorsed "Am not sure if I haven't addressed some of your letters to Heilbron" and with Johannesburg (1.4) and Bethlehem (4.4) c.d.s.; also large piece bearing 1d. (3) cancelled by "Gnl Burger Lgr,/13 Mart. 1900" handstamp in violet (the earliest recorded date of use and only example recorded cancelling adhesives) with a further strike alongside and superb boxed "stopped by censor/return to sender" handstamp. Photo £400-500
Note: General Burger's lager was at Mpuke Pass west of Glencoe. He was positioned here in the Biggarsberg Mountains after the Boer retreat from Ladysmith
Provenance:
Bill Hart, June 1993
3
x 1900 (21 Apr.) postcard to Germany, bearing 1d. rose-red and green cancelled by a light strike of the very rare "p.k./fourie's Lâgér/21 April 1900" handstamp in violet (one of only three examples recorded and the only example recorded cancelling a stamp), taxed with octagonal-framed "t/15/centimes" handstamp and also showing Pretoria (24.4) and Stralsuna (27.5) c.d.s. The only recorded item of taxed mail from Mpuke Pass. Photo £300-400
Note: General Burger requested leave at the end of March 1900. Commandant Fourie was promoted to General to replace him
Provenance:
Bill Hart, June 1993

German Corps
4
x 1900 (25 Jan.) "Veld Dienst" envelope from Dewetsdorp to a Leon Zeilder
under Commandant Viljoen on the Tugela River front, bearing O.F.S. 1d. tied by
c.d.s. and showing a fine strike of the "Veld-Post./g.f.fleischer,/duitsch& johannesburg/commandos." datestamp for 1 February, Bloemfontein and Hoofdlager (1.2) c.d.s. on reverse; the envelope with a couple of faults at upper left though a fine example of ingoing mail to the main battle front. Photo £100-120
5
x 1900 (18 May) unstamped "Veld Dienst" envelope to P.O. Hibernia showing a superb strike of the "johannesburg commando/veldpostmeester/G.F. Fleischer." "cogwheel" oval cachet in violet, Volksrust (18.5) and Johannesburg (19.5) c.d.s. on reverse, some foxing otherwise fine, and (25 May) damaged "Velddienst" envelope to Jeppesdorp with a fine strike of the cachet in blue-violet. A rare handstamp with only eight examples recorded, and an interesting pair illustrating the first and last dates known. Photo £300-400
Provenance:
Bill Hart, June 1993 for first
Kenneth Griffith, March 2003 for first
Boer War Centenary Sale, October 1999 for second

Commando Brief Military Frank Stamps

Unused
6
x A complete sheet of twenty (5x4, less the lower margin) illustrating the five constant varieties, large part original gum; foxing on reverse and some perfs. severed and reinforced. Fine appearance and a rare multiple. S.G. M1, £520+ £150-200

Used
7
x A selection (17), one cancelled with barred oval "252" of Modder River, the others with c.d.s. of Aliwal North, Barkly West (6 with all five types represented), Bloemfontein, Burghersdorp, Jacobsdal, Modder River (4, two with broken circle), Rouxville and Spytfontein; faults in places though of generally fine appearance. S.G. M1, £935 £200-250

Covers
8
x 1899 (24 Oct.) envelope from Modder River to Bloemfontein, bearing a marginal example (some foxing around perfs.) placed inverted and cancelled with broken circle datestamp, Jacobsdal c.d.s. (26.10) below, despatch and arrival (30.10) c.d.s. on reverse. Photo £120-150
9
x 1899 (31 Oct.) envelope (some foxing) from Modder River to Brandfort, the label neatly cancelled with despatch c.d.s. (broken circle type) and additionally with Jacobsdal c.d.s. (2.11) in transit, arrival c.d.s. (6.11) on reverse. Photo £100-120
10
x 1899 (13 Nov.) envelope (small imperfections) to Bloemfontein, showing Commanding Officer's endorsement largely covered over by the label cancelled by Spytfontein c.d.s. and with Jacobsdal transit c.d.s. at upper right, arrival c.d.s. (14.11) on reverse. Photo £150-200

Boer Invasion of Cape Colony

Aliwal North
11
x 1900 (3 Feb.) 1/2d. red card to Queenstown, Cape Colony, cancelled by c.d.s. and showing Bloemfontein c.d.s. (5.2), "postmeester generaal" oval censor cachet, Durban c.d.s. (23.2), boxed "stopped by censor/return to sender" cachet in violet and Returned Letter Office Natal c.d.s. (1.3); a scarce commercial card. Photo £100-120

Barkly East
12
x 1900 (10 Jan.) from the Landsklerk to "Aliwal North O.V.S.", the printed O.H.M.S. heading deleted and replaced with manuscript "Oranje Vry Staat Dienst" and bearing O.F.S. 1d. cancelled by c.d.s., arrival c.d.s. on reverse; a scarce commercial cover. Photo £100-120
Provenance: Kenneth Griffith, March 2003

Colesberg
13
x 1899 (19 Dec.) OHMS envelope to Utrecht, posted unpaid and endorsed "Veld Dienst" with Colesberg squared-circle datestamp at upper right, Transvaal 1d. (3) applied at upper left and cancelled at Pretoria (21.12), "postmeester general" oval censor cachet in blue at centre and with arrival c.d.s. (13.2), the reverse with Bloemfontein (22.12), Pretoria and arrival c.d.s.; a most unusual cover with overseas postage added in transit. Photo £150-200
Provenance: Kenneth Griffith, March 2003
14
x 1900 (12 Feb.) envelope "Via Delagoa Bay" from Dr. Mangold's Volunteer German Red Cross to Berlin, bearing O.F.S. 1d. purple (3) cancelled by squared-circle datestamp and with "postmeester generaal" censor cachet at foot, the reverse with senders endorsement, Pretoria (17.2) and arrival (30.3) c.d.s.; most unusual. Photo £120-150

Kimberley
15
x 1899 Transvaal 1/2d. pair and 1d. on pieces tied by fine "hoofd-lager/Kimberley, Z.A.R." oval datestamps (28.12) in violet, and 1900 1/2d. pair sharing complete "Hoofd-lager, Z.A.R./kimberley" oval datestamp (1.1). Scarce with few strikes recorded, there being no direct rail links with Transvaal, posts being serviced through Jacobsdal to Bloemfontein £120-150

Lady Grey
16
x 1899 (21 Dec.) envelope to a soldier at Stormberg Lager, bearing O.F.S. 1d. purple with c.d.s. and showing a further strike and Burghersdorp squared-circle datestamp (28.2) alongside, Aliwal North transit c.d.s. (23.12) on reverse; a fine commercial cover. Photo £120-150
Provenance: Kenneth Griffith, September 2003
17
x 1900 (18 Jan.) Cape 1/2d. green card "via Lourenco Marques Delagoa Bay", bearing O.F.S. 1d. purple with despatch c.d.s. and showing Aliwal North (20.1, cancelling the stamp impression), Bloemfontein (22.1) and arrival (13.2) c.d.s., and with a light strike of the "postmeester generaal" oval censor cachet in blue £120-150
Provenance: Boer War Centenary Sale, October 1999
18
x 1900 (22 Mar.) outward half of Cape 1/2d. green card, uprated with 1/2d., to Germany, neatly cancelled and with Barmen arrival c.d.s. (15.4) at foot; also 1899 (Nov.) O.F.S. card "Via Lourenco Marques" to Durban showing Bloemfontein transit c.d.s. and Postmaster-General Arms cachet. An interesting pair £120-150

Mafeking
19
x 1899 1/2d. on piece cancelled by superb "hoofd-lager./Mafeking, Z.A.R." oval datestamp (20.12) in violet, and 1/2d. and 2d. pairs each cancelled by fine "Hoofd-Lager, Z.A.R./mafeking." oval datestamps (1.1). Scarce £120-150

Venterstad
20
x 1900 (8 Jan.) envelope "via Delagoa Bay" to Port Elizabeth, bearing O.F.S. 1d. purple (foxing) cancelled by superb "450" barred oval with c.d.s. alongside c.d.s. which is covered by Cape Town "3d" tax handstamp, and with "postmeester generaal" oval censor cachet in blue, Opened Under Martial law censor label at top and on to reverse which shows Bloemfontein (1.11), Cape Town (1.2) and arrival (3.20 c.d.s.; an attractive commercial usage. Photo £120-150
Provenance: Boer War Centenary Sale, October 1999

Balance
21
x A selection with covers from Aliwal North (2), Barkly East (2), Burghersdorp, Colesburg (4, one unstamped with manuscript "Commando Dienst") and Lady Grey (3), two with Post Telegrafen cachet addresses; also a selection of loose adhesives/pieces (16 items) with datestamps of Aliwal North, Barkley East or Colesberg datestamps £100-120

Boer Invasion of Vryburg, British Bechuanaland
The town was occupied by the Boers from 18 October 1899 to 9 May 1900.
Cape stamps found in the town were overprinted with the value and "Z.A.R."
22
x 1899-1900 envelopes (3), 1/2d. green card and pieces (7) bearing a variety of values to
1/-, all cancelled by c.d.s. with "c.g.h." excised, the envelopes (one with O.F.S. 1d. and Transvaal 1d.) routed through Schweizer-Reneke, the card from Dr. Leask to his daughter at Wolmaransstad used on 21 October (the first day of occupation) with three arrival c.d.s. on face. An attractive group £200-250
23
x 1899 (14 Oct.) envelope to Mossel Bay sent out on the last post before the Boers occupied the town, bearing Cape 1d. with neat "vryburg/c.g.h." c.d.s. and taken to Kimberley by rail when Vryburg was evacuated, Kimberley c.d.s. (18.10) on reverse and held there until the town was relieved on 15 February 1900, arrival c.d.s. (25.2) alongside. Photo £100-120
24
x 1899 (21 Oct.) envelopes (7) and 1/2d. green card ex the Leask find, bearing a variety of Cape or Transvaal values to 10/- cancelled by c.d.s. with "c.g.h." excised, all with arrival c.d.s., two on face. A clean and colourful lot £250-300
25
x 1900 (30 Jan.) Standard Bank envelope to Lourenco Marques, bearing 1d. pair with c.d.s. and manuscript censor mark at top, the reverse with censor label, Johannesburg and arrival c.d.s.; also 1899 envelope (faults), complete with letter from A.J. de Wet, Assistant State Attorney, "via Schweizer-Reneke" to Vryburg with a request for the new V.R.I. stamps and "You remember telling me about the Daily Mail correspondent that came out of Mafeking via Vryburg just before we were there. Well he tried the same game again and we have got him safely lodged here. His papers were most interesting to go through, splendid illustration of the mendacious reports the English public is supplied with". A most interesting pair £120-150
Provenance: Bill Hart, June 1993 for first
26
x 1900 (30 Jan.) unsealed envelope (vertical crease) "Via Lourcos Marques" to Orkney, Scotland, bearing 1/2d. and 1d. (2) tied by c.d.s. with "c.g.h." excised, censored by the assistant postmaster, then sealed and endorsed "Examined by me for P.M. Vburg W.M." (translation), censor label at left and with various transit c.d.s. on reverse, and 1900
(7 Feb.) Standard Bank envelope to Pretoria, bearing 1d. similarly cancelled and with censor label at right, Klerksdorp and arrival c.d.s. on reverse £100-120
27
x 1900 (2 May) piece bearing Transvaal commemorative 1d. cancelled by Vryburg c.d.s. with "c.g.h." excised and with a superb strike of the "Veld-Post Z.A.R./vrijburg." oval datestamp in blue, and Transvaal 1/2d. (2), 1d. (2), 2d. and 2 1/2d. pairs each similarly cancelled for 6 May; an attractive group illustrating first and last day usages of this scarce cancellation £80-100
28
x 1900 (5 May) stampless envelope to a soldier at Verteen Stroom showing a superb strike of the "Veld-Post Z.A.R./vrijburg." oval datestamp in blue, not able to be delivered as Fourteen Streams had already been occupied by the British; partially split vertical crease at centre, otherwise fine and very rare, being one of only three examples of this datestamp recorded on cover. Photo £500-600
Provenance: Kenneth Griffith, March 2003

Boer Invasion of Natal

Charlestown
29
x A selection of pieces/loose adhesives (8 items) showing various handstamps comprising oval-framed "charlestown,/z.a.r." datestamp (3, one in red), oval-framed "Veld-Post, Z.A.R./charlestown" (2, one on O.F.S. 2 1/2d.), "charlestown.vpk zar" (2, one with "v" and "k" letters missing) and "charlestown/30 mei 1900" late use datestamp used shortly before the Boer retreat back across the border £100-120
30
x 1899 (13 Oct.) "Velddienst" envelope from a member of the "Holl Vryw Corps" (Hollander Voluntary Corps.) to Pretoria, showing a fine strike of the "velddienst" handstamp in violet and with Volksrust c.d.s. below, arrival c.d.s. (16.1) on reverse. A rare handstamp with only five examples recorded. Photo £250-300
Note: Commandant G. Lombard led the Hollander Corps into Natal at Charlestown on the morning of 13 October
31
x 1899 (Nov.) envelope to Johannesburg, bearing Transvaal 1/2d. green vertical pair sharing a light strike of the "v.p.k./charlestown" handstamp in violet then forwarded to Volksrust and twice cancelled by c.d.s. (21.1), arrival c.d.s. (22.11) on reverse; envelope with minor soiling though a scarce cancellation. Photo £150-200
32
x 1899 (28 Dec.) unstamped "Velddient" envelope sent by a native horse attendant and manservant with a Boer commando to a native lady at Stamford Winkle near Middleburg, endorsed by the commando and showing a part strike of the oval-framed "charlestown,/z.a.r." datestamp in red, this colour in use for three days only, Volksrust (28.12) and Pretoria (29.12) c.d.s. on reverse. One of only three covers from agterryers (rider behind) recorded. Photo £200-250

Colenso
33
x 1900 (15 Jan.) envelope to Krugsdorp, bearing 1/2d. green pair tied by a fine strike of the scarce "colenso, 15 jan 00" datestamp in violet, the reverse with Hoofdlagaer (16.1), Johannesburg (18.1) and arrival (18.1) c.d.s.; also a piece bearing 1d. with the same datestamp for 14 February and Hoofdlager c.d.s. Photo £150-200
Note: Colenso was occupied by O.V.S. Commandos under Commandant de Villiers on 6 November, to be joined by Z.A.R. Commandos later that day. The cover offered above was sent on the day of General Botha's visit to occupying troops
34
x 1900 (18 Jan.) 1d. card sent by a Dutch doctor, attached to Vrede Town ambulance unit station at Colenso, "Via Delagoa Bay" to Amsterdam, cancelled at Harrismith (20.1) and showing "postmeester generaal" censor cachet in violet, Bloemfontein (23.1) and Amsterdam (9.3) c.d.s.; most unusual. Photo £150-200
35
x 1900 (6 Feb.) envelope (central vertical crease) to Bloemfontein, bearing 1d. rose-red and green neatly cancelled by a fine strike of the scarce "colenso, 6 feb 00" datestamp in violet, arrival c.d.s. (10.2) on reverse. Photo £100-120

Dannhauser
36
x 1900 (30 Jan.) envelope to Machadadorp, bearing 1/2d. green (2) sharing a superb strike of the oval-framed "dannhauser" oval datestamp ("z.a.r." excised) in violet with a further strike at left, "PK/Newcastle/31. Jan. 1900" datestamp in blue on reverse; fine and scarce. Also pieces (4) with adhesives cancelled by double-ring datestamp in violet, oval-framed "dannhauser/z.a.r." (2, one in red) and "Veld-Post, Z.A.R./dannhauser" oval datestamps. Photo £200-250
Provenance: Bill Hart, June 1993 for cover

Dundee
37
x 1899-1900 envelopes (3) all franked at 1d. and cancelled by single-ring datestamp, one with P.K. Newcastle datestamp on reverse, and 1900 envelope to Lourenco Marques franked at 3d. and with Ambulante arrival c.d.s. in blue on reverse; also three pieces with the c.d.s., one a forgery £100-120

Elandslaagte
38
x 1900 (4 Jan.) envelope (central vertical crease) to Pretoria, bearing 1d. rose-red and green (defective) tied by a fair strike of the "elandslaagte/z.a.r." oval-framed datestamp with a further fine strike and "Gezien" handstamp (three strikes recorded) at right, arrival c.d.s. (6.1) on reverse. Photo £150-200
Note: Civilian mail from Elandslaagte was censored the day after the Boer Council meeting at Sandspruit
Provenance:
Bill Hart, June 1993
39
x 1900 (8 Jan.) envelope "via Lourenco Marques" to Belgium, bearing 1/2d. green and 1d. rose-red and green (2) sharing two fine strikes of the "elandslaagte/z.a.r." oval-framed datestamp with "z.a.r." excised, two days after the major offensive on Ladysmith, Pretoria (10.1) and Gent (22.2) c.d.s. on reverse; a rare and spectacular overseas usage. Photo £200-250
Provenance: Bill Hart, June 1993
40
x 1900 (19 Feb.) envelope to Kroonstad, bearing O.F.S. 1/2d. orange pair sharing "elandslaagte/z.a.r." oval-framed datestamp with "z.a.r." excised with a further strike alongside and arrival c.d.s. (24.2) at foot, part Johannesburg c.d.s. (22.2) on reverse. Photo £100-120

Glencoe
41
x 1899 (1 Nov.) unstamped envelope to The Consul General for U.S.A. at Johannesburg, showing a fine strike of the "Veldpost Z.A.R./Glencoe,/1 Nov. 1899." handstamp in violet, the earliest recorded date of use of this marking. Photo £120-150
Note: Glencoe was the rail junction to Dundee in the east and Newcastle in the north. It was occupied by Boer Forces on 18 October
42
x 1899 (1 Nov.) envelope (opened-out, a few fox marks) "Via Delagoa Bay" to Stellenbosch, bearing 1d. rose-red and green cancelled by fine "Veldpost Z.A.R./Glencoe,/1 Nov. 1899." handstamp in violet with Volksrust c.d.s. (3.11) alongside, censor label (partially lifted) at top; also 1/2d. and 2d. tied on piece by "waschbank" oval datestamp (31.1) and 1d. with large part "Feld-Post, Z.A.R./wesselsnek." oval datestamp (17.2), both offices near Glencoe. Photo £150-200
43
x 1899 (19 Dec.) 1/2d. green postcard from Roodepoort "Velddienst" to Glencoe showing fine "Veldpost Z.A.R./Glencoe,/20 Dec. 1899." datestamp in violet, an unusual item of "Velddienst" mail into an operational area, 1899 (25 Dec.) Natal card with 1/2d. green cancelled by superb "Veldpost Z.A.R./Glencoe,/25 Dec. 1899." datestamp, and 1900
(20 Mar.) 1/2d. green Eilau propaganda card to Johannesburg cancelled by Hoofdlager c.d.s. with a further strike on O.F.S. 1d. on piece £100-120

Hattingspruit
44
x 1900 (24 Apr.) double rate envelope to Switzerland, bearing 1/2d., 1d. (3) and 2d. cancelled by three fine strikes of the "Veld-Post, Z.A.R./hattingspruit" oval datestamp in violet, Pretoria (26.4) and arrival (8.6) c.d.s. on reverse; a spectacular franking to
an overseas destination. Also unaddressed envelope bearing 1d. with "hattingspruit,/z.a.r." oval-framed datestamp and pieces bearing 1/2d. and 1d. values with double-ring datestamp (17.10, the earliest date recorded of any Boer cancellation in Natal) in violet. Photo £300-350

Ingogo
45
x 1899 (13 Dec.) envelope (horizontal crease and four fox marks on face) "via Newcastle" to a Boer soldier serving in Colenso with the Lydenburg Commandos, bearing 2 1/2d. blue and green with fine "ingogo/rail" double-ring datestamp and with "P.K. Newcastle./Z.A.R./14 Dec 1899" datestamp in blue on reverse; a scarce cancellation used on the second to last day of usage. Photo £120-150
Note: Ingogo was taken by the Boers on 12 October, having by-passed both Mount Prospect and Charlestown
46
x 1899 (25 Dec.) unstamped "en diens" envelope "met spaet" (with haste) to Kroonstad, showing fine "ingogo,/z.a.r." oval-framed datestamp in violet with arrival c.d.s. (28.12) above, Volksrust c.d.s. (25.12) on reverse; the envelope soiled though a scarce cancellation on commercial cover. Also pieces bearing 1/2d. and 2d. values with the same cancellation, one with "z.a.r." excised. Photo £150-200

Keerstation
47
x 1899 (19 Dec.) envelope to Heidelberg, bearing 1d. rose-red and green with a superb strike of the "keerstation,/z.a.r." oval-framed datestamp in violet, Volksrust (20.12) and arrival (22.12) c.d.s. on reverse; fine and scarce. Photo £120-150
48
x 1900 (26 Mar.) envelope "via Delagoa Bay" to Germany, bearing 1/2d. green and 1d. rose-red and green (2, one defective) sharing a superb strike of the "Veld-Post, Z.A.R./keerstation." oval datestamp in violet, Volksrust (26.3), Pretoria (28.3) and arrival (12.) c.d.s. on reverse. A scarce and most attractive cover to Europe. Photo £200-250
Provenance: Kenneth Griffith, September 2003

Ladysmith
49
x 1899 (16 Dec.) envelope to Johannesburg bearing 1d. rose-red and green cancelled by Hoofdlager double-ring datestamp and with a strike of the Fleischer Veld-Post datestamp in blue alongside; also 1899 (14 Dec.) philatelic envelope with five values to 1/-, 1/2d. on piece and O.F.S. 3d., all with similar c.d.s. £100-120
Note: The Boer Hoofdlager of besieged Ladysmith was four miles north west overlooking the town
50
x 1899 (31 Dec.) Greetings from the Battlefield 1d. card to Johannesburg cancelled by a superb strike of the "Hoofdlager/Ladysmith/31 Dec. 99" datestamp in violet, thought to have been a mark applied at H.Q. to celebrate the end of the century; the card torn in half and rejoined, just affecting the left edge of the datestamp. Rare with only about six examples recorded. Photo £200-250
Provenance: Bill Hart, June 1993

Modderspruit
Auction Details - AUCTION ALREADY HELD
Stamps of the World - The Anglo-Boer War, 1899-1902 Featuring Occupation and Siege Issues The Harry Birkhead Collection
Auctioneer: Spink Location: 69 Southampton Row, Bloomsbury, London WC1B 4ET
Contact: Tel: +44 (0)20 7563 4000 Fax: +44 (0)20 7563 4066
Date: 12th March 2014 Time: 10:00AM
Details: Viewing:
19th to 21st February - Stand 122 at Stampex Exhibition
Monday 10th March 10am to 5pm
Tuesday 11th March 10am to 5pm
Private viewing by appointment only
Page: 1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9