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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
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Auction Lots - Page 3
101
x 1900 (1 Sept.) soldier's envelope "From No. 2240 Corporal H.H.S. Fletcher" at Mafeking to Auckland, marked "No stamps obtainable On Active Service", countersigned by the Commanding Officer and bearing Postage Due 1d. alongside 1d. To Pay handstamp, Wellington flag machine datestamp (26.10) on reverse. Photo £100-120
102
x 1900 (3 Sept.) envelope from Trooper Roberts, most unusually addressed to a fellow soldier, and presumably relative, Corporal Roberts of the Rhodesian Field Force Artillery at Mafeking, bearing 1d. lilac cancelled at A.P.O. 53; 1900 (8 Nov.) envelope from Lt. Lewin to Canterbury bearing Transvaal V.R.I. 1d. cancelled by F.P.O. 19 c.d.s., and 1901 (Mar.) C.G.H. 1/2d. card bearing O.F.S. V.R.I. 1d. cancelled with A.P.O. 55 c.d.s. from Trooper Eggleston to a member of the Telegraph Dept. at Lyttelton with contents including "2nd. and 3rd. Contingents much reduced, cannot muster 200" £150-200
Provenance: John Woolfe, October 2006
103
x 1900 (14 Sept.) soldier's envelope from Trooper Sheldon "On Active Service 4th. Regiment" to Balfour, Southland and redirected to Lumsden, countersigned by the Commanding Officer and with a charge mark of "2 1/2" (the " 1/2" added in blue crayon) for redirection, Wellington flag machine datestamp (26.10) and Balfour c.d.s. (29.10) on reverse. Photo £100-120
104
x 1900 (3 Sept.) unstamped envelope from Lieut. Thomson at Ottoshop to Auckland, showing F.P.O. 4 c.d.s. and with "to pay/1d/double deficient postage" h.s. alongside Postage Due 1d. cancelled on arrival (12.10). Photo £120-150
Provenance: John Woolfe, October 2006

Rhodesian Field Force

See also lots 291, 293, 417 and 422
105
x 1900 (May) envelope from De Aar, Cape to Bulawayo, no notation as to sender though with manuscript "No stamps available" at top, showing despatch and arrival (6.6) c.d.s. and "1/4T Exceeds 1/2oz" in blue crayon, and 1900 (June) envelope "From A. Hendley. E Squadron. Rhodesia Regt. O.A.S." at Bulawayo to Ireland, countersigned and with large Bulawayo "T" handstamp. An unusual pair £100-120
106
x 1900 (Sept.) soldier's envelope from a Trooper in the 2nd. Regiment at Mafeking to Queensland with two manuscript "1" tax marks, 1900 (Oct.) envelope "From Camerons Scouts On Active Service in South Africa" to Victoria, signed by Cameron himself as Officer Commanding and bearing Arms 1d. cancelled at Bulawayo, and 1900 soldier's front from a member of the N.Z. Battery to Auckland bearing 1d. Postage Due alongside 1d. To Pay handstamp; the first two with faults though an interesting trio from Australasian Forces £80-100

Douglas and Surrounding Towns

The village was besieged from late November 1901 until 20 January 1902 by Gen. de Villiers and about 300 commandos
107
x 1901 (June) unstamped soldier's envelope (damaged and restored) from O'Kiep to Cape Town, countersigned by Capt. Montague, the Commandant of the town and showing despatch c.d.s., manuscript "1d. To pay" and "1d" handstamp, the reverse with Charge Clerk and Cape Town c.d.s. (10.6), and 1902 envelope from Lt. Little of the 30th. Imperial Yeomanry Regt. at O'Kiep to Pretoria and redirected to London, bearing 1d. with c.d.s., Cape Town and London (22.9) datestamps on face. Also 1901 (Feb.) envelope from Cape Town to England with cachet of the O'Kiep Commandant signed by "J. Crozier, Capt. O.T.G." (O'Kiep Town Guard) £100-120
Note: O'Kiep was held under siege by General Smuts from 8 April until a relief force arrived from Port Nolloth on 3 May 1902
108
x 1901 (25 June) envelope from Griqua Town to Kimberley shortly after being occupied by Gen. Warren, bearing Cape 1d. (faults) cancelled by c.d.s. and sent out via the normal postal route, censor mark and arrival c.d.s. (26.6) on reverse, and 1902 (5 Feb.) soldier's envelope (faults) from Private Flude of the Lancashire Regt. showing despatch c.d.s. and sent on the detour route via Douglas with c.d.s. (19.2) some 14 days later, London Paid c.d.s. also on face; a most unusual pair £100-120
109
x 1901 (10 Dec.) and 1902 (30 Jan.) envelopes to Dr. Leask at Klerksdorp, the first from Douglas bearing Cape 1d. with c.d.s. and showing censor mark alongside, Johannesburg (16.12) and Army Post Office Klerksdorp (17.12) c.d.s. on reverse, the second from Prieska bearing Cape 1d. with squared-circle datestamp and showing Prieska censor datestamp in blue-green and Johannesburg oval censor handstamp. A most unusual pair with the first being the earliest recorded mail out of the siege by either dispatch rider or runner. Photo £100-120
Note: Dr. Thomas Leask of Wolmaransstad was under house arrest in Klerksdorp from late March 1901 until May 1902
110
x 1901 (29 Dec.) unstamped soldier's envelope from Douglas to Cape Town, marked "Besieged no stamps Available. H.H.S.", with c.d.s. and countersigned though taxed "T2d", the only recorded military cover to leave the town during the siege, and 1902 (30 Jan.) long envelope from Douglas to Cape Town, franked at 3d. and showing Douglas censor mark with Cape Town censor label and cachet at left, the earliest recorded civilian mail out of Douglas after the retreat of Gen. de Villiers Commandos on 20 January.
A remarkable pair. Photo £150-200
111
x 1902 (5 Jan.) envelope from Lord Methuen to his wife in Klerksdorp, bearing uncancelled G.B. 1d. lilac and showing Vryburg c.d.s., Johannesburg and Kimberley Major W. Elton censor cachets, 1902 (20 Jan.) letter written by Duncan Croften Boyes with fascinating details regarding the siege and, from the details, sent out after the town was relieved, and 1902 (14 Feb.) envelope from Douglas to England sent at the 1d. concessionary rare and countersigned by O.C. Duke of Edinburgh's Own Rifles £100-120

Kimberley

The town was besieged from 12 October 1899 until 15 February 1900
112
x 1899 (13 Oct.) Standard Bank printed envelope from Vryburg to Uitenhage, arriving in Kimberley on 15 October and delayed by the siege, with manuscript "Posted at Vryburg 13 Oct 1899. Received in Uitenhage 23 Feby 1900" probably applied by the bank to confirm the reason for the delay, Kimberley and arrival (22.2) datestamps on reverse £80-100
113
x 1899 (31 Oct.) unstamped envelope to "Express" by a reporter with mobile lager to Bloemfontein, marked "op Lager" and showing fine Boshof O.F.S. c.d.s., arrival c.d.s. (6.11) on reverse, and 1901 "The Flag That Braved" envelope from St. Catherines, Ontario to Kimberley with Kimberley Welton censor cachet. Also two Siege Soup tickets (one defective), 1899 Crocott's Daily Mail Special Editions for 4 November 1899 "Colenso Evacuated" and 23 November 1899 "Fighting at Kimberley", and 1902 (1 June) Natal Mercury "Peace at Last" souvenir £100-120
114
x 1899 (2 Dec.) envelope "From Sgt. J.E. Lever 1st. 5th. Fusiliers South Africa" and "Kimberley Relief Force South Africa", bearing Cape 1d. with F.P.O. 2 c.d.s. (first day of operation of this office), Huddersfield arrival c.d.s. (31.12) on reverse, 1900 (24 Feb.) OHMS envelope on first mail out on 25 February, showing single-ring despatch c.d.s. and bearing G.B. 1d. lilac cancelled by Field Post Office B.O. c.d.s. (28.2, the last day of use in Cape Town as a base office), and 1900 (11 June) soldier's envelope from Kimberley to England, marked "No stamps available. On Active Service" and showing despatch squared-circle datestamp, Field Post Office B.O. (13.6) and London Paid (1.7) c.d.s.
An interesting trio £150-200
115
x 1899 (14 Dec.) envelope from General Methuen to his wife in England, marked "Modder River" and bearing Cape 1d. with Field Post Office 4 c.d.s. (15.12) which had been allocated to him, Chippenham arrival c.d.s. (6.1) on reverse. A scarce letter written two days after the disastrous Battle of Magersfontein. Also 1900 (13 Jan.) envelope from F.P.O. 4 to Beaufort West £100-120
Note: General Methuen was wounded at the battle of Modder River on 28 November. He resumed command of the British Forces at Modder River Station on 6 December. On 10 December he advanced towards Spytfontein and on 11 December he attacked Boer Forces at Magersfontein where he was heavily defeated, losing almost 1,000 troops killed or wounded. He withdrew back to Modder River though General Cronje did not follow up his advantage. General Metheun remained at Modder River until superseded in command by General Roberts on 9 February
116
x 1900 (13 Feb.) envelope to Pau, France posted two days before the siege was lifted, marked "No stamps available" with despatch c.d.s. and bearing G.B. 2 1/2d. cancelled by London c.d.s. (17.3), tax mark deleted and with arrival c.d.s. (18.3) on reverse; most unusual. Photo £100-120
117
x 1900 (25 Feb.) envelope (faults at top through opening) to England, bearing Cape 1/2d. pair cancelled by squared-circle datestamp with Southampton Packet Letter c.d.s. (16.3) alongside, the first usage of the squared-circle datestamp, which had been issued in January, on the first mail out after the siege, and 1900 (2 Mar.) unstamped soldier's envelope from a member of Roberts Horse, complete with letter headed "Koodoos Drift", to Cape Town, showing Kimberley squared-circle datestamp (2.3) and, despite being countersigned, showing "1d" tax handstamp £120-150
118
x 1900 (4 Sept.) OHMS envelope (223x95mm.) to Cape Town and redirected to England, marked "Free A Gawler, Lt. Col. O C Troops Schmidt's Drift", showing despatch c.d.s. and, on reverse, Kimberley (5.9) and Cape Town (8.9) datestamps, and 1902 (23 Jan.) soldier's envelope from Private Flude at Schmidt's Drift to England, marked "No stamps available on active service", not countersigned and showing despatch c.d.s., Kimberley Major W. Elton censor cachet and London Paid (15.2) c.d.s.; an unusual pair from this sub-office of Kimberley £100-120

Kuruman

The town was besieged for the first time from 13 November 1899 until 1 January 1900 when it surrendered to Boer forces. General Warren re-occupied the town from 24 June 1900

Postal History
119
x 1900 (9 July) envelope (some foxing) to England, no stamps or cancellers being available, handstamped with Crowned "distributor of stamps/kuruman" oval datestamp over-cancelled by tax-cleared London Paid arrival c.d.s. (4.8), Carnforth arrival c.d.s. (5.8) on reverse. A most unusual cover posted on the first mail out of Kuruman after the relief. Photo £500-700
Note: When the British re-occupied the town in June 1900 the Post Office datestamp was found to have been destroyed or stolen, the Distributor of Stamps datestamp was therefore used for a short period until a new Kuruman datestamp was received
Provenance:
Bill Hart, June 1993
120
x 1900 (26 July) OHMS envelope (227x102mm.) to "Capt. Duffus, O.I.C. Supplies, Daniels Kuil", signed by Capt. Prince "S.O. to Commandant, Kuruman", no stamps or cancellers being available, cancelled by a superb strike of the Crowned "distributor of stamps/kuruman" oval-framed datestamp, Kimberley (27.7) and Campbell (29.7) c.d.s. on reverse; discoloured at left and with other small faults though scarce £120-150
Provenance: Kenneth Griffith, March 2003
121
x 1900 (2 Oct.) unstamped envelope (small faults) "On active service" to Huddersfield, marked "from Capt. F. Lewin 23rd. Coy O.Y. Bechuanaland" and with a good strike of the new squared-circle datestamp alongside Cape Town Field Post Office c.d.s. (8.10) and tax-cleared London Paid c.d.s. (27.10). Photo £200-250
122
x 1900 (29 Nov.) Budrick's "Memoir of the Boer War" printed illustrated envelope in blue and vermilion to England, marked as from J.C. Davis of the Duke of Edinburgh's Own Volunteer Rifles and bearing Cape 1d. neatly cancelled by squared-circle datestamp;
the adhesive defective and the envelope with central vertical fold though a most attractive souvenir envelope posted during the second siege of the town. Photo £200-250
Provenance: Kenneth Griffith, September 2003
123
x 1901 (5 Jan.) soldier's envelope "From Sergt. J.C. Davis, B Company DEOVR" to England, marked "By Despatch Rider" and "O.C. Dukes" for countersigning though not carried out and bearing Cape 1d. cancelled by squared-circle datestamp, the reverse with Vryburg (9.1) over-cancelled by Bristol arrival c.d.s. (4.2); some faults though an unusual item sent soon after the overprinting was carried out, and 1901 (18 Sept.) 1d. pink stationery envelope, uprated with 1d. carmine, ex the same correspondence and written during a period when siege threats were again feared, marked "Per Runner" and with light Vryburg censor oval datestamp (24.9), Vryburg (24.9) and Bristol (18.10) c.d.s. on reverse. A wonderful pair. Photo £600-800
124
x 1901 (12 Apr.) soldier's envelope (minor stains) "From Sergt. Davis B Compy DEOVR" to England, marked "Per Despatch Rider" and bearing Cape 1d. with fine squared-circle datestamp, Daniel's Kuil (13.4), Kimberley (19.4) and Bristol (10.5) c.d.s. on reverse; also 1901 (18 Feb.) front "Per despatch Rider" to Oudtshoorn bearing Cape 1d. with squared-circle datestamp, 1902 (June) letter from "Jack" to "Max" advising that he has been made Commandant and two unstamped fronts signed by the Commandant £120-150
125
x 1902 (10 June) envelope from Major Browne commanding the Cape Police at Kuruman to Tsomo, Transkei, bearing Cape 1d. with squared-circle datestamp and showing "passed censor/kuruman" oval-framed datestamp in red alongside with a further strike on reverse which also shows Vryburg (16.6) and arrival (22.6) c.d.s. Photo £80-100

The Stamp Surcharges
The following group of stamps were prepared for use but owing to the relief of the town
within a week their use became unnecessary

Surcharged on Postage Stamps with "1900-01." in Small Type
126
x Proof strike of the 3d. surcharge on laid paper. Also a piece of paper (thinned) showing printing impression of the 3d. value. Photo £100-150
127
x 2d. on 1/2d. green, part original gum; light crease at upper left. P.F.S.A. Certificate (1984). Photo £150-200
128
x 3d. on 1/2d. green, part original gum; light horizontal bend. P.F.S.A. Certificate (1984). Photo £150-200
129
x 3d. on 1/2d. green, neatly cancelled and tied on piece by 29 December squared-circle datestamp, the first day of availability. Photo £150-200
130
x 3d. on 1/2d. green, neatly cancelled by part 21 January squared-circle datestamp; a few trimmed perfs. at upper left. Photo £150-200
131
x 3d. on 1d. carmine, part original gum; traces of creasing. P.F.S.A. Certificate (1984). Photo £150-200
132
x 3d. on 1d. carmine, neatly cancelled and tied on piece by 29 December squared-circle datestamp. Photo £150-200
133
x 1/- on 1d. carmine, part original gum; two light creases. P.F.S.A. Certificate (1984). Photo £150-200
134
x 1/- on 1d. carmine, neatly cancelled and tied on piece by 29 December squared-circle datestamp. Photo £150-200
135
x 1/- on 1d. carmine, neatly cancelled 19 January squared-circle datestamp. Photo £150-200

Surcharged on Postage Stamps with "1900-01." in Large Type
136
x Proof strike of the 2d. surcharge on laid paper showing part of papermaker's watermark. Photo £100-150
137
x 2d. on 1/2d. green, neatly cancelled and tied on piece by 29 December squared-circle datestamp. Photo £150-200
138
x 2d. on 1d. carmine, variety surcharge inverted, cancelled by part 21 January squared-circle datestamp; light overall toning. Very rare. R.P.S. Certificate (2002). Photo £400-500

Surcharged on Revenue Stamps Overprinted "postage"
139
x Proof overprints of the 6d. and 1/- on laid paper; the first creased, the second thinned. Also two pieces of paper (faults) showing printing impression of the 1/- value. Photo £200-250
140
x 6d. on 1d. green on yellow, 6d. on 3d. red on yellow, 1/- on purple on yellow and 5/- on 1/- purple, unused with part original gum; the first creased and the last thinned though a rare and most attractive set. B.P.A. Certificate (1989). Photo £600-800
141
x 6d. on 1d. green on yellow, 6d. on 3d. red on yellow, 1/- on purple on yellow and 5/- on 1/- purple, all neatly cancelled with squared-circle datestamps for 19 or 21 January; the 6d. on 3d. with some trimmed perfs. at right, otherwise a rare and most attractive set. Photo £600-800
142
x 6d. on 1d. green on yellow, 6d. on 3d. red on yellow and 1/- purple on yellow, each neatly cancelled with 29 December squared-circle datestamp; the last with a light vertical crease. Photo £500-600
143
x 6d. on 3d. red on yellow with small "1900-01", neatly cancelled by 29 December squared-circle datestamp and affixed to envelope (some foxing) addressed to Horsley Stubbs "Chief Distributor of Stamps" at Cape Town; believed to be the sole 6d. on 3d. value recorded on cover. Photo £500-600
144
x 5/- on 1/- purple, neatly cancelled by 29 December squared-circle datestamp and affixed to envelope (some foxing) addressed to Horsley Stubbs "Chief Distributor of Stamps" at Cape Town; perfs. largely trimmed at right. Photo £500-600
_______________
145
x 1901 (7 Mar.) affidavit, on Royal Coat of Arms embossed sheet of paper, by Col. William Frederick Cavaye stating that the stamps were genuinely prepared for use on his order but owing to the relief of the town they were not "used" and "have been sent to the Postmaster of Kuruman for disposal", the document witnessed by Lt. F.E. Crosbie, DEOVR, and a Justice of the Peace. A unique record £200-250

Ladysmith

The town was besieged from 1 November 1899 until 28 February 1900.
Nearly all mail was detained in Ladysmith until the siege ended although a few
covers are known to have been smuggled out during the siege
146
x 1899 (2 Nov.) Natal 1/2d. brown card, written at "8 am" to Pietermaritzburg, cancelled with double-ring datestamp and with G.P.O. Natal arrival c.d.s. (2.11) at left; a scarce item carried out on the last mail before the rail was destroyed after noon on the same day £80-100
147
x 1900 (19 Jan.) envelope to London marked "On active service. Sufficient stamps not obtainable" and, on reverse, "If this falls into the hands of the Boers please forward when finished with", considered overweight and bearing single 1d. with double-ring datestamp, cancelled "10c" tax mark and London Paid "datestamp" most unusually without date, and 1900 (5 Feb.) unstamped envelope to India, marked "On native service no stamps obtainable", despatch c.d.s. and with "T" and "5c" tax marks crossed through, Durban (3.3), Tuticorin (3.4) and Bareilly (9.4) c.d.s. on reverse; faults in places though a most unusual pair £100-120
148
x 1900 (Feb.) envelope, brought in by runner, addressed to "The Chief of Staff N F Forces Ladysmith", "Recd AH" (General Sir A Hunter) who wrote, in red crayon, "Good news in during the night 25/2/00", the envelope then circulated to various officers who initialled the envelope having viewed the contents. A fascinating item of ephemera £80-100
Note: General Hart attacked Boer troops on Terrace Hill at 5pm on 23 February. They gained the top at 7pm but as there was no cloud cover they were unable to send a heliograph message to Ladysmith so sent off a runner that night. The following day the British Forces were decimated. A ceasefire was declared on Sunday 25 February
149
x 1900 (5 Mar.) "Chocolate box" wrapper registered to Burghersdorp, bearing Natal 1d. pair and 6d. (5 with a block of four) all cancelled by scarce "natal/field force 2" rubber datestamp with a further strike on reverse; also loose G.B. 3d. purple-brown on yellow strip of three and 1d. lilac with fine strikes of the same datestamp for 13 and 15 March £120-150
Note: The Natal Field Force was stationed at Chieveley until late in March, when it was moved up to the new British Headquarters at Elandslaagte
Provenance:
Bill Hart, June 1993
150
x 1900 (10 Mar.) "in dienst." envelope (265x117mm.) addressed in the handwriting of Commandant General Louis Botha to the Supreme Commander of British troops in Ladysmith, signed by Botha at the lower left corner and carried across the lines by hand ten days after the relief, the reverse with "deputy adjutant general./south african forces" oval-framed datestamp in violet; a few small faults though a possibly unique item of mail between the two leaders £100-120
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
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