David LivingstoneA range of covers and letters associated with the great explorer and collected by the renowned South African philatelist, the late Robert Goldblatt, RDPSA, FRPSLThe First Zambezi Expedition, 1858-1864 |
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x 1859 (3 Feb.) mourning envelope from Bradford to "Richard Thornton, Dr. Livingstone's Zambezi Expedition, Cape of Good Hope", bearing 6d. lilac with "107" duplex and showing, on reverse, Devonport (4.2) and Cape Town (16.3) c.d.s., and delivered into the interior by two Portuguese forwarding agents whose endorsements appear on the flap; the envelope rather stained though a highly unusual item of mail to the Expedition. Photo £1,000-1,200
Note: The First Zambezi Expedition set sail from Liverpool in March 1858 and reached Tete, in Portuguese East Africa, six months later. They explored the River Shire and discovered Lake Nyassa<\t>
Richard Thornton (1837-1862) was the geologist attached to the party. He had a difficult relationship with Livingstone and his contract was terminated after two years. He died at the young age of just 26
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x 1861 (5 July) envelope, complete with two letters, from Admiral John Washington (Naval hydrographer and Livingstone's chief supply officer) in London to "Dr. Livingstone, Zambezi Expedition, Cape of Good Hope", showing Admiralty "Anchor" cachet in blue, Inspector's handstamp and Official Paid c.d.s., all on face, Devonport c.d.s. (6.7) on reverse; the two letters, written on 6 June and 5 July, include "We hear that you are gone to the Rovuma" and with notes on items despatched to him (6 June) and "... regret that there was not water to go up the river", "Sorry to learn that Mr. May is not well and likely to come home. Who is to command Pioneer?" and "The little steamer has been tried and a speed of ten knots attained. I hope she will be despatch in a few days" (5 July). The envelope and letters restored though a remarkable item. Photo £2,000-2,500
| The Second Zambezi Expedition, 1866-1873 | |
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x 1867 (26 Jan.) extraordinary pre-printed wrapper from Lord Stanley, Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs from the Foreign Office and addressed to "Dr Livingstone, Esq. LL.D, Her Britannic Majesty's Consul in the Interior of Africa, to the care of His Excellency the Governor of Bombay" and with the reverse having a further pre-printed address "David Livingstone, Esq., LL.D, Her Britannic Majesty's Consul, Quillimane, Care of the Commander-in-Chief of Her Majesty's Naval Squadron, Cape of Good Hope", marked "Via Marseilles" and endorsed "Said to be Dead", the original address crossed through and returned to Lord Stanley in London, arriving on 11 July; some portions lost through the passage of time, and the wrapper now encapsulated in plastic. Photo £1,200-1,500
Note: The Second Zambezi Expedition was undertaken with the aim of discouraging slavery and determining the watershed between Lakes Nyassa and Tanganyika. Livingstone arrived in Zanzibar in January 1866 and set off towards Lake Tanganyika, eventually arriving in late 1867
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x 1868 (7 Feb.) letter from Henry Adrian Churchill, C.B. (political agent at Zanzibar from 1867-73) on "British Residency Zanzibar" headed paper, originally enclosing two letters from Livingstone to Sir Richard Southey, Colonial Secretary at the Cape of Good Hope; contents include "You will learn with pleasure no doubt that Dr. Livingstone was at a place called Wamba on 1st. February 1867 & that he reached Ujiji towards the middle of October last, in good health" £500-600
| Mail to Livingstone or family members | |
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x 1862 and 1867 envelopes to Dr. Livingstone from his daughter Agnes (both signed or initialled by her) in Scotland and sent c/o the Foreign Office, 1865 envelope from Agnes in London to him in Scotland prior to his departure on the Second Zambezi Expedition in 1867, and 1869 envelope franked at 2d. from a member of the family at Northampton to Alice Livingstone at Hamilton; the 1867 envelope with a further 1d. stamp removed, nevertheless a most unusual group with the items sent via the Foreign Office obviously addressed to conform with a scheme devised to get letters on their way to her father £800-1,000
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x 1867 (22 Jan.) envelope, complete with letter, from publishers Smith Elder in London to Livingstone "H.B.M.'s Consul, Interior of Africa" and sent care of the Foreign Office in Downing Street, the letter requesting that Livingstone instructs a friend " in this country" to make payment of an overdue account; the envelope restored and the letter, together with two other fragments, encapsulated in plastic. A fascinating item written six days before Livingstone crossed, the Zambezi River reaching the south end of Tanganyika on 31 March. Photo £1,200-1,500
Note: At this time Livingstone was seriously ill, his medicine chest having been stolen
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x 1875 (14 Jan.) envelope, complete with letter, from Mrs. Maclear (wife of the Astronomer Royal at the Cape) at Mowbray, Cape of Good Hope to Miss Livingstone c/o Mr. Webb Nottingham and redirected to Sevenoaks; the contents dealing with the winding up of Livingstone's affairs in Africa stating that she has "forwarded the testimonial silver box, the silver medal presented by the Geographical Society of Paris to your dear Father for tne discovery of lake Ngami, and his medical diploma from the University of Glasgow, carefully packed in a strong box, fastened with nails and hoop iron straps". She also comments on the hope that the stop watch used by him, which was presented by the Royal Geographical Society has arrived safely". The original franking torn away though a wonderful letter.
Also the balance of the collection including a few encapsulated letters written by his son Thomas to his daughter Agnes, picture postcards relating to Livingstone and his travels, Illustrated London News with "Dr. Livingstone's Astronomical Observations", etc. £800-1,000
| Aden | |
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x 1860 (10 Oct.) entire letter to Paris showing, on reverse, good "aden str. point" datestamp, on front framed "india unpaid" and red French Suez a Marseilles c.d.s.; filing fold and a little crumpled at left, otherwise fine. Photo £200-250
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x 1867 (28 Sept.) envelope to Aden, bearing 2a. orange (2) with "85" in lozenge cancellations of Belgaum and manuscript pen stroke, "aden str point" arrival datestamp on reverse; fine £80-100
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x 1886 (15 June) envelope registered to Bombay, bearing 8a. cancelled by "B" in bars, Aden d.s. alongside and handstamped "registered/aden", transit and arrival markings on reverse; some faults. Photo £200-250
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x 1901 (20 Nov.) opened out envelope registered to London, bearing 2a.6p. on front, 1/2a., 1a. (2) on reverse, Aden Camp cancellations and framed "r/aden camp" handstamp; stain spots and a few small faults £100-120
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x 1903 (16 Jan.) envelope registered to Transvaal, bearing Q.V. 1/2a., 1a., 1a. 6p., 2a., 3a., 4a. and Edward VII 3p. and cancelled "b" in bars, transit and arrival markings on reverse; fine and colourful. Photo £450-500
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x 1905 picture post card (View of Aden & Camel's Market) to Norfolk, bearing Edward VII 1a. with fine "dthali" c.d.s.; scarce. Photo £650-700
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x 1918 (17 Apr.) envelope to Bombay, bearing 1/2a. with "aden camp" c.d.s. and intaglio "postal censor/aden" handstamp alongside; transit and arrival datestamps on reverse; fine. Photo £450-500
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x 1924 (2 Aug.) 1 1/2a. card to Germany with "aden camp" c.d.s. and 1936 (12 Mar.) small local cover franked at 12a. with "paquebot/aden" c.d.s.; fine £120-150
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x 1934 (6 Feb.) picture postcard (Temple of King Faser) to Kent, bearing 2a. with "bombay foreign/paquebot" c.d.s. and with "posted on board m/f gripsholm/swedish sea post office" cachet in violet alongside; fine and scarce. Photo £180-200
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x 1937 (31 Mar.) local envelope bearing 2a. with Aden c.d.s., the last day of use of Indian stamps in Aden. Also a piece bearing 1/2a., 9p., 1a.3p. and 1 1/2a. with "aden/reg" c.d.s. of the same date; fine £80-100
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x 1937-63 mint and used collection (129), including 1937 to 1r., 1939-48 set, 1949 Wedding set, Qu'aiti State in Hadhramaut 1942-46 set, a good variety of cancellations with Crater, Dis, Little Aden, Maalla, Mukalla, Sheikh Othman, Shihr, etc., mixed condition £80-100
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x Collection on pages with over 200 stamps and 32 covers or cards, including a good variety of cancellations on Queen Victoria to George V issues; good to fine £200-250
| Antigua | |
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1903 5/-, 1913 5/-, 1921-29 MCA 3d. to £1 and Barbuda 1922 set, good to fine mint Cat. £655 £200-250
| Argentina | |
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1869 (30 Dec.) entire from Buenos Ayres to New York, rated "36" with good strikes of "buenos-ayres/paq.fr. j.no.2" octagonal datestamp (Salles first day of issue) plus oval "FR/2f.20c." and New York arrival (month inverted) alongside; an appealing double Atlantic crossing cover. Also another stampless entire to Bordeaux bearing the same first day packet datestamp and Uruguay 1864 entire to France with a faked franking £80-100
| Ascension | |
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1922-73 mint selection arranged on album leaves including 1922 to 3/-, 1924-33 to 3/- with additional 5d. variety broken mainmast, 1934 to 5/-, 1938-53 to 10/-, most perf. types represented, 1956 to 10/-. Generally good to fine. (hundreds) £400-500
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1922-46 mint selection (67) on stockpage, including 1924-33 set (1d. with broken mainmast variety), 1938-53 with values to 10/- (2), etc. chiefly fine £200-220
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1922 1/2d. to 3/- set of nine overprinted "specimen", fine mint. S.G. 1-9, £800 £250-300
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1922 1/2d. to 3/-, 1924-33 1/2d. to 3/- and 1934 1/2d. to 5/-, fine mint. S.G. 1-30, £795 £250-300
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1924-33 1/2d. lower left corner plate number pair, left-hand stamp variety cleft rock, 1938-53 perf. 13 1/2 5/- and 10/-, both marginal with plate number, fine mint. Cat. £315 £100-120
| Australia | |
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1913-71 mint and used collection arranged in four volumes and loose Hagner sheets, contained in a carton, including mint Kangaroos to £1 grey and £2 overprinted "specimen", K.G.VI Heads to 1/4d. and lower values used with some blocks; also a few Officials and Postage Dues; condition mixed with viewing essential. (thousands) £300-400
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1913-38 mint and used accumulation housed in an album, including Kangaroos to £2 used, 1937-49 3d. (4) mint, Postage Dues with 1902-04 5/- interpanneau strip of three used; also States, related territories and New Zealand. (hundreds) £200-250
| 1915-27 Third Watermark | |
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9d. violet, a "CA" monogram single, large part original gum. Fine. S.G. 39; BW 26(1)za, $3000. Photo £600-700
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£2 purple-black and pale rose from the foot of the sheet, variety "broken coastline", fresh lightly mounted mint and very fine. S.G. 45b, £4,000. Photo £2,500-2,800
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1924 Single watermark, 3d. dull ultramarine lower left corner horizontal pair, variety imperforate on three sides, fresh mint with the stamp impressions remaining unmounted; diagonal printer's ? ink line, and vertical crease in left margin, otherwise very fine. PFSA Certificate (1981). Very rare. S.G. 79a. Photo £12,000-15,000
| 1926-30 Small Multiple Watermark | |
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1 1/2d. carmine, Plate 2, perf 14, a complete mint sheet with Mullett imprint, showing various plate flaws including 2L54 and 2R28, various ink and pencil notations in selvedge regarding flaws, fine unmounted mint. S.G. 87, £1080+ £200-250
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1 1/2d. red, Plate 2, perf. 14, a complete mint sheet with Mullett imprint (fifth correction), showing various plate flaws including 2L54, 2L59, 2R28, 2R31, 2R34 and 2R60, fine unmounted mint. S.G. 87, £1080+ £250-300
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1 1/2d. rose-red, Plate 3, perf. 14, a complete mint sheet with Mullett imprint, showing various plate flaws including 3R30, 3R54 and 3R59, fine unmounted mint. S.G. 87, £1080+ £200-250
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1 1/2d. red, Plate 3, perf. 14, a complete mint sheet with Mullett imprint and showing variety watermark inverted, showing various plate flaws including 3R30, 3R54 and 3R59, some pencil notations in selvedge, fine unmounted mint. S.G. 87w, £3360+ £800-1,000
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1 1/2d. red, Plate 4, perf. 14, a complete mint sheet with Mullett imprint, showing various ink and pencil notations in the selvedge regarding plate flaws, fine unmounted mint.
S.G. 87, £1080 £200-250
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1 1/2d. rose-red, Plate 4, perf. 14, a complete mint sheet with Ash imprint, showing various plate flaws including 4L1 (State II) and 4R24, fine unmounted mint. S.G. 87, £1080 £200-250
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1 1/2d. rose-red, Plate 4, perf. 14, a complete mint sheet with Ash imprint, 4L47 and 4R27 are Type B and 4R55 has been corrected; a few split perfs, four affected by stain and some pencil notations in selvedge, otherwise fine unmounted mint. S.G. 87, £1080 £200-250
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1 1/2d. red, Plate 1, perf 13 1/2x12 1/2, a complete mint sheet with Mullett imprint showing various plate flaws including 1L20, 1R1 and 1R19, a few pencil notations in selvedge, fine unmounted mint. S.G. 96, £270+ £70-90
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1 1/2d. red-brown, Pl. 1, perf 13 1/2x12 1/2, a complete mint sheet with Ash imprint showing various plate flaws including 1L23, 1L35, 1L50 and 1R1, fine unmounted mint. S.G. 97, £720 £150-180
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1 1/2d. red-brown, Pl. 3, perf 13 1/2x12 1/2, a complete mint sheet with Ash imprint (N over N), fine unmounted mint. S.G. 97, £720 £150-180
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1 1/2d. red-brown, Pl. 3, perf 13 1/2x12 1/2, a complete mint sheet with Ash imprint (N over N), fine unmounted mint. S.G. 97, £720 £150-180
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1929-30 Small Multiple watermark, 5/- grey and yellow Ash imprint pair, fresh mint with the stamps remaining unmounted. S.G. 111. Photo £800-1,000
| 1931-36 CofA Watermark | |
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1 1/2d. red-brown, Pl. 3, a complete mint sheet with Ash imprint (N over A) showing plate flaw 3R58, fine unmounted mint. S.G. 126, £960 £200-250
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5/- grey and yellow block of four from the foot of the sheet with Ash imprint, unmounted mint; small wrinkle in margin at foot. A scarce and very fine multiple.
S.G. 135. Photo £1,500-1,800
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£2 black and rose Ash imprint pair, the right-hand stamp with open-mouthed kangaroo, fresh mint; tiny perf. re-enforcement at foot, otherwise unmounted. Rare. R.P.S. Certificate (1978). S.G. 138. Photo £12,000-15,000
| British Commonwealth Occupation Force (Japan) | |
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x 1/2d. to 5/- the set of seven tied on envelope registered to New Mexico by "australian army p.o./214" datestamps, arrival c.d.s. on reverse; fine. S.G. J1-7 £120-150
| Austria | |
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x 1868 entire letter to Turnu Severin, bearing Danube Steam Navigation Company
1866-78 10k. green (letters "f" with flat tops) with blue Braila cancellation; the adhesive just affected by light filing fold at top, otherwise fine. S.G. 2, £325 £100-120
| Bahamas | |
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1833-34 entire letters (3) to the same address in London, each rated "2/2", two with straight line "bahamas" on reverse (one somewhat stained), the other with step-type "ship letter/gravesend" (Robertson S.8); good to fine £250-300
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1884 £1 Venetian red, marginal with large part plate number, good strong colour and fresh unmounted mint; very fine. S.G. 57, £275. Photo £100-120
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