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1825 (11 Jan.) entire letter from a soldier in the 42 Regiment BNL headed "Camp near Chittagong" addressed to Teignmouth and redirected to Launceston, rated "1/1" (deleted), "1/2" (deleted), "1/9" (deleted) and "1/10", showing Calcutta G.P.O. c.d.s., "Launceston/Py Post" in blue and, on reverse, framed "india letter/weymouth", London transit c.d.s. (15.7) and Teignmouth mileage h.s.; some slight wear along folds. The contents include "I am now arrived at this horrid place Chittagong.....we muster about 10,000 bayonettes....the Burmese have evacuated this place so we shall have to march to Arracan.....(and re the battle near Rangoon)...50,000 Burmese had arrived with the intention of taking all the tigers (as they call the Europeans) in chains to their capital, but the tigers...left 5000 of them dead on the field...besides the loss of all their stores and ammunition...I hope this war will give the world a better opinion of the native troops". A rare letter from the Arrakan force. Photo £1,500-2,000
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1825 (18 Aug.) entire letter from Col. Armstrong at Prome to his daughter Mrs. Emma Roberts (the famous authoress) at Masulipatan, showing framed "Post not Paid" and, on reverse, "Inl Ptg/Ship De" with manuscript charges alongside, and Calcutta G.P.O. c.d.s. (29.9). The letter gives details of Burmese forces at Meeaday and of local problems at Prome of flooding and disease, especially dysentery. Photo £500-600
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1825 (29 July) entire letter ex the "Tweedie" correspondence from Rangoon to Edinburgh, showing various rate marks, Calcutta G.P.o. c.d.s. and, on reverse, framed "india letter/london". Interesting contents include "I have been since last May with the expedition at Rangoon in charge of the Field Hospital". Also two further letters, one from Calcutta to Tweedie "Surgeon on the Expedition Rangoon", marked "p. Enterprize" - the vessel used to carry despatches in and out of Rangoon during the war, the other from Calcutta to Tweedie who has now returned to Edinburgh. A fascinating group. Photo £1,500-2,000
Provenance: Gerald Davis, March 1990
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1824 (26 Dec.) entire letter ex the "Saunders" correspondence to Somerset, headed "Lines near Rangoon", countersigned by Commanding Officer, showing "madras/soldiers letter/free" c.d.s. in red, "india soldier &/3/london" (In. Sol. 5 - scarce) and, on reverse, framed "Poonamullee/post free" across join. Somewhat soiled and battered though with fascinating contents regarding the fighting, complete with transcript. Photo £1,500-2,000
Provenance: Gerald Davis, March 1990
| Second Burmese War, 1852-54 | |
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1852 (Mar.) - 53 (Mar.) four Officer's letters all from Lt. R.H. Montgomerie to James L. Gordon at Brechin; the first from Cawnpore, the second and third from Prome, and the last from Padaung, all routed via Marseilles and/or Southampton and variously rated. The fascinating contents include reference to a force assembling at Bassein and "demolishing whatever presents resistance, and finishing off razing to the ground the town of Rangoon", the annexation of Pegu and other incidents of battle. A wonderful group for the military historian £2,000-2,500
Provenance: Gerald Davis, March 1990
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1854 (15 Mar.) entire letter from a member of the 29th Regiment at Moulmein addressed to his mother near Nottingham, marked "by Ship via Calcutta" but this was deleted as it was privately carried by another member of the Regiment returning to England because of sickness, showing manuscript "paid" and, on reverse, Tiverton despatch c.d.s. (14.7) and Nottingham arrival d.s.; the face panel with two light patches of adhesive tape staining. The contents refer to continued fighting with reports of the 2nd Madras Fusilier officers being shot near Shoaygyeen. Photo £200-250
| Third Burmese War, 1885-86 | |
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1884 (29 Sept.) - 86 (20 May) envelopes (4, all with letters and transcripts) and 1 1/2a. stationery card ex the "Marsh" correspondence to Bristol, the envelopes each franked at 4 1/2a. and cancelled by diamond of bars or "R" in circle of bars (the last), the card cancelled by "toungoo" c.d.s.; condition a little mixed £300-400
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1885-89 loose adhesives cancelled by "upper burma/field p.o." squared-circle datestamps without number on 2a., F.P.O. No. 1 on 4a. and Official 1a. and No. 3 on 8a.; also India F.P.O. No. 4 on 4a., No. 10 on 1/2a. and 4a. (joined together) and No. 12 on 1/2a. Mainly good to fine strikes £40-50
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1886 (31 July) double rate envelope from T.P.O. Mandalay to Surrey, bearing 1866 4a. (2) and 1882 1/2a. (2), all tied by penstroke and cancelled by "burmese field sub. p.o./no. 1" squared-circle d.s. and showing, on reverse, Bombay and arrival datestamps; some light staining. Photo £700-900
| Pacification | |
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1887 (10 Feb.) envelope ex the "Sandbach" correspondence from Abergele to Minboo, bearing 2 1/2d. pair tied by c.d.s. and showing, on reverse, Sea Post Office, Rangoon and arrival (9.3) datestamps; the envelope with some peripheral faults £40-60
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1890 (15 July) Soldier's and Seaman's 9p. envelope from "No. 1460 Pte. H. Baldwin, Detachment 1st Hants Regt Mandalay Upper Burmah India" to England, countersigned by Commanding Officer and cancelled with Mandalay c.d.s.; the reverse with Rangoon (17.7) and Gosport (14.8) c.d.s. Photo £140-180
Provenance: Gerald Sattin, June 2008
| Other Military Mail | |
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1841 (23 Feb.) soldier's entire letter "From Bombardier Stanton B Company 3rd Battalion Artillery" to Lancashire, countersigned by Commanding Officer, showing "soldiers & seamans letter/4/by ship" circular h.s. (In. Sol. 7) and, on reverse, fine "moulmein/free" in red with manuscript date "2nd March 41" inserted partly overstruck by London transit c.d.s. (2.8) and Bolton arrival d.s. The contents discuss the French attempts to curry favour with the Burmese with influence being put on the King at Ava by Prince Tharrawaddy to receive the French envoy whilst his British counterpart had had it refused. Photo £2,000-2,500
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1859 (Dec.) envelope "From No. 3631 Pt. Jonas Bell 68th L.I." at Rangoon to his brother in England, countersigned by Commanding Officer and bearing G.B. 1d. "stars" cancelled "B/156", showing framed "india paid" h.s. and, on reverse, "rangoon/ship letter/paid" boxed d.s., Calcutta (8.12) and Leeds (22.1) c.d.s., and 1862 (22 Jan.) envelope from Private Bell's brother at Leeds to him at Rangoon, bearing 1d. "stars" cancelled with Leeds duplex and showing London, Calcutta and Rangoon datestamps on reverse; the first a little soiled, nevertheless a wonderful pair with the former being a remarkable usage of a Great Britain stamp in Burma. Photo £4,000-5,000
Note: British G.P.O. Notice of 4 June 1859 confirmed that under the usual conditions "Letters sent by soldiers....may be forwarded for payment of a British rate of 1d., to any part beyond the sea with which there is direct communication by British Packets and letters addressed to a soldier...brought to the United Kingdom by a British Packet without passing through a foreign country are, in like manner, subject no higher charge than 1d. if prepaid"
Provenance: Gerald Davis, March 1990
Gerald Sattin, June 2008
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1867 (7 Dec.) envelope "From Pte H. Hessay 2/19 Regiment Burmah" to Yorkshire, countersigned by Commanding Officer, bearing 8p. tied by legible "B/179" and showing, on reverse, "thayetmyoo/p.o." double-ring d.s. in red; the envelope a little creased and soiled. Photo £300-400
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1872 (23 Apr.) soldier's envelope "From No. 2196 Lance Corporal Joseph Long 2nd 10th Foot" to London, countersigned by Commanding Officer, bearing 8p. tied by "rangoon cant. recg. house/b/156" duplex, showing red Paid arrival c.d.s. (6.6) with Calcutta transit d.s. on reverse; the envelope with some light minor staining. Photo £1,200-1,500
Provenance: Mike Scott-Archer September 2004
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1889 (11 Nov.) 4a.6p. stationery envelope ex the "Edge" correspondence to Dublin, cancelled by light "fort white/monywa" c.d.s. and showing, on reverse, Rangoon (25.11) and Bombay transit datestamps. A fine cover from the Chin Lushai expedition £120-150
Note: Orders for this expedition were issued on 5 September 1889. The object was the punishment of tribes which had committed raids and declined to make amends and subjugation of neutral tribes. Fort White was the base used against the Siyins and tribes at the base of the Manipur River. Another column advanced from Gangaw, via Yokwa, to Haka and a "Chittagong Column" advanced from there, via Lungleh to Haka (making a road as they advanced)
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1891 (Nov.) envelope from "No. 2230 Pte J.N. Ellis H Coy 1st Norfolk Regt." to London, countersigned by Commanding Officer, bearing 1883 9p. tied by Rangoon squared-circle d.s. and showing, on reverse, Bombay and arrival datestamps; the envelope creased and soiled £100-120
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1892 (8 July) Soldiers' and Seamans' 9pi. envelope from "No 2349 Pte C.P. Russell (Band), 1st Battn Norfolk Regt Rangoon", countersigned by Commanding Officer, cancelled by Rangoon c.d.s. and showing Bombay transit d.s. on reverse £100-120
Provenance: Gerald Sattin, June 2008
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1892 (17 July) envelope (some light soiling) "From 643 Sergt. Chas. W. Bedford B Coy" at Bhamo to Colchester, countersigned by Commanding Officer, bearing 1883 9p. rose cancelled with Bhamo squared-circle d.s., the reverse with Shore Mandalay (19.7), Rangoon (21.7), Bombay and arrival datestamps. Photo £150-180
Provenance: Gerald Sattin, June 2008
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1893 (Mar.) Soldiers' and Seamans' 9p. envelope from "2543 Lce Cpl E Haward Det 1st Norfolk Regt Port Blair" to England, countersigned by Commanding Officer, cancelled with Port Blair squared-circle d.s.; upon arrival the envelope endorsed "Gone no address" and showing framed "gone no address/488" h.s. and with two different King's Lynn d.s. (11.4), the reverse with two further transit c.d.s., London Returned Letter Office c.d.s. (12.40, boxed "d.l.o./bombay" d.s. (5.6) and similar for Rangoon (22.6); small part reverse torn away and with other small faults, nevertheless very rare and full of character. Photo £900-1,100
Provenance: Gerald Davis, March 1990
Gerald Sattin, June 2008
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1894 (29 Nov.) envelope (minor soiling) "From No. 4031 Pte. E. Bentley E Coy" at Shwebo to London, countersigned by Commanding Officer, bearing 1883 9p. rose neatly cancelled by "cantonment/shwebo" squared-circle d.s., the reverse with Prince of Wales' Own Yorkshire Regiment crest, Shwebo (29.11) and Rangoon (1.12) datestamps £120-150
Provenance: Gerald Sattin, June 2008
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1898 (7 Sept.) Soldiers' and Seamans' 1a. on 9p. envelope (small tears at top) from "Bomb A. Clark, 22 W.D.R.A." (Western Division Royal Artillery) at Rangoon to London, countersigned by Commanding Officer, neatly cancelled by Rangoon Cantonment "bridge" type c.d.s. and showing, on reverse Rangoon (7.9) and Sea Post Office (17.9) datestamps. Photo £150-200
Provenance: Gerald Sattin, June 2008
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1898 (7 Sept.) Soldiers' and Seamans' 1a. on 9p. envelope from a Transport Sergeant-Major at Rangoon to Birmingham, countersigned by Commanding Officer, neatly cancelled by Rangoon Cantonment "bridge" type c.d.s. and showing, on reverse, Rangoon (7.9) and Sea Post Office (17.9) datestamps. Photo £150-200
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1903 (Aug.) 1a. stationery envelope from a Native soldier, Naik Narayan Singh, D Company, 32nd Burma Infantry to London, cancelled by Mandalay "bridge" type c.d.s. and showing arrival d.s. (31.8) on reverse; the envelope with tear across face panel and some light stains £150-200
Provenance: Gerald Sattin, June 2008
| First World War | |
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1915 (Apr.) envelope (with interesting letter) to Seattle, bearing 1a. tied by Thayetmyo "bridge" type c.d.s., showing very rare "passed by censor, rangoon" h.s. in blue (Gerald Davis states this mark has only been seen once and this in violet a week later, also to USA), upon arrival in New York 6c. due d.s. and Postage Due 1c. and 5c. applied; also 1915
(1 Jan.) 1a. stationery card from Akyab to Holland showing unrecorded "passed by censor." h.s. in violet. Photo £700-900
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1918 (4 Feb.) OHMS envelope from the Deputy Inspector General of Police for Rys and C.I. to the Consul-General in Bangkok, bearing Official 1/2a. and 1a. pair tied by Secretariat Rangoon datestamp and showing circular "eye" cachet in violet applied in Malaya £70-90
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1917 (17 Jan.) envelope from Bassein to Boston, USA, bearing KE 2a. and KGV 1/2a. and showing light "passed by censor/Arms/rangoon" circular cachet in violet; also 1916 (13 Mar.) envelope from Daignwunkwin, Moulmein to Boston, USA, bearing 2a.6p. and showing Bombay circular censor cachet No. 15 in violet £50-70
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1917 (29 Aug.) P.O.W. printed envelope with "From Prisoners of War Camp, Thayetmyo, Burma, India" at foot, to Bombay, showing fine Commandant's censor h.s. in violet with handstamped date and initials in red; the envelope with crease and some other minor faults. Photo £300-400
| The Burma Road | |
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1920 (2 Nov.) 1/2a. stationery envelope to Tengyueh, uprated with 1a. pair (on reverse), cancelled by Bhamo "bridge" type c.d.s. and showing arrival c.d.s. (7.11) on reverse £70-90
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1921 (12 Mar.) 1/2a. stationery envelope to Tengyueh, uprated with 1a. pair (on reverse), cancelled by Bhamo "bridge" type c.d.s. and showing arrival c.d.s. (17.3) on reverse £70-90
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1921 (3 Apr.) 1a. on 1/2a. stationery envelope to Tengyueh, uprated with 2a. (on reverse), cancelled by Bhamo "bridge" type c.d.s. and showing arrival d.s. (14.4) on reverse £70-90
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1925 (26 Sept.) 1a. stationery envelope to Tengyueh, uprated with 2a. (on reverse), cancelled by Bhamo "bridge" type c.d.s. and showing arrival d.s. (4.10) on reverse £70-90
| Airmails | |
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1925 (7 Feb.) Anglo-Indian Survey Flight by Alan Cobham, envelope "By aeroplane from Akyab to Rangoon", bearing 1a. with indistinct c.d.s. and initialled by Cobham alongside, arrival c.d.s. on reverse. Photo £400-500
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1925 (7 Feb.) Anglo-Indian Survey Flight by Alan Cobham, envelope "By aeroplane from Akyab to Rangoon", bearing 1a. with indistinct c.d.s. and signed by Cobham alongside, arrival c.d.s. on reverse. Photo £400-500
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1926 (15 Sept.) "rangoon, gymkhana club" receipt with manuscript "Keep on flying, Rangoon" and signed by Alan Cobham; a few minor faults £70-90
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1925 (8 Feb.) Anglo-Indian Survey flight by Alan Cobham, 1a. stationery envelope to Calcutta on the first flight out of Burma, marked "From Rangoon, By Aeroplane", cancelled by Rangoon G.P.O. Sorting c.d.s. and initialled "AJC" alongside and showing Akyab arrival d.s. Photo £400-500
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1926 (4 Apr.) Copenhagen-Ninghai flight by Lieutenants Botved and Herschend, envelope carried on Calcutta-Rangoon stage bearing 1/2a. (2) with Rangoon c.d.s., showing Royal Danish Consular cachet and special handstamp. Photo £300-400
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1926 (21 Apr.) Spanish Army flight by Lieutenants Loriga and Gonzalez, envelope to Rangoon bearing special label tied by "correo aero" h.s. and 1/2a. (2) dated 22 April in error. Scarce. Photo £300-400
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1926 (23 July) England - Australia flight by Alan Cobham, special mourning envelope commemorating Arthur Elliott, carried on Calcutta to Rangoon bearing 1a. cancelled by c.d.s. and showing special photographic vignette on reverse. Photo £400-500
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1927 (31 Mar.) Rangoon-Penang First Flight, envelope written by and addressed to R.C. Kemp (partner of F.P. Raynham the pilot, founder of the Air Survey Co.) in Penang, bearing 1a. (2) sharing a fine strike of the framed "rangoon-penang/first flight/april 1927" handstamp in magenta and with Rangoon G.P.O. c.d.s. alongside, arrival datestamp (2.4) on reverse; the envelope with some stains on face though a rare flight. Photo £500-600
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1928 (3 Feb.) Empire Cruise by Cave-Brown-Cave, envelope from Calcutta to Rangoon with special flight label and bearing 3p. pair and 1/2a. Photo £200-250
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1928 (4 May) Paris - Akyab flight by Doisy and Carol, special card carried on Calcutta to Rangoon stage, bearing 1/2a. cancelled by c.d.s. and showing Consulate General of France circular cachet in violet. Photo £300-400
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1928 (21 Sept.) Amsterdam - Batavia Experimental flight by new Fokker aircraft, envelope "By Dutch Aeroplane from Rangoon to Singapore", franked at 3a. and with destination changed to Bangkok, neatly cancelled and with arrival c.d.s. on reverse. Rare. Photo £300-400
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1929 (15 Jan.) German World flight by Baron von Koenig (the Boy Pilot), postcard from Calcutta to Rangoon bearing 1/2a. and with special handstamps. Scarce. Photo £200-250
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1930 (31 Oct.) Mrs. Victor Bruce flight from London to Tokyo, printed envelope carried on Karachi to Akyab stage, bearing 1a. cancelled at East Rangoon and with East Rangoon Delivery c.d.s. on reverse, signed at foot by Mrs Bruce and scarce as such. Photo £200-250
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1931 (Apr.) first experimental flight by Imperial Airways from England to Australia, comprising envelope carried from London to Rangoon, New Delhi to Akyab, Calcutta to Rangoon (2, one from Allahabad to Victoria Point) and Akyab to Rangoon, and return flight with Rangoon to New Delhi, variously franked, mostly fine; also 1931 (May) second experimental flight, envelope from Calcutta to Victoria Point and 1932 (7 Sept) envelope from Rangoon to Switzerland and redirected to Manchester £300-400
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1933-37 covers carried on various flights including 1933 (Sept) first regular England - Burma service by Imperial Airways (6 including mail from Cyprus, Greec and Northern Rhodesia) and return (12 including mail to Egypt, Greece, Iraq, Kuwait and Southern Rhodesia), 1933 (Dec.) Imperial Airways extension to Singapore (2), 1933 (Dec.) cover from Tavoy to Cape Town showing framed "too late for airmail/rangoon" d.s., 1936 covers (4, one a scarce Air 7 1/2a. on 8a. stationery envelope) carried by Imperial Airways and 1937 (Feb.) scarce Air 7 1/2a. on 8a. stationery envelope from Bassein to Shanghai. A good lot £400-500
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1933 (1 Dec.) Indian National Airways first flight from Chittagong to Akyab, 1938
(3 Mar.) Rangoon to Umtali (Southern Rhodesia) endorsed "FDC/By Flying Boat/without surcharge", 1939 (3 Jan.) from Maymyo to England with universalisation of air mail cachet on reverse and 1939 (30 Oct.) first flight Chungking to Rangoon showing special cachet £60-80
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A miscellaneous group including 1864 (13 Dec.) copy of "The Homeward Mail" containing good long report on the situation in Burma, 1926-36 revenue documents (3) bearing Special Adhesive stamps and nine pieces (six silver) of 19th Century coinage £120-150
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1937 (Apr.) 3p. to 15r set of eighteen, some of the rupee values with minor light tone marks on reverse, otherwise fine mint. S.G. 1-18, £2350. Photo £500-600
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