| |
c.1900 Ceremonial staff or mace (possibly a bandleaders mace?), the silver metal top with "ROYAL MAIL STEAM PACKET COMPANY" surmounted by a crown, the wooden staff painted black, approx 3 ft long. An unusual and attractive decorative object. £100-120
| Wreck Mail
(Also See Lots 141, 185, 220, 957) | |
|
|
"Mexican". 1900 (Apr 4) Cover from Cape Town to Germany, recovered from the "Mexican" which sank after colliding with the transport ship "Winkfield" 80 miles off Cape Town on April 5th, the cover waterstained and the stamps washed off, with a German endorsement indicating that postage had been prepaid. The reverse handstamped black "Aus der mit dem / uniergegangenen Dampfer *Mexican* / beforderten Post aus Capstadt / Bahnpostamt No. 15" with an arrival c.d.s of Hoxter (Apr 30). A fine example of this German cachet. Photo on Page 14 in printed catalogue. £280-350
|
|
| |
"Mexican". c.1900 Watercolour (25x16cm) depicting the Union Castle Line steamer "Mexican", which sank on April 5th after colliding with the transport ship "Winkfield" off Cape Town, much of the mail being recovered (see previous lot), signed by A. Burroughs, whose work includes other paintings of Union Castle Liners now in the Fehr Collection in Cape Town. A well executed and attractive painting. £300-350
|
|
|
"St. Olaf". 1900 (Nov 21) Front and flap with "THUNDER RIVER / QUE" c.d.s, addressed to Basse Ville, Quebec, a Canada 2c stamp from another cover and a typed explanatory slip "Recovered from the wreck of the "St Olaf"" both attached with a pin. The "St. Olaf" was wrecked in a snowstorm on Great Boule Island, the largest of the islands off Seven Islands Bay, Quebec in the St Lawrence River on 21st November. Hoggarth & Gwynn recorded just one card from the wreck, which bore a similar typed slip but with the wording in two lines. Very rare. Photo on Page 14 in printed catalogue. £700-800
|
|
|
"Jebba". 1907 Picture postcard of a steam launch built at Lagos, sent to London, the stamps washed off and handstamped "SAVED FROM / S.S JEBBA", unusually then reposted to St. Albans with a KEVII 1/2d tied by Blackheath c.d.s (Mar 20), a London S.E c.d.s alongside and the note "Keep this as its a curiosity, saved from the Jebba" added prior to reposting. The "Jebba" ran ashore off South Devon on March 18th en route from West Africa to Plymouth. A fine and unusual card recovered from this wreck. Photo on Page 14 in printed catalogue. £160-180
|
|
|
"Hesperian". 1915 Cover to Nova Scotia with the stamps washed off, handstamped "RECOVERED FROM S.S HESPERIAN", unusually with Canada 2c and 1c War Tax stamps applied by the Post Office and tied by a Halifax c.d.s (Oct 15). The Allan Lines steamer "Hesperian" sailed from Liverpool for Montreal on September 3rd but was torpedoed the following day by U-20 south west of Ireland; the ship was towed towards Queenstown but sank after some 35 miles with the loss of 32 lives, the other 631 passengers and crew taking to the lifeboats and being picked up by the warships that had tried to tow the ship. Very scarce, only about half a dozen covers recorded from this incident, this cover possibly unique with stamps added by the Canadian Post Office. Photo on Page 14 in printed catalogue. £400-500
| MILITARY & NAVAL MAIL
(Also See 204, 239, 266/71, 279, 302, 372, 376/7, 385/7, 592, 630, 641/2, 662, 665, 866, 1064, 1086/8) | |
|
| |
Seven Years War. 1761 (Apr 22) Entire letter written and signed by Benjamin Caldwell from "Achilles off Belle Isle", to his father in Dublin, with a "WEY / MOUTH" handstamp and "4 / MA" Bishop Mark, charged 10d, vertical fold with some staining but a scarce Seven Years War naval letter from North America landed at Weymouth. Belle Isle is located in the Detroit River between mainland USA and Canada. Caldwell later became Admiral Sir Benjamin and commanded the "Impregnable" on the Glorious lst of June 1794. £400-500
|
|
| |
Spain - Carlist War. 1838 (Sep 3) Entire letter from Captain Hornbrook, Royal Marines, serving in the British Legion fighting on behalf of Queen Isabella against the Carlists, who were upholding the pretender Carlos V. Sent to Cox & Co in London "via Bayonne", handstamped red "ST. SEBASTIAN" and "ESPAGNE PAR / ST JEAN-DE-LUZ", backstamped in Bayonne, Paris and London. Scarce. £200-250
| Napoleonic Wars
(Also See Lots 298, 299, 329-334, 942, 943) | |
|
| |
1799 Entire letter written from the War Office by Donald Campbell of Barbreck (noted Indian traveller who published "Journey Overland to India") and sent as a free frank, unusually headed "W.O First Mar 1799" and signed "Kirkley", the letter including instructions to send replies to the War Office. Also 1809 letter (no address panel) from George Williamson at the Royal Military Asylum Chelsea forwarding a letter from the addressees son and sending other letters of his under cover of a frank; he also states that letters for Spain may be sent to Williamson, directed as usual, and will then be forwarded by the Headquarters bag. (2). £120-150
|
|
| |
P.O.W Mail. 1804-05 Entire letters from Bristow Chamberlain, a sailor held Prisoner of War at Verdun, to his fiancÈe Susannah Inkson in Lynn both handstamped "P.53.P / VERDUN" and "PPPP" with London Foreign Branch arrival backstamps. The first letter of 3 August 1804 includes "This comes to inform you that I was captured on the 17 June at 9 at night by a French Luger privateer between Beached [Beachy Head] and Dungenes. I fired several guns but to no purpose, the Frenchman had the advantage of sailing that he in a short time was up alongside of me and boarded me with several men and drove my people on board the privateer without taking anything with them"; he was later joined by a woman and her two children taken from a Yarmouth brig and all were taken to Dieppe to join more prisoners, and was then marched to Verdun where he has been for three weeks. He describes the march to Verdun, stopping at several prisons, often without bread or any pay, and the cost of rooms and food at Verdun, and concludes "The letters is all sent to Parres in sealed [bags] and then read and sealed up". Both letters a little soiled, the first with a vertical fold, this letter endorsed on the flap "when that you direct as follows, Monsieur B. Chamberlain, Prisonier de Guoir, Verdun". (2). £300-350
|
|
| |
1810 Entire letter from "Horatio, Spithead" to London, the reverse endorsed "Wm Chamberlain Seaman" and signed by the Commanding Officer of H.M.S Horatio, prepaid at the 1d concession rate with red "To be / delivered / Free" (Jay 715), reverse with oval 10 o'clock and 12 o'clock datestamps of the Chief Office. A little soiling but an uncommon sailors 1d rate letter. £100-120
|
|
| |
1811-13 Entire letters from Lt. E.H Bell to his mother in England written from "Uldea d'Bespi" (7 Oct 1811) with a long detailed account of an engagement with the French, including "shot fled round me in every direction. I had a very narrow escape in getting over a wall when close to the Regt the shot striking between my legs and chipping the stone, soon after we marched to an enclosure on our front & left protected by a strong wall behind which we were ordered to lie down, the serjeant close to me received a shot that broke both his legs. The French were now within sixty yards and we were ordered to stand up which we had no sooner done than they began a terrible fire at us, we in return gave them a volley over the wall & were ordered to retreat which we effected in good order notwithstanding the heavy fire keep on us by the enemy ....."; "Alvadesa" (21 Jan 1813), Bell had been sick for two months but has now rejoined the regiment, who thought he was dead or a prisoner, address panel with green dated "LISBON / F"; "Camp at Miranda", with green dated "LISBON / F" (severe faults); "Vittoria" (8 July 1813), reports the English victory and his usual good fortune, he has been collecting up stragglers and wounded, the letter is being taken by messenger returning to England from the Headquarters. An interesting group, good content, three fine. (4). £260-320
|
|
|
Waterloo Subscription/Kings German Legion. c.1816 Entire letter with printed heading "On the business of the WATERLOO SUBSCRIPTION", posted from Hannover to Widow Ubrich at Osterholz, with a boxed "HANNOVER / 13 DEC." datestamp. The enclosed printed letter from the Waterloo Subscription Office in London asks the addressee to have the enclosed form (no longer present) completed by a Magistrate or Minister and returned, and they will then be told the amount of money they are to receive from the subscription. An interesting item concerning the Waterloo Subscription, which provided money to widows and children of those killed at the Battle of Waterloo. Also an 1815 newspaper cutting listing funds raised by the subscription. Photo on Page 14 in printed catalogue. £350-400
|
|
  |
Kings German Legion. 1814-49 Entire letters concerning the Kings German Legion, who fought for the British in the Napoleonic Wars from 1803 until disbanded in 1816, comprising 1814 entire from Brussels addressed to the Kings German Legion Office in London; 1816 printed letter from the Waterloo Committee in London asking for details of widows with children or of orphans as a result of their fathers being killed at Waterloo or having subsequently died as a result of that battle, posted from Hannover to Bolge; official printed O.H.M.S letters from the British Pensioners Pay Office (4) or the Chelsea Pensioner Pay Office (3), both in Hannover, all with Hannover handstamps; 1819 notice inviting veterans to apply for a pension; 1843 entire letter stating Ernest Reinickey is still alive and resident in Salzburg, posted from Salzburg to the Royal Hospital Chelsea; 1820 and 1849 pensioner rolls from Bremervorde (the last with just one pensioner still alive); 1829 entire letter posted from Insterburg to the British Pensioners Pay Office concerning a former member of the Legion at Waterloo applying for a pension; also a letter from the Royal Court Council at Hannover regarding land purchases made during the French occupation. (15). Photo on Page 14 in printed catalogue. £1,500-1,800
| Crimean War | |
|
| |
1855 (Feb 25) Cover to Whitstable bearing three perf 14 1d reds tied by two reasonable strikes of the uncommon "Crown between Stars" obliterator, backstamped Post Office British Army datestamp and in London and Canterbury. The enclosed letter written by a sailor from Constantinople includes "I expect we will have to go up the Black Sea, the reason we are not coming home our Captain is up at Balaclava in charge of the Naval Brigade and he has got 120 of our men with him". A little soiling to address panel and small part flap missing. £150-180
|
|
|
Baltic Fleet. 1855 Cover from Kinross addressed to "Jas. Beveridge, Assistant Surgeon, H.M.S Geyser, Baltic Fleet" with a 1d red strip of three each cancelled "206" and red oval framed "P." below. Photo on Page 14 in printed catalogue. £250-280
| Boer War
(Also See Lots 87-114) | |
|
|
Dutch Red Cross Ambulance. 1900 (May 22) Transvaal 1d postcard, the reverse with printed arms of the O.F.S and Transvaal and European nations who supported the Boer cause and "Groeten van de Zuid-Afrikanische Slagvelden", written from Pretoria to Holland with superb red circular "AMBULANCE / NEDERL: ROODE KRUIS" with central Red Cross, Pretoria and arrival datestamps. Reverse message with a few small scrapes, otherwise superb and very scarce. Photo Inside Back Cover in printed catalogue. £1,000-1,200
|
|
|
British P.O.W Mail - Pretoria Prison. 1900 Cover to Kroonstad with superb oval "CIPIER GEVANGENIS / 2 - APR. 1900 / PRETORIA, Z.A.R" in black, signed by the censor, a Transvaal 1d tied by Pretoria c.d.s and Kroonstad arrival c.d.s alongside. Ex Griffith Collection, the only cover from Pretoria Gaol in his extensive collection. Only a small number of Colonial Officers and troopers were held in Pretoria Gaol. Very scarce. Photo on Page 18 in printed catalogue. £800-1,000
|
|
|
British P.O.W Mail. 1900 Stampless cover to London endorsed "England via Delagoa Bay, From a Prisoner of War, Pretoria" with circular purple "(arms) / 6 • FEB • 1900 / COMMANDANT GENERAAL", Pretoria c.d.s and manuscript "G" (Gezien), triangular "PASSED / PRESS / CENSOR" and datestamps of Durban (Feb 23), red Southampton Paid and London. From a British Officer held at the Staats Model School in Pretoria, evidently exchanged with the British and sent via Durban despite the "via Delagoa Bay" endorsement. Photo on Page 18 in printed catalogue. £240-280
|
|
|
Looted Mail. 1900 (May 4) Cover from Chesham franked 1d lilac, to "Lieut the Honble Charles W.H Cavendish, 17 Lancers, Field Force, South Africa" with fine "Recovered from the Mails / Looted by the Boers on June 8", the scarcest of the cachets used on mails recovered from the Roodewal incident. Two vertical folds and reverse with a little surface loss where removed from an album, otherwise fine and attractive. Cavendish was killed at Diamond Hill on June 11th, just three days after this cover was looted by the Boers at Roodewal. Photo on Page 18 in printed catalogue. £240-300
|
|
  |
Looted Mail. 1901 (Oct 9) Cover from Oudtshoorn to Cape Town with violet "PRINCE ALBERT / ROAD" c.d.s (Oct 11) and "RECOVERED FROM MAILS / LOOTED BY THE ENEMY", with enclosed explanatory letter from the G.P.O Cape Town dated 15 November 1901, "I beg leave to forward herewith a letter addressed to you, which has been recovered from the debris of the Prince Albert to Prince Albert Road mails, which were looted by the Boers on the 10th instant". The cover a little stained and roughly torn open at left edge but probably unique with the Post Office letter, which identifies the date and place where the mails were looted. Photo on Page 18 in printed catalogue. £400-500
|
|
| |
Troopships/G.B Forces Mail. 1900-01 Covers to or from G.B forces including cover to Transport "Custodian" at St. Vincente returned to G.B with boxed "REFUSEE"; stampless covers endorsed from H.M Transport "Cephalonia", Transport "69" or simply "2nd Bn K.O.R En route"; also 1902 N.S.W 1d postcard with message regarding arrival at Sydney of the "Aurania" with 1700 Australian troops, etc. (9). £100-120
|
|
|
Rhodesian Field Force/Mozambique. 1900 (May 8) Mozambique postcard bearing a 10r stamp cancelled at Beira, sent to London with a Paddington arrival c.d.s (June 17), the message headed "Beira, 55 Corp, Rhodesian Field Force". Although neutral, Portugal allowed troops and supplies to land at Beira and proceed through 200 miles of Mozambique territory to Rhodesia; mail from these troops during their brief time in Mozambique is scarce. Closed tear at upper edge, otherwise fine. Photo on Page 22 in printed catalogue. £150-200
|
|
|
Canadian Contingent. 1900 Cover to Ontario with two G.B 1/2d stamps tied by F.P.O B.O c.d.s of Cape Town and red oval "CANADIAN CONTINGENT / APR 23 1900 / SOUTH AFRICA", backstamped at Sault Ste Marie. Minor edge faults, but an unusually fine strike of the Contingent cachet. Also a 1906 picture postcard of the England v Australia test match at the Adelaide Oval, sent from South Australia to "Colonel Steele, S.A.C, Pretoria, S. Africa", former Commander of Strathconas Horse who accepted command of the S.A.C in 1901 and remained with the S.A.C in South Africa until 1906. (2). Photo on Page 22 in printed catalogue. £150-180
|
|
| |
Canadian Contingent. 1901 (Mar 25) Cover franked G.B 1d sent from F.P.O 30 to Vancouver and redirected to Barkerville, with arrival backstamps, containing an interesting eight page letter from Victor Odlum, "B" Co., Royal Canadian Regiment, written from Bloemfontein. Odlum tells of finding lace, feathers and bric-a-brac in deserted Boer houses, collecting ammunition and shells as souvenirs and sand from Paardeberg, being under fire at Koodersberg Drift, etc. £140-160
|
|
| |
Canadian Contingent. 1901 (Feb 28) G.B 1d Lettercard written by Trooper P. Roberts, S.A.C (Canadian Contingent) from Utrecht to Toronto, with F.P.O 23 c.d.s and an arrival backstamp, unusually with two further strikes of the F.P.O 23 c.d.s inside the lettercard. Roberts mentions the Relief of Ladysmith, which occurred on the day this was written. £120-140
|
|
| |
1901 Cover from London to an army officer at Kimberley, redirected to Green Point and then back to London, the reverse with violet "UNCLAIMED at / A.P.O / CAPE TOWN / up to APRIL (30.02)", very fine, the only example of this unusual cachet we have seen. £150-180
|
|
| |
P.O.W Mail - Bermuda. 1901 Cover franked Bermuda 1d, from Hamilton to the Refugee Camp at Krugersdorp, with blue circular "PRISONERS OF WAR / PASSED / CENSOR / BERMUDA", Johannesburg Press Censor, Krugersdorp c.d.s and boxed "NON-RECLAME / UNCLAIMED", flap missing, otherwise a fine P.O.W cover to a Refugee Camp. £180-220
|
|
| |
P.O.W Mail - Ceylon/S. Africa. 1900-02 Covers and cards with 1900 Cape 1d stationery card (closed edge tear) from H.M.S "Penelope" with boxed "CENSOR TO PRISONERS OF WAR"; Ceylon 2c postcard from Diyatalawa Camp to Mount Lavinia and an O.F.S cover to Diyatalawa and redirected to Mount Lavinia; 1902 1d postcard from Winburg Refugee Camp to Bellevue Camp; and Cave & Co postcard of Diyatalawa Camp. Also unused cards of Mount Lavinia or General Cronje. (7). £160-200
|
|
| |
P.O.W Mail - St. Helena. 1900 Cover to Cape Colony with St. Helena 1d tied by cork cancel (Mabbett 05.15) with P.O.W censor cachet initialled "EW" by E. Walton, very fine; and 1901 cover with violet "PASSED CENSOR / REFUGEE CAMP, SPRINGFONTEIN, O.R.C" to a P.O.W at Broad Bottom Camp. (2). £120-150
|
|
| |
P.O.W Mail - St. Helena/Ceylon. 1900 (Dec 18) Cover to Cape Colony with St. Helena 1/2d pair each tied by cork cancels (Hibbert CNC.1) with P.O.W censor cachet initialled "FWA" by F.W. Alexander, datestamps of St. Helena, Cape Town, Durbanville and George, a fine cover. Also 1900-01 fronts sent to George with Ceylon 6c tied "THE CAMP" c.d.s and scarce oval "PASSED CENSOR / 4 NOV 1901 / URUGASMANHANDIYA", or registered from George to Diyatalawa with oval camp censor cachet. (3). £130-160
| HOSPITAL SHIP POSTAL HISTORY, 1815-1913
The exceptional collection of covers, cards and letters from or to British, American, German and French Hospital Ships prior to World War One, formed with care over a considerable number of years, and containing many rare or unique items. Of particular note are U.S Civil War items from both Union and Confederate Ships, exceptional Anglo-Boer War with P.O.W ships and unique signed letters from the "Princess of Wales" and "Maine", British, French and German ships during the Boxer Rebellion in China, and U.S ships during the Spanish-American War and subsequent Philippines Insurrection.
British Hospital Ships
Great Britain | |
|
| |
H.M.S "Sussex". 1815 Partly printed letter to Norfolk from the Navy Office in London, "it appears by the Muster Books of H.M.S Calypso that William Keybird was sent sick from her to Sussex Hospital Ship where he died on 23rd Sept. 1810", the address panel with printed "On His Majestys Service" heading and "Navy Office, Post Paid", prepaid 10d postage. Also a copy of a petition to The Paymaster of the Royal Navy in respect of Wm Keybird, who was born at Old Buckenham, Norfolk, in 1799. The "Sussex" previously served as the "Union", was renamed "Sussex" when she became a hospital ship off Sheerness in 1801 and was scrapped in 1816. £100-120
|
|
|
H.S "Grampus". 1829 Printed Certificate headed with a superb engraving of the "Grampus" hospital ship for seamen of all nations, reading "Hospital Ship Grampus lying off Deptford Creek, patronised by His Most Gracious Majesty George the Fourth. The Bearer Charles Baker aged 22 years, native of Washington U.S was admitted on board the above Hospital Ship on the 6th Day of September 1829 and discharged cured on the 24th Day of October 1829. These are to certify that the above Charles Baker conducted himself, whilst on board, in an orderly manner", signed by the Superintendent and Surgeon. An attractive and rare certificate. Photo on Page 20 in printed catalogue. £120-150
|
|
| |
H.S "Dreadnought". 1854 Part cover (reduced at left, part reverse missing) headed from a ship's steward on H.M.S "Imaum" and countersigned by the Commanding Officer with an imperf 1d red cancelled by London Inland Branch numeral "37", red London datestamp on reverse, addressed to "Secretary, Dreadnought Hospital Ship, Thames". The "Dreadnought" served as Collingwood's flagship at the battle of Trafalgar; when decommissioned in 1832 charitable funds were used to convert it into a hospital ship moored in the River Thames off Greenwich. The Dreadnought served as a hospital ship until 1856, a permanent Dreadnought seamen's hospital being established ashore at Greenwich in 1870. £70-80
| China - Second Opium War | |
|
  |
H.S "Melville". 1860 Covers from G.B to "The Rev. C.J Armistead, H.M.S Melville, Hong Kong, via Marseille" both franked at the 9d rate, the first from London with 1d + 4d pair (one torn), the other from Leeds with 1d + 2d + 6d (all with faults), this last cover backstamped in London (Oct 10) and with the rare "HONG-KONG" single arc datestamp code "C" with the year date "60" only, the month and day omitted (possibly the latest known use of this datestamp and the only recorded example with the year date only). H.M.S "Melville" served from 1817 until 1857 when she was converted to a hospital ship at Hong Kong, finally being sold in 1873. Rev. Armistead was the chaplain on the ship at the time of the Second Opium War. Both covers with minor staining at lower right corner, otherwise fine and scarce. (2). Photo on Page 22 in printed catalogue. £500-600
| Sudan, 1885 | |
|
|
S.S "Bulimba". 1885 Cover to Wales with G.B 2 1/2d lilac tied by "BRITISH ARMY POST OFFICE / A / EGYPT" c.d.s (Apr 22), the enclosed ten page letter written by Lt. A.E Sandbach from "S.S Bulimba, Suakin, 18th April 1885". Sandbach commanded H. Co., 2nd Batt. M.I; he had led his men on a march from Suakin to Handoub but was invalided back to Suakin, and writes this letter from the hospital ship "Bulimba" in Suakin Harbour. He tells of his journey back to Suakin with a sick sergeant each on a stretcher loaded on either side of a mule, accompanied by his baggage and Armenian servant and his arrival on the hospital ship; on April 22nd he notes the "Bulimba" is to leave for England with invalids and the "Ganges" to Suez with convalescents, and he is to leave the ship and return to his troops. The only letter in the extensive and well known "Sandbach" correspondence from a hospital ship Very scarce. Photo on Page 22 in printed catalogue. £300-350
| Anglo-Boer War, 1899-1902
H.S. "Atlantian" (in Ceylon)
Sick Boer P.O.Ws were treated on the "Atlantian" whilst moored in Colombo Harbour between January and May 1901. Very few covers to the ship are recorded. The extensive Griffith collection only contained two such covers, the five items offered here being the largest single group of "Atlantian" Ceylon covers to have been offered for sale. | |
|
|
A 1900 (Dec 12) Cover from Middelburg bearing three Transvaal 1d stamps (one partially removed, almost certainly by the censor) addressed to A. Chomse, P.O.W at Diyatalawa Camp, censored with violet oval Diyatalawa cachet and a pink "V.R / OPENED UNDER MARTIAL LAW" seal with datestamps of Diyatalawa Camp and Colombo, redirected to "Hospitaal Schip Colombo", very scarce. Also a front from Brandfort (JA 10 1901) franked O.R.C 1d, to a P.O.W at "Diyatalawa Kamp, Hut 37, P.O.W Hospital Ship Colombo", endorsed "S.S Atlantian" with "Hospital" and "Colombo" underlined, a few edge faults. (2). Photo on Page 22 in printed catalogue. £300-350
|
|
|
1900 (Dec 19) Cover from Edenburg franked O.R.C 1d to Ernst Welcken, P.O.W at Diyatalawa Camp, endorsed "not Lavinia" (Mount Lavinia Convalescent Camp) and then redirected to "Hospital Ship Atlantian, Colombo", backstamped at Cape Town, Diyatalawa Camp and Colombo with oval Diyatalawa censor cachet, fine and scarce. Photo on Page 22 in printed catalogue. £280-320
|
|
|
1901 (Feb 24) Cover with Ceylon 5c tied by "DIYATALAWA CAMP" c.d.s, oval Diyatalawa censor cachet and pink "E.R / OPENED UNDER MARTIAL LAW" seal, addressed to "J.P Bardnad, S.S Atlantian Hospitaal Schip, Colombo" with a Colombo backstamp. A fine and rare cover from a P.O.W in Diyatalawa Camp to another P.O.W on the ship. Photo on Page 24 in printed catalogue. £320-360
|
|
|
1901 Cover bearing Cape 1d cancelled at Cape Town, with rare circular scalloped "OV / CENSOR / S" and endorsed "Censored", addressed to C. Schalkuijs, Diyatalawa, and redirected to "on board the Hospital Ship Atlantian, Colombo harbour", censored and resealed with a piece torn from a Dutch bible and a pink "E.R / OPENED UNDER MARTIAL LAW" seal both tied by Diyatalawa Camp (Mar 12) and Colombo datestamps, the reverse endorsed by the recipient "15 Maart ontvangen Atlantian Colombo Harbour". An unusual and rare cover, illustrated on page 87 of Peter Prime's book on Boer War medical services and in Richard Stroud's book on Ceylon P.O.W Mail. Photo on Page 24 in printed catalogue. £400-500
| H.S "Avoca" | |
|
|
1900 (Sep 5) Stampless cover to "Soldiers Institute, P.M Burgh" with "POINT / NATAL" c.d.s and a 2d charge, the enclosed four page letter written by W. Chandler from "H.S Avoca, Durban". The letter includes "I am not improving very much at present in my sickness. We have been on board since Saturday 1st Sept. and the ship has not made any attempt to go out of harbour. ...... We have had 26 more join the ship from P.M Burgh on the fourth". Unusual and scarce. Photo on Page 24 in printed catalogue. £180-220
|
|
| |
1901 (Jan 13) G.B. cover bearing two 1d lilacs (1d postage + 1d late fee) each tied by hexagonal "BELFAST" late fee datestamps, addressed to "Dr I.S Morton, Hospital Ship Avoca, Southampton" with arrival backstamp, fine and unusual. £100-120
|
|
|
1902 (May 6) Cover to London headed "From Pvte C. Collins, R.A.M.C H.S Avoca, Delagoa Bay, On Active Service" with the oval cachet "OFFICE OF ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF RAILWAYS, LOURENCO MARQUES", a Natal 1d tied by "T.P.O - EAST - No. 1" c.d.s. An unusual cover which proves that British wounded were evacuated through the Portuguese East Africa port of Lourenco Marques, illustrated on page 72 of Peter Prime's book on Boer War medical services. Photo on Page 24 in printed catalogue. £200-250
| H.S "Dunera" | |
|
| |
1901 (June 12) Cover to "Miss M. Walker, Soldiers home, Burg Street, Pietermaritzburg" bearing an uncancelled G.B 1d lilac with a Cape Town c.d.s alongside. The enclosed letter from J. Hunt, headed "Hospital Ship Dunera, Cape Town", thanks Miss Walker for a parcel, and includes "We are just entering Capetown harbour for coaling previous to going home, we call at Las Palmas again ...... I am bound for Netley at present but the Major on board has promised me if I can walk better before reaching Southampton he will send me to Fort Brockenhurst the discharge depot". Fine and scarce. £150-180
| H.S "Maine"
The "Maine" was funded by a committee led by Lady Randolph Churchill, which raised £40,000 to convert a cattle transport ship loaned by the Atlantic Transport Co into a hospital ship. Lady Randolph served on the ship which made two trips between Southampton and South Africa. | |
|
| |
1900 (Feb 12) Four page letter on Hospital Ship "Maine" notepaper showing crossed British, American and Red Cross flags, written and signed by Lady Churchill from Durban, to General Barton, to whom she promised to send some of the Kodaks taken the other day. She also adds that she was surprised to find his letter to her had been opened with a printed strip across reading "Examined Under Martial Law" - "I should have thought I was well enough known not to be a "suspicious character"! I have complained to Captain. S & I do not think it will happen again". A unique letter, illustrated and described on page 68 of Peter Prime's book on Boer War medical services. £400-500
| H.S "Manchester Port" | |
|
| |
1900 (July 4) G.B 1/2d Postcard to London bearing a G.B 1/2d and Cape 1/2d all cancelled at Cape Town, the message from Woodstock includes "I am returning tomorrow in the Manchester Port (invalid ship) ... we have had some fun & been in action, but I contracted enteric fever & am being sent home. They won't hear of my going up country again. Having been in hospital the last 7 weeks or so I have not had any chance of getting your stamps". Woodstock was the location of No. 5A General Hospital. A scarce reference to this temporary hospital ship. £100-120
| H.S "Manila" | |
|
| |
1902 (Jan 23) Cover franked G.B KEVII 1d from Trowbridge to "2476 Sgt T. Laycock, late of ...... Corps Staff, Plumers Force, South Africa" and "Wounded at Onverwacht Jan 4th", redirected to "No. 18 General Hospital, Charleston" and then to "H.S Manilla", endorsed "Disembarked" and returned to England, backstamps include F.P.O 19, Durban, Point and Southampton Packet Letter. Minor edge faults but unusual. £80-100
| H.S "Nubia" | |
|
| |
1900 (Jan 24) Cape 1/2d newspaper wrapper bearing a 1/2d stamp, each cancelled by Cape Town N.P.B squared circles, addressed to "Lieut Robinson, Hospital Ship Nubia, Durban, Natal". Also a postcard of the "Nubia" at Durban. (2). £100-120
|
|
| |
1900 (Mar 5) Cover franked Cape 1d from De Aar to "H.F.L Jourdain, The Connaught Rangers, Natal Field Force, South Africa" redirected to "S.S Nubia, Durban", and a stampless O.H.M.S cover from Ladysmith (Mar 7) endorsed "Free, J.S Horton Lieut, Adjutant 1st Bn Connaught Rangers" addressed to "Lieut H.F.L Jourdain, 1st Bn The Connaught Rangers on board Hospital Ship "Nubia", Durban", both backstamped at Durban and Point, reverse with some paper adhering, otherwise fine. Also a stereoscope card of the "Nubia". (3). £200-240
|
|
| |
1902 (May 23) Picture postcard written from "Hospital Ship Nubia, Port Natal, East Africa" to London, posted at Point franked 1/2d, a 1d charge mark applied in the London Foreign Branch, illustrated on page 70 of Peter Prime's book on Boer War medical services. Also a 1902 (Nov 22) picture postcard of the "Nubia" at Durban, sent from Durban to France franked 2 1/2d, a "T" handstamp applied in error in London and crossed out. (2). £120-140
| H.S "Orcana" | |
|
