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Attack on Tenerife. 1797 (July 30) Handwritten order "By Horatio Nelson Esq., Rear Admiral of the Blue, Lieutenant John Weatherhead of His Majesty's Ship Theseus being killed, you are hereby required and directed to act as Lieutenant of the said ship until further orders, and for so doing this shall be your order, Given on board His Majestys Ship Theseus at sea, 30th July 1797" and directed "To Mr William Hoste hereby appointed to act as Lieut of H.M.S Theseus until further orders, By Command of the Rear Adml J. Hooper", signed "Horatio Nelson" using Nelson's left hand just five days after he had his right arm amputated after being shot during the attack on Tenerife. The "Theseus" was one of seven vessels involved in the unsuccessful attempt to capture the Spanish fortress at Santa Cruz, in which Weatherhead was one of over 100 men killed, and Nelson was wounded; the Spanish treated the wounded and allowed the British to reboard their ships, with all prisoners being exchanged, in return for the British promising to withdraw and not to fire on the town. William Hoste became a Captain in 1802 and captured or destroyed over 300 enemy ships in the Mediterranean during a successful career, that saw him created a Baronet in 1814. A remarkable early left hand Nelson signature, not recorded in "The Despatches and Letters of Lord Nelson" by Nicolas, who only records one Nelson letter signed with his left hand prior to this item. Photo on Page 111. £5,000-6,000
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Minorca/Naples. 1798 (Dec 6) Four page letter from Lord Nelson at Naples to Sir Charles Stuart, written entirely in Nelson's hand, "My Dear Sir, Allow me to congratulate you on the conquest of Minorca - an acquisition of a seaport invaluable to our country. I hurried from Egypt early in August, as, by Earl St Vincent's orders, I was in expectation of being summoned to attend you. However, I am sure my place was much better filled by Commodore Duckworth. The new war commenced here, is yet impossible to say how it may turn - whether it really hastens the ruin, or saves the Monarchy. At all events, if the King had not begun the war, he would have soon been kicked out of his Kingdom. The King is at Rome, but five hundred French still hold possession of St. Angelo. General Mack is gone to Civita Castellana, where thirteen thousand French have taken post. Mack's force with him is twenty thousand fine young men, but with some few exceptions wretchedly officered. If the French are not soon driven from their post, which is very strong by nature, Mack must fall back to the frontier on the side of Ancona - the French have drove back, to say no worse, the right wing of the Kings army, and taken all their baggage and artillery. The Emperor has not yet moved, and his Minister, Thugut, is not very anxious to begin a new war, but if he does not, Naples and Tuscany will fall in two months. I shall be happy if you will honour me at any time with your commands here or elsewhere, being with the highest respect, Your most obedient servant, Nelson. Commodore Duckworth's letters have not yet reached me". An interesting letter concerning the military situation in Europe, to Sir Charles Stuart who was promoted and knighted for the capture of Minorca. Written from Naples where Nelson was Commander-in-Chief in the Mediterranean overseeing the blockade of Malta, four months after his triumph in Egypt for which he was raised to the peerage with the title Baron Nelson of the Nile; Nelson learnt of his honour on November 17th 1798 when he began signing letters "Nelson". This form of signature was only used for 9½ months, until the end of August 1799, when he was created Duke of Bronte and so signed letters "Nelson + Bronte". At the time of writing Nelson was also conducting his affair with Lady Hamilton, wife of the British Ambassador at the Neapolitan Court. An unusually long and interesting letter, entirely in Nelson's own hand, listed by Nicolas. Photo on Page 108. £5,000-6,000
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H.M.S Victory. 1805 (Sep 26) Handwritten order on notepaper headed "By the Right Honble LORD VISCOUNT NELSON, KB" with honours and rank printed in seven lines below this, "Pursuant to Instruction from the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, You are hereby required and directed to put your self under command and follow and obey all such signals, orders and directions as you shall from time to time receive from me for His Majestys service. Given under my hand on board The Victory at sea the 26th day of September 1805" and directed to "Richard Thomas Esq., Commander of His Majestys Bomb Vessel Aetna, By Command of the Vice Admiral John Scott", signed "Nelson + Bronte". Overleaf is a memorandum also written and signed by Nelson's secretary John Scott giving additions to the signal book. H.M.S "Victory" sailed from Portsmouth on September 14th, joining the British fleet off Cadiz on the 28th; on October 21st Nelson led the British fleet to victory at the Battle of Trafalgar, both Nelson and John Scott being killed on the "Victory" during the battle, whilst Richard Thomas, Commander of the "Aetna" in the Mediterranean, was given command of the "Bellorophon" the day after Trafalgar. A fine Nelson + Bronte document signed on H.M.S "Victory" just 25 days before Nelson's death at the Battle of Trafalgar, not recorded by Nicolas. Photo on Page 112. £4,000-5,000
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1855 Letter written by R.H Hansett on H.M.S "Victory" at Portsmouth on notepaper headed with a fine engraving of "H.M.S Victory - 104 Guns lying off Portsmouth Dock Yard, The Ship in which Lord Nelson fell at the Battle of Trafalgar 21st Oct. 1805"; nineteenth century engravings of Nelson or the Battle of the Nile (3, one a plan of the battle) and other recent notes, copies etc.; and the seven volume paperback edition of "Despatches and Letters of Lord Nelson" by N. Nicolas (published 1997-98, original retail £126). £100-120
| British Naval Letters & Documents | |
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1792 (Nov 16) Entire letter written from Villafranca by the Captain of a British merchant ship, who arrived in the port after a six week voyage with a cargo of shot to find the place in French hands, and was forced to sell his cargo to the French. The letter includes "They stand greatly in awe of England or we would certainly have been made a prize ..... There is a French 74 laying in Villafranca Road ..... the Captain is of no more account than the meanest sailor. You see the sailors parading the Quarter Deck in their greasy coats shouldering & jundying the officers about like nothing. Thus much for liberty and equality, at Nice 2 miles distant from this place the soldiers the other day hanged five men without any sort of trial because they suspected them to be disaffected to the present government". Prepaid to Hanau in Germany with "NICE" handstamp, the reverse endorsed "Debourse de Haguenau". £100-120
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1804-05 Entire letters from George Green (an alias for George Prince) who was pressed into the navy when serving on the Indiaman "Walmer Castle" in 1803, sent from H.M.S "Speedy" at the Downs to his brother in Southwark; the first letter (1st June 1804) to the Kings Head public house, unpaid so charged 6d, reports Green is now the butcher on the ship; the second letter (21 July 1805) endorsed "H.M.Ship Speedy July 22 1805" and countersigned, prepaid at the 1d concession rate to the Hand & Flower public house, with "DEAL / 74" handstamp. The letter reports an action against the French, when part of their flotilla attempted to leave Calais for Boulogne; H.M.S "Speedy" suffered damage in the action and had returned to the Downs to refit and take in more ammunition. Two interesting letters from H.M.S "Speedy" whilst part of the squadron blockading Boulogne, with transcriptions of these two letters, and five others written by Green. (2). £160-200
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1809 (Sep 15) Entire letter from John Spence headed "Lively at Sea" with a postscript written at Dungeness nine days later, posted from Deal to Scotland. Spence had written to the Transport Office regarding promotion and is expecting to receive prize money. £70-80
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Admiral Earl St. Vincent. 1798 (Dec 20) Letter to Commodore Duckworth from the "Le Souverain" at Gibraltar, "I enclose for your information the copy of a letter from Captain Bazely of the Harpy Sloop, to Admiral Peyton Commander in Chief of His Majestys Ships in the Downs, containing intelligence of the sailing of a Swedish convoy (laden with naval stores) from Marstrand, bound to Leghorn", signed by St. Vincent. John Jervis, Earl St Vincent, had a distinguished career which included the capture of Martinique and Guadeloupe and the defeat of the Spanish fleet off Cape St. Vincent; he was Commander-in-Chief in the Mediterranean 1795-99. £100-120
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Admiral Sir John Thomas Duckworth. 1799 (Aug 19) Handwritten order to Captain Henry Darby of H.M.S "Bellorophon" to put himself under the command of Duckworth, headed "In pursuance of orders from Rear Admiral Lord Nelson KB" and given on board the "Leviathan" at Port Mahon, signed J.T Duckworth. Duckworth commanded the "Leviathan" in the Mediterranean and later in the West Indies; in 1798 he had charge of the naval detachment which helped capture Minorca. £100-120
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Admiral Duckworth - West Indies. 1801 (Jan.) Letters from the Admiralty to Rear Admiral Duckworth at Martinique all marked "Most Secret", announcing the outbreak of war against Sweden, Denmark and Russia, giving instructions to seize enemy ships and help the military in the capture of St. Thomas, St. Croix, St. John and St. Bartholomew; all private property is to be respected, but goods in warehouses or depots belonging to Spanish or Danish merchants are to be seized. The enemy force on Guadeloupe is to be watched, and a convoy of ten troop transports sailing from Spithead to Barbados is to be prevented from falling into the hands of the enemy. Duckworth carried out these orders, capturing all the Danish and Swedish islands in the West Indies in 1801. An interesting and important series of letters. (5). £250-300
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Admiral Duckworth. 1801 (Mar 6) Letter from the Navy Office to Duckworth at Martinique refusing to pay his house rent, and a copy of his four page reply of July 21st written entirely in Duckworth's own hand and signed J.T Duckworth, protesting at the decision and detailing the dangers to health of keeping a stationery ship in dock flying the Admiral's flag; no ship ought to be in port for more than a fortnight, and when Vice Admiral Harvey kept the "Prince of Wales" stationery in port and lived on board over 700 men died on the ship. Also a copy of an 1801 (May 19) order given by Duckworth on the "Leviathan" at St. Eustatius, to the ship's purser ordering him to supply 560lb of bread to H.M Sloop "Hornet". (3). £120-150
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Admiral Duckworth. 1801 Letters from the Victualling Office concerning money paid for purchases or to defray contingent expenses in Martinique and the Leeward islands (2), or from the Transport Office concerning the armed transport "Coromandel" being supplied with slop clothing from the naval stores at Martinique, all three sent to Duckworth on the "Leviathan" at Martinique. (3). £120-140
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Admiral Lord Keith - Egypt Campaign. 1801 (Mar 29) Entire letter addressed to "His Highness Yousouf Pacha, Supreme Vizier", the address panel headed "On His Britannic Majestys Service" and signed "Keith" in the lower left corner. The enclosed letter written from "Foudroyant" in the Bay of Aboukir informs Yousouf Pacha of the death from wounds received on the 21st of the Commander of the British forces General Sir George Abercromby, who is succeeded in command by Major General Hutchinson, signed "Keith" with an intaglio arabic seal handstamp alongside the signature. An extraordinary letter sent between the leaders of the two allied forces during the campaign against the French in Egypt, a little splitting at folds, the outer wrapper with seal removed and reinforcing at the edges, otherwise fine and unique. Ex John Firebrace, illustrated on page 37 of his book "Nineteenth Century Wars in Egypt and Sudan", sold for £1,000 in the 2001 auction of his collection. Also six nineteenth century prints of Lord Keith (who was Nelson's Commander in Chief in the Mediterranean 1799-1800), Abercromby or the Battle of Alexandria. Photo on Page 116. £800-1,000
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Vice Admiral Lord Collingwood. 1806 (Feb 8) Two page signed letter written entirely in Collingwood's own hand from "Queen off Cadiz", addressed "To Capt Hallewell, Feb 8th 1806, Secret", ordering Hallewell to capture the Spanish ship "Glorioso" which has advanced into the Bay from the Mole of Malaga - Collingwood orders Hallewell to sail in the "Saturn" and join the "Thunder Bomb" and "Dextram" brig, and offers advice on how the "Glorioso" is to be captured and then converted into a fire vessel for use against the enemy fleet. Collingwood was second in command at Trafalgar and was appointed Commander in Chief in the Mediterranean after Nelson's death. A little splitting at the folds, otherwise fine and unique. £120-150
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Vice Admiral Sir Thomas Fremantle. 1812 (Aug 12) Order to William Hoste, Captain of H.M.S "Bacchante", to proceed with an accompanying despatch to Captain Rowley of H.M.S "Eagle" off Venice, and then to put into execution Fremantle's former orders, given on board the "Milford" in St. Georges Harbour, Lissa, signed by Fremantle. Thomas Fremantle served under Nelson at Copenhagen and at Trafalgar where he was in command of H.M.S "Neptune", the third ship in Nelson's line, which afterwards towed H.M.S "Victory" to Gibraltar. In 1812-14 he commanded the Adriatic fleet, capturing Fiume and Trieste. £100-120
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Vice Admiral Sir Thomas Masterman Hardy. 1818 (May 30) Letter written and signed by Hardy from Greenwich, to Sir Rupert George sympathising over his illness. Hardy fought at St Vincent and the Nile and was Flag Captain on H.M.S "Victory" at Trafalgar, famously holding Nelson as he lay dying on deck. A scarce autograph, ex Robson Lowe, sold for £280 in the 1998 auction of his collection. £200-250
| Military Letters & Documents | |
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1794 (June 9) Entire letter from Glasgow, prepaid 1/8 to "James Buchanan, Gunner fourth Battalion Royal Artillery, care of Lieutenant A.S Frayer, Ostend - Tourney - or elsewhere" with circular framed "GLAS / GOW" and red octagonal framed "POST / PAID" datestamp (Jay 97, only used April - July 1794). The 1d soldier's concession rate was not introduced until 1795. Tear at upper edge, otherwise fine and unusual. £100-120
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1794 (Feb 20) Entire letter to a solicitor in Yorkshire, which includes "My direction is this - William Norman soldier in the Duke of Argylls Company 3rd Regt of Foot Guards on Foreign Service. It must be post paid as usual to London", charged 1/6 + 1d ship letter fee with fine "LONDON / SHIP LRE". The letter originally included a power of attorney executed at Ghent and 'signed in the presence of Captain Dilkes adjutant of the 3rd Regiment of Foot Guards and Corporal McNichol of the said Regiment". £100-120
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Dutch Expedition. 1799 (Aug 20) Entire letter from Captain Nicholas Ramsey written "on board the Sheerness at sea" reporting expectations of landing the next day after a week of terrible weather, addressed to Scotland with "DEAL" handstamp and datestamps of London and Edinburgh. The first British troops sent to Holland left from Kent ports on August 13th but were unable to land until the 27th; the campaign was unsuccessful and all troops were withdrawn by late November. Vertical file folds, otherwise fine. £80-100
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Dutch Expedition - Army Bag / Soldiers Letter. 1799 (Sep 21) Entire letter from Charles Morris, soldier in the 79th Regt in Holland, to the Bank of Scotland in Edinburgh, regarding a lost deposit receipt for £50. The letter includes "direct to me in the 8th Company of the 79th Regt in Sir Ralph Abercrombie's Army and General Moore's Brigade Holland". The address panel is signed "Alan Cameron, Colonel 79th Regt Holland" to qualify for the soldiers concession rate, but the letter was posted unpaid so was charged the full rate of 1/2 (6d to London + 8d London to Edinburgh), with a reasonable strike of the scarce circular "(crown) / ARMY BAG", London and Edinburgh datestamps. Due to the difficulties in prepaying the penny postage during this campaign the Post Office permitted letters to be posted unpaid and the penny to be paid by the addressee from 9th October, this letter being sent 18 days before that concession was introduced for this campaign only. Morris and Col. Cameron were both wounded at the Battle of Alkmaar on October 2nd. A little minor staining and small tear at upper edge but a rare Army Bag handstamp, especially so on a soldiers letter. Photo on Page 116. £1,000-1,200
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Cape of Good Hope Expedition - General Sir David Baird. 1805 (July 25) Entire letter written and signed by General Sir David Baird in London (with reference to "The Post Bell now ringing"), posted to his brother Lieut-Colonel Baird in Cork and redirected to Cove, with London and Dublin backstamps and red "CORK". Also 2 March 1806 "Bells Weekly Messenger" containing a long report of the capture of Cape Town on January 12th received from the Commander of the British forces General Sir David Baird. A scarce letter from Baird sent shortly before his departure for South Africa; his brother Lt. Col. Baird also sailed with the expedition and commanded the First Brigade in the Cape. Ex Robson Lowe collection. £200-240
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Peninsular Campaign. 1810 (July 19) Entire letter from Lt. Col. Henry MacKinnon (killed at the Battle of Ciudad Rodrigo in January 1812), written from Pinhel to his wife in Bath, which includes "expecting a visit from Bony but it will not be a visit of much ceremony. We are prepared to move at half an hours notice and as our magazines are well supplied in the rear we hope not to starve this campaign as we did during the last", splitting at folds; and an 1810 entire letter prepaid 2/7 from Edinburgh to "Capt. MacDougal 2nd Batt. 5th Regt of Infantry with Lord Visct Wellingtons Army in Portugal", received at Burjallal, fine. (2). £150-180
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France. 1814 (Apr 24) Entire letter from Capt. John Mitchell, Royal Artillery, at Pompignan, who writes, "It was unfortunate for me that the Light Divn were not particularly engaged in the affair at Toulouse, but my guns were of some service, particularly at one time when the Spanish retired on them in great confusion closely pursued by the French who were within 250 yards of me when I first opened my fire and drove them back. Genl Alton who commands this Division was good enough to mention this to Lord Wellington". Allied armies occupied Toulouse on April 12th; shortly afterwards Paris was captured and Napoleon abdicated. A fine letter, with green circular "FALMOUTH PACKT LRE", charged 2/2. £100-120
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1814 Expedition to America. Entire letter written by Capt. John Mitchell from "H.M Ship Royal Oak, off Cape Finistere June 9th 1814", to Portsmouth with green dated "MALTA / F" handstamp of Falmouth, disinfected with two chisel slits, charged 3/2. Mitchell writes "a ship is in sight which will most probably be able to take my letters to England ..... I am on my way to America. I embarked on the Royal Oak commanded by Rear Admiral Malcolm a week ago at Bordeaux. Major Genl Ross and his staff are in the same ship. I have under my command Carmichael with the whole of his Brigade and more amounting to 450 men but without horses. Gen Ross has under his command 3,000 men, most of the troops are embarked on ships of war ..... This America affair cannot last long before it is settled, I fear there is a possibility of the Company being left in America"; a postscript states "The sealed orders have been opened and we are to go to Bermuda then to receive further directions". This force proceeded to America where Washington was sacked in August; Mitchell was promoted Brevet Major in September, having commanded three companies of artillery during the American campaign. Minor stain, otherwise fine. £200-250
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Preparations for Waterloo - 1d Rate. 1815 (May 20) Entire letter to Bristol headed "From Jas Strudwick, Sergt 2nd Dragoons" and countersigned by Lt. Col James Hamilton, prepaid at the 1d concession rate, London arrival datestamps. Written from Dundirhoutem, the letter includes "we have been lying at this place a fortnight, it is a very pleasant country village, we are about 16 miles from the Head Quarters of the French Army of which we understand Bonaparte in person has the command, and has formed his Head Quarter at Condu, a small frontier town very strongly fortified, the Duke of Wellington has his Head Quarters within 6 miles of that place ....... the army are all lying in Quarters. Fresh troops are arriving daily from England, the 1st Dragoons, 13th & 23rd are arrived as also the 32, 42 & 92 Regiments of foot. The Duke of Wellington has at this time from 90 to 100 thousand men under his command and Marshal Blucher lays on his left with from 80 to 90 thousand men chiefly Prussians". A postscript reads, "We have just heard that the whole of the British cavalry are to assemble on Wednesday next the 24th but we do not know for what purpose", and "Direct for me Jas. Strudwick Sergeant, Scotch Grays with the British army Netherlands". Both Strudwick and Col. Hamilton were killed at the Battle of Waterloo on June 18th. A fine and scarce soldiers rate letter from Holland. Photo on Page 116. £300-400
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Army of Occupation. 1815 Entire letters from London to "Lieut J. J Douglas, 15th Hussars, with the Army of the Duke of Wellington in the Netherlands" prepaid 1/4, or similarly addressed to Lt. Douglas at Rouen, France, prepaid 1/2. (2). £100-120
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Army of Occupation - 1d Rate. 1817 (June 24) Entire letter containing a copy of the proclamation of bans for the marriage of Corporal John Lyle to Ann Walker in 1808, and a declaration from the Minister that they were married, sent from Edinburgh to "John Lyle Sergt. 91st Regt, Valencienns in France" prepaid at the soldiers 1d rate, horizontal fold and light soiling and tear at upper edge but a scarce 1d rate to the Army of Occupation in France. £100-150
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Duke of Wellington. 1850 (Sep 14) Entire letter from Walmer Castle, written by the Duke in the third person; the Duke will peruse the plans sent to him but cannot attend a public meeting due to his deafness, with a cover addressed in the Duke's handwriting to "C. Mackenzie Esq., London Tavern, London" franked by a 1d red cancelled at Uxbridge, reverse with the Duke's wax seal. Also 1815 (July 3) "Hampshire Telegraph and Sussex Chronicle" reporting the British victory at Waterloo and the second abdication of Bonaparte, and 1852 (Nov 20) "Illustrated London News" containing a long report on the Duke's funeral. (3). £140-160
| OTHER CAMPAIGN & FORCES MAIL | |
Featuring selected items from the Alistair Kennedy Collection.
(Also See Lots 744, 756, 798, 809, 855, 867/8, 980, 1022/30, 1054/5, 1068, 1100/2,1126, 1183, 1191, 1197, 1221, 1240/3) | |
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G.B. World War One (12) and World War Two (30) covers with a good range of explanatory marks on undelivered mail to servicemen, censors, P.O.W mail, etc. (42). £100-120
| 1d Concession Rate Mail
(Also See Lots 565, 570, 575, 577, 593, 603, 612/3, 735/6, 828/9) | |
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G.B. 1799-1829 Entire letters from soldiers (7) or to soldiers (7), one letter to a soldier posted unpaid so charged the full rate of 1/4, one letter to a soldier written in India but posted at Chatham apparently charged at the 1d rate but then redirected and charged the full 1/8 rate, the others all sent at the 1d concession rate. Noted is an unusual 1827 letter from Stamford endorsed "From John Oldfield Serjeant 3rd Guards Commanding the recruiting party Stamford in the absence of the Officer" which was accepted by the Stamford Post Office, 1827 letter to Woolwich with red crowned "To be / delivered / Free", 1808 letter with red "Woolwich E.O / 1 py Post Paid", etc., a few faults though most are fine. (14). £400-500
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G.B - Sailors Letters. 1803-12 Entire letters sent at the 1d rate comprising 1803 letter from H.M.S "Zealand" at the Nore to London with red crowned "To be / delivered / Free"; 1810 letter from H.M.S "Attack" at the Nore; and 1813 entire letter from H.M.S "Ajax" off Toulon posted at Dartford to another seaman on H.M.S "Impregnable", the last very soiled, the others with minor faults or soiling but very reasonable appearance. (3). £100-120
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India. 1827 Entire letter from Cawnpore to England from a soldier in the 11th Dragoons, backstamped at Calcutta, carried by an East India Co. ship and handed into the Post Office upon arrival, therefore only the 1d rate charged as there was no expense incurred by the Post Office in conveying the letter by sea, handstamped by circular "INDIA SEAMAN & c / 1 / LONDON". Upper and lower edge faults but very rare, this 1d rate "Seaman" handstamp not recorded in the County Catalogue of London Postal History by B. Jay, ex Sattin collection. Photo on Page 116. £180-220
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India. 1838 Entire letter from Cawnpore to London, unusually headed "From Mary Ann Bonner 5th Bn Bengal Arty, Widows Letter", countersigned and accepted at the 1d rate, backstamped Calcutta G.P.O Ship Letter datestamp, with circular "INDIA SOLDIER & c / 3 / LONDON", charged the 1d rate + 2d ship letter fee. A few edge tears, but a very unusual letter from a soldiers widow accepted at the concession rate, ex Sattin collection. £150-180
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Burma/G.B. 1859 Cover from Leeds franked by a 1d red, addressed to "Private Jonas Bell, No 3631 68 Regiment, Burmah Island, Madras, East Indies", redirected to Rangoon, backstamped at London, Madras and boxed Rangoon Ship Letter datestamp, a very unusual and scarce 1d rate cover from G.B to Burma. Photo on Page 120. £120-150
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Canada/G.B. 1860 Cover (with enclosed letter) from London to Quebec headed "From Musician R. Morgan, Coldstream Gds", franked at the soldiers concession by a single G.B. 1d red, arrival backstamp. A very unusual 1d soldiers rate cover to Canada, accepted at the concession rate despite not being countersigned by an officer. Photo on Page 120. £300-350
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Canada/G.B. 1867 Cover from England headed "From Supt. C. Pearce, Depot 1/15 Regiment" franked by a 1d red, paying the soldiers concession rate from Chatham to St. John, New Brunswick, backstamped with "L" quartered datestamp applied in the London Foreign Branch on packet letters routed via Liverpool. Opening tear at upper edge, otherwise fine and a very unusual destination for a soldier's letter from G.B. Photo on Page 120. £250-300
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Afghanistan. 1879 (Nov 11) Cover from Cabul to Scotland with "FIELD P.O" backstamp, headed "From No. 1503 Corp. W.A Cameron 72nd Highs" and countersigned, bearing India 8p tied by a diamond of bars, missent to Banbury and then directed to Banchery. William Cameron was killed on 1st September 1880 at the Battle of Kandahar. A couple of very minor edge tears, otherwise fine and scarce. Photo on Page 120. £150-180
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Egypt/South Australia. 1896 (Dec 24) Soldiers cover with partly printed heading "From No 3252 Pte W. Smith, Mounted Infantry, Abbassiyeh" and countersigned, addressed to South Australia with Egypt 5m cancelled at Cairo, backstamped at Cairo, Colombo, Adelaide and Terowie. Minor soiling and two vertical folds but a very unusual destination for a soldiers rate cover, Private Smith possibly an Australian volunteer. £120-150
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Egypt - Sailors Rate. 1898 Cover to England headed "From W. Howe, Seaman, H.M.S Fearless, Suez" and countersigned, franked 5m, paying the sailors concession rate from Suez, fine and unusual. £100-120
| European Campaigns 1745-1871 | |
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War of the Austrian Succession. 1745 (July 10) Entire letter from Captain James Dalrymple to his father, The Earl of Lowdon in London, inscribed "par L'Hollande" with a reasonable strike of the scarce circular framed "AB" handstamp (Armee Britannique), "JY/15" Bishop Mark, charged 10d. Written from Diegham Camp, the letter includes "it is no more a doubt that the French have besieged Oudenarde, all the deserters agree that they began to fire upon it on the 15th so I think we may take our leave of the place & L.H Beauclere's Batallion which together with the Dutch makes the Garrison. Blygh's Regiment is gone into Brussels, they are scarce 300 strong so you may judge what the action of Mille has been for they were recruited by the Draughts before they left camp. Handesyde's is gone into Antwerp & I believe is in no better condition. My Lord Crawford is going to Namur to review the 8000 Austrians which are taken into our pay & are there in Garrison. In case the news of this Detachment to the Rhine be confirmed we intend I believe to bring into the field the Garrisons of both Mons & Namur & very likely if occasion offers we may try the fate of another action". Photo on Page 120. £400-500
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Seven Years War. 1760 (Aug 1) Entire letter written by Lt. Col. Sloper from Warburg Camp, to London, privately carried and posted in the London local post with triangular "PAID / PENY / POST / T / SA" and manuscript receivers name. The short message reads "I have just time to tell you that we yesterday on this ground defeated mon. Mien who commanded above thirty thousand French. The British cavalry has received deservedly the greatest praise. I am perfectly well". The British contingent in Germany, commanded by the Marquis of Granby, stormed the French held town of Warburg in July 31st capturing 1,500 men and ten pieces of artillery. £150-200
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Portugal - 1d Sailors rate. 1832 Entire letter to Scotland, headed "From Robert Rodan Pte Royal Marines, H.M. Ship Talavera off Oporto 24 September 1832" and countersigned, prepaid to Scotland at the 1d concession rate. The letter concerns a debt of £23, upon which Rodan offers to pay £15, and includes the postscript "The reason your letter was returned for postage was owing to the ship having sailed before its arrival. We sailed from Plymouth on the 24th - on the 1st joined the English squadron off Lisbon, arrived here on the 10th. We daily expect the Briton Frigate here to relieve us to join the Admiral off Lisbon. We are the only line of battle ship here. Don Miguel & Don Pedros squadrons are at sea. We expected to have heard of an engagement before now." The British fleet were supporting the young Queen Maria in her attempt to regain the Portuguese throne seized by her uncle, the regent Miguel, who was defeated in July 1833. Central vertical fold, otherwise fine and scarce, backstamped at Devonport (with boxed "Too Late") and Dumfries. £120-150
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Spain - Carlist War. 1837 (Oct 27) Entire letter from a former member of the British Legion in Scotland, headed "O.H.M. Service", prepaid 2/11½ to "Lt. Colonel Wakefield, Commanding 1st Lancers, St. Sebastian, Spain", French transit mark and red "5Rs", fine and scarce. £100-120
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Spain - Carlist War. 1838-40 Entire letters from Midshipman Edmund Marriott on H.M.S "Gorgon" (3) or "Salamander" (5) to his sister or parents in England, the first letter (7 Aug 1838) from H.M.S "Gorgon" at Sheerness reports "we are to go and help Lord John Hay fight the Carlists", six further letters written at Passages (4 Feb 1838 - 5 April 1840), the final letter (8 Oct 1840) from Portsmouth. The first letter from Spain carried to England on H.M.S "Devon" and posted at Devonport, the other five with red oval "S-SEBASTIAN" handstamps (3) or datestamps of St-Jean-de-Luz (2), all endorsed "Via Bayonne" and backstamped in Paris. The letters include descriptions of the carnival at St. Sebastian, reports of the Carlists capture of a British schooner, transfer from H.M.S "Gorgon" to H.M.S "Salamander", narrow escape from being shipwrecked in a storm, blockade of the Port of Bermeo, arrival of four hostages under a flag of truce held whilst the enemy were allowed to fish, attending balls and seeing bull baiting in Santander, visiting the French Commodore, etc. The British sent a legion of mercenaries and naval support to aid the Spanish Government in their fight against the revolt of Don Carlos, who sought to seize the Spanish throne from the infant Isabella. An interesting correspondence. (8). £700-800
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Crimean War. 1855 (Feb 23) Cover from London to "Mr Theo J. Taylor, Transport Ship Herefordshire, Black Sea" franked 1/- embossed (partly cut to shape) cancelled by "16" numeral, flap missing and small tear to upper edge. Civilians serving on transport ships in the Crimea did not qualify for the concession rate of 3d per ¼oz. Unusual. £120-150
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Crimean War. 1856 Stampless cover to "Lady Malet, English Legation, Frankfort S.M" backstamped "POST-OFFICE / B / BRITISH ARMY" c.d.s (Jan 12) and in London and Germany, the usual 3d charge to England crossed out and altered to 10d. An unusual destination from the Crimea. £120-140
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Franco-Prussian War. 1870 Stampless covers (2) and a front all with Prussian Feldpost datestamps, the covers both unusually addressed to England, one with "5 Armee-Ops" c.d.s charged 1/-, the other with "1 Armee-Ops" c.d.s. endorsed "Feld Post Brief" and handstamped red "PD" with a London Paid c.d.s; the front with "3 Armee" c.d.s from Crown Prince Frederick of Prussia, Commander of the third army, addressed to his wife "Her Royal Highness Crown Princess of Prussia, Princess Royal of Great Britain and Ireland, Homburg von der Grosse, Frankfurt a/m". Three unusual items. (3). £120-150
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Franco-Prussian War - Prisoner of War Mail. 1870 (Dec 3) Cover to Dinan endorsed "Feld Post Brief, France via England" bearing North German Confederation 2g + ½g cancelled at Stettin, the reverse endorsed in German "Post Free under Decree of 7th August 1870", signed by the Prussian Commandant at Stettin and bearing his circular cachet. An unusual cover from a P.O.W, franked despite being allowed post free, with red "PD" and a Dinan arrival c.d.s. Photo on Page 120. £120-150
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Franco-Prussian War - Prisoner of War Mail. 1871 (Feb 15) Cover from England to "Corol Laymante, Lt. Colonel 2 Cuirassiers, Prisonnier de Guerre, Gd. Hotel, Wiesbaden" with 3d cancelled at Southampton, arrival backstamp, light central vertical fold, otherwise fine and unusual. £100-120
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Zulu War. 1879 (July 17) Stampless cover endorsed "On Active Service, no stamps available" and signed "A. Maude, Capt 90 L.I", addressed to Col. Maude at Buckingham Palace with red inspectors handstamp and circular framed "6d" charge mark, backstamped at Durban and London (Aug 20). Recipients endorsement shows the original letter was from "St Pauls, Zululand, July 17th". A fine campaign cover. Photo on Page 120. £200-250
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