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1884 (Mar 13) Cover from Capt. David Ogilvy, 8th Earl of Airlie, 10th Prince of Wales Own Royal Hussars, to his wife in England, franked 20pa on 5pi pair cancelled "SOUAKIN" c.d.s, a second strike on the front. A fine and scarce officers cover prepaid with Egyptian stamps, also a reproduction photo of Ogilvy, who was killed in South Africa in 1900. Ex Firebrace. Photo on Page 230. £600-700
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1884 (May 22) Cover franked 2½d from Huntly to "Captain Gordon, Royal Marines, Suakim, Egypt", "SOUAKIN" arrival backstamp (June 9). Several covers are known to Capt. Gordon in Suakin, but few of them have arrival backstamps. Ex Firebrace. £180-220
| 1884-85 Nile Expedition | |
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1884 (Sep 11/19) Two letters from Lt. Arthur Sandbach, R.E, written on the S.S "Rewa" en route to Egypt, headed "off Island of Pentellaria" (Sept. 11) or "between Malta and Alexandria" (Sep. 14), posted from Cairo (Sep 19) to his mother in Wales franked 1pi, diamond shaped "NW / TPO / E" handstamp. Two good long letters on the forthcoming campaign and possible decisions by Gladstone's Government, the second letter records the views of Sir Linton Simmons "who is sure that Ld. Wolseley's expedition will not relieve Gordon at Khartoum, they are too late and Gordon has not provisions to last till December. If he is relieved at all he will relieve himself, though he will never desert the 8,000 women & children under his charge in Khartoum". £300-400
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1884 (Oct 16) Stampless cover to Lady Cochrane in Wales endorsed "no stamps available" and "Cochrane Capt. Commanding Detachment, 2 L. Gds" with "SOHAG" c.d.s, Assiut and Alexandria backstamps, a 1d charge mark applied in error in the London Inland Branch, mistaken for a soldiers rate cover. Unusual. Ex Firebrace. Photo on Page 230 £300-400
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1884 Covers from surgeon James Magill, serving with the Guards Camel Regt, to his father in Belfast franked 1pi, cancelled at Keneh (Oct 5) or Assouan star and crescent c.d.s (Oct 30), also a 1967 watercolour of a mounted soldier of the Guards Camel Regt. Magill was wounded at the Battle of Abu Klea on 17th January 1885 where he was mentioned in despatches. (2). £350-450
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1884 (Nov 10) Egypt 20pa postcard posted from Cairo to England, message reads "arrived here today & leave for the front tomorrow morning by rail to Assiout & on by steamer ...... direct to me Major DAAG Expeditionary Force Army Headquarters Cairo". Ex Firebrace, message obscured by glued down paper but deciphered by Firebrace, Manchester S.T arrival datestamp. £80-100
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1885 (Jan 30) Cover headed "From M. Sullivan, Skilled Shipwt, H.M.S Monarch, Alexandria", countersigned, posted from Alexandria to England at the 20pa concession rate. Sullivan served in the naval brigade at Souakin in 1884 when on H.M.S "Euralyus"; in 1885 "Monarch" contributed men to the naval brigade which fought at Abu Klea. Photo on Page 230. £400-500
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1885 (Mar 2) Stampless cover from Lord Cochrane to his wife in Wales, endorsed "on active service, no stamps" with a fine large "KORTI" star and crescent datestamp and boxed "T", single rate "2½d" charge mark, vertical fold, otherwise fine, an unusually clear strike of the Korti datestamp (recorded 26 Jan - 23 March, the office opened for the Nile Expedition troops). Ex Firebrace. Photo on Page 230. £500-600
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1885 (Mar 26) Stampless cover from the Earl of Dundonald (formerly Lord Cochrane, commanding a detachment of the 2nd Life Guards) to his wife in Wales, endorsed "no stamps available, Soudan campaign" with "DONGOLA" star and crescent datestamp, single rate "2½" charge mark, a fine cover. Ex Firebrace. Photo on Page 230. £500-600
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1885 (June 16) Cover to London with 20pa on 5pi pair cancelled by "KOROSKO" c.d.s, a second strike on the front, backstamped at Assiout, Alexandria and London, fine and scarce. Photo on Page 232. £400-500
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1885 (Aug 31) Cover from Lt. The Hon. Walter Drummond Forbes, 1st Batt. The Gordon Highlanders, to his wife in Scotland, franked marginal 1a cancelled large "MEX / FIRST" star and crescent datestamp, a second strike on the front, backstamped at Alexandria. The Mex First office was open from 1st August to 20th Sept. exclusively for troops returning from the Nile Expedition; this cover is the only recorded example of the datestamp. A superb, unique and important cover, ex Byam and Firebrace. Photo on Inside Back Cover. £3,000-4,000
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1885 (Feb 10) Military Telegraphs form from Cairo to Halfa with violet "FIELD TELEGRAPH / HL No. 4" datestamp, endorsed "Korosko" in pencil, message reads "Direct 19th & 107th to leave here for Souakim with remainder horse artillery. It is said 600 Canadian Militia will go to England for garrison duty. Sir C. Wilson has arrived at Korti to give details of Khartoum reconnaissance to Lord Wolseley, he was rescued from island by Beresford's steamer". An interesting message concerning Wilson's arrival off Khartoum to find the garrison massacred and his subsequent rescue by the naval brigade. Very scarce. £350-450
| 1884-85 Nile Expedition - The Machell Correspondence |
The following covers and letters are all from Lt. P. Machell of the 56th Regt, to Roos Rectory near Hull.
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1884 Covers posted from Cairo (Mar. 3), Malta (July 18), Port Said (July 23, "Grand Hotel du Louvre et de France" advertising envelope) or Sohag (Aug 5), the Malta cover franked G.B 2½d, the others franked 1pi. The first with letter describing the regiments arrival and march to Abbassiyeh where the officers are quartered in the palace formerly occupied by the Tewfik's mother, the Port Said cover with letter reporting his arrival from Malta, the Sohag cover posted en route to join the Nile Expedition. (4). £150-200
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1884 (Dec 28) Stampless cover endorsed "Debbeh. R. Nile, stamp not available" with scarce "DONGOLA" star and crescent datestamp with name in a straight line, boxed "T" and "2½" single rate charge, boxed "P.C" applied in Hull. A short enclosed letter from Debbeh enclosed "going straight on to Corti 40 miles on". Photo on Page 232. £400-500
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1885 (Jan 3) Stampless cover endorsed "Korti - River Nile, stamps not available" with scarce "DONGOLA" star and crescent datestamp with name in a straight line (Jan. 8), boxed "T", "2½" single rate charge and boxed "P.C" applied in Hull, minor opening tears. The enclosed four page letter from Korti includes "I got my boats up very well & lost nothing. The going was very bad from Debbeh to here as the current was very strong & the wind against us. We tracked the whole way, 40 miles & took three days over it, very hard work but not as bad as cataracts .... the rest of the Regt are coming in every day, also the 42nd, 46th & some 35th .... we are probably not going further than Merawee & people think that Khartoum will not be made for at all, only Gordon got at Berber where he can get himself by steamer". A fine cover and letter. Photo on Page 232. £600-700
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1885 (Mar 23) Cover franked 20pa on 5pi pair each cancelled by large "KORTI" star and crescent datestamp, a third superb strike on the front. The latest recorded date of use of the Korti c.d.s, very fine. Photo on Page 232. £600-700
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1885 (Apr 29) Cover franked 1pi cancelled by "DONGOLA" star and crescent datestamp, a second strike alongside, very fine. Photo on Page 232. £400-500
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1885-89 Covers from Cairo (7 July 85 with enclosed letter from Abbassiyeh, 31 Aug. & 6 Sep. 85), Malta (13 Dec. 85, letter enclosed mentions reports of fighting at Wadi Halfa), Alexandria (18 Dec. 85), Sidi Gaber (9 Aug. 86, stamp cut out), Wadi Halfa (4 May 87), Cairo (29 Sep. 88, return address shown as "Egyptian Army Suakim"), Souakim (12 Dec. 88) or Assiout (17 July 89), also three related G.B covers, the Egypt covers all franked 1pi, the covers from Wadi Halfa and Souakim both very fine. (13). £600-700
| 1884-85 Nile Expedition - Canadian Voyageurs Mail | |
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1884 (Nov 27) Cover franked Small Queen 5c, posted from Kingston to "Surgeon Major Neilson, Canadian Contingent of Voyageurs, Wady Halfa, Egypt", redirected to Tangour Hospital, Cairo backstamp (Dec 16), inscribed "Received Tangour Jan 6 1885". The enclosed letter written at Lake du Pont by Neilson's wife. A fine and rare cover to a Canadian boatman. Photo on Page 232. £2,200-2,600
| 1885 Second Suakin Expedition | |
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1885 (Feb 28) Cover to Wales franked 1pi cancelled at Suez (Mar 6), with a photocopy of the original letter written by Lt. H.M Sandbach on S.S "Loch Ard", "we get into Suakin tomorrow .... the mails from Suakin are very uncertain ..... so take the opportunity of sending letters by the Captain of this ship which returns to Suez on Monday". £100-120
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1885 (Mar 17) Cover from Capt. F.W Wilson, 10th Prince of Wales Own Royal Hussars, to his wife in England, franked 20pa pair cancelled by "SOUAKIN" c.d.s, a second strike below, Suez backstamp. A fine cover, sent before the arrival of the British A.P.O at Suakin on March 26th. Ex Firebrace. Photo on Page 232. £400-500
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1885 (Mar 21) Cover from Lt. Douglas Hamilton, 1st Batt. Coldstream Guards to his wife in London, franked 1pi cancelled "SOUAKIN" c.d.s, Suez, Alexandria and London backstamps. Posted prior to the arrival of the British A.P.O at Suakin, ex Firebrace. Photo on Page 232. £300-400
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1885 (Apr 6) Stampless cover endorsed "no stamps active service" and "From Francis Lloyd, Grenadier Guards, Suakin Field Force", to his wife at Shepherds Hotel, Cairo, with "BRITISH ARMY POST OFFICE / EGYPT" c.d.s code "C" and boxed "T", a 1pi postage due stamp applied and cancelled in Cairo (Apr 14). An exceptional postage due use on a Sudan campaign cover. Ex Firebrace. Photo on Page 234. £1,500-1,800
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1885 (Apr 22) Cover to England headed "From 2nd Corpl Philip Spicer 10th Coy Royal Engineers Survey Detachment Suakin" and countersigned, a 1d lilac (corner fault) cancelled "BRITISH ARMY POST OFFICE / EGYPT" code "A", the cover with some creasing, toning and minor surface scrapes, a unique soldiers rate cover from the R.E Detachment building the railway from Suakin to Berber. Ex Firebrace. Photo on Page 234. £800-1,000
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1885 (Apr 29) Cover from Capt. Richard Wilson, 10th Prince of Wales Own Royal Hussars, to England, franked 2½d cancelled by "BRITISH ARMY POST OFFICE / EGYPT" c.d.s code "A", fine. Ex Firebrace. Photo on Page 234. £400-500
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1885 (Apr 29) Cover to England headed "From Quarter Master Sgt. C. Collins 1st C&T Corps Suakin" and countersigned, a 1d lilac paying the soldiers rate, cancelled "BRITISH ARMY POST OFFICE / EGYPT" c.d.s code "A". A very scarce soldiers rate cover, very fine. Ex Firebrace. Photo on Page 234. £1,200-1,500
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1885 (Apr 29) Blue cover (O.H.M.S heading crossed out) to his father in England franked 2½d, cancelled "BRITISH ARMY POST OFFICE / EGYPT" c.d.s code "A", a fine cover. Photo on Page 234. £400-500
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1885 (May 14) Cover with printed address "Messrs Lucas & Aird, Suakin-Berber Railway, Suakin" and "via Military Post", posted from Kettering to Mr J. Blair, franked 2½d. Lucas & Aird of Kettering won the contract to build the Suakin to Berber railway to supply the Nile Expedition forces; 19 miles of railway were constructed from Suakin harbour to Otao with the help of the 10th Railway Co. R.E when the Government decided to withdraw from the Sudan and the railway was abandoned. A rare and unusual cover, ex Firebrace. Photo on Page 234. £350-400
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1885 G.B Stamps cancelled "BRITISH ARMY POST OFFICE / EGYPT" c.d.s code "A" or "C", comprising ½d blue, 1d lilac (3, one on piece), 2½d lilac (3, two on piece) and 5d green (2), all fine. S.G. ZA6/9, £3,550. (9). £700-800
| 1897-98 Campaign | |
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1898 (Apr.) 5m Soudan overprint envelope paying the soldiers concession rate to India, headed "From No. 3305 Drummer L.H Jackson Cameron Highdrs" and inscribed "Nile Expeditionary Force, Soudan", to a Private in the 4th Hussars at Bangalore, cancelled by bilingual "TRAVELLING POST OFFICE" c.d.s (used on the military railway from Wadi Halfa to Kerma, 1897-98), backstamped at Halfa, Cairo, Sea Post Office and Bangalore. A few ink marks at left (from the overinked Sea Post Office backstamps), otherwise fine. Photo on Page 234. £220-260
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1898 (Aug 18) 5m Soudan overprint envelope paying the soldiers concession rate to England, headed "2811 Bdsm D.C Munro, Sea Highdrs" and inscribed "Nile Expeditionary Force, Soudan, Egypt", cancelled by bilingual "ATBARA" c.d.s, a second strike on the front, backstamped at Wadi Halfa and Bournemouth. Tiny edge fault at lower left corner, otherwise fine. Photo on Page 234. £200-240
| SWAZILAND | |
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1889-1975 Mint and used collection including a few 1889-90 overprints, a good study of the 1961 decimal surcharges with 1c on 1d central surcharge from trial sheets (2, S.G. £200 each), 25c on 2/6 type II at bottom left (light crease), 50c on 5/- type III (light crease, mounted), 1r on 10/- type III (4) and 2r on £1 type II at bottom mint (pair + 2 singles) all mint and used, also postal stationery (19), etc. (100s). Photo on Page 166. £500-600
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1933 and 1938 Sets perfined "SPECIMEN" (a little gum toning) and fine mint, the KGVI set with all listed shades and perfs, and 1961 surcharge set unmounted (including S.G. 76b, 77b). Also six revenue documents bearing fiscally used stamps including KGV 10/- block of 15, KGVI 10/- block of fifty, etc. S.G. £1,700+. (87 + 6 documents). £200-250
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1961 25c on 2/6, type II surcharge at bottom left, superb unmounted mint. S.G. 74b, £950. Photo on Page 164. £200-250
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1961 25c on 2/6, type II surcharge at bottom left, superb unmounted mint. S.G. 74b, £950. Photo on Page 164. £200-250
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1961 25c on 2/6, type II surcharge at bottom left, fine used. S.G. 74b, £900. Photo on Page 164. £200-250
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1961 50c on 5/-, type III surcharge, superb unmounted mint, very scarce. S.G. 75b, £1,500. Photo on Page 210. £350-450
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1961 2r on £1, type II surcharge at bottom, marginal, fine used. S.G. 77b, £350. Photo on Page 210. £80-100
| SWITZERLAND
(Also see lots 139, 697) | |
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1918 War Industry Officials, mint selection including narrow overprint 20c, 25c and 30c. S.G. O300/315, £2,000+. (23). £120-150
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1960 10c Die Proof (15th Century Schwyz Cantonal Messenger) in black on wove paper with "SPECIMEN" printed above, 110x97mm, fine and scarce. £120-150
| Air Mails | |
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Balloons/Airships. 1909 Gordon Bennett balloon race at Zurich, picture postcards (14) and label, including coloured poster type cards (5) and a fine real photo card of crowds surrounding seven balloons; and 1910-12 cards of the airship "Ville de Lucerne" (3). Also New York Herald printed cover from New York with enclosed printed letter from Gordon Bennett, and 1906 postcard of the first Gordon Bennett balloon race in Paris. (20). £180-220
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1910-13 Postcards (8), Semi-official air stamps (5) and labels (13) including 1910 R. Grandjean flight (2), fine coloured poster cards for the 1911 Lausanne air meeting and 1913 Heriskau charity flight, 1913 (June 15) card flown from Lausanne to Morges with special datestamp, 1913 (July 13) Oskar Bider Bern to Milan flight labels in sheet of six, etc. (26). £160-200
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1913 (March) Postcards flown by Oskar Bider bearing 50c semi-official air stamps and franked 5c with special violet datestamps, coloured poster type card flown on the March 9th Basel to Liestal flight (also an unused poster card), and two cards (one depicting Bider) flown on the March 30th Bern to Burgdorf flight, one of these also bearing a 1914 Berne Exhibition label. (4). £150-200
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1913 (June 8) Picture postcards of Oscar Bider franked 5c, both flown from Biel to Berne with special datestamp, one with blue boxed cachet "Erste Flug Post / BIEL-BERN / Transportiert durch Aviatikert Bider / Sonntag, 8 Juni 1913", the other with similar wording printed on the card, this printed card with Rellstab Certificate (2002). (2). £120-150
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1919-38 Flight covers (35), mainly first flights with special cancels, some bearing labels or semi-official air stamps, postcards including 1924 Lausanne Aviation Meeting poster card, also some unused stamps and labels. (45+). £250-300
| TANGANYIKA | |
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German East Africa. 1919-20 1r (25x17 perf holes), 2r, and 3r (3) comprising centre type I with 25x17 holes (creased), centre type II with 25x17 or 26x17 holes, the very scarce 26x17 hole 3r with 2021 R.P.S Certificate, all mint. These five stamps were only on sale in Berlin, and were never sent to the colony due to the war. S.G. £1,480. (5). Photo on Page 198. £200-250
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German East Africa. 1913 1r60h Booklet, containing five panes of six stamps comprising 4h x 4 plus two labels, 4h x 6, 7½h x 4 plus two labels, 7½h x 6 (2 panes), superb. S.G. £550. £100-120
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1917 (Sep 13) Stampless cover endorsed "Civil Detenus Letter", from Thomas Spreiter, the detained Benedictine missionary Bishop held under house arrest in Daressalaam, to a fellow missionary held at Ahmednagar Camp in India, with violet boxed "CENSORSHIP / 13 SEP 1917/ "C" SECTION, scarce. Photo on Page 238. £150-180
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1918 (June 6) Registered cover to London "via South Africa" with G.E.A 1c (2), 3c, 6c and 10c (2) paying the correct 31c rate all cancelled Wilhelmstal c.d.s, with very scarce violet boxed "R / WILHELMSTAL", backstamped at Moshi, Voi and Mombasa, from "Treasury" (Wilhelmstal then the provisional seat of government due to lack of facilities at Daressalaam). Also 1917 (Apr 13) Belgian Congo 10c postcard with blue Kigoma c.d.s to Tabora (file holes, faults), and 1917 (May 5) cover from Bombay to Daressalaam with India 1a tied Mombasa Paquebot c.d.s, both to Tanganyika prior to the establishment of the civilian postal service on June 1st, presumably delivered by the Army Postal Service. (3). £120-150
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A.P.O 2 reused at Kasanga. 1920 (Apr 14) Cover to "The Postmaster General, Zomba, Nyasaland" bearing G.E.A 1c (9) tied by seven strikes of "ARMY POST OFFICE / 2 / NORTHERN RHODESIA" c.d.s, backstamped at Abercorn (Apr 15), Fort Jameson (May 4) and Zomba (May 17). This A.P.O 2 c.d.s was used by the civil office at Kasanga (formerly Bismarckburg) in Tanganyika from April 1919 until July 1921. Very unusual and scarce, very few examples recorded. Photo on Page 238. £400-500
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