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1880 Covers from Major F. Lane, 2nd Punjanb Cavalry, to his sister in London, franked ½a + 4a with "FIELD FORCE P.O" (Sep. 18) backstamp, or ½a + four 1a stamps backstamped at Quetta (Oct. 21), both covers cancelled by diamond of bars obliterators. (2). £200-250
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1880 ½a Envelopes franked 4a all from Deputy Assistant Commissary-General Lt. G.C Dobbs to his wife in Ireland, all stamps cancelled by a diamond of bars obliterator with the place and date of writing written across the 4a stamps, these endorsements comprising "Kushki Nakhud 18.9.80" with "CANDHAR / SEP 20" backstamp, "Kandahar 23.10.80" with "CANDHAR / OCT 24" backstamp, or "Quetta 2.12.80", the last with piece cut from reverse, the first two covers from Afghanistan fine and scarce. (3). Photo on Page 174. £500-700
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1880-81 ½a Envelopes from Deputy Assistant Commissary-General Lt. G.C Dobbs at Sibi, to his wife in Ireland, the first franked ½a strip of four all cancelled by circular "T" in bars with "T/4 19/K UP" backstamp (Dec. 13), 1881 covers franked 4a or with a stamp missing, both cancelled "F. No 6" between bars with "SIBI" backstamps (Feb. 12 / Mar. 6), the first F.P.O 6 cover fine and scarce. (3). £280-350
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1881 (Apr. 17) ½a Envelope to Sukkur with "SIBI" backstamp, and a large piece addressed to Ireland bearing thirteen 2a stamps, both cancelled by "F. No 6" between bars; also ½a on piece with similar "F. No 3" cancel. (3). Photo on Page 174. £300-350
| Later Campaigns & Military Mail | |
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Afghanistan Boundary Commission. 1886 Official covers from the Office of the Surgeon-General in Simla, or the Commander-in-Chiefs Office in Quetta (2, signed by the Military Secretary Lt. Col. Rydon Carew) all franked On H.M.S 1a, addressed to "Surgeon Major C. Owen, Afghan Boundary Commission", all backstamped at Peshawar. One with flap missing, otherwise fine and very scarce. The Commission was a joint British and Russian effort to determine the northern border of Afghanistan. The covers probably carried by diplomatic bag from Peshawar to northern Afghanistan. (3). Photo on Page 174. £600-800
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Pishin Field Force. 1886 (Sep 17) ½a Envelope to Quetta cancelled by "FIELD P.O / NO 2" c.d.s, arrival backstamp (Sep. 20). The Pishin Field Force was formed around Pishin in Baluchistan due to the possibility of war with Russia following incidents on the Russian/Afghan border. Fine and scarce, very little mail known from this Field Force, this F.P.O No. 2 c.d.s not recorded by Proud. Photo on Page 178. £200-250
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Hazara Field Force. 1890-92 Covers from Abergele, Wales, to Capt. A.E Sandbach, R.E, the first franked 5d (Sep. 11) to Roorkee and redirected to "Commg. 3rd Coy S+Ms, Camp Kunj Guli, Murree Hills" with "GHORA-DHAKA" c.d.s (Oct. 4), the others franked 2½d posted in 1891 (Apr. 16) to "A.D.C Headquarters, Hazara Field Force" or 1892 (Dec. 29) to Gilgit, Kashmir with Srinagar backstamp. (3). £180-220
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Hazara Field Force. 1890 (Nov 26) ¼a Official card from the Postmaster at Peshawar Cantonment to "Lt. G.S Heard, 5th Fusiliers, Camp Khanabad" with "FIELD P.O No. 2" arrival c.d.s on the front; and 1891 (Apr. 14) ½a envelope from Rawalpindi to "C.R Hodgins, Royal Artillery, No. 9 G.M.B.R.G, 2nd Brigade, Hazara Field Force" with "FIELD P.O No. 3" backstamp (Apr. 17) applied at Darband, redirected to Oghi. Fine and scarce. (2). £200-250
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Hazara Field Force. 1891 (Jan 13) Cover from Jamaica franked 4d, to "Captain A.E Sandbach, Royal Engineers, Roorki, India", redirected to "Hazara Field Force, Darband" and then to Rawalpindi, backstamps include Roorkee, Haripur Hazara and Rawalpindi. Very unusual from Jamaica. Photo on Page 178. £150-200
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Hazara Field Force. 1891 (May 10) Cover with enclosed letter from Capt. A.E Sandbach at Oghi, to his sister in Wales with 1a + 2a pair each cancelled "FIELD P.O No 4" squared circle. Fine and rare, this F.P.O datestamp not recorded by Proud. Photo on Page 178. £200-250
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1881-94 Covers and cards from or to officers or soldiers including 1886 cover from G.B to 12th Lancers at Srinager, Kashmir bearing five 1d lilacs, 1893 cover from A.E Sandbach at Gilgit (sent during Hunza & Nagar Expedition, with copy of original letter), 1892 soldiers letter from Nowshera to England headed but not countersigned franked 2½a, etc., also 1889 large registered official front to London with nine official stamps totalling 15½a, and an unused 1a O.H.M.S stationery envelope for use by the Inspector-General of Supply and Transport, Punjab Command. (12). £240-280
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Waziristan Field Force. 1895 (Jan 22) 2a6p Envelope to England cancelled "FIELD P.O No 2" c.d.s at Wano, fine and scarce. £120-150
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Waziristan Field Force. 1895 (Jan 28) 1a Envelope to Mhow, cancelled "FIELD P.O No. 11" squared circle, fine and scarce. This F.P.O used by the Chitral Relief Force from May 1895, but probably used by the Waziristan force at this early date. £100-120
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Chitral Relief Force. 1895 (Mar 28) 1a Postcard from Nowshera to London, message in French headed "Lt Colonel Yaldwyn, Chief Comm. Officer, Chitral Relief Force" includes "I leave in a few days with Sir Robert Low in the country where we will find much to do and plenty of fighting"; also 1895 1a envelope from Rawalpindi to the 37th Dogras at Nowshera, and 1895 (Mar 27) telegram with Aldershot Camp c.d.s from the Military Secretary to the Viceroy to Sandbach R.E at Aldershot "Chitral Impossible". (3). £100-120
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Chitral Relief Force. 1895 (June 22) Cover to London franked 2a6p, cancelled by "F.P.O.I / No. 5A" double ring datestamp at Dargai, fine and scarce. £100-120
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Chitral Relief Force. 1895 Cover from Pachmarhi franked 1a + 2a to "Lancelot C.B Humber, East Lancashire Regt, 4th Brigade Chitral Relief force, via Nowshera" with "F.P.O.I No 6" single ring backstamp (July 27); and ½a wrapper to "Mr Owen Rulach, Field Post Office No 5, Chitral Relief Force, Camp via Nowshera" with F.P.O.I No 5A" single ring backstamp (May 19), the wrapper toned, otherwise both fine. (2). £100-120
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1895-1912 Covers and cards from or to officers or soldiers including 1897 official postcard from the Postmaster at Oudh with scarce "POSTMASTER GENERALS OFFICE / N.W.P & OUDH" c.d.s, 1897 cover from London to Fort Manora much redirected with 15 datestamps, 1901 cover from Wano sent during the Waziristan blockade, numbered "CAMP P.O" datestamps (4), 1908 cover from Sialkot with letter referring to field operations against the Zakka Khel tribesmen, 1911 letter from Brigadier-General W.R Birdwood (who led the ANZAC forces in WW1) written on R.I.M.S "Dufferin" and posted at Aden, 1912 cover to the "S + T Corps, Visitors Camp, Nicholsons Garden, Delhi" during the Durbar, etc., also picture postcards concerning the 1908 Mohmand Field Force. (28). £300-350
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Malakand Field Force. 1897 ¼a Postcard to England with message "1st Brigade Malakand Field Force, Am all right, will write next mail long account - was in last days fighting at Malakand - Chakdara relieved after a splendid defence", indistinct cancel, charged 1½d in London. Also 1897 (Aug 31) 1a envelope folded into a wrapper, posted from Malakand to General Sir R. Hume at Mussoorie with "POSTAGE DUE / ONE ANNA", reverse endorsed "Embossed Envelope used as a wrapper contrary to rules", very unusual. (2). £120-150
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Tochi Field Force. 1897 (Sep 22) Cover to England franked ½a + 1a pair cancelled by "FIELD P.O No 40" double ring datestamps, recorded by Proud from late December used by the Tirah F.F, probably used by the Tochi F.F at this earlier date. Also 1901 (Dec. 5) cover with crest of 2nd Gurkha Rifles posted from Drosh to England, the 2nd Gurkhas then part of the Tochi F.F. (2). £120-150
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Tirah Field Force (?). 1897 (Feb 8) Cover to England with ½a strip of five each cancelled by "FIELD P.O No. 13" squared circle, boxed "TOO LATE" below, arrival backstamps. Also a piece and two single stamps with the same cancel. The earliest recorded date of use, shown by Proud as used by the Tirah Field Force from Feb. 1897 until April 1898; however the Tirah F.F was not formed until Sept. 1897 so probably used on another campaign on the North-West Frontier at this early date. A fine, rare and intriguing cover. (4). Photo on Page 178. £240-300
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Tirah Field Force. 1897 (Oct. 5) Cover to Jersey with 2a6p cancelled by "FIELD P.O No 40" single ring datestamp, 48th Regt of Foot crest on flap, also the same c.d.s across two single stamps (Dec. 29), minor cover faults but scarce, this single ring c.d.s not recorded by Proud. (2). £120-150
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Tirah Field Force. 1897 (Oct 22) 1a Postcard from C.A Willis at 62 Native Field Hospital to his daughter in London, the message headed "62 N.F.H, Sadda, Kurram Valley, Kurram Moveable Column" includes "we had a small fight two days ago just at the entrance at the Khurmana Pass but not many people were hurt on either side", cancelled "FIELD P.O No 32" double ring c.d.s, minor staining but rare, this F.P.O not recorded by Proud. £150-200
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Tirah Field Force. 1897 (Oct 30) Cover to England franked 2a6p tied by "FIELD P.O No 38" double ring c.d.s at Dargai, reverse with crest of the 17th Bengal Cavalry, fine and scarce. £120-150
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Tirah Field Force. 1897 (Nov 5) ½a Envelope franked 2a to England, each cancelled "F.P.O.I / No 4A" double ring datestamp (year omitted); also an 1898 (Mar. 17) piece with ½a + 1a pair tied by the same cancel with year date included. Both fine, the cover two months earlier than recorded by Proud. (2). Photo on Page 178. £180-220
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Tirah Field Force. 1897 (Dec 4) 2a6p Envelope to Jersey cancelled by "FIELD P.O No. 45" double ring datestamp, fine and rare, not recorded by Proud. Photo on Page 178. £200-240
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Tirah Field Force. 1898 ¼a Postcard from Camp Mamani to Allahabad cancelled superb "FIELD P.O No 40" single ring datestamp (Jan.25), and 2a6p envelope to England cancelled "FIELD P.O No 40" double ring datestamp (Feb. 8), the card a little toned with small piece missing from upper left corner, the cover fine, the single ring c.d.s not recorded by Proud. (2). £180-220
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Tirah Field Force. 1897 (Nov 2) 1a Envelope to Sanaway cancelled by "FIELD P.O No 44" double ring datestamp at Shinawari, fine and scarce. £100-120
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Tirah Field Force. 1898 (Jan 23) Official postcard from the Postmaster of the Peshawar Base Office advising that a registered letter has been received and must be collected within three weeks, addressed to "Surgeon Capt. A.E Pollock, F.P.O No 40" with "PESHAWAR / BASE OFFICE" c.d.s. Vertical fold, otherwise fine and scarce. Photo on Page 178. £150-180
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Tirah Field Force. 1898 (May 3) ¼a Official postcard from Peshawar to "Major du Maulin, Royal Sussex Regiment, Bora" advising of the arrival of a box by the North Western Railway, with "TIRAH BASE OFFICE" single ring arrival datestamps on both sides, the sole example of this datestamp recorded by Proud. Photo on Page 178. £150-180
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Swat Valley Column. 1898 (Dec 4) ¼a Official postcard from Meerut reporting the abandonment of the Bahawalpore horse and cattle show due to the late famine, to "The Officer Commanding 10th Ben. Lancers, Nowshera" with Nowshera c.d.s and the very scarce "SWAT SORTING OFFICE" c.d.s (both Dec. 16) on the front. After the Tirah F.F was demobilised in May 1898 a column was retained in the Swat Valley to aid the Chitral Force Lines of Communication, vertical fold, otherwise fine and very scarce. £100-120
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Seistan Boundary Commission. 1905 (Feb 12) QV 1a Envelope franked KEVII 1a, sent by Major Herbert, officer commanding the infantry escort, to his wife in London, the two stamps each cancelled by "CAMP P.O No 4" c.d.s, arrival backstamps. Major Henry MacMahon was sent to settle an increasingly hostile dispute on the Persian-Afghan frontier in the Seistan region, accompanied by an escort of a cavalry troop, two infantry companies and a few postal staff, a daily mail service carried by camel dak in 30-40 mile stages to Quetta taking about a week to cover the 600 miles. Light vertical fold and very minor edge faults, otherwise fine and very rare. Photo on Inside Back Cover. £500-600
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Seistan Boundary Commission. 1907 (Oct 29) O.H.M.S Cover franked by two ½a Official stamps each cancelled "F.P.O / No 7" c.d.s, addressed to "Colonel A.E Sandbach RE, Commandant 1st P.W.O Sappers & Miners, Roorkee", arrival backstamp (Nov. 2). The enclosed letter from Capt. Hugh Ellis R.E at Camp Rohat describes the trials and tribulations of the column - 66 hours of continuous rain had knocked out 190 yards of 7 foot road and a 42 foot bridge - the column were caught in a blizzard and the rear guard went back with 500 loads lost and 15 followers dead. Ellis trekked out with supplies and rescued 30 loads, one DC of the 2nd 39th & one squad Madras Sappers refused to help, met the Political who was furious he had not kept to orders. Minor envelope staining, otherwise fine with a very good letter, rare and possibly unique, the F.P.O 7 datestamp not recorded by Proud. Camp Rohat located in Afghanistan, established for the Seistan Expeditionary Force at the turn of the century. Photo on Page 180. £500-700
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Bazar Valley Field Force. 1908 (Feb 27) KEVII ¼a postcard to Calcutta cancelled by "BASE OFFICE / D" double ring datestamp, Bow Bazar Calcutta arrival c.d.s (May 1). The Field Force mobilised on February 12th and were withdrawn by March 2nd after the Zakka Khel submitted to government demands on Feb. 28th. The only example recorded by Proud of the only datestamp used during this very short lived campaign. The card a little toned, otherwise fine, exceedingly rare and possibly unique. Photo on Page 180. £400-500
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1915-17 Covers and cards from or to officers or soldiers including items from the Mohmand Field Force, 1916 letter mentioning the Seistan Expeditionary Force, 1916 stampless On Field Service cover to Royal Engineers at Nowshera with Base Office Aden c.d.s and violet "A.C.R.E'S OFFICE / M.W.S / Aden", etc. (14). £140-160
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Mohmand Field Force/Hospital Ship Mail. 1915-16 Covers to or from Col. Dundee, Commander with the Royal Engineers, a 1915 (Aug. 26) cover franked Service 1a from F.P.O 59 at Rintan to Col. Dundee at Nathiagali, and 1916 (Nov. 16) O.H.M.S cover from Col. Dundee at Shankargarh to his wife at Peshawar with boxed "Field Force / Postage Free", also 1918 O.A.S cover from Col. Dundee on the Hospital Ship "Guildford Castle" to his wife in Peshawar with circular violet "HOSPITAL SHIP / P.C. / 22 / R.A.M.C". (3). £100-120
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Mohmand Field Force. 1915-16 Stampless O.A.S covers with datestamps of Indian F.P.O 62, 63 (3) or 67 (2), five addressed within India with boxed "Field Force / Postage Free" in black or violet, scarce. (6). £150-180
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Waziristan Field Force. 1917 Stampless O.A.S covers to England or India (2) all with "CAMP POST OFFICE No. 1 / L" c.d.s and very scarce oval "MIRANSHAH / TO BE / DELIVERED / FREE / CAMP P.O", one with enclosed letter (torn) from Lt. Col. Dr F.C Davidson, 1/6th Mahrattas. (3). £120-150
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Waziristan Field Force. 1917 Stampless O.A.S covers with datestamps of Bannu, Indian F.P.O 103 or 365, or "CAMP POST OFFICE No. 39/L" (2), four with boxed "FIELD SERVICE / POSTAGE FREE", also a postcard from England to Rawalpindi with Camp Post Office No. 38 arrival c.d.s. (6). £120-150
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Quetta - Censorship. 1918 (Apr 18) Cover with Mekran Levy Corps flap posted from Panjgur to Scotland franked 1a, signed by Capt. J. Hatsun A.P.O with violet oval "PASSED CENSOR / (arms) / QUETTA" on reverse; and 1919 (June 25) stampless O.A.S cover with Kings Liverpool Regt crest posted from Quetta to Bombay with circular violet "PASSED CENSOR / QUETTA". (2). £80-100
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Third Afghan War - Censorship. 1919 Stampless O.A.S covers from Nowshera or Indian F.P.O 145 at Rawalpindi, and ¼a stationery cards (4), all censored at Peshawar with large three line "PASSED / 16 / CENSOR" or similar numbered 34, 50, 55, 65 or 74 applied at Peshawar, the F.P.O 145 cover posted on August 8th, the day the armistice was signed with the Afghans. (6). £200-250
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Third Afghan War. 1919 (May-Sep) Stampless O.A.S covers and cards posted at Indian F.P.O 146, 147, 155, Camp Post Office 22, Kohat, Dera-Ismail-Khan, Peshawar or Risalpur, the last with R.A.F crest on reverse, four with boxed "FIELD SERVICE / POSTAGE FREE" (3) or "N.W FRONTIER / POSTAGE FREE", also 1919 postcard from G.B with Indian F.P.O 434 arrival c.d.s, stamped covers from Sialkot (2) or Quetta with letters concerning the war or the death of a soldier, and four related picture postcards or photos. (16). £300-350
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Third Afghan War. 1919 (Aug 2) Stampless O.A.S cover from Satara to "Lt. M. Kirkpatrick I.M.D, 36a British General Hospital, Kohat, N.W.F" with Satara 1a due mark and boxed "POSTAGE CANCELLED BY / BASE OFFICE E / 6 AUG.", Kohat backstamp. The only date recorded by Proud, Base Office E listed by him at Port Said but this handstamp clearly used at Kohat during the Afghan campaign. Photo on Page 180. £150-180
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Waziristan Field Force. 1919-23 Covers and cards including stampless O.A.S covers (29), some with letters enclosed or cachets, various cancels, 16 with Indian F.P.O cancels comprising 144 (4), 151, 155 (2), 158 (2), 163 (2), 165 (2), 166 (2, one registered with double ring c.d.s), 444, 25 of these with boxed "FIELD SERVICE / POSTAGE FREE"; also registered cover franked 1a pair from F.P.O 165 with boxed "FPO No 165" (not recorded by Proud), registered cover from a soldier at Jandula franked 2a to U.S.A, 3a registration envelope from F.P.O 144 with the boxed Field Service handstamp and O.A.S cover to U.S.A with two I.E.F ½a stamps cancelled by the boxed Field Service handstamp, covers to soldiers (2, one with F.P.O 175 backstamp), stamped covers from an officer with interesting enclosed letters (2), card supposedly from the Kabul Mission with fake F.P.O 148 c.d.s, and other letters, picture postcards and photos. A fine collection. (50). £700-1,000
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Red Shirt Rebellion. 1931 (Mar 3) Cover franked New Delhi 2a to England with F.P.O 10 cancel, not recorded by Proud; and 1932 (Jan 26) ½a postcard franked 3p to Peshawar with violet "PASSED BY CENSOR / PSH - 19", censorship only in operation at Peshawar for seven weeks. A scarce pair. (2). £150-180
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1924-45 Covers and cards from or to officers or soldiers including 1924 registered cover from China to Waziristan, 1926 F.P.O 150 used at Landikotal, 1935 Mohmand Field Force covers registered from F.P.O 1 (2, one with boxed "F.P.O No. 1", the other with manuscript label) or from F.P.O 10, 1937 Waziristan campaign covers from F.P.O 9 or 10 or Camp Post Office No. 9, 1940 covers from F.P.O 11 (2), various 1925-31 R.A.F covers, etc. (34). £300-400
| World War Two Air Mails | |
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Japan. 1939-41 Covers (2) and a postcard from India to Japan, the first endorsed via Hong Kong, the others via Thailand. (3). £120-140
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1939-41 Covers from India to Netherlands Indies (2, one redirected to Manila), Thailand, Philippines (2, Hong Kong backstamps, one with Hong Kong censor, the other with "RECEIVED AT MANILA / BY STEAMER") or Indo-China. (6). £200-240
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Italy. 1940 Covers from India to Italy franked 1r5½a (2) or 3½a surface rate, two returned endorsed or handstamped "SERVICE SUSPENDED / RETURNED TO SENDER". (3) £100-120
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1940 Covers from the same correspondence, sent from Bombay to U.S.A, all superbly inscribed "Air Mail all the way, Pan American Clipper Service, India - Rangoon - Hong Kong - USA" (or similar), franked 2r11½a, four with green triangular "PASSED / CENSOR / 9 / HONG KONG" and backstamps of Victoria, Hong Kong, a fine group. (5). £200-240
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1940 Long registered cover from Calcutta to U.S.A via Hong Kong, 38r12½a postage paid by KGVI ½a + 4a + 8a + 1r + 2r + 10r + KGV 15r, boxed "NOT OPENED BY / CENSOR" and violet triangular "PASSED / CENSOR / 13 / HONG KONG", backstamped at Hong Kong (Dec. 7), Honolulu (Dec. 18) and Boston. A high franking with a scarce commercial use of the KGV 15r. £250-300
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