WELSH POSTAL HISTORY
3770 BRECKNOCK/MONMOUTH: The interesting range of 18th Century E/EL's with postal markings of Brecknock (4) & Monmouth comprising four distinctive circular "BRECKNOCK/L" marks and 1722 "MONMOUTH". (5). [Ex Willcocks]. £140
3771 MAPS: The splendid accumulation of album-page sized county maps, predominantly dating from the first half of the 19th Century and chiefly in colour (many have been extracted from publications such as "The Beauties of England and Wales" and Lewis's "Topographical Dictionary". (Approx. 60). [Ex Willcocks]. £150
IRISH POSTAL HISTORY - PRE 1922
3772 MISCELLANY: 1673-1924 accumulation including some rare early marks of "LIMRICK" (very fine strike - 1711) & "RATHKELE" (partly fine - 1724), a quantity of newspaper stamps on papers from early 1800's and we also note an 1865 Telegram via the Electric Telegraph Company/College Green Dublin. Fair to fine. (Qty.). £200
3773 RARE 17th CENTURY TRIO: 1679 EL's (3 - poor condition) from Youghal to London via Dublin with m/s endorsements "post pd to Dublin/4d" (2), "Pd to Dublin 8" and "forward IN". A rare trio. [Ex Willcocks]. £150
3774 MISCELLANY of EL/E's, fronts, etc. with a good range of interesting postmarks inc. Penny Posts, Frees, Too Late/Late mail, straight-line & circular Post Paids, red & black H&K packet (2), Dublin Maltese Cross, etc. (36 items). £75
3775 BOYLE: Single correspondence (1840's) to Dublin all with red boxed "PAID AT/BOYLE" marks. (55 covers and 11 fronts). [Ex Willcocks]. £150
3776 CORK: 1721-27 group of E/EL's (faults) with poor to good "CORK" straight-line marks, one 1726 example with additional "CTRY" (Country) mark struck in Dublin. A scarce group. (6). [Ex Willcocks]. £140
3777 DUBLIN: 1675-1729 Trio of EL's (faults), the 1675 example with m/s "p6" (rare so early) and London Bishop Mark, the 1727 & 1729 EL's with fair "DUBLIN" straight-line marks. [Ex Willcocks]. £100
3778 DUBLIN: c1822 cut down wrapper endorsed "Irish() Mifs Society" addressed to the reverend St. George at Ballibay showing a fine example of the red two-line "CHARITY LETTER/POST PAID" mark of Dublin. Rare thus. [Ex Willcocks]. PHOTO - see plate no. 12 £200
3779 MARITIME - H. & K. PACKET: 1861 (23 Dec.) small env. franked with 1d red to Rugby, Warwickshire with the stamp just tied to the cover by single ring "H & K PACT." c.d.s. £48
3780 "PAID" MARKS: The Martin Willcocks Provincial "PAID" Marks collection. A wonderful selection of E/EL's showing some 42 different "PAID/PAID AT" (mostly fine strikes - a few v.fine) marks. Some scarcer types noted inc. Cookstown, Derry, Eyrecourt, Fermoy, Lisnacrea, Maryboro', Navan, Portarlington, Tandrageee, Tullamore and rare red curved "POST PAID" of Wexford. (42). [Ex Willcocks]. £300
3781 PAID AT MARKS: Small group of E/EL's with boxed "PAID AT/BALLINA" marks in blue (16), black (2) & red (3). Also nine fronts with boxed black/blue & red "PAID AT/BALLINA" marks. All ex the same correspondence to Samuel Parker & Sons in Dublin. [Ex Willcocks]. £100
3782 PAID AT MARKS: Small group of E/EL's with black boxed "PAID AT/CLONMEL" (11) or boxed "PAID AT GALWAY" in black (15) & blue (3). Fair to fine. (29). [Ex Willcocks]. £100
3783 PAID AT MARKS: The small group of E/EL's (19) and fronts/part covers (38) with a variety of "PAID AT" marks inc. Cork, Drogheda, Kilkenny, Sligo & Tullamore. [Ex Willcocks] £100
3784 TRALEE: Group of early E/EL's (some ex Killarney) with straight-line markings of Tralee, all spelt "TRALEY" and with rare "CNTRY" marks struck on reverse in Dublin. Very unusual so early from this part of Ireland. (8 covers, 2 part covers). [Ex Willcocks]. £180
GREECE
3785 MISCELLANY of mint and used issues on stockcards with particular interest in middle period to modern. Some useful items noted. STC £800. (Few 100's). £120
HAITI
3786 MISSIONARY COVERS WITH LARGE BRITISH P.O. "JACMEL" C.D.Ss.: Set of four 24th Feb., 1844 ELs (some staining affects two c.d.s.'s) all posted to London (each charged "1/5") with partial to very fine black "JACMEL" c.d.s.'s. (4 covers). £60
HONG KONG, 1842-1845:
THE CAPTAIN (LATER REAR-ADMIRAL & K.C.B.) HENRY WILLIAM BRUCE CORRESPONDENCE TO HIS DAUGHTER JANE BRUCE (LATER MRS. ALEXANDER).
The following 26 lots include a recently discovered hoard of both important Postal History covers and historically important letters and contents. Captain Bruce (a veteran of the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805, when he was only 13 years old, and of the Naval War of 1812 against the US) was in command of the 76-gun Flag-ship H.M.S. Agincourt which arrived in Hong Kong to assist with in the First Opium War against the Chinese, only to find that hostilities had just ended. However, these letters cover the 3 years that the ship (and its 620 occupants) spent patrolling Chinese waters during the volatile pirate-ridden aftermath of the war. Captain Bruce had one of the two British Admirals in the area on his ship, and was in the very centre of the on-going negotiations that finally led to the acceptance by the Chinese of the Treaty Ports and the official hand-over of Hong Kong. He regularly dined with the Commander-in-Chief in Hong Kong and the British Plenipotentiary. At the end of his tour of duty, he even found himself personally escorting the millions of dollars of reparations (paid in silver bullion by the Chinese) back to England via Singapore. The letters are very legible, chatty, entertaining and full of important historical detail; they are offered for sale here for the first time.
The Postal History element includes several very fine oval “HONG KONG POST OFFICE” Arms marks, the tombstone-shaped Indian “POSTAGE/Inwards Bearing Ans…./Outwards do….” mark (only 2 examples had previously been recorded), early references to Sarawak and Borneo, etc., etc. Further sections of this correspondence – also involving Capt. Bruce’s three sons (one in the Indian Mutiny and one cruising off the West Coast of the U.S. in 1850/1) and Jane Bruce’s future husband, Jno. R. Alexander, can be found under “Ascension” & “Niger Coast”, and there is even a 6th May 1840 poem about the new “Stamp”!
Bruce eventually rose to the rank of Vice-Admiral (c.1855) and was knighted (c.1860), after which he lived a further 3 years. This is an important addition to our knowledge of the birth of Hong Kong and the labour of patrolling West African waters to prevent Slave-trading in the 1850’s. It is also an important addition to the Postal History of Hong Kong in particular.James Grimwood-Taylor, 15th Oct. 2000.
3787 THE CAPTAIN'S DIARY-LETTERS OF THE VOYAGE FROM G.B. TO SINGAPORE, ETC.; Fascinating run of May/Sept. 1842 letters (consecutive from "No.2" to "No.8"; some with postal marks) from Capt. Bruce of the "Agincourt" to his daughter at home in Ireland, from "Madeira" (fine c.d.s.), near the Equator (talk of Neptune visiting!), Rio (2; inc. one with faint boxed "Gravesend/Ship Letter" sent by returning Australian vessel), en route to C.G.H., in mid-Indian Ocean, "at Anjer" (in the Straits of Sunda between Java & Sumatra, with "LIVERPOOL/SHIP" d.s.), and "off the Strait of Banca" (between Sumatra & Borneo; posted from "SINGAPORE" - faint red boxed "Paid" d.s. on reverse). Plus c.1815 (wmk.) m/s "China Popular Air", and a few earlier letters 1829-39 inc. "HADDINGTON/PENNY POST" to France, "HATFIELD" mileage to France, and 1838/9 pair of EL's ex H.M.S. Imogene at Callao/Valparaiso. Fascinating reading with chatty descriptions of life at sea, men falling overboard, fevers, songs played by the ship's band, separate slip with drawing of an American ship chasing the "Jumping Jenny" off Chile, etc., etc. (9 covers + 4 letters + 1 drawing + 1 poem). £150
3788 EYE-WITNESS ACCOUNT OF THE BRITISH TAKE-OVER OF HONG KONG & THE PAYMENT OF WAR REPARATIONS BY THE CHINESE; 23rd Sept. ("No.9") & 6th Oct. ("No.10") 1842 covers from "Agincourt at Hong Kong" to Ireland sent apparently by Admiralty Bag; the first with env. endorsed "Admiralty" without postal marks, the second (GB 1d Red removed) posted in March 1843 from London to Ireland. The contents inc.; "...arrived only yesterday....now the China War [the First Opium War] is at an end. The Emperor has made a Treaty and the Dollars (part of 21 millions that he is to pay this country) are being embarked daily on board our ships for England...I called upon Mr. Johnstone today (who is Governor here)...Lord Saltoun is to come here from the scene of war and to be stationary in command of the Troops, the Island of Hong Kong being ceded to the British..." Historical letters from the very first days of official British involvement in Hong Kong. £150
3789 SPECTACULAR & VERY EARLY STRIKE OF THE RED ARMS "HONG KONG POST OFFICE" OVAL MARK ; 13th Oct. 1842 EL ("No.11") from "Agincourt at Hong Kong" to Ireland with 95% excellent strike (and rare thus) of the fancy red oval coat-of-arms "HONG KONG POST OFFICE" mark nicely placed beside a fine red oval "INDIA" mark on the front; charged "2/8" with London transit mark of 6th Feb. 1843. The letter gives the Captain's first impressions of living in H.K. harbour; "These Chinese....live in boats - whole families surrounding the ship...I am to go ...to Macao tomorrow [with his brother-in-law, Admiral Sir Thomas Cochrane]...Boats full of Pirates come over frequently and by night attack houses here for plunder..." A rare and early Exhibition-quality example of this elusive Hong Kong mark on a historical letter. PHOTO - see plate no. 6 £1000
3790 SCARCE RED "DEVONPORT/SHIP LETTER" COVER; Attractive 23rd Oct. 1842 EL ("No.12") from "Agincourt, Hong Kong" to Ireland with a very fine strike of this elusive mark (Rob. S7; recorded in red only during this year) nicely placed on the front, with 27th Feb. 1843 London transit mark. The contents inc.; "I have been at Macao...your Uncle [the Admiral] and I have landed at different villages near to this island and always found the Chinese friendly and harmless, but they all seem to have a dread of us...write by the Overland Mail and pay the postage...", with mention of Chusan and regiments of troops returning from the Opium War. PHOTO - see plate no. 5 £150
3791 LETTER SENT PRIVATELY "WITH A BOX" CONTAINING "LAWFUL PLUNDER OF WAR"; 24th Oct. 1842 env. (+ contents; "No.13"; sealed with silver deer wafer mentioned in P.S.) from "Agincourt, Hong Kong" without postal marks but endorsed "With a Box" and "By favour of Sir T. Herbert K.C.B.", originally sent "by the Blenheim" (see letter "No.14" in the next lot) accompanying "three Specimens of Chinese toggery; viz a Crimson Satin Lady's Dress and two mandarin Dresses...they are all the lawful plunder of War..." Rare thus. £100
3792 "SHIP LETTER" VIA INDIA, ETC.; 1st Nov. 1842 EL ("No.14") from "Agincourt at Hong Kong" to Ireland with chatty contents about mail routes, the "plunder" sent with the letter in the previous lot, mentioning that "Lord Saltoun arrived here a day or two back in the Belleisle, Troop-ship, which he has made his H.Q.", etc.; there is a fine London "SHIP LETTER" on the flap beside a fair red boxed "CALCUTTA/SHIP LETTER" d.s. Plus letters "No.17" & "No.18" (piece cut out - presumably with the H.K. Arms mark - and without wrapper respectively) with news of a visit to Canton ("a wretched huddled up town" where he had a 17/18-course "China dinner" given by a Mandarin and bought souvenirs), the troops returning from the Opium War (soldiers dying of fever, and the General with lots of "plunder"!), souvenirs sent along with the third letter (incl. a fan plundered from Nankin, "a piece of Sealing Wax which was in use at the signing of the First Treaty entered in with China the 29th of last August", etc.), and general news. (3 items). £100
3793 MACAO - SHIP LETTER SENT VIA INDIA; 23rd Dec. 1842 EL ("No.18"; apparently sent along with the earlier "No.18" in the previous lot) headed "Macao" from "Agincourt" to Ireland with fine red oval "INDIA" charged "2/8" with "2/8" charge and London 13th March transit mark. With significant news of the last throes of the Opium War saga; "The troops have all left these seas except 850 men at Hong Kong and some at other ports in China. The mob at Canton made a row last week and destroyed part of the foreign factories, burning some British property...there is much delay in the arrival at Canton of China Commissioners to complete the terms of the Treaty with the British Plenipotentiary, Sir H. Pottinger, and should the Chinese be inclined to trifle with us, force must compel them..." Up-to-date news from an officer in the midst of the best informed commanders in the area. Historical item. £150
3794 PACKET LETTERS SENT VIA INDIA OVERLAND - NEWS OF DINING REGULARLY WITH THE C-IN-C AND WITH THE BRITISH PLENIPOTENTIARY; 1st/13th Jan. 1843 pair of EL's (Nos.19 & 20) from "Agincourt, Hong Kong" to Ireland, each charged "3/6" with red oval "INDIA" and London c.d.s.'s of 13th March & 7th April; contents incl. details of twice-weekly dinners with the Hong Kong forces' Commander-in-Chief, Lord Saltoun, and regular dining (on land on board H.M.S. Agincourt) with "Sir Henry Pottinger", etc. Fine pair. (2 covers). £100
3795 NEWS OF PLANNED NAVAL TOUR OF MANILA & CHINESE PORTS; Feb./March 1843 EL's (2) plus 2 letters (without wrappers; one sent by a ship's captain) to Ireland (Nos.23, 24, 25 & 26; one redirected on arrival) all from "Agincourt, Hong Kong"; the EL's with red oval "INDIA" marks, charged "2/8" and "2/-" (latter endorsed "via Falmouth" and charged an extra "1d" for redirection to Dublin) and one with the original enclosed printed dinner invitation from "M. GENERAL LORD SALTOUN" for the previous evening. The lengthy contents give much detail of life in Hong Kong; dinner parties, a flogging, a visit to a local Missionary, a Chinese baby washed up on the beach and news that the writer was "to sail in two or three days time for Manilla...thence we proceed to the Chinese ports of Amoy and Chusan, where we have Naval and Military establishments till the whole of the China Ransom money is paid". Good lot. (2 covers + 2 letters). £100
3796 "CHINA EXPEDITION" COVER WITH VERY FINE RED ARMS "HONG KONG POST OFFICE" OVAL MARK; 1st April 1843 env. (faults effect address but with contents) "No.27" and enclosed Lord Saltoun printed dinner invitation) from "Agincourt, Hong Kong" to Ireland, unusually endorsed "China Expedition" in a second hand (matching the "Pd. Outwd. Po[stage]" endorsement on the flap ) above the address, with an unusually fine strike of the rare Arms mark and a "1/-" charge-mark alongside. Rare Exhibition quality cover. (The contents refer to the imminent voyage to Manilla; "Sir W. Parker has not allowed us to sail but we shall do so in a day or two", one Mr. Street "Governor" of "a little islet called Kellet's Island", plus the Lord Saltoun dinner.) PHOTO - see plate no. 6 £800
3797 THE RARE BOXED "PORTSMOUTH/INDIA LETTER" IN UNRECORDED BLACK INK, ETC.; 30th May 1843 env. (+ "No.29" contents) from "Agincourt, Hong Kong" to Ireland with advice that a box with 4 Manila handkerchiefs had been sent in the same troopship (the "Jupiter") and would be forwarded to her; the letter was charged "8", reached London on 9th Dec. 1843 and has a very fine black boxed "PORTSMOUTH/INDIA LETTER" (Rob.In.6; only previously recorded in red and for 1842) on the reverse. Plus letters (no wrappers) No.29A (marked "29" in error) and No.28 (2 pages being written on the backs of printed Lord Saltoun dinner invites!), both ex "Agincourt, Hong Kong" regarding delays to the Manila trip, details of the box that had been sent by the Jupiter, etc. (1 cover + 2 letters). PHOTO - see plate no. 11 £120
3798 HONG KONG P.O. "ARMS" MARK WITH THE RARE CALCUTTA TOMBSTONE BOXED "POSTAGE/Inward Bearing An./Outward do" MARKING ; 20th June 1843 EL from "Agincourt, Hong Kong" to Ireland endorsed "Overland" and charged "2/3" with a partly fine red oval "HONG KONG POST OFFICE/(Arms)" mark on the front, overstruck by a red oval "INDIA"; on the reverse is a mostly very fine strike of the distinctive and rare "POSTAGE...." mark of which Hammond-Giles only recorded 2 examples. Unusual combination of rare marks. The letter ("No.30") relays the writer's and his colleagues' annoyance at being unnecessarily detained in Hong Kong where there are two Admiral's 74-gun ships (including the Agincourt and the superior Admiral, Sir. Wm. Parker's ship) doing very little. PHOTO - see plate no. 7 £200
3799 VERY FINE RED ARMS "HONG KONG POST OFFICE" OVAL MARK ; 23rd June 1843 env. (minor tears clear of marks) to Ireland (London 23rd Oct. 1843 transit c.d.s.) from "Agincourt, Hong Kong" with contents ("No.31"; ref. the waste of having two admirals on one station, the oddities of the "Chinaman who bumboats this ship", the trouble in the writer's old posting of Tahiti, etc.), having a remarkably clear strike (and rare thus) of the Hong Kong Arms mark nicely placed (though inverted) on the front, beside the red oval "INDIA" and "2/3" arrival charge. There is also a mostly fine strike of the rare Calcutta tombstone-framed "POSTAGE/Inward Bearing An...Outward do ...." mark across the flaps. Exhibition quality. PHOTO - see plate no. 7 £600
3800 HONG KONG "ARMS" COVER WITH EYE-WITNESS ACCOUNT OF THE FORMAL ESTABLISHMENT OF HONG KONG AS A BRITISH COLONY ; Very similar 30th June 1843 env. from "Agincourt, Hong Kong" to Ireland with unusually clear "HONG KONG POST OFFICE" red oval "Arms" mark inverted on the front, charged "2/3" with red oval "INDIA" on the front and almost superb strike of the rare boxed Calcutta tombstone-framed "POSTAGE/Inward Bearing ans.../Outward do..." mark on the reverse. The contents ("No.32") include an important report of the final ratification of the Peace treaty and the Establishment of the Colony of Hong Kong; "The Chinese Commissioner - Keying - has been here and has exchanged the ratification of the Treaty with Sir. H. Pottinger; we all attended the ceremony and a dinner given by Sir Henry on the occasion at which the three Chinamen played a capital knife and fork, and carried off their liquor like regular topers. Hong Kong was at the same time declared to be a British Colony, and Sir H. Pottinger its Governor. The final commercial arrangement has yet to be completed, which a few days are expected to accomplish ...." Together with a partly printed Invitation to dinner (the important ceremonial dinner referred to in the letter presumably) with "SIR HENRY POTTINGER" on 26th June 1843, which was probably sent home in this letter as a souvenir. Important historical items and a superb Postal History Exhibition Piece. (2 items). PHOTO - see plate no. 7 £800
3801 HONG KONG "ARMS" COVER CARRIED BY THE SHIP THAT RETURNED THE TREATY PORTS RATIFICATION BACK TO G.B.; 31st July 1843 env. (small tears & edge-wear clear of marks) to Ireland (reaching London on 9th Oct.) from "Agincourt, Hong Kong" with a partly very fine red oval "HONG KONG POST OFFICE" Arms mark on the front with m/s "2/3" charge; the contents ("No.33") include; "Col. Malcolm goes by this conveyance and takes the Arrangement of tariff, and the Emperor of China's ratification of the treaty of Peace; five ports in China are now open for free trade with England ". Historically important letter. Plus similar 11th July 1843 letter (no wrapper; apparently No.32A) with further news. (2 items). PHOTO - see plate no. 5 £400
3802 HONG KONG P.O. "ARMS" MARK COVER WITH CALCUTTA TOMBSTONE REF. FEVER IN THE COLONY, ETC.; 1st/7th Sept. 1843 env. (+ lengthy 21-page contents; Nos. 34 & 35) to Ireland from "Agincourt, Hong Kong" with a mostly fine strike of the red oval Arms mark on the front (partly overstruck by a red oval "INDIA"), charged "4/1", having a mostly very fine strike of the distinctive and rare tombstone-framed "POSTAGE/Inward Bearing Ans.../Outward do ....." mark on the reverse. The contents include reference to an interruption by a loud rat in the writer's cabin, complaints of having to accompany the Admiral on voyages as a "hobby", mention of the ship "Samarang" being run aground in a "river of Borneo", and that "The island of Hong Kong has this summer been very sickly, the Army and Civil inhabitants all finding it so..." Rare thus. PHOTO - see plate no. 5 £240
3803 Similar 13th Sept. 1843 env. (+ contents ref. family & naval gossip; "No.36") from "Agincourt at Hong Kong" to Ireland charged "2/3", endorsed "Overland" with a partial strike of the rare red oval "HONG KONG POST OFFICE" Arms mark on the front, and a partly very fine strike of the rare Calcutta tombstone-framed "Postage....." mark (across an unusual home-made wafer-seal) on the reverse.. PHOTO - see plate no. 11 £200
3804 Similar 22nd Sept. 1843 EL ("No.37") from "Agincourt, Hong Kong" to Ireland with a near fine red oval "HONG KONG POST OFFICE" Arms mark on the front with "2/3" charge and red oval "INDIA", having a very fine strike of the rare Calcutta tombstone "PAID...." mark (small closed tear) conveniently struck on the top flap, with London transit c.d.s. of 5th Jan. 1844. Exhibition item. The contents mention the death from fever of one Wardrop (the mate of the "Serpent") at Amoy, and the safe arrival of the "Samarang" that had run "on shore in the Sarawak river in Borneo ..." Rare early reference to Sarawak. PHOTO - see plate no. 7 £300
3805 Similar 6th/14th Oct. 1843 env. (with letter "No.38" ref. handkerchiefs from Manila, naval gossip, etc.) to Ireland from the ship "Agincourt" (presumably at Hong Kong) with a mostly fine but overstruck "HONG KONG POST OFFICE" Arms mark (beneath part of the red boxed "INDIA" mark) on the front (sent "Overland" & charged "2/3"). There is a large part strike of the rare Calcutta tombstone-framed "[PAID]/Inward Bearing Ans.../Outward do ..." mark (with additional m/s line "Inland.....9[as]" added at foot for a total of "14 As" due) on the top flap. Rare thus. PHOTO - see plate no. 7 £240
3806 Similar 30th Nov. 1843 env. (+ letter "No.40"; mentioning the wreck of the "Memnon" steamer in the Red Sea, which may account for the absence of letter No.39) from "Agincourt, Hong Kong" to Ireland "Overland", charged "4/1" (it had contained a letter for someone else as well, hence the higher charge), with a fine to very fine strike of the "HONG KONG POST OFFICE" red oval Arms mark on the front, slightly overstruck by the red oval "INDIA", having a mostly fine tombstone-framed Calcutta "POSTAGE/Inward Bearing Ans.../Outward do ..." mark on the reverse. Rare thus. PHOTO - see plate no. 5 £240
3807 HONG KONG "ARMS" MARK ON COVER TO FRANCE VIA INDIA & IRELAND ; Unusual 2nd Jan. 1844 EL ("No.43") from "[On board] Agincourt" to Ireland and then redirected to "Paris" with a mostly very fine strike of the red oval "HONG KONG POST OFFICE" Arms mark nicely placed on the front clear of other marks with a red boxed "INDIA" nearby. On the reverse the boxed black "CALCUTTA/SHIP LETTER/Bearing" d.s. was struck in error and crossed out , with a light red strike of the correct boxed "CALCUTTA/STEAM LETTER/Paid" d.s. alongside - a rare combination. The letter notes that "Sickness has altogether ceased among our crew...Lord Saltoun has not yet returned from Manila..." Rare thus; an Exhibition Item. PHOTO - see plate no. 7 £400
3808 COVERS FROM HONG KONG TO FRANCE & GERMANY SENT UNDER COVER TO G.B. & POSTED THERE; 15th Dec. 1843 to 11th July 1844 run of letters (Nos.41, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55 & 56) sent from "Agincourt at Hong Kong" by Captain Bruce to his daughter during this period when she was on the Continent. It seems that mail could not be sent directly to the Continent from Hong Kong, and so some have the whole address in Bruce's hand while others have just his daughter's name in his hand, with the address having been added by a friend in London. Six have postal markings (prepaid from London to Paris or Wiesbaden), 7 have an address but no postal marks, and one lacks any address wrapper; most have attractive wafer-seals. The letters are full of Capt. Bruce's usual mixture of descriptions of life in Hong Kong, naval gossip, mail-ships and p[ersonal news; "Sir Wm. Parker is now fairly gone from the China seas", "[plans to return to England -] three years of the ship and the constant turmoil about nothing [is too much] for any well meaning private gentleman", a new British Minister in Peking, "I send it [this letter] under cover to Harry [his son] to forward to you", details of a disastrous attempt to "trade with the Natives of Borneo", criticism of his "detested" Admiral, "the French & Americans have sent out Embassies", "the Agincourt and Castor are in fact the only two ships on the China coast at this date [1st June 1844]", "the New Governor, Mr. Davis" (and his meetings with the Chinese officials on board), and "[in] a few days...Sir Thos. [Cochrane] will become [the new] Commander in Chief" (11th July 1844). Important historical background to the early years of the Colony and rare examples of early mail from Hong Kong to the Continent of Europe. (13 covers + 1 letter). £400
3809 MACAO - EARLY COVER TO GERMANY VIA LONDON, MENTION OF BORNEO PIRATES, ETC.; 26th July 1844 EL ("No.57") from "Macao" (sent by the "Spiteful" which got "upon a Rock [and so] must be sent to Bombay for repair"; see letter "No.58" in this lot) addressed to "Poste Restante, Wiesbaden", sent under cover to London and posted (prepaid "3/4") from there, with interesting contents ref. Macao pirates (two of General d'Aguilar's sons were robbed but mercifully not murdered by them), also mentioning that "Sir Thos. [Cochrane] has yesterday received from Sir W. Parker his app[ointmen]t as Commander in Chief; he [has] asked me to accompany him to Macao for a couple of days..." Plus 31st July & 16th Aug. 1844 EL's (no postal marks; nos. 58 & 59) sent from H.M.S. Agincourt at Hong Kong to the same addressee (the Captain's daughter) but sent all the way under separate cover; ref. the stranding of the "Spiteful", "Captain Belcher [of the Samarang] was lately badly wounded by pirates who attacked him while he was in his boats surveying; they made an example of the Pirates, however, sinking their vessels and killing many of the men; it happened on the coast of Borneo", "We sail ...for Chusan about the 27th of this month [Aug.]...I accompanied the Admiral to Chuckchou", etc. (3 covers). £120
3810 CHINA - "CHUSAN" LETTERS TO GERMANY , ETC.; Five 19th Sept. to 25th Dec. 1844 EL's (Nos.61, 62, 63, 64 & 65) from "Agincourt at Chusan" (4) or "At Sea" [off Chusan] to Miss Bruce in Wiesbaden, incl. two posted from London prepaid "1/3" or "5" Via France, one with German States stamps cut out, and 2 addressed but without postal marks. Also a similar 21st Nov. 1844 EL from "Agincourt, Chusan" but addressed to Alexander Bruce (the indebted son) at Woolwich "R.M. Academy", sent "via Southampton" with a very fine large 26th Nov. "HONG-KONG" c.d.s.; charged "1/-" and then "1/1" after redirection to London. Contents include naval gossip, and "[we] have been cruising off the entrance to the Whang-ho, or Yellow River", an easy Flogging (only 2 dozen lashes!), "If they read this at the Post office, I hope they will be amused" [this was the time of the Anti-Graham Campaign in Britain and the scandal of the "Secret Post Office" in London], the death of Lieut. "of the Dido, killed in action with the pirates of Borneo", "I am going with [Sir. Thos. Cochrane, the C-in-C] to Ningpo...in the Vixen, steamer, to return in two days" (Xmas Day), "...out of 620 persons in the ship, there is not one that at all resembles you", etc. Rare group of early letters from Chusan. Plus a manuscript programme for the "Theatre Royal, Chusan" naval play/opera involving Capt. Bruce himself! (6 covers + 1 programme). PHOTO - see plate no. 12 £240
3811 THE FINAL HONG KONG & SINGAPORE COVERS TO GERMANY; 21st Jan. to 10th March 1845 EL's (3; 2 posted from London to Wiesbaden, with one redirected locally, and one without postal marks) + 1 letter (no wrapper), all from "Agincourt at Hong Kong" to Miss Bruce (Nos. 66, 67,68, & 69), regarding Captain Bruce's final preparations for return to England ("the French [now] being quiet and peaceable") after 3 years in Hong Kong, and the good luck of being ordered by the Admiral to sail in the Agincourt for the first part of the journey; "The Admiral has ordered me to take in this ship to Singapore [sic] the Chinese Instalment of [War Reparations] money - amounting to two Millions and a half Dollars [in "Sycee Silver"]- to be put on board the Cambrian for passage to England." He also notes that; "Hong Kong is undergoing much improvement, and Buildings, Roads and other public works are making a great show.", "The French have taken possession of an island near to the Philippines (Manila) as a set-off against Hong Kong, its name is Bassillan, so we must keep up a respectable force of ships at Hong Kong in readiness to check, or to capture, them.", and "I was at Amoy a few days ago." Plus a similar 2nd April 1845 EL from "Agincourt at Singapore" posted prepaid from London to Wiesbaden (and redirected); "...having Treasure on board, the ship [the "Cambrian", in which he is to sail for England the next day] will go there [Portsmouth] first..." Important insights into the birth of Hong Kong and rare mail from the Far East to Germany. (4 covers + 1 extra letter). £100
3812 THE BALANCE OF THE "BRUCE" CORRESPONDENCE (but see also Ascension & Niger Coast sections); 1845-77 covers incl. 1845 Irish "BELLAGHY" EL with mention of Troubles in Fermanagh, 1845 EL from Capt. Bruce in London to Germany, lovely Pictorial 1846 letter-sheet of Boulogne from the Captain to Ireland, 1847/8 pair of Coleraine village marks, 1849 EL from Florence to Malta with Corfu marks and oval "G. GRANT/MALTA" F.A.C., 1851 EL with mention of the Great Exhibition, 1850/1 pair of near fine "PANAMA/TRANSIT" d.s.'s (part letter + env. apparently ex British Naval patrol off the American Pacific Coast), 1853 red boxed London "PACKET LETTER", few 1860/77 GB Admiralty OHMS envs., etc. Plus "London May 6 [18]40" poem from the Captain to his daughter; "Since worse than plain, They've made the penny-cover, Then use a stamp, But make it damp, Or you'll be charged twice over. A Rover in clover." Fascinating variety! (19 covers + 1 poem.) £150
HONG KONG
3813 MISCELLANY of better items on stockcard incl. 1891 2c Jubilee used, 1912 $2 & $3 mint, 1938 $5 lilac & scarlet mint block of four (streaky gum), 1946 $10 lilac & blue very lightly mounted bottom marginal mint and 1954 $2 to $10 unmounted mint. (28). £160
3814 1898 (1 June) Front and a portion of the back (detached) registered from Pakhoi via Hong Kong to Yokohama with the back franked with China 5c x 2 tied by 5 horizontal bar chop and the front bearing a Hong Kong 20c on 10c surcharge and an almost complete strike of the large Pakhoi bi-lingual c.d.s.; the cover probably bore another pair of 5c on the missing portion. Also 2 Japanese album leaves mainly bearing forgeries and a GB KGV used registered envelope. (5 items). £75
INDIA
3815 CARTON containing the mint and used accumulation of mainly post 1948 issues inc. a little earlier with cancellation interest. Also a small amount of non India items. (Large Qty.). £120
3816 BOX with the interesting accumulation of India & States on stockcards, leaves, in packets & loose. A useful lot inc. 1854 1anna (2) to 4 annas (cut to shape), KGV to 25r, KGVI 1937 to 1r mint, 1949 to 10r, 1955 to 10r, etc. (Qty.). £90
3817 COVERS: The assortment of covers/cards covering mainly the period 1880-1948. Noted are French P.O. items, postal stationery, registered envelopes, censored mail and a few colourful surface printed rates. Also a little Burma. Mixed condition. (Qty.). £300
3818 MISCELLANY OF COVERS: 1917-c1952 selection of covers mainly to the same addressee in the U.K. from Assam, India but a few from Burma, with a range of adhesive stamps (some of them opt. "SERVICE") and cancellations, slogans inc. "TELEPHONE SAVES/TIME AND MONEY" and "TELEPHONE MAKES/LIFE EASIER", explanatory marks like "NOT OPENED BY/CENSOR" with different codes, various censor marks and sealing strips, airmail covers (incl. censored), the odd postal stationery airmail env., registered cover and Army Post Office c.d.s.; mixed condition but a fascinating lot. (Approx. 70 covers). £90
3819 1854-1949 Mint/unused collection inc. 1854 1/2a (6, inc. one marginal, one poor), 1a (2) & 2a. 1855 4a (2) & 8a (fair only), 1856-64 1/2a, 2a pink, 2a buff, 2a yellow, 4a grey & 8a. 1860 8p shades (7), 1866-78 4a (5) & 2a 6p (2), 1868 8a (3), 1874 9p (3) & 1r (2), 1876 6a (3) & 12a (3), 1882-88 1/2a to 1r, 1895 2r (2) to 5r, 1926-31 3p to 25r (foxed), 1940-43 3p to 14a and 1949 3p to 15r. Mixed condition. (240+) £400
3820 1854 Used selection with 1/2a Die 1 (11, inc. a pair), Die II (3) & Die III (6, inc. a vertical pair), 1a Die I (6), Die II (3), 2a (9) and 4a (15, inc. a cut square pair and nine cut square singles). Also three 1/2a covers. Very mixed condition. £300
3821 1855-1946 Used collection inc. 1855 blued paper 4a (8, inc. two on cover to Scotland) & 8a (8), 1856-64 1/2a (9), 1a (6), 2a pink (2), 2a yellow buff (5), 2a yellow (3), 4a (9), 4a green (5), 8a (4), 1860 8p (6), 1865 4a (5) & 8a (3), 1866 6a (12), 1866-78 6a 8p (6), 1874 9p (4) & 1r (2), 1882-90 1/2a to 1r, 1895 2r (3), 3r (3) & 5r. 1902-11 3p to 25r (fiscal), 1911-22 3p to 25r, 1926-33 3p to 25r and 1937 3p to 25r. Mixed condition but some good adhesives are included. £240
3822 1855 (Oct.) Blued paper 4a x 2 and 8a x 2 one gum toned. Mounted mint. SG. Cat. £1,550. £120
3823 1856-64 1a, 2a dull pink (light vertical crease), 2a yellow, 4a grey black & 8a. Mounted mint. Some faults. SG. £950+. £80
3824 1856 Prepared for use but never issued 2a yellow-green, centred to top, mounted mint with full (slightly toned) gum. SG.50. Cat. £700. £70
3825 1860 1/2a (3), 8p (2), 2a orange (3), 2a brown orange (2), 4a centred to upper right and 8a torn. Mint/unused. SG. Cat. £1,400+. £100
3826 1866 8a purple, two defective mint singles. SG 68. Cat. £2,200. £80
3827 1902-11 3p (2), 1a, 2a (2), 2a 6p to 4a (2), 6a (2), 8a (2), 12a, 1r (2), 2r (3), 3r (2), 5r, 10r, 15r & 25r (toned but of good appearance). 1911-22 3p (3), 1/2a (2), 1a (3), 11/2a (3), 2a (3), 2a 6p (2), 3a (2), 4a, 6a (3), 8a (3), 12a (2), 1r to 10r (toned), 15r and 25r. Mounted mint with some faults. SG. 119-147 and 151-191. Cat. £1,350. PHOTO – INSIDE FRONT COVER £100
3828 1921 Part env. (reduced at left) used from Godhra to Halol franked on reverse with two horizontal pairs of the 9p on 1a each containing the "NINE/NINE" variety. £70
3829 1921 9p on 1a, a vertical pair with "PIES/PIES" variety on lower stamp. two marginal pairs with "PIES/PIES" variety. Also a toned horizontal pair with surcharge double variety. SG. 192b & c. Cat. £490. £60
3830 1937 3p to 25r. Fine mounted mint. SG 247-264. Cat. £225. £60
3831 MILITARY - CAMP CANCELLATIONS: 1898-1948 The interesting collection of camp cancels. inc. Bellary, Wadwhan, Cawnpore, Devali, Belgaum, Prince of Wales & Kamptee. Also other military c.d.s. inc. Quetta Cantonment, Mhow Barracks, Fort Dufferin, Brigade Road, Saugor Infantry School, Royal Artillery Bazaar and British Cavalry Lines. Fair to fine strikes. (118 plus some oddments). £200
3832 OFFICIALS: 1866-1942 mainly used collection inc. 1909 2r to 25r, 1912-13 3p to 25r and 1926-31 3p to 10r. Mostly fine used. (250+). £120
3833 POSTAL STATIONERY: 1884-1920 The mainly unused collection of postcards, registered envelopes and envelopes. Also Indian States stationery inc. items of Travancore, Patiala, Nabha, Gwalior and Raipor. Mixed condition. (Qty.). £140
3834 SERVICE: 1866-42 mint collection inc. 1866-72 8a (23, inc. a block of twelve) & 4a green, 1867-73 1r (toned), 1909 values to 25r, 1912-13 3p to 25r, 1926-31 3p to 10r, 1930 1a, 1926 1a error and 1937-39 1/2a to 10r. Mixed condition. (140+). £350
3835 SERVICE: 1866 "SERVICE/TWO ANNAS" unused with much original gum, virtually free of the usual surface rubbing, and 1866 curved "SERVICE POSTAGE" in green 1/2a mauve with overprint well to left, some creasing. Both a little heavily mounted. SG. 015 & 019. Cat. £650. PHOTO – INSIDE FRONT COVER £100
3836 SERVICE: 1866 "SERVICE/POSTAGE" 2a purple, unused with trimmed perfs at left and other faults. 1866 "SERVICE/POSTAGE" 4a purple with central "8" in diamond of bars cancel. Some creasing and other faults. SG. 016 & 018. Cat. £1,900. PHOTO - see plate no. 14 £150
3837 SERVICE: 1866 "SERVICE/POSTAGE" 8a purple with central "1" in oval cancel, perforations cut away on all sides and a few surface abrasions. SG. 018. Cat. £3,250. BPA Cert. (1984). PHOTO – INSIDE FRONT COVER £120
INDIAN CONVENTION STATES
3838 1886-1947 Used collection inc. Chamba inc. 1913 3p to 1r, 1927-37 values to 1r, 1938 8a & 12a and service 1886-1898 1/2a to 1r. Faridkot inc. 1887-1900 values to 1r slate, Gwalior inc. 1903-11 3p to 2r, 1908-11 3pto 5r, 1928-36 3p to 25r. Jhind inc. 1886-98 1/2a to 1r, 1903-09 values to 1r, 1937-38 5r & 10r. 1941-43 1r to 15r. Nabha 1885-1900 2r, 1903-09 3p to 1r, 1928-37 values to 2r, Patiala inc. 1937-38 1r, 1941-46 1r, . Also some officials and covers of various states plus some cancellation interest. (Qty.). £200
3839 CHAMBA/FARIDKOT: 1887-1947 mounted mint collection with Chamba inc. 1886-95 1/2a to 5r (no gum), 1927-37 3p to 1r, 1940-43 3p to 12a. Also service 1887-98 1/2a to 1r & 1927-39 3p to 10r. Faridkot 1887-1900 1/2a to 1r and service 1887-98 1/2a to 1r. Mostly fine. (197). £140
3840 CHAMBA: 1895 5r ultramarine and violet. Good used. SG.21. Cat. £300. £60
3841 CHAMBA: 1938 3p to 25r mounted mint. The 1r creased, others fine. SG.082-99. Cat. £650. PHOTO – BACK COVER £140
3842 CHAMBA: 1942-47 1/2a to 25r. Fine mounted mint. SG.100-107. Cat. £550. PHOTO – BACK COVER £120
3843 CHAMBA - SERVICE: 1938-40 9p to 10r mounted mint. The 10r a little foxed, others fine. SG.066-071. Cat. £700. PHOTO – BACK COVER £150
3844 CHAMBA - SERVICE: 1940-43 3p to 10r mounted mint. Fine. SG.072-086. Cat. £325. £80
3845 GWALIOR: 1885-1947 mounted mint collection inc. 1885 1/2a to 2a, 1885-96 13mm 1/2a to 1r and 15mm 1/2a to 1r, 1885 red overprint 15mm 1/2a to 1r, 1885-96 1/2a to 5r, 1903-11 1/2a to 5r, 1912-14 3p to 5r, 1942-45 3p to 12a & 1949 3p to 8a. Also service inc. 1907-08 8mm 3p to 1r, 1913-23 3p to 1r, 1927-35 3p to 10r, 1940-42 3p to 8a and 1942-47 1r to 10r. A few are a little toned but mostly fine. (234). £340
3846 GWALIOR: 1928-36 3p to 25r mounted mint. Fine. SG.86-101. Cat. £225. £60
3847 GWALIOR: 1938-48 3p to 25r. Fine used except for the 25r which has a light internal crease. SG.105-117. Cat. £300. £80
3848 GWALIOR: 1938-48 3p to 25r mounted mint. The 10r with vertical bend, others fine. SG.105-117. Cat. £375. £80
3849 GWALIOR: OFFICIAL 1927 3p to 10r used. Fine except for the three lowest values. SG. O61-72. Cat. £350. PHOTO – INSIDE FRONT COVER £80
3850 JIND: 1885 (July) 1/2a to 1r and 1885 red overprints 1/2a to 1r. Mounted mint/unused some gum toning and other faults. SG. 1-12. Cat. £1,250. £120
3851 JIND: 1885-1943 mounted mint collection inc. 1886 red overprint 1/2a to 1r, 1914-27 3p to 5r, 1927-37 3p to 25r & 1940-43 3p to 12a. Also service 1885 1/2a to 2a,1914-27 3p to 5r and 1927-37 3p to 10r. A few are toned, but mainly fine. (154). £120
3852 JIND: 1886-99 1/2a to 5r mounted mint. The 2r and some lower values gum toned & heavily mounted, others fine. SG.17-35. Cat. £850. PHOTO – BACK COVER £180
3853 JIND: 1896 5r ultramarine and violet with central hooded barred "J" cancel. SG.35. Cat. £600. PHOTO – INSIDE FRONT COVER £100
3854 JIND: 1937-38 3p to 25r mounted mint. 25r creased & with tiny rust spot, others fine. SG.109-126. Cat. £550. PHOTO – INSIDE FRONT COVER £80
3855 JIND: 1941-43 3p to 25r. Mounted mint, 1r with suspicion of a small thin, others fine. SG.127-136. Cat. £325. PHOTO – INSIDE FRONT COVER £80
3856 JIND - SERVICE: 1937-40 1/2a to 10r. Fine mounted mint except for the 5r which has a rounded corner. SG.O66-O72. Cat. £325. £80
3857 JIND - SERVICE: 1939-43 3p to 10r. Fine mounted mint. SG.O73-O86. Cat. £300. £70
3858 NABHA: 1885-1945 mint collection inc. 1885 1/2a to 1r (unused), 1885-1900 red overprint 1/2a to 1r, 1885-1900 1/2a to 5r, 1903-10 3p to 1r, 1928-37 3p to 5r, 1942-45 3p to 1a. Also service 1885 1/2a to 2a, 1885-1897 1/2a to 1r, 1913 4a & 1r. Mostly fine mounted mint. (157). £200
3859 NABHA: 1938 3p to 25R. Some lower values plus the 1r & 10r are thinned. SG.77-94. Cat. £300. £80
3860 NABHA - SERVICE: 1940-43 3p to 5r. Mounted mint, 2r with light gum bends, others fine. SG.055-068. Cat. £225. £60
3861 PATIALA: 1884-1947 mounted mint collection inc. 1884 1/2a to 1r, 1891-96 1/2a to 5r (stained & foxed), 1912-26 3p to 5r, 1928-34 3p to 2r, 1941 3p to 1r. Also service 1937-39 1/2a to 5r and 1939-44 3p to 5r. Mixed condition, many are fine. (185). £160
3862 PATIALA: 1937-38 3p to 25r mounted mint. A few with light bends. Fresh colours. SG.80-97. Cat. £425. PHOTO – INSIDE FRONT COVER £120
3863 PATIALA: 1891 4a olive with "PATIALA" omitted, vertical crease and service 1891 1/2a green with "SERVICE" inverted. Fresh mint. SG.021a & 08a. Cat. £430. £60
3000-3076 3077-3161 3162-3242 3243-3332 3333-3420 3421-3501 3502-3590
3591-3674 3675-3769 3770-3863 3864-3951 3952-4029 4030-4071 INDEX