1160

EGYPT USED IN SUAKIN COVER JUST PRIOR TO THE OPENING OF THE BRITISH ARMY P.O.; 21st March 1885 env. (closed tear at top left does not detract) to London franked by an Egypt 1pi blue tied by a nearly fine "SOUAKIN" c.d.s. Written by a Lieut. of the Coldstream Guards. Attractive cover sent by a British Officer less than a week before the Army P.O. opened. Illustrated in "19th Ce. Wars", p.133.

£200

1161

SUDAN USAGE OF THE "BRITISH ARMY POST OFFICE/EGYPT" DATESTAMP; 28th/31st March 1885 env. (minor creasing) to G.B. "via Brindisi" franked by G.B. 1d lilacs (2; one with faults) & ½d blue all tied by mostly very fine strikes of the "C"-coded "BRITISH ARMY POST OFFICE/EGYPT" c.d.s. which had been used in Egypt in 1882 and arrived in Sudan with the P.O. Corps on or around 26th March 1885. Written by a Captain in the Hussars (see his photo in "19th Ce. Wars", p.134). John recorded only 11 covers (of which 8 are in his collection!) with this Sudan usage of the APO c.d.s. Exhibition item. Illustrated in "19th Ce. Wars", p.135 & Colour Plate xiv.

£400

1162

Similar 29th April 1885 env. from the same correspondence to G.B., but franked by a G.B. 2½d dull lilac tied by a mostly very fine strike of the "A"-code "BRITISH ARMY POST OFFICE/EGYPT" c.d.s., endorsed "Suakin, Ap. 28 '85" on the flap. Very rare and attractive franking. Illustrated in "19th Ce. Wars", p.136.

£400

1163

THE UNIQUE (?) SUDAN USAGE OF THE "BRITISH ARMY POST OFFICE/EGYPT" C.D.S. ON COVER TO EGYPT WITH POSTAGE DUE LABEL; Remarkable 6th April 1885 stampless (originally) env. (minor opening tears at top) to Cairo endorsed "No stamps available" and endorsed by the sender, Capt. Lloyd of the "Grenadier Guards, Suakin Field Force" on the front, having a fine "C"-code "BRITISH ARMY POST OFFICE/EGYPT" c.d.s. (Suakin usage presumably) on the front overstruck by a boxed "T" mark, and so with an Egypt 1pi red Postage Due label alongside tied by a v. fine "CAIRE/ARRIVEE" c.d..s. Exceptional destination, endorsements and Postage Due usage on Sudan A.P.O. cover!! Illustrated in "19th Ce. Wars", p.137 & Colour Plate xv.

£600

1164

SUDAN USAGE OF THE "BRITISH ARMY POST OFFICE/EGYPT" C.D.S. ON SOLDIER's 1d CONCESSION RATE COVER; Attractive 29th April 1885 env. (minor creases) to Chatham franked by a G.B. 1d lilac tied by a very fine "A"-code "BRITISH ARMY POST OFFICE/EGYPT" c.d.s. (Suakin usage presumably); correctly headed and countersigned for a Sergeant with the Transport Corps at "Suakim". One of only three or four such 1d rate covers recorded from Sudan (see also the next lot and the NSW Contingent cover, below), and of Exhibition quality. Illustrated in "19th Ce. Wars", p.138 & Colour Plate xv.

£500

1165

Similar 22nd April 1885 1d CONCESSION RATE env. (toned and creasing, etc.) to Newcastle on Tyne, franked by a G.B. 1d lilac tied by a very fine "A"-code "BRITISH ARMY POST OFFICE/EGYPT" c.d.s. used in Sudan; correctly headed & countersigned for a Corporal in the "R.E. Survey detach[men]t. Suakim". These engineers were busy with the short-lived railway line being built from Suakin to Berber. Very rare thus.

£400

1166

THE UNIQUE (?) 7-BAR "BA/E" BRITISH ARMY P.O. (SUDAN) CANCELLATION - THE ONLY KNOWN EXAMPLE; c.1885 unaddressed official env. ("DIEU ET MON DROIT" coat of arms on flap) with a superb strike of this cancellation that has never been recorded on cover (or even on loose stamp) as far as we are aware, endorsed "Specimen of postal cancellation used by the British Army in Egypt. 1st Soudan Campaign." This is the cover referred to in "19th Ce. Wars", p.130.

£100

1167

OFF-COVER 1885 USAGES OF G.B. ADHESIVES WITH THE SUDAN "BRITISH ARMY POST OFFICE/EGYPT" DATESTAMPS; 7th April to 11th May 1885 usages of G.B. ½d blue, 1d lilac (3; 1 on piece), 2½d dull lilac (2 on pieces) and 5d dull green (rare thus; 3 incl. 1 on piece). Rare lot with mostly very fine strikes of these rare c.d.s.'s, incl. codes "A"(4) & "C"(5). (10 stamps).

£120

1168

TELEGRAPH STAMPS - RARE SUAKIN & QUARANTINE ISLAND USAGES; 20th March to 8th May 1885 usages of the G.B. "MILITARY TELEGRAPHS" stamps (all but one - a strip of 3 - on pieces of their original telegram forms) cancelled by mostly very fine purple "SK" & "QI" coded "FIELD TELEGRAPHS" c.d.s.'s, nos. "16" & "3". Very rare lot; not obtainable on complete forms. Illustrated in "19th Ce. Wars", pp.140/1. (9 items).

£150

1169

INGOING "Via MILITARY POST" COVER FROM G.B. TO THE "SUAKIN-BERBER RAILWAY, SUAKIN"; Unusual 14th May 1885 env. with printed address and "Via MILITARY POST" addressed to Lucas & Aird, the railway engineers for the ill-fated military railway from Suakin to Berber, franked by a G.B. 2½d dull lilac tied by a fine Kettering duplex. Rare cover directly connected with this early Sudan Railway. Illustrated in "19th Ce. Wars", p.139.

£100

1170

EARLY "RED CROSS" COVER FROM A BRITISH NURSE; 3rd Aug. 1885 env. (flap folded up to display its fine red printed "+", initialled "M.S.C.") to London franked by an Egypt 1pi blue tied by a very fine "CAIRE/DEPART" c.d.s., and endorsed "Not known as directed" on the flap in London. The sender would have been one of the nurses at the Citadel Hospital where the sick and wounded from the brief 1885 Sudan/Nile Campaigns were treated. Illustrated in "19th Ce. Wars", p.200.

£100

1171

(THE FUTURE LORD) KITCHENER WRITES FROM KHARTOUM IN LATE 1886; 3rd/5th Oct. 1886 letter (no env. & with overall toning) headed from "Souakin" and addressed to a Mr. Wylde, written and signed by Kitchener at the very end of the British Occupation of Sudan in late 1886. The letter relates to the imminent arrival of Mr. Wylde's brother who was en route from the "Coast", and also includes; "...my pay here begins on 1st Sept., will you see that they pay me up to then. I have told the W[ar]. O[ffice]....that I believe [the] F[oreign]. O[ffice]. will square matters...Many thanks for Ld Iddesleigh's despatch approving of my last reports...I have got about 1,000 friendlies surrounding the rebels at Tamai, but they can's get into the rebel fort; the rebels have 13 guns, 6 being Krupps (rather nasty things to face with spear and shield), so they ask me for help & I have to tell them to go and die for their country, & that I would not for the world rob them of such a noble chance of doing so. I think with time & patience we shall open up the country. I have a ripping brigade here fit for anything..." Important insight into the views of the man who was later to make his name in Khartoum. Plus a file of related items incl. 6 unused Sudan stamps, 1 19th century print & 3 PPC's. (11 items).

£150

SUDAN - THE SECOND SUAKIN EXPEDITION – INDIAN FORCES 1885/6

1172

COMBINATION OF INDIAN & BRITISH F.P.O./ARMY P.O. MARKS ON THE SAME COVER; Very fine 31st March 1885 env. to London franked by an India 2as blue tied by a very fine "B" grid of the Indian F.P.O. in Sudan (v. fine matching "FIELD P.O." c.d.s. on the reverse), also with a very fine strike of the equally rare Sudan usage of the "C"-code "BRITISH ARMY POST OFFICE/EGYPT" c.d.s. alongside. An exceptional combination. The letter is thought to have been news of the death of a Lieut. of the Bombay Infantry in the 22nd March Battle of Tofrek, addressed to his (?) mother. Exhibition item, and one of the finest of the few Sudan Indian F.P.O. covers to have survived. Illustrated in "19th ce. Wars", p.142 & Colour Plate xvi.

£650

1173

THE "FIELD P.O." C.D.S. & MATCHING "B" GRID CANCEL ON COVER TO INDIA; Very fine 27th April 1885 usage of the India 1a brown Postal Stationery env. to Murree, uprated with India 2as blue both cancelled by mostly very fine "B" grid cancels, having a very fine matching "FIELD P.O." c.d.s. on the reverse. Very rare and attractive Sudan cover. Illustrated in "19th Ce. Wars", p.144.

£500

1174

THE VERY RARE SUDAN USAGE OF THE "No. 1/FIELD P.O./B" DUPLEX ON COVER TO G.B.; 1885 env. (toning affects address panel, but with fancy "BOMBAY GRENADIERS" flap) to Kent franked by India 2as blue tied by a mostly very fine strike of this duplex of which only a handful are recorded from Sudan; initialled "R.W." on the front by Major Westmacott of the 28th Regt. Bombay Infantry. An important Indian Military and Sudan cover. Illustrated in "19th Ce. Wars", p.143.

£400

1175

SUDAN "FIELD P.O." USAGE OF THE SOLDIERS' 9pi CONCESSION RATE POSTAL STATIONERY ENVELOPE; Very fine 18th Nov. 1885 usage of the 9pi red "SOLDIERS' AND SEAMEN'S ENVELOPE" (opened out to display Indian backstamps) to India cancelled by a very fine "FIELD P.O." c.d.s. of the Indian Contingent in Sudan, correctly countersigned by a Captain of the Commissary General's office. A rare usage of the c.d.s. as cancellation. Exhibition quality. Illustrated in "19th Ce. Wars", p.146.

£500

1176

MUCH TRAVELLED INGOING COVER TO SUDAN WITH INDIAN F.P.O. BACKSTAMPS, ETC.; 4th June 1885 mourning env. (understandable edge wear and opened out to display backstamps) addressed to "Royal Marines, Souakin, Egypt", franked by a G.B. 2½d dull lilac tied by the Scottish Huntly duplex, with very fine 22nd June Indian "FIELD P.O." arrival c.d.s. on the flap; redirected back to Portsmouth (with a second 80% 23rd June "FIELD P.O." c.d.s. on the back) and then endorsed "To await arrival of H.M.S. Victor Emmanuel, China", with "T" mark and "2½" Postage Due charge for the redirection back from Sudan. Exceptional cover with rare routing and Indian FPO marks. Illustrated in "19th Ce. Wars", p.145.

£300

1177

INGOING COVER FROM G.B. TO SUAKIN WITH LATE USAGE OF INDIAN "FIELD P.O." ARRIVAL C.D.S.; 19th April to 4th May 1886 env. (flap lost and faults at top left) addressed "To the Principal Medical Officer, The Camp, Suakin, Egypt", franked by G.B. 2½d dull lilac, 1d lilac & ½d blues (3) all tied by Bradford (Yorks.) duplexes (and all crossed by ironed crease) for the double 2½d rate; on the reverse is a very fine Indian Contingent "FIELD P.O." c.d.s. of 4th May 1886, just one week before the very last allied troops left Sudan in the hands of the Egyptian Army. Rare thus. Illustrated in "19th Ce. Wars", p.147.

£240

SUDAN - THE SECOND SUAKIN EXPEDITION – AUSTRALIAN FORCES 1885

1178

SOLDIER's 1d CONCESSION RATE USAGE OF A G.B. 1d PINK ENVELOPE TO AUSTRALIA WITH "BRITISH ARMY POST OFFICE/EGYPT" C.D.S.; 22nd April 1885 usage of a G.B. 1d pink Postal Stationery env. to Sydney cancelled by a mostly very fine Sudan usage of the "A"-code "BRITISH ARMY POST OFFICE/EGYPT" c.d.s. Endorsed "On Active Service", headed from a Private in the "N.S.W.I[nfantry]., Soudan" and countersigned by "[Col.] A. Paul" [2nd in Command]...N.S.W. Contingent". An exceptionally rare Postal Stationery usage, but also one of the finest of only a handful of Australian Contingent covers recorded from Sudan. Exhibition item. Illustrated in "19th Ce. Wars", p.148 & Colour Plate xvi.

£1200

1179

STAMPLESS "N.S.W. CONTINGENT" COVER EX "HANDUB" TO G.B. WITH "BRITISH ARMY POST OFFICE/EGYPT" C.D.S.; Attractive 28th/29th April 1885 unpaid env. (minor stains - probably caused before the letter was posted! - see quote of contents below - and two vertical creases) to London endorsed "No stamps procurable on active service", signed by the sender "Major Mackenzie, N.S.W.Contingent, Camp, Handub" and with a very fine (crease) "A"-code "BRITISH ARMY POST OFFICE/EGYPT" c.d.s.; so with fine boxed "T" mark and superb London handstruck "2½D" mark on the front, being the correct single Officer's Rate. Complete with original contents written at "Otao, Sudan" to the Major's mother, incl.; "...We are well to the front - Arabs active but not in great force; they fired 97 shots at us [the] night before last & a few last night, but they only wounded one camel driver...excuse state of paper, nothing can be kept clean here." Very rare Australian Contingent cover and a rare stampless O.A..S. example. Illustrated in "19th Ce. Wars", p.149.

£900

SUDAN - THE DONGOLA EXPEDITION, ETC., 1895/6

1180

PRELUDE TO THE CAMPAIGN - "ARMY OF OCCUPATION" SOLDIER's 1d (5m) CONCESSION RATE COVER TO G.B.; Attractive 22nd Jan. 1894 env. headed & countersigned for a Private of the Dragoon Guards in "Cairo, Egypt, Army of Occupation", franked by a single Egypt 5m red, tied by a very fine "CAIRE" c.d.s. Very good example of an "Army of Occupation" cover. Illustrated in "19th Ce. Wars", p.202.

£75

1181

Similar 18th April 1894 Concession Rate env. to Birkenhead endorsed "British Army of Occupation" in red, countersigned but without a Private being named, and franked at the Soldiers' 5m Concession Rate with Egypt 1m brown (2) & 3m orange, all tied by very fine "ALEXANDRIE" c.d.s.'s, having a very fine purple double oval "DETACHT. ARMY SERVICE CORPS" dated cachet on the flap. Spectacular.

£100

1182

THE MAHDI's LONG-TERM PRISONER OF WAR, COL. SLATIN, WRITES A FEW DAYS AFTER HIS ESCAPE; 1st April 1895 env. to Germany franked by Egypt 1pi blue tied by a very fine "CAIRE" c.d.s., with the original contents, written in German and signed by the recently escaped "R[udolf]. Slatin" and addressed to "Giegler Pascha", who had been acting Governor of the Sudan in 1882. Slatin had been kept Prisoner by the Mahdi from Dec. 1883 until his dramatic escape from Omdurman in Feb. 1895! This letter was written just 12 days after his reappearance in Cairo following his escape. Historical letter. Illustrated in "19th Ce. Wars", p.153. Also an undated note in English signed "R. Slatin" to "Douglas-Murray" ref. Arab dress and 1 PPC. (3 items).

£150

1183

THE MAHDI's LONG TERM PRISONER, FATHER J. OHRWALDER, WRITES FROM SUAKIN SOON AFTER SLATIN's ESCAPE; 26th May 1895 usage of the Egypt 1pi pale blue Postal Stationery letter-card (stains) to Austria, written & signed by Father Joseph Ohrwalder (who had been in the Mahdi's hands from Sept. 1882 until his escape from Omdurman in Dec. 1891), mentioning Slatin's recent escape and written from "Suakin" (where he had returned to his Missionary work after his escape); uncancelled but with a mostly very fine Sudan "SAWAKIN" c.d.s. on the front. Rare Sudan usage of Egyptian Postal Stationery and a historical letter. Illustrated in "19th Ce. Wars", p.155.

£100

1184

WADI HALFA - 5d-CHARGED "ON ACTIVE SERVICE" COVER FROM THE DESIGNER OF THE FIRST SUDAN STAMPS, CAPT. E.A. STANTON; Attractive 2nd April 1896 stampless env. (part flap lost) to G.B. via Assouan endorsed "Active Service, no stamps procurable" with a very fine "WADI HALFA" c.d.s. and boxed "T" mark on the front, but charged "5D/F.B" in London, presumably being over weight. From the "Stanton" correspondence, sent by the man who, in 1897, designed the first "Camel" stamps of Sudan. Rare thus. Illustrated in "19th Ce. Wars", p.159.

£300

1185

Similar April 1896 stampless env. (light stains) from the same correspondence from the designer of the Sudan stamps, Capt. Stanton, but charged with London "2½D/F.B." mark and boxed "T" with no Sudan mark, but endorsed "Active service, no stamps procurable" and with Cairo transit c.d.s. on the reverse. Illustrated in "19th Ce. Wars", p.160.

£200

1186

"DONGOLA EXPEDITIONARY FORCE" STAMPLESS "ON ACTIVE SERVICE" COVER FROM "AMBIGOL" TO GUERNSEY; 10th May 1896 env. to Guernsey endorsed "On active service, no stamps available, St. George Henry, Bim[bashi]., Camel Corps" with boxed "T" mark and London "2½D/F.B." mark on the front, and with 19th May Cairo transit c.d.s. on the flap. With original contents headed "Camel Corps, Dongola Expedary. Force, Ambigol", incl.; "They...had made me a little grass house on arrival where I sit sweating profusely and with an enormous thirst...It is certainly a d...ble country between this and Halfa; absolutely uninhabited except by one or two wandering Arabs. We are here recouping Camels after rather a heavy amount of patrol work...our large force of Camels when all together [are] 700...there is a rumour of an advance towards Suarda & an Engagement to be fought near Firket..." He was not enjoying the heat! Rare Campaign letter and an attractive cover. Illustrated in "19th Ce. Wars", p.161.

£240

1187

WADI-HALFA - 1d SOLDIER's CONCESSION RATE CHARGED INCORRECTLY ON STAMPLESS OFFICER's COVER; Unusual 19th Aug. 1896 stampless env. endorsed "Field Service no stamps available", and signed by the sender Capt. Lawrie of the R.A., having a very fine "WADI-HALFA/CAMP" c.d.s. and nearly fine matching boxed "T" mark on the front but with London "1D/F.B." mark (in error for the 2½d Officer's rate) on the front. Rare Post Office error.

£300

1188

WADI-HALFA - EGYPT USED IN SUDAN OFFICER's COVER TO G.B.; Colourful 10th Dec. 1896 env. to Kent franked by Egypt 3m(2) +5m (prepaying the Officer's 11m rate) all tied by very fine "WADI-HALFA/CAMP" c.d.s.'s, and written by a Royal Engineers Lieut. acting as Bimbashi with the Egyptian Army. Very few stamped covers have survived from the Dongola Expedition. Fine and attractive Exhibition item. Illustrated in "19th Ce. Wars", p.162 & Colour Plate xvii.

£300

1189

WADI-HALFA - STAMPLESS OFFICER's "DONGOLA EXPEDITION" COVER TO G.B.; 28th Dec. 1896 stampless env. (small fault at top) to Aldershot endorsed "No stamps available, Dongola Expedn." by a Border Regiment Major commanding the 1st Sudanese Battalion of the Egyptian Army, with a fine "WADI-HALFA/CAMP" c.d.s. and boxed "T" on the front, as well as a superb London "2½D/F.B." arrival charge-mark. Illustrated in "19th Ce. Wars", p.163.

£240

SUDAN - THE THIRD SUAKIN EXPEDITION – INDIAN FORCES, 1896

1190

SUAKIN - INDIAN 1a ON 9pi SOLDIER's CONCESSION RATE ENVELOPE DISALLOWED BY THE CIVIL P.O.; 21st June 1896 usage of the India "SOLDIERS' AND SEAMEN'S ENVELOPE" to Bombay with a very fine "SAWAKIN" Civil P.O. c.d.s. on the front but not cancelling the stamp; correctly endorsed & countersigned for an Ordnance Dept. Staff Sergeant, but charged as unpaid with an "OVERLAND POSTAGE/DUE/As./5" arrival charge-mark. It is not certain that the Indian FPO was open as early as this, but it appears that the Egyptian P.O. at Suakin made no special concessions for foreign Postal Stationery usage. Fine and rare thus. Illustrated in "19th Ce. Wars", p.165.

£400

1191

TOKAR - P.O. USAGE OF EGYPTIAN POSTAL STATIONERY COVER FOR THE 5m CONCESSION RATE WITH THE VERY RARE "No.1/FIELD P.O." DUPLEX; 23rd(?) July 1896 usage of the Egypt 5m red Postal Stationery env. (flap lost) for the Soldier's Concession Rate to Peshawar, cancelled by a mostly very fine "No.1/FIELD P.O./B" duplex (few examples known), countersigned by a Captain of the Bengal Infantry. Exceptional usage and cancellation. Illustrated in "19th Ce. Wars", p.168 & Colour Plate xvii.

£500

1192

TOKAR - INDIAN "SOLDIERS' AND SEAMEN'S ENVELOPE" WITH RARE "No.1/FIELD P.O./B" DUPLEX; 4th Sept. 1896 usage of the 1a on 9pi env. (minor opening faults at foot) to Kurrum cancelled by a mostly very fine strike of this duplex (very few known); correctly countersigned for a soldier in the Bengal Infantry. Illustrated in "19th Ce. Wars", p.169.

£400

1193

SUAKIN - "BASE OFFICE/B" C.D.S. CANCELLING INDIAN 1a ON 9pi "SOLDIERS' AND SEAMEN'S ENVELOPE"; 16th Sept. 1896 usage of this Postal Stationery env. to Ferozepore, cancelled by a fine strike of this rare F.P.O. datestamp, countersigned for a sepoy of the 35th Sikhs. Very rare. Illustrated in "19th Ce. Wars", p.166. Plus an off-cover Egypt 1pi blue cancelled by a very fine 70% strike of the 6th Aug. 1896 Suakin "[BASE] OFFICE/B" c.d.s. which is believed to be the only recorded example of any Egyptian adhesive used in this F.P.O. (1 cover + 1 stamp).

£300

1194

SUAKIN - THE UNIQUE(?) INDIAN "BASE OFFICE-B/1ST. DELY." DATESTAMP ON INGOING COVER TO "SUAKIM FORCE, SUAKIM"; Attractive 6th Oct. 1896 usage of the India 2a 6pi yellow Postal Stationery env. (opened out for display) from "NEEMUCH" to a Major of the Bombay Lancers in Sudan, having the only recorded example of the Suakin Indian F.P.O. "BASE OFFICE-B/1ST. DELY." c.d.s. (a very fine strike) on the reverse. One of the great Sudan Military Rarities. Illustrated in "19th Ce. Wars", p.167.

£500

SUDAN - THE SECOND NILE EXPEDITION – 1897/9

1195

BERBER - STAMPLESS OFFICER's "NO STAMPS AVAILABLE" COVER; Attractive c.18th Sept. 1897 env. (minor opening tears at top) to Aldershot endorsed "Posted at Berber Sudan, no stamps available" along the top of the address, and so with Halfa c.d.s. and boxed "T" mark, with a very fine London handstruck "2½D/F.B." mark struck in transit. Unusual and early endorsement from this Expedition. Illustrated in "19th Ce. Wars", p.176.

£300

1196

ABU HAMED - RARE "WAR DEPARTMENT/EGYPTIAN ARMY" DATESTAMP CANCELLING THE "SOUDAN" OVERPRINTED EGYPT 5m RED PC; Very attractive 1st Dec. 1897 usage of this PC to G.B., cancelled by a very fine large blue double oval "WAR DEPARTMENT/ABU HAMED/EGYPTIAN ARMY" datestamp, with Halfa & Cairo transit c.d.s.'s also on the front. Very rare usage from an R.A.M.C. Captain; he writes "Am expecting to start off to Berber any day now. You needn's alter address to letters until you hear that I am there; they will be forwarded all right." Exceptional Exhibition item. Illustrated in "19th Ce. Wars", p.177.

£400

1197

SUDAN "TRAVELLING POST OFFICE" - "NILE EXPEDITIONARY FORCE, SOUDAN" CONCESSION RATE USAGE OF THE "SOUDAN" OVERPRINT EGYPT 5m RED ENVELOPE; 23rd Feb. 1898 usage of this scarce env. to Gibraltar (!) cancelled by a mostly very fine strike of the "TRAVELLING POST OFFICE/S.P.S." c.d.s., endorsed "Nile Expeditionary Force, Soudan" and headed & countersigned for the Soldier's Concession Rate for a Private in the 1st Camerons. Exceptional usage, cancellation and destination! Illustrated in "19th Ce. Wars", p.178.

£400

1198

BISECT EGYPTIAN POSTAGE DUE ON SUDAN SOLDIER's CONCESSION RATE COVER FROM SUAKIN; Fine 21st March 1898 env. (very slight toning) sent stampless to a Private Soldier in Cairo with very fine "SAWAKIN" c.d.s. on the front, endorsed "Army of Occupation" and countersigned for a Private in the Grenadier Guards. Correctly charged on arrival with only the single 3m Concession Rate on arrival in Egypt, but the charge exceptionally accounted for by Egypt 2m green Postage Due label & bisect. An unusual cover sent from one Private to another and an amazing combination! Illustrated in "19th Ce. Wars", p.206 & Colour Plate xviii.

£360

1199

BERBER - O.H.M.S. OFFICIAL PAID COVER TO THE "MALAKAND FIELD FORCE"; Unusual stampless 12th (?) March 1898 blue "O.H.M.S." env. signed by Major General Gatacre on the front and addressed to a Captain with the "Malakand Field Force, Punjab, India" (redirected to Meerut) having a mostly fine "BERBER" c.d.s. on the front with Cairo transit c.d.s.'s. There are 8 backstamps incl. the very scarce "BASE OFFICE MALAKAND, NOWSHERA" & "BASE OFFICE, MALAKAND FIELD FORCE" c.d.s.'s. Most unusual item sent from one Expeditionary Force to another, and a rare Military O.H.M.S. cover.

£300

1200

SUDAN "TRAVELLING POST OFFICE" - UNPAID SOLDIER's 1d CONCESSION RATE COVER TO G.B.; 28th March 1898 stampless env. endorsed "Stamps not available" and "British Brigade, Nile Expeditionary Forces", headed & countersigned for a Private in the Seaforth Highlanders, having a mostly very fine "TRAVELLING POST OFFICE/S.P.S." c.d.s. on the front as well as a boxed "T" mark and the single rate London "I.B./1D" transit charge-mark. Rare thus. Illustrated in "19th Ce. Wars", p.179.

£300

1201

HALFA - "WET THROUGH COLLISION ON THE NILE" COVER; 27th April 1898 env. (understandably battered but 95% complete and easy to read) to Scotland, headed & countersigned for the Soldier's Concession Rate for a Private in the Seaforth Highlanders and endorsed "Nile Expeditionary Force, Egypt". The stamps have been washed off but there is still a very fine "HALFA" c.d.s. on the front, and an almost very fine black handstruck "Wet through collision on the Nile" mark (apparently matching the Alexandria c.d.s. alongside) on the reverse. 16 covers from this Wreck (which probably occurred at the 1st Cataract of the Nile) have been recorded. Rare thus. Illustrated in "19th Ce. Wars", p.180.

£300

1202

SUEZ - SAILOR's 5m CONCESSION RATE COVER & ORIGINAL DRAWINGS OF "SHABLUKA", ETC.; 20th May 1898 env. to London headed for a seaman on "H.M.S. Fearless, Suez" and countersigned, franked by Egypt 5m red tied by a very fine Suez c.d.s. Plus two contemporary 1898 pen-and-ink drawings of villages near Wadi Hamed & Abu Klea, one being dated "14/8/98". Useful lot. (1 cover + 2 drawings).

£100

1203

WADI HALFA - EGYPT 3m OVERPRINT POSTAGE DUE LABEL ON SOLDIER's CONCESSION RATE COVER; Attractive 26th July 1898 env. originally sent unstamped to Cairo, headed by a Sergeant of the "Army of Occupation" but not countersigned and no regiment mentioned because addressed to another Sergeant at "British H.Q., Cairo", having a very fine blue "WADI HALFA" c.d.s. on the front; charged the single Concession Rate of 3 mills and so having an Egypt 3m on 2pi Postage Due label tied by a very fine "CAIRE" c.d.s. Rare thus and of Exhibition Quality. Illustrated in "19th Ce. Wars", p.207.

£150

1204

DARMALI - UPRATED "SOUDAN" OVERPRINT EGYPT POSTAL STATIONERY COVER TO G.B.; 6th Aug. 1898 usage of the Egypt o.p. "SOUDAN" 5m red env. (tiny fault at left) uprated with a Sudan camel 5m for the Officer's 1pi Rate, both cancelled by very fine scarce "DARMALI/S.P.S." c.d.s.'s, redirected from London to Plymouth. The Darmali P.O. was only open from March to Nov. 1898; from a Captain in the Lincs. Regiment. Rare thus. Illustrated in "19th Ce. Wars", p.181.

£200

1205

ATBARA - FRANKED SOLDIER's 5m CONCESSION RATE COVER TO ANOTHER SOLDIER IN INDIA; Attractive 18th Aug. 1898 env. (closed tears at right) to Mhow (redirected to Nusserabad), headed & countersigned for a Gunner in the R.A. and endorsed "Nile Field Force Soudan", franked by Sudan camel 3m+2m both tied by mostly very fine "ATBARA/S.P.S." c.d.s.'s, with a fine "WADI HALFA/S.P.S." transit c.d.s. on the reverse. Very rare thus; very few soldiers' letters were stamped from this Expedition. Illustrated in "19th Ce. Wars", p.182 & Colour Plate xviii.

£300

1206

ATBARA/KHARTOUM - SOLDIER's 1d CONCESSION RATE COVER TO G.B. ENDORSED "NO STAMPS AVAILABLE. NILE EXPEDITION, KHARTOUM"; 6th Sept. 1898 env. (overall wear) to London headed & (faintly) countersigned for a Colour Sergt. in the Grenadier Guards at "Khartoum", but with a fine "ATBARA/S.P.S." c.d.s. and very fine boxed "T" on the front; charged only the single rate on arrival with very fine London "1D/F.B." mark. Rare thus; probably written a day or two after the sender took part in the Battle of Khartoum (the British entered the city on 4th Sept.; the Army P.O. did not open there until the 10th Sept.). Illustrated in "19th Ce. Wars", p.183.

£240

1207

KHARTOUM - STAMPED COVER TO THE FUTURE GOVERNOR GENERAL OF THE SUDAN; 6th Nov. 1898 env. to "Colonel Wingate....War Office, Cairo" (who became Gov. General in 1899), franked by a Sudan camel 5m tied by a mostly fine "KHARTOUM/S.P.S." c.d.s. with a second mostly very fine strike nearby. Unusual cover. Illustrated in "19th Ce. Wars", p.185.

£100

1208

OMDURMAN - STAMPLESS OFFICER's RATE COVER TO G.B.; 17th April 1899 env. (minor wear, etc.) to London endorsed "On service, no stamps available" with pencil note that it was from Lt. Col. Nason of the Cameronians (and written on "7 March 1899"!!?), having a very fine rare "OMDURMAN" c.d.s. and boxed "T" on the front as well as a very fine London "2½D/F.B." charge-mark. A good example of this elusive datestamp. Illustrated in "19th Ce. Wars", p.189.

£300

SUDAN - THE MARCHAND MISSION, 1898

1209

THE FRENCH INTERVENTION FORCE - STAMPLESS SOLDIER's COVER FROM THE "MISSION DU NIL"; Undated 1898/9 (?) stampless env. (worn but readily legible) to Paris endorsed "Troupes du Bahr El Ghazal" and "Correspondance militaire Mission du Nil, franchise poste signé Dyé" being the replacement envelope provided by the French P.O. at Fort Desaix, hence the endorsement [in French on the flap]; "Put in a second envelope at Fort Desaix, because the original envelope became wet.", signed by the French Military postmaster "Vaguemestre". (Another Collision on the Nile??) Very rare cover from this very brief French intervention in the affairs of Sudan. (See "19th Ce. Wars", pp.190-2.) Only a handful of related covers have survived. Illustrated in "19th Ce. Wars", p.193.

£300

1210

RARE INGOING COVER TO THE BRITISH FORCE OPPOSED TO MARCHAND IN "FASHODA" IN SUDAN; Attractive 11th Oct. 1898 env. addressed "via Cairo & Khartoum" to the Colonel of the "11th Soudanese Battalion, Fashoda, Egypt" and redirected to "Halfa"; franked by G.B. "Jubillee" 2½d tied by a fine Irish "ARMAGH" c.d.s., having 4 backstamps including an overstruck but scarce small "KHARTOUM/S.P.S." c.d.s., the similar "WADI HALFA/S.P.S." c.d.s. and a "MILITARY POST OFFICE/CAIRO" c.d.s. Believed to be the only recorded ingoing cover to the forces involved in this stand-off between the French and British forces in a distant corner of Sudan. Illustrated in "19th Ce. Wars", p.195.

£200

SUDAN - THE 1897-1914 PERIOD

1211

AUTOGRAPH LETTERS FROM SUDAN COMMANDERS, ETC.; Small group of letters (no envs.) written & signed by Col H.A. Macdonald (June 1899 from London ), signed by "Kitchener of Khartoum" (July 1899 ex London to Sir Francis Wingate; ref. the latter's vote of thanks in the House of Lords), and three written & signed by Sir Francis Wingate (Jan. 1900 ex Cairo giving news "...that Osman Digna was captured on 18th in the hills near Tokar by a party of police...from Suakim...with the assistance of the local Sheikh had a long hunt & eventually ran the old fox to earth.", 27th March 1896 from "Nr. Halfa", & May 1901 from "Khartoum"). Rare group; two illustrated in "19th Ce. Wars", pp.187 & 211. Plus 1 menu (1900; signed by Rudolf Slatin, Wingate, et al.), 1 cartoon & 3 PPC's. (5 letters & 5 other items.)

£100

1212

[WINSTON CHURCHILL] - LETTER FROM JOSEPH CHAMBERLAIN REF. CHURCHILL's NEW BOOK "THE RIVER WAR"; Fine 13th Nov. 1899 letter (no env. but would have been sent to Churchill in Africa during the early part of the Boer War) addressed "My Dear Churchill", written & signed by "J. Chamberlain" (Colonial Secretary at this date), thanking Churchill for a copy of this book, and concluding "...you will not find many of your contemporaries to whom it has been given to witness & report the exploits of British arms in such different circumstances as those in the North West Frontier [India], Egypt & the Transvaal." An early Churchill item; illustrated in "19th Ce. Wars", p.188. Plus 2 stamps, 3 PPC's & 5 cigarette cards. (11 items).

£100

1213

TAUFIKIA (?) - "ARMY/TELEGRAPHS" C.D.S. CANCELLATION ON COVER TO ITALY; Remarkable 3rd April 1903 env. (opened out for display) to London (redirected at no extra charge to Italy), franked (on reverse) with Sudan 5m pair tied by mostly very fine large "ARMY/T F/TELEGRAPHS" c.d.s., with a further excellent strike on the front, endorsed on the front (by addressee?) "Capt. Armstrong's death". Very rare cancellation.

£100

1214

KERMA & KODOK - "ARMY/TELEGRAPHS" C.D.S.'s ON COVERS; Jan. 1905 PPC to GB with Sudan 2m pair (one badly torn before use) tied by almost very fine "ARMY/K R/TELEGRAPHS" c.d.s. of Kerma with "T.P.O./SHELLAL-/HALFA" c.d.s. alongside; plus Jan. 1911 env. (opened out & with some wear) from GB (KEVII 1d red pair - faults - tied by Dover c.d.s.'s) addressed to Khartoum & redirected (to "Kidiri"?) with almost very fine "ARMY/K D/TELEGRAPHS" c.d.s. on the reverse. Rare pair. (2 covers).

£100

1215

LATE USE OF THE SOLDIER's 5m(1d) CONCESSION RATE; Fine 8th Dec. 1904 env. to Manchester headed & countersigned for a Bugler in the Rifle Brigade at "Khartoum, Sudan", franked by a single Sudan camel 5m tied by a fair "KHARTOUM" c.d.s. with a second mostly fine strike alongside. Rare thus; very late for a Concession Rate cover.

£75

1216

OTHER 1903-12 COVERS & CARDS, ETC.; 1903 OHMS env. (from the "GOVERNOR GENERAL", Sir Francis Wingate) to GB franked by Sudan 5m pair tied by fine "HALFA-HALFAYA/T.P." c.d.s., 1906 printed matter EL to London with Sudan 5m tied by fair "WAU" c.d.s. with a second superb strike alongside, 1906 PPC with Sudan 1m(3) tied by "KHARTOUM NORTH" c.d.s.'s, similar 1907 PPC to Cairo with 4m and superb "MILITARY/POST OFFICE/CAIRO" arrival c.d.s., 1909/12 5m-rate envs. (2) to GB ex Khartoum & Omdurman, and off-cover pair of Sudan "ARMY/OFFICIAL" o.p. 1m cancelled by very fine large oval bi-lingual "CAMEL CORPS/HEADQUARTER'S STAFF" cancel. Useful lot. (7 items).

£100

1217

1905 (1 Jan.) "ARMY" reading up 1m brown ann carmine, a used selection comprising type A1 surcharge (33), "!" for "I" variety (7) and type A2 surcharge (14). Mostly fine with central bi-lingual c.d.s. inc. Kassala, Khartoum, Berber, El Obeid, Kodok, Halfa - Halfaya TPO, Khartoum North, Merowi, Bahr El Ghazal, Omdurman, Taufikia, Wadi Halfa Camp, Wad Medani and Wau. SG. A1, A1a & A1b. Cat. £730+.

£140

1218

1905 (1 Jan.) "ARMY" reading up 1m brown and carmine type A1 overprint four singles inc. one with "OFF!CIAL" variety, a block of six with broken "F" for "R" in "ARMY". Three type A1 + A2 pairs (one vertical) inc. one with "small dropped O" variety and a type A2 single. Mostly fine mint. SG. A1, A1a + A1c. Cat. £330+. (18).

£80

1219

1905 (1 Jan.) "ARMY" reading up 1m brown & carmine, a mounted mint block of four comprising two horizontal type A1 and A2 pairs with one "small dropped O variety.. Also a pair with "AFF!CIAL" variety. Small faults. SG. A1, A1a & A1c. Cat. £188+.

£60

1220

1905 (1 Jan.) "ARMY" reading up 1m brown and carmine, a mounted mint block of four comprising two type A1 & A2 se-tenant pairs, also a type A1 block of four (gum toned) containing the "OFF!CIAL" variety. Some natural creasing. SG. A1, A1a and A1b. Cat. £200+.

£50

1221

1905 (1 Jan.) "ARMY" reading up 1m brown & carmine, a mounted mint block of four comprising two type A1 and A2 se-tenant pairs (creased), a single type A2 overprint with "small dropped O" variety and a type A1 single with "OFF!CIAL" variety. Mostly fine. SG. A1a and A1c. Cat. £230+.

£50

1222

1905 (1 Jan.) "ARMY" reading down, 1m brown and carmine with overprint type A2. Fine used with central c.d.s. SG. A3. Cat. £425.

£150

1223

1905 (1 Jan.) "ARMY" reading down 1m brown & carmine, mounted mint and used (5) plus 1905 (Nov.) ARMY reading up 1m brown and carmine, mounted mint plus a forgery of the "!" variety. SG. A3 & A4. Cat. £470.

£80

1224

1905 (Jan.) "ARMY" reading down 1m brown & carmine, a mounted mint and two used examples. Some creasing. SG. A3. Cat. £190.

£40

1225

CANCELLATIONS - THE SUPERB COLLECTION OF MAINLY BI-LINGUAL C.D.S. ON CAMEL ISSUES: Collection of bi-lingual c.d.s. arranged in alphabetical order on "Camel" issues inc. those of Ibri, Abu Hamed, Argo, Atbara, Atbara Station, Barakat, Berber, Darmali, Delgo, Dongola, Ed- Damer, Ed Dueim, El Obeid, Gedaref, Halfa, Halfaya, Juba, Kaka, Kareima, Kassala, Kerma, Khartoum (many types), Kosti, Makwar, Merowi, Nahud, Ombdurman, Port Sudan, Sennar, Shereik and Tewfekia. Mostly fine selected strikes. (Few 100's).

£500

1226

TPO CANCELLATIONS: 1901-50 exceptional collection of "Camel" adhesives with TPO cancellations inc. Atbara to Port Sudan, Abu Hamed to Merowi, Gedaref to Sennar, Haiya to Gedaref, Haiya to Kassala, Halfa to Halfaya, Halfa to Kerma, Halfa to Khartoum TPO Nos. 1 to 3, Kareima to Argo, Kareima to Kerma, Kareima to Khartoum, Kassala to Sennar, Khartoum to El Obeid, Khartoum to Port Sudan, Shellal to Halfa and White Nile. Mostly fine part strikes. (200+).

£150

1227

CANCELLATIONS ON "SG" PERFINS AND OVERPRINTED ISSUES: Collection of "SG" perforated or overprinted adhesives with values to 10pi cancelled with bi-lingual c.d.s. inc. those of Dongola, Kassala, Wadi Halfa Camp, Fashoda, Ed Duem, El Obeid, Makwar, Singa, Karmoj, Mongalla, Kosti, Atbara, Bara, Port Sudan and Nasir. Mostly fine part strikes. (274).

£100

1228

CANCELLATIONS ON O.S.G.S. OVERPRINTS: 1901-50 collection of OSGS overprinted "Camel" issues with bi-lingual c.d.s. cancellations inc. Merowi, Kosti, Debba, Kamlin, Mongalla, Kodok, Argo, Guz Abu, Erkowit, Gallabat, Rabak, Tokar, Wau, Zeiber and Ed Duem. Mostly fine part strikes. (150+).

£100

1229

CANCELLATION ON "AS" PERFINS, ETC.: 1901-48 collection of "Camel" issues inc. some with "AS" perfins with various cancellations inc. Rhettas, Paquebots, Manuscripts and "LONDON" c.d.s. applied on arrival. Fair to fine strikes. (140+).

£60

EGYPT - THE 1897-1914 PERIOD

1230

ARMY OF OCCUPATION - SOLDIER's 5m(1d) CONCESSION RATE COVERS, ETC.; 1897 pair of envs. (creases, etc.) to GB with partly printed headings of the "MOUNTED INFANTRY, ABBASSIYER" and "1st Royal Warwickshire Regt." both franked by Egypt 5m red (tied by "CAIRE" & "SIDI GABER" c.d.s.'s) and headed & countersigned for a Corporal & a Private; illustrated in "19th Ce. Wars", pp.204/5. Plus attractive 1897 PPC addressed locally in Arabic to a Captain ("Secretary of the [R.]S.P.C.A.") franked by Egypt 3m orange tied by a superb "MILITARY/POST OFFICE/ALEXANDRIA" c.d.s.; illustrated in "19th Ce. Wars", p.203. Scarce trio. (3 covers).

£100

1231

ARMY OF OCCUPATION - SOLDIERS' 5m(1d) CONCESSION RATE COVERS INCL. EGYPT POSTAL STATIONERY ENVELOPE; 1898 pair of envs. to GB, headed & countersigned for a Corporal & Sergeant; one with Egypt 5m red tied by "CAIRE" c.d.s. and the other an Egypt 5m red Postal Stat. env. cancelled by a fine "MINET EL BASSAL/ALEXANDRIE" c.d.s. Scarce pair. Illustrated in "19th Ce. Wars", pp.208/9. (2 covers).

£100

1232

THE C-IN-C I EGYPT WRITES TO A FRIEND; March 1897 & Oct. 1898 pair of letters (latter with damaged, privately carried env. signed "Cromer") to the wife of Major General Talbot, sent locally in Cairo and both written & signed by Lord Cromer, the C-in-C of the British Forces in Egypt at this date. One (1897) includes; "The presence of the English Army here is of immense importance. It is the weight at the bottom of the pendulum which makes the whole machine work." Good pair. (2 letters + 1 env.)

£75

1233

EGYPT POSTAGE DUES ON INGOING COVERS EX G.B. - PLUS RELATED MILITARY P.O. CHARGE-ADVICE; 1901 much travelled env. to Cairo with GB QV 1d(2)+½d tied by v. fine "NEWTON ABBOT" c.d.s.'s with Egypt 2pi Postage Due tied by c.d.s. and boxed "T" with London "5D/I.S./B." mark; plus very fine 1906/7 env. to Cairo with GB KEVII 1d tied by Knottingley duplex underpaid with Egypt 4m Postage Due pair tied by Cairo c.d.s., but also with the rare original very fine "POST OFFICE" advice of the letter awaiting collection charged with 8 mills with "MILITARY POST OFFICE/CAIRO" c.d.s. (3 items).

£100

1234

INGOING MAIL EX PANAMA, INDIA, G.B., U.S.A. & C.G.H.; Unusual 1902-8 group of fine PPC's to military personnel in Egypt, with mostly very fine arrival c.d.s.'s of "MILITARY POST OFFICE/CAIRO" & "MILITARY POST OFFICE/ALEXANDRIA". Attractive lot. (8 cards).

£100

1235

OFFICIAL STAMPLESS MAIL FROM THE BRITISH FORCES IN EGYPT; Unusual 1907-14 covers sent internally with O.H.M.S. headings and various military cachets incl. very attractive boxed purple "2, ROYAL INNISKILLING FUSILIERS/ORDERLY ROOM", red boxed "ARMY PAY OFFICE/CAIRO, EGYPT" (on registered env. from Cairo to Abbassia) and oval "ORDERLY ROOM/2ND BN. NORTHAMPTONSHIRE REGT." Scarce lot. (4 covers).

£120

1236

OTHER EGYPT "ARMY OF OCCUPATION" COVERS, ETC.; 1905-13 covers incl. 1905 part env. headed & counter-stamped (oval "COMMANDING ARMY SERVICE CORPS/EGYPT" cachet) for the 5m Concession Rate to GB, 3 internal covers with "MILITARY/POST OFFICE" Cairo/Alex. c.d.s.'s,1912 "BRITISH BARRACKS/CAIRO" c.d.s. and 1909 PC with purple "Rfn. L. Savory, G Company/4th Bn. Rifle Brigade/Alexandria, Egypt" cachet. Also 4 stamps, 13 PPC's & 1 cig. card. (6 covers + 18 other items).

£100

THE AUSTRALIAN TROOPSHIPS, 1914-15

1237

S.S. KANOWNA - THE RARE STRAIGHT-LINE "H.M.A.H.S. Kanowna" MARK IN PURPLE; 27th Jan. 1916 stampless env. (flap lost) to Ireland endorsed "On active service - no stamp available" with a superb strike of this rare cachet (HSC57; sole example recorded) in purple nicely placed on the front, with a near fine "A.I.F. INTER. BASE P.O./CAIRO" c.d.s. alongside. Real Exhibition quality.

£150

1238

S.S. ITONUS - PICTORIAL BRISBANE YMCA COVER WITH BLUE SHIP's "A.I.F./PASSED CENSOR A50" MARK; Attractive 21st Aug. 1916 printed blue "BRISBANE/YMCA/WITH THE COMMONWEALTH EXPEDITIONARY FORCE" env. to GB with fair "FREMANTLE/WESTERN AUSTRALIA" machine cancel and black "A.I.F./POSTAGE/FREE" in circle as well as a very fine blue SS Itonus "A.I.F./PASSED CENSOR A50" cachet (not listed by Firebrace) on the front. Spectacular and rare Troopship cover.

£100

1239

S.S.KANOWNA - DOUBLE OVAL "No.2 AUSTRALIAN HOSPITAL SHIP/KANOWNA" CACHET; c.1918 stampless "O.A.S." env. to Ireland (same correspondence as the last lot) with a mostly very fine strike of this rare cachet (HSC14; only recorded for 6th Jan. 1918) on the front. Rare.

£120