Lots 1-80

THE NORTON COLLIER COLLECTION OF SUDAN

THURSDAY 3rd MARCH 2005

SALE 668

* = ONLY lots with their lot numbers prefixed by one star are subject to V.A.T. at 17·5%. ** = ONLY lots with their lot numbers prefixed by two stars are subject to V.A.T. at 5%. PLEASE NOTE: All lots in this auction are subject to the Buyers’ Premium of 15% (plus V.A.T. where appropriate) on their hammer prices. ALL BIDS WILL BE TAKEN AS EXCLUSIVE OF THIS PREMIUM

EARLY LETTERS, ETC., 1846-1926

EXCEPTIONALLY EARLY LETTER FROM KHARTOUM TO WURTEMBURG POSTED FROM THE AUSTRIAN P.O. IN EGYPT; Very fine 21 March 1846 EL (very minor flap faults) from "Chardum" (clearly headed inside and endorsed with "Chargdum" and date on the front) addressed to a French (?) Count Alfred de Neipperg in "Stouttgart, Rotaume de Wurttemberg"; endorsed "fr. frontiere" (14k outgoing rate from Egypt) on the front beside a very fine Austrian P.O. "ALEXANDRIEN/12. MAI" transit d.s., charged "12" (Austrian kreuzers) in black ink and then (redirected to "Schwaigern") "22" (German kreuzers - on delivery) in red crayon (faint arrival d.s.). The letter (almost complete typed transcript included) gives a fascinating account of the writer's travels far up the Nile, describing big game hunting and meetings with native and Arab wanderers. A most attractive and Important early letter from the Sudan; One of the earliest Sudan covers that we have recorded. [Ex Freschi.] Photo

£1000

RARE EARLY INGOING 6d-RATE COVER FROM G.B. TO "KARTHUM" VIA THE CAIRO CONSUL; Fine 18 Oct. 1858 env. franked with G.B. 4d rose-carmine and 1d Red 'stars' (2) tied by very fine "CARDIFF/162" duplexes, endorsed "Via Southampton" and addressed to "John Petherick Esqr. in Karthum, Central Africa; to the care of Alfred S. Walne Esqr., H.B.M. Consul, Cairo, Egypt". One of thes earliest G.B. covers addressed to the Sudan that we have recorded, and a very attractive Exhibition Item. [John Petherick was the pioneer European merchant in Sudan and was later appointed British Consular Agent in Khartoum.] Photo

£1000

"CHINESE" GORDON AUTOGRAPH LETTER, SIGNED - SENT TO KHARTOUM WHILE EN ROUTE TO CAIRO; 8 Feb. 1878 letter (+ env. addressed to Giegler in "Kartoum" with Arabic endorsement; affected by small tear) written and signed by "C.G. Gordon" headed "En route" (Gordon had just left Khartoum for Cairo, and this letter was an after-thought for Giegler). The letter concerns (full typed transcript) changes in the arrangements for organising the "Soudan teleg[rap]hs". This letter would have been carried by private camel-messenger. Rare and attractive. Photo plate 5A

£400

AUTOGRAPH POSTCARD WITH "KHARTOUM" C.D.S. SIGNED BY GENERAL GORDON JUST PRIOR TO THE START OF THE SIEGE; Remarkable 24 Feb. 1884 usage of the Egypt 20pa brown PC (slight toning; disinfection chisel-slit in centre due to cholera epidemic in Egypt) from "Kartoum" to Naples (20 Mar. arrival c.d.s.) written & signed by "C.G. Gordon" himself, cancelled by a mostly very fine "KHARTOUM" c.d.s. of 1 March, with v. fine "ASSIOUT/ARRIVEE" & "ALEXANDRIE/ARRIVEE" transit c.d.s.'s (20/22 Mar.) back and front. The card, posted only a fortnight before the Siege put an end to postal communication with Khartoum, reads as follows:- "Thanks for your letter 14.1, received today. Things have changed since you wrote, and I am in a pretty hot bed of worries here, where I have been just one week today. It has been a weary time & very anxious, but I hope, & I trust in God. He will work His will for the good of these peoples...Believe me, Yours Sincerely, C.S. Gordon." By mid-March Khartoum was under Siege and no mail left the city for almost a year. Rare and Historic 'Gordon' Item. Photo plate 5A

£600

SIEGE OF KHARTOUM - RARE HIGH VALUE BANKNOTE WITH ACTUAL GORDON SIGNATURE; 1884 thick card 100 Piastre note (equivalent to £1 at the time) with Gordon's actual signature (he only personally signed the high value notes), "C.G. Gordon", with his very fine blue oval Arabic seal and a very fine blue 2-ring "GOVERNMENT GENERAL DU SOUDAN" cachet all on the front. Very rare; few of these higher value notes have survived. Plus a cigartte card showing Gordon. (2 items). Photo plate 5A

£240

SIEGE OF KHARTOUM - "GORDON" 20pi BANKNOTE (PLUS 1884 REAL PHOTO OF GORDON); 1884 20pi card banknote (equ. of 4/-) with hectograph "C.G Gordon" handstamp and near fine blue oval intaglio seal. Plus a fine and attractive "1884" Southampton photographer's presentation photo of Gordon, presumably taken just before his final departure for Sudan, and a cigarette card. (3 items). Photo plate 5A

£120

SAILOR's 1d CONCESSION RATE COVER TO G.B. FROM THE RED SEA LITTORAL FORCE; c.5 Mar. 1884 env. (worn around edges) to London headed and countersigned for a "Seaman, HM Ship Carysfort, [Suakin?; final letters unclear, being under the London cancel]", franked by a GB 1d lilac tied by a heavy London "SE/2" numeral struck in transit, having a London c.d.s. on the reverse of 25 March. Mail from Sudan took 3-4 weeks to reach England at this date, so it is likely that the writer was involved in the support of the British force landed at Trinkitat late in February; the ship did not leave the area until mid March. Rare thus. Photo plate 5A

£400

1st SUAKIN EXPEDITION - INGOING 2½d-RATE COVER TO A ROYAL MARINE; 27 Nov. 1884 mourning env. (few rust marks) franked by GB 1d Lilac (2) + &Mac189;d Blue (latter affected by paperclip rust-marks) all tied by v. fine "HUNTLY/178" duplexes, endorsed "Via Brindisi" and addressed to "Captain [Cosmo George] Gordon, Royal Marines, Souakin, Egypt". Capt. (later Major General) Gordon was not related to 'Chinese' Gordon, but he had an illustrious military career, and he was present at several Battles during the 1884/5 Souakin Campaign. Photo plate 5A

£120

RARE AUTOGRAPHED PHOTOGRAPH OF "RUDOLF SLATIN" DATED THE YEAR AFTER HIS ESCAPE FROM CAPTIVITY; 17 Mar. 1896 real cabinet photo (of a Vienna studio; toned reverse) clearly dated and signed by Slatin, showing him in Arab dress; he was a prisoner of the Mahdi from Dec. 1883 until his dramatic escape from Omdurman in Feb. 1895. Rare and attractive autograph item. PHOTO.

£120

RUDOLF SLATIN PASHA - AUTOGRAPH LETTER (+ ENVELOPE) SIGNED FROM THE "WHITE NILE"; Fine 8 Dec. 1908 env. to Lady Northcote in London franked by Sudan Large Camel 5m tied by v. fine 10 Dec. "ED-DUEM" c.d.s. (and London redirection machine mark), with original contents: letter written on special "[coronet]/R.S." paper, headed "White Nile" with Xmas wishes, signed "R. Slatin". Good autograph of the man who worked with Gordon in the Kordofan area and was a prisoner of the Mahdi from 1883 to 1895. [His famous "shirt cover" recently sold at auction for £10,925.] Slatin was Inspector-General of the Sudan from 1900-14.

£150

RUDOLF SLATIN PASHA - LENGTHY AUTOGRAPH SIGNED LETTER DESCRIBING SUDAN's POSTAL ARRANGEMENTS DURING THE 'GORDON' PERIOD; Very fine lengthy 6 Sept. 1926 letter (6 pages, written in London) to "Byam" (the early Postal Historian), giving a fine and very detailed account of the postal arrangements in the Sudan during General Gordon's administration there, prior to the Siege of Khartoum in 1885.There were timed camel-posts linking each Post Office, with a series of fresh camels kept along the route just to provide a relay of carriers for the messenger. Times for the messengers included; 4½ days from Khartoum to Obeid, and 6½ days from Obeid to Fasher. Mails were carried along the Nile by steamers. Unique Historical document.

£150

EGYPTIAN ADHESIVES USED IN SUDAN

KASSALA/WADI-HALFA/DONGOLA/KHARTOUM:1872-75 1pi and 1879 1pi (3) cancelled with part strikes of the "POSTE ECIZIANE/KASSALA" c.d.s. 1879 1pi with part "WADI-HALFA" c.d.s. 1881 1pi blue with a part strike of the small star and crescent "DONGOLA" c.d.s. 1879 1pi and 1892 3m with "KHARTOUM" c.d.s. (8).

£100

KHARTOUM -HARTUM: 1875 1pi yellow, four examples inc. one on piece cancelled with the scarce "POSTE EGIZIANE/HARTUM" (Stagg type 10) c.d.s.

£80

MASSAWA: 1872 20pa and 1pi (2) each cancelled with "POST KHEDEVIE EGIZIANE/MASSAWA" (Stagg type 2) c.d.s. Fine part strikes. (3).

£80

SUAKIM/MASSAWA/KHARTOUM:1872-75 1pi (4) and 2pi (4, inc. a small fragment bearing three examples) cancelled with part strikes of the "POST KHEDIVE EGIZIANE/SUAKIM" (Stagg type 2) c.d.s. 1872 1pi with part c.d.s. of Massawa and another with part Khartoum c.d.s. (10).

£120

SUAKIM: 1872 (Jan.) 10pa mauve, a block of four cancelled with five strikes of the "POSTE KHEDEVIE EGIZIANE/SUAKIM" (Stagg type 2) c.d.s. of Christmas day 1873. Ex. Cooper. Photo

£80

G.B. AND INDIAN ADHESIVES USED IN SUDAN

GREAT BRITAIN 2½d USED IN SUAKIM: 1884 2&Mac189;d lilac DC and CK cancelled with "BRITISH POST OFFICE/EGYPT" c.d.s. with codes "A" and "C" respectively. Fine and fresh for these. SG. Cat. £450. Photo

£120

GREAT BRITAIN USED IN SUAKIM:1884 1/- green EA with central "SOUAKIN" c.d.s. of 14 April 1885 overstruck with a part strike of the London "hooded" c.d.s. Also a piece from a 1d pink envelope with the identical "SOUAKIN" c.d.s. Very rare, the 1/- unrecorded as used in Sudan in SG. Photo Photo 2

£200

GREAT BRITAIN 5d PAIR USED IN SUAKIN: 1884 5d green vertical pair AI-BI (light staining and colour not quite fresh, AI thinned & creased) with two strikes of the "BRITISH ARMY POST OFFICE/EGYPT" c.d.s. used in Suakin between 28th March and 27th May 1885. Cat. £1,000. Ex. Danson and Boston. Photo

£160

INDIA 2a CANCELLED ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE INDIAN AND BRITISH ARMY POST OFFICE IN SUDAN: 1885 A small piece franked with Indian 2a tied by a part strike of the "FIELD P.O." c.d.s. of the Indian post office dated 31 March 1885 and a complete strike of the "BRITISH ARMY POST OFFICE/EGYPT" c.d.s. of 1 April 1885. Believed to be a unique combination. BPA Cert. (1960).Ex G. Freschi. Photo

£160

THE SUAKIN CAMPAIGN, ETC., 1885-92

2nd SUAKIN EXPEDITION - INGOING G.B. CARD + EGYPT COVER; 16 Feb. 1885 usage of the GB 2d Brown PC (minor faults and slight stains) to Sandbach in "Egypt" but redirected in red ink to "Suakim"; plus similar stained 10 March 1885 env. addressed to Sandbach at "Suakin" with Egypt 1pi blue tied by Cairo c.d.s., having two partial 16 March "SOUAKIN" c.d.s.'s on the reverse. Early pair of items addressed to the British forces. (2 covers). Photo plate 5A

£150

2nd SUAKIN EXPEDITION - INGOING COVER FROM G.B. VIA EGYPT; Attractive 28 Mar. 1885 env. (OHMS imprint) to the Royal Engineers at Cairo, but redirected to "Mounted Infantry, Suakin", franked by a G.B. 2½d lilac tied by a v. fine "CHATHAM" duplex, having 8 April Cairo transit c.d.s. on the reverse. Rare ingoing cover. Photo plate 5A

£150

Similar 29 Mar. 1885 env. (no imprint & some wear) to the same address and redirected, franked by G.B. 2½d lilac (faults) tied by fine scarce "ALDERSHOT CAMP/96" duplex, lacking any transit marks, but clearly forwarded in the same way. Photo plate 5A

£120

2nd SUAKIN EXPEDITION - RARE SUDAN USAGE OF THE "BRITISH·ARMY·POST·OFFICE/EGYPT" DATESTAMP; Attractive 2 Apr. 1885 env. (minor edge-wear, etc.) from London to Sandbach in "Egypt", franked by GB 2½d lilac tied by a fine Charing Cross squared circle, redirected to "P.W. Infantry" and then to "R.H.A. Camp", and so with a very fine "BRITISH·ARMY·POST·OFFICE/EGYPT" c.d.s. (code "A"; 21 April) nicely placed on the front. Rare usage of this c.d.s. in the Sudan (where it had arrived around the 26 March). Exhibition Item. [Ex Duncan Carter.] Photo plate 5A

£650

2nd SUAKIN EXPEDITION - RARE NEW SOUTH WALES CONTINGENT COVER; c.10 May 1885 stampless env. (light stain spots & slightly roughly opened at top) to London, headed "On active service; no stamps procurable", and endorsed and signed by "Major Mackenzie, Staff, N.S.W. Contingent, Sandbag Redoubt, Suakin", having a very fine Sudan usage of the "BRITISH·ARMY·POST·OFFICE/EGYPT" c.d.s. (code "A"; 13 May) on the front. This is the matching cover to that sold in Cavendish's 'John Firebrace' auction, 16 May 2001 - lot 1179 - for £3.680; but the other cover was charged 2½d Postage Due on arrival, whereas this cover remained uncharged. Only a handful of N.S.W. Contingent covers from this Sudan Campaign have been reocrded. Important Exhibition item. Photo

£1800

2nd SUAKIN EXPEDITION - RARE INDIAN CONTINGENT COVER WITH INDIAN "FIELD P.O." C.D.S. CANCELLATION; Very fine 6 Oct. 1885 usage of the Indian 9pi red "SOLDIERS' AND SEAMENS' ENVELOPE" (flap lost) to India countersigned for a "Sub Hosp[ita]l Assistt....attached to No.2 Field Hospital Indian Contingent, Suakim", cancelled by a very fine Indian Forces "FIELD P.O." c.d.s., with Sea P.O. and Bombay backstamps. Very rare thus; few examples of this Sudan usage of the Indian Field P.O. mark are recorded. Exhibition Quality. Photo plate 5A

£500

SUDAN USAGE OF EGYPT POSTAL STATIONERY CARD; 19/22 Dec. 1888 usage of the Egypt 5m red PC from "Suakim" to Italy cancelled by a very fine bilingual "SOUAKIN" c.d.s. (22 Dec.) with Suez transit c.d.s. on the front. Scarce Sudan usage. Photo plate 5B

£120

INGOING 1st DAY USAGE OF THE G.B. 1890 JUBILEE COVER; Remarkable 2 July 1890 usage of the G.B. Jubilee 1d blue env. & enclosed card (with message from the Exhibition) both with superb purple Exhibition c.d.s.'s, addressed to "Bimbashi Taylor, Egyptian Army, Suakim, Egypt". No transit marks and underpaid for the letter rate, so presumably sent under cover, but neverthless a rare destination for this envelope. Photo plate 5B

£100

SUDAN USAGE OF EGYPT POSTAL STATIONERY ENVELOPE; 16 July 1892 usage of the Egypt 2pi yellow-orange env. to France uprated with an Egypt 1pi blue; the latter tied by a mostly fine "SOUAKIN" bilingual c.d.s., but the imprinted env. cancelled with a manuscript "X", presumably because it was not valid for postage in the Sudan. Rare thus. Photo plate 5B

£150

THE NILE EXPEDITION, 1885

1st NILE EXPEDITION - RARE "OVERLAND POSTAGE DUE" O.A.S. COVER TO INDIA WITH LARGE "KORTI" DATESTAMP; Attractive 9 Mar. 1885 stampless env. to India (redirected on arrival with varied backstamps) endorsed "Service, stamps not procurable", but having three different "T" Tax marks on the front with a mostly very fine rare large "KORTI" datestamp (Stagg type 15). There is also a superb circular "OVERLAND POSTAGE/DUE/AS./6" mark on the front, and no less than nine backstamps. Written from the Desert Column that returned to Korti on 16 March 1885. Rare Campaign cover. Photo plate 5B

£500

THE RELIEF OF KHARTOUM - "SOUDAN CAMPAIGN" COVER EX THE FAMOUS CAPTAIN LORD COCHRANE (LATER COL. DUNDONALD) OF THE CAMEL CORPS; c.1 Aug. 1885 stampless env. (small opening tears at top do not detract) to Wales endorsed "Soudan Campaign, no stamps available", in the hand of Dundonald and addressed to his mother, having a mostly very fine small 6 Aug. "WADI-HALFA" c.d.s. and matching boxed "T" on the front, with a very fine London handstruck "2½" charge struck in transit. Rare thus; Dundonald was famous for reporting the death of Gordon, and for various successful actions against the dervishes. Plus brief 1918 autograph letter, signed by Dundonald (authenticating the hand-writing of the 1885 envelope). (2 items). Photo plate 5B

£240

THE DONGOLA CAMPAIGN, 1896

BATTLE OF FIRKET - STAMPLESS O.A.S. COVER FROM "FIRKA" SOON AFTER THE BATTLE; 17 June 1896 stampless env. (minor wear) to London endorsed "Active Service, No stamps obtainable. Firka, 17.6.96. M.J. Ellis", having a near very fine large "WADI-HALFA/CAMP" c.d.s. (20 June) and v. fine matching boxed "T" on the front, with superb London "2½D/F.B/A." charge-mark alongside. Rare thus; the writer had presumably been involved in Kitchener's spectacular success against the Mahdi's forces at the Battle of Firket on 7 June 1896. Photo plate 5B

£240

THE DONGOLA EXPEDITION - STAMPLESS OFFICER's COVER CHARGED 2½d IN G.B.; c.28 July 1896 stampless env. to Melton Mowbray endorsed "No stamps; active service" and signed by Capt. "Malcolm Peake", having a v. fine "WADI-HALFA/CAMP" c.d.s. (31 July) and matching boxed "T" on the front as well as a superb London "2½D/F.B/B." transit charge-mark.Photo plate 5B.

£200

Similar 9 Aug. 1896 usage of the India 1a on 9pi env. (minor faults) to India, cancelled by a complete and very fine strike of the 2-ring Indian FPO "BASE OFFICE/B" c.d.s. Countersigned for a soldier in the 35th Sikh Regiment. Photo plate 5B

£200

"DONGOLA EXPEDITION" COVER WITH ORIGINAL LETTER FROM "GEMAI"; 12 Aug. 1896 stampless "Active Service" env. (minor opening tears) to G.B. endorsed "No stamps available....Dongola Expedition" with a partly fine "WADI-HALFA/CAMP" c.d.s. and matching v. fine boxed "T" on the front, the c.d.s. partly overstruck by a London "2½D/F.B/C" charge-mark. With original contents (full typed transcript) headed "Gemai" ref. an imminent advance and the insects; "We are to leave nearly all our baggage behind...We are to go from here to Kosheh by train & then we embark on the gun-boats & go straight up to Dongola...[We had] some rain the other night - a thing which is almost unknown here - and it seems to have brought out swarms of scorpions and centipedes & tarantula. They get into your shirts and trousers; one of our fellows was stung by a scorpion the other day so badly that for about 3 days he could not sit down..." Rare thus. Photo plate 5B

£240

"DONGOLA EXPEDITION" COVER TO G.B. FROM "DEBBA"; 3 Oct. 1896 stampless officer's env. to Wales endorsed "No stamps available, Active Service, Dongola Expedition,...Debba", with mostly v. fine "WADI-HALFA/CAMP" c.d.s., matching boxed "T", and London "2½D/F.B" marks all on the front. Scarce place of origin. Photo plate 6A

£200

THE THIRD SUAKIN EXPEDITION, 1896

INDIAN CONTINGENT CONCESSION RATE COVER WITH SUAKIN "BASE OFFICE/B" CANCEL; 6 Aug. 1896 usage of the India 1a on 9pi orange-red "SOLDIERS' AND SEAMEN'S ENVELOPE" (slight washing of address) to Karachi cancelled by a very fine (80% complete) 2-ring Indian FPO "BASE OFFICE/B" c.d.s. of Quarantine Island at Suakin, counteresigned for a soldier of the "C.D. Suakin". Photo plate 6A

£200

1897 OVERPRINTS ON EGYPT

1m (both shades) to 10p, each value in a mounted mint vertical strip of six showing the six varieties of overprint. The 5p with one stamp very lightly foxed at right and one some re-enforced perforations, others fine. SG. 1 to 9. (54). Photo

£260

1m brown, a marginal block of twelve (3 x 4) from the right of the sheet showing plate no "1", with overprint greatly misplaced to the left. A marginal block of fifteen (5 x 3) from the foot of the sheet with one being the missing dot in "nun" variety. 3m orange-yellow, a block of sixteen (4 x 4) with one showing the missing dot in "nun" variety. Fine mint. Also 5m rose-carmine, a defective example with inverted overprint. (C.F. Hass Cert. 1989).

£100

3m green, a single and a block of four with overprint misplaced vertically and another block of four with overprint misplaced horizontally (BPA Cert. 1951). A vertical strip of six showing the six settings, one with missing dot in "nun" variety. Fine mint.

£140

TWO COVERS TO O'LEARY BEY FINANCIAL SECRETARY OF THE EGYPTIAN ARMY: 1897 (13 Oct.) env. from Halfa to O'Leary Bey, Financial Secretary, War Office Cairo franked with 1m, 3m, 5m & 1pi .Therefore a contrived rate, but genuine cover for which O'Leary Bey is well known. Also an env. to the same address franked with a single 5m used from Merowi being one of the few correctly rated covers to this addressee., "WADI-HALFA/CAMP" c.d.s. on reverse.

£70

THE CAMPAIGN TO RECAPTURE KHARTOUM

RARE "EGYPTIAN FRONTIER FORCE" ENDORSEMENT ON COVER TO G.B.; Feb. 1897 stampless env. (minor wrinkling & edge wear) to London endorsed "No stamps available. 'Egyptian Frontier Force', G.C. Nuttall, Bimb., E.A." with a v. fine "WADI-HALFA/CAMP" c.d.s. (26 Feb.) & matching boxed "T" on the front, along with v. fine "2½D/F.B./B" mark. [With 1985 John Firebrace letter about this cover in which he notes that this endorsement is "extremely rare".] Photo plate 6A

£150

"SOUDAN" OVERPRINT CARD, LORD KITCHENER AUTOGRAPH, ETC.; 20 Mar. 1897 PC to Halfa with Egypt "SOUDAN" o.p. 1m brown (3) tied by v. fine "WADI-HALFA/CAMP" c.d.s.'s, small undated piece of paper with autograph "Very sincerely yours. Kitchener of K[hartoum]", c.1902 fine mounted silk portrait of Kitchener, 1908 PPC with Large Camel 3m tied by Khartoum c.d.s. (Kitchener inspecting the troops), and a modern cover. (5 items).

£100

UPRATED REGISTERED USAGE OF "SOUDAN" OVERPRINT ENV.; 4 Nov. 1897 usage of the Egypt o.p. 1pi blue P. Stat. env. to "H.Q., Alexandria", uprated for registration with Egypt o.p. 5m red both cancelled by a superb bilingual "HALFA" c.d.s. with a fair boxed "R" mark on the front. Scarce and attractive. Photo plate 6A

£90

RARE UNDATED "BERBER" DATESTAMP ON "SOUDAN" OVERPRINT COVER TO IRELAND; c.15 Dec. 1897 env. (minor wear at right) to "Curragh Camp" franked by pairs of Egypt "SOUDAN" o.p. 3m orange & 2m green all tied by v. fine rare undated 2-ring "BERBER" datestamps. This datestamp has only been recorded used during Dec. 1897 and examples on cover are rare. Exhibition Quality. Photo plate 6A

£200

RARE COMPLETE UPRATED G.B. REPLY-CARD SENT TO/FROM 'SOUDAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCE' - CANCELLED BY DESERT T.P.O. C.D.S.; 24 Jan. 1898 usage of the G.B. small ½d+½d brown P. Stat. PC (both halves very fine, complete and still attached), uprated each way with GB Jubilee ½d's; the outward half being cancelled by a v. fine "ASHFORD/KENT" c.d.s, and the return half (and the ½d Jubilee) cancelled by a very fine scarce bilingual "TRAVELLING POST OFFICE/S.P.S." c.d.s. (12 Feb.), with superb "HALFA" transit c.d.s. (15 Feb.). Possibly a unique usage of this kind of uprated postcard, and a most attractive usage of this early T.P.O. datestamp. Exhibition Quality. Photo

£300

"ON NILE EXPEDITION" STAMPLESS O.A.S. COVER WITH BILINGUAL T.P.O. DATESTAMP; 15 Feb. 1898 stampless officer's env. to G.B. with almost v. fine scarce bilingual "TRAVELLING POST OFFICE/S.P.S." c.d.s. on the front with matching boxed "T" mark, having small London "I.B./5D" (double rate) transit charge-mark in spite of the signed endorsement; "On Nile Expedtiioon - No Stamps Available". Perhaps the letter weighed above a half ounce. Rare thus. Photo plate 6A

£150

BERBER - SCARCE "SOUDAN" O.P. 'ENVELOPPE-LETTRE' USED TO FRANCE; 21 Feb. 1898 usage of the Egypt o.p. 1pi blue 'Enveloppe-Lettre' (internal flap removed; part contents remain) to Biarritz, cancelled by a partly fine scarce part-wording-removed "BERBER" datestamp with a second rather clearer strike on the front. The writer talks of shooting snipe and grouse; clearly the Campaign had calmed down. Scarce stationery usage. Photo plate 6A

£120

HALFA - FAMILY LETTER FROM THE 'ACTING GOVERNOR OF NUBIA PROVINCE'; 21/25 Feb. 1898 env. (+ contents) to Oswestry franked by Large Camel 1pi tied by a very fine bilingual "HALFA" c.d.s., with a second strike alongside. The long letter (full typed transcript included) talks of the writer's role in local affairs, but denies any knowlegde of Kitchener's military plans; "Here I am acting in the position Jack Maxwell had, i.e. Governor of Nubia Province & Military Commandant."Photo plate 6A

£120

"CAMP, ATBARA RIVER" - SOUDAN O.P. 'ENVELOPPE-LETTRE' WITH MENTION OF DELAYS TO THE 1st CAMEL STAMPS; 1 Apr. 1898 usage of the Egypt o.p. "SOUDAN" 1pi 'ENVELOPPE-LETTRE' from "Camp, Atbara River" to Scotland cancelled by a partly fine "TRAVELLING POST OFFICE/S.P.S." c.d.s., with complete contents (full typed transcript). The writer mentions that the "New issue [of stamps]" is still not available at the front, hence his use of the Postal Stationery. He adds that "I have not has any kit or shoes or anything off day or night, since the 13 March...Mahmoud is 20 miles off & they say the Sirdar is thinking of attacking him. We shall lose very heavily if we do." In the event, Kitchener attacked successfuly on Easter Day. Photo plate 6B

£150

RARE INTERNAL MAIL - GUNBOAT COMMANDER's LETTER SENT "O.H.H.S." FROM "BASHTANAB"; 23/26 Apr. 1898 stampless env. sent from "Bashtanab" to "Halfa" endorsed "O.H.H.S." with a partly fine "WADI-HALFA/CAMP" c.d.s. on the front with matching boxed "T" but no charge raised, being an internal military letter about the progress of the gunboats up the Nile. The letter (full typed transcript) was written by Lieut. Sparks, R.N., and gives details of recnet boat movements; "I have sent 28 boats up [the Nile] but I hear they are short of men up there to pull them through...I am glad the post is to run straight through to Abadia now." Rare internal military letter. Photo plate 6B

£240

"WET THROUGH COLLISION ON THE NILE" COVER ADDRESSED TO GIBRALTAR; 27 June 1898 env. (understandable wear and opened out for display) to the Army Pay Corps H.Q. in "Gibraltar" franked by Sudan Large Camel 5m (2) just tied by a blurred bilingual "HALFA" c.d.s. with a second clearer strike alongside, endorsed "Nile Expeditionary Force, Soudan", having a very fine strike (for this) of the rare handstruck "Wet through collision on the Nile" mark (usual Alexandria backstamp nearby, 8 May 1898) on the reverse, beside datestamps of "MALTA" (18 May) and "GIBRALTAR" (26 May). It seems that the letter was Missent to Malta; the address had been affected by damp, and so it ended up in Malta by mistake - the word "Gibraltar" (doubly underlined) has been written (in Malta P.O. presumably) on the front. Very rare wreck cover, with an exceptional routing and destination. Photo plate 6B

£600

MAJOR [LATER FIELD MARSHALL] EARL HAIG - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED + ORIGINAL ENV. WITH MENTION OF THE BATTLE OF ATBARA; 5 June 1898 env. to Halfa franked by Large Camel 5m tied by manuscript "X" and partial "BERBER" c.d.s., with original letter written & signed by Major Douglas Haig (famous as a Field Marshall in World War I) - full typed transcript. The letter extols the virtues of the Berber area, and mentions Kitchener's recent successful engagement at the Battle of Atbara; "On the Atbara, I was Broadwood's C.S.O. - We had a busy time as the Cavalry was out before the infantry left the Nile. But I'll tell you all about our experiences when we meet." [A later letter from Haig (with no envelope) - dated 30 June 1898 - describing the Battle, recently sold for £460 at auction.] Historical item. Photo plate 6B

£300

NILE EXPEDITIONARY FORCE - RARE "CHALLAL/WADI-HALFA" T.P.O. C.D.S. ON COVER TO G.B.; 18 June 1898 ("Waterloo Day") env. (minor toning etc.) with contents (full typed transcript) from "Wady Halfa" to Oswestry (redirected to London), with Large Camel 1pi tied by a partly v. fine bilingual "CHALLAL/WADI-HALFA" c.d.s. of the Railway T.P.O., with a second clearer strike nearby. The long letter describes the local people and country, mentions Kitchener and notes that; "We are pushing on our railway, which must reach the Atbara Camp before the end of the month." Rare thus. Photo plate 6B

£180

REGISTERED NATIVE "KERMA" LARGE CAMELS COVER TO EGYPT; 8 July 1898 env. (faults; creases and flap lost) to Assiout with Large Camel 1m(2) +2m +3m(2) +5m all tied by very fine scarce "KERMA" datestamps, with a further strike alongside with a partly fine boxed "EGYPTE/R" mark. Scarce origin and an unusual franking on a native cover. Photo plate 6B

£100

DARMALI - SOLDIER's CONCESSION RATE COVER TO G.B.; Attractive 31(?) July 1898 env. (small faults, mainly at corners) to London, headed & countersigned for a Private in the 1st Lincs. Regt. in "Soudan", endorsed "Army of Occupation" and "Nile Expedition"; franked by Large Camel 3m + 2m both tied by almost v. fine small "DARMALI/S.P.S." c.d.s.'s, having a 5 Aug. Wadi Halfa transit c.d.s. on the reverse. The full postal rate was 1 piastre at this date. Photo

£200

ATBARA - OFFICER's COVER "WRITTEN FROM ATBARA FORT ON WAY TO OMDURMAN"; 14/15 Aug. 1898 env. to Surrey franked by a Large Camel 1pi tied by a fine "ATBARA/S.P.S." c.d.s., apparently written by Major C. à Court (addressed to his father); endorsed (by addressee?) on reverse:- "Written from Atbara Fort on way to Omdurman with the 2d British Brigade. Aug. 14. 98", and dated "14.8.98" by the sender on the front. [The Battle of Omdurman took place on 2 Sept. 1898.] Photo plate 6B

£150

INGOING COVERS FROM G.B. INC. ONE THAT WENT UP THE NILE WHILE THE BATTLE OF OMDURMAN WAS BEING FOUGHT; 3 Mar. + 25 Aug. 1898 pair of envs. (former with some wear; latter v. fine) to Sandbach at "Wady Halfa" and "Egyptian Army H.Q., Nile Field Force" respectively; both franked with GB stamps for the 2½d rate, all tied by v. fine "OSWESTRY" c.d.s.'s. The first reached "HALFA" (poor c.d.s.) on 17 Mar. 1898; the latter passed through the "MILITARY POST OFFICE/CAIRO" (mostly v. fine c.d.s.) on 31 Aug. (two days before Omdurman) and reached "WADI-HALFA/S.P.S." (near fine c.d.s.) on 6 Sept., just 4 days after the addressee had been fighting at Omdurman. Scarce pair. (2 covers). Photo plate 6B

£150

THE BATTLE OF OMDURMAN - CONTEMPORARY WATERCOLOUR SKETCH MADE EN ROUTE & COVER POSTED SOON AFTER; 14 Aug. 1898 attractive watercolour sketch of "Wad Hamed Camp" where Kitchener rallied his troops en route to the Battle; plus 23 Aug. 1898 env. (worn, but with regimental motto on flap) to GB (presumably written by an officer who had been at Omdurman) franked by Large Camel 1m+2m+3m+5m (1m overpaid) tied by partial "ATBARA/S.P.S." c.d.s.'s, and a PPC. Scarce lot. [The sketch ex Firebrace.] (3 items).

£150

THE EVE OF THE BATTLE OF OMDURMAN - SCARCE "ARMY FORM" COVER SENT AT SOLDIER's CONCESSION RATE TO G.B.; 28 Aug. 1898 env. (dated by writer on front; with printed "Army Form C.398" imprint - due to shortage of stationery in the field?) to G.B. franked by Large Camel 3m_2m tied by partial small "ATBARA/S.P.S." c.d.s.'s of 5 Sept. 1898, just 3 days after the Battle. There is a mostly very fine scarce "CHALLAL" bilingual transit c.d.s. on the reverse. Plus 2 PPC's. Presumably all mail was held up for a few days during the Battle and its immediate aftermath. Rare thus. (3 items). Photo

£200

LATE FEE "L1" COVER FROM G.B. TO AN OFFICER, WRITTEN JUST AS THE NEWS OF THE VICTORY AT OMDURMAN WAS REACHING ENGLAND; Fine 5 Sept. 1898 env. to Sandbach at "Wady Halfa, Egypt" franked by G.B. Jubilee 2½d and 1d Lilac tied by London duplexes, being 2&Mac189;d postage plus a 1d Late Fee, hence there is a mostly very fine small red boxed "L1" mark of London (1d Late Fee Paid; rare on mail to Egypt/Sudan) on the front. There are backstamps of Cairo (14 Sept.) and Wadi Halfa (19 Sept.). The news of the great British victory at Omdurman on 2 Sept. would have reached England (by telegraph) just before this letter was posted; presumably the writer was prepared to pay an extra 1d to have this congratulatory letter to be despatched promptly. Photo plate 7A

£150

RARE DERVISH COVER ADDRESSED TO KITCHENER HIMSELF - A PETITION TO SUPPLY QAT; Remarkable Oct. 1898 wrapper addressed to Kitchener himself ("Supreme Commander of the Egyptian Army, Sadatliwa Efendim Hasrat Lira") and written entirely in Arabic (full translation included), franked by Large Camel 2m(6) +3m(6) all tied by very fine "KHARTOUM/S.P.S." c.d.s.'s, with the writer's petition written below the brief address:- "We draw to your lofty attention that we were present at the opening of the City [Khartoum/Omdurman?] openly, and that this matter cannot be concealed. We were left under your tender mercies and had plundered from us every last scrap of qat [the narcotic leaves chewed by the dervishes!]. We were left quite bereft. Therefore we venture thus; we wish for assistance from the stream of support. We request that there be conveyed to the homeland snuff for cultivation. We and our Antiqa group are here under God's care; our whole intent, even so, is to set the matter before your excellency." The very high postal rate for a local cover suggests that it may have contained further pages/signatures from the petitioners. Remarkable and unique(?) item, apparently from one of the rebels who survivied; possibly from one held captive? This was one of Norton's very favourite items!! Photo plate 7A

£400

1898 LARGE CAMEL ISSUE

A small selection of photographs of documents relating to the production of the 1st Camel issue, inc. a photograph of the original vignette design signed at a later date "E.A. Stanton/Colonel". (4 items).

£60

ORIGINAL DE LA RUE COLOUR SCHEME: 1897 (12 Nov.) A large page (203 x 288mm) taken from a De La Rue record book headed "Sudan Postage/Colur Scheme" bearing eight imperforate 2mi colour trials in the colours of the issued set, mounted in in of the values represented plus two diagonally bisected trials with red m/s "Colour of Centres 2 Piastres" and "Colour for/Border of 5 mils +/Centres of 10 Piastres". The 1mill colour has a m/s note "Border/5m Egyptian Post Colours" and the 5mill colour has the note "Centre English 10d" (this is a reference to the Jubilee 10d). The page has the circular "PASSED/12 NOV 97/T A D" handstamp. On the reverse the page is endorsed in pencil Stamps submitted on 12 Nov 1897 & appd Nov 30th subject to a darker red for the 5 mils, Capt. O' Leary also remarked that there appears to be a dnager of confusion between some of the duties". An important part of the story of stamp production in the Sudan. Ex De La Rue. Photo

£1600

A die proof on glazed card (92 x 60mm) of the vignette plate with uncleared tablets dated "21 SEP 97" and h.s. "BEFORE/HARDENING". Fine. Photo

£240

A die proof in black on glazed card (92 x 60mm) of the completed vignette plate dated "1 NOV 97" and h.s. "AFTER/STRIKING". Fine. Photo

£180

A die proof on glazed card (92 x 60mm) of the 1pi frame plate, without h.s. Fine. Photo

£140

A die proof on glazed card (92 x 60mm) of the 2pi frame plate, without h.s. Fine. Photo

£140

A die proof on glazed card (92 x 60mm) of the 5pi frame plate, without h.s. Fine.Photo

£140

A die proof of the frame on glazed card (92 x 60mm) without h.s. Two small ink lines clear of design on face. Photo

£140

1m to 10pi (toned), 1m block of twenty five (5 x 5) and corner block of six & 2m block of six. Mostly fine mint. Also used 2m, 3m, 5m and 5pi with "white cloud" variety, 3m with "gun barrel" variety, 1m (3), 2m (3), 3m (3), 5m (3), 1pi (3), 2pi (2), 5pi and 10pi (2). Also 1904 O.S.G.S. 1m used with "gun barrel" flaw. Mostly fine. (71).

£120

1m to 10pi cancelled by favour with very fine "KHARTOUM/S.P.S." c.d.s. of 10 September 1898 the 1st day of the re-opening of the head P.O.3m block of thirty two (8 x 4) cancelled by favour with the "KHARTOUM/S.P.S." c.d.s. Some staining. Also a diagonally bisected 1m cancelled with a "WADI HALFA" bi-lingual c.d.s.

£60

BISECTED 2pi ON PIECE TO MAKE THE 1pi RATE: 1898 (18 Aug.) piece franked with a diagonally bisected 2pi cancelled with a fine "ATBARA/S.P.S." c.d.s. with m/s "no 1 piastre stamp available/Beagger Captain/5th Fusiliers". Rare. Ex. G. Freschi. Photo

£200

FORGERIES:1m (4, inc. a strip of three), 2m (2), 3m, 5pi and 10pi "used" forgeries of a crude appearance lacking in detail, perforated 11 on unwatermarked poor quality porous paper. Scarce.

£100

THE FASHODA INCIDENT, 1898-99

RARE FRENCH 'MARCHAND MISSION' COVER TO FRANCE; The remarkable Dec.1898/Jan. 1899 (?) stampless env. (worn but readily legible) to Paris (18 Mar. 1899 arrival c.d.s.) endorsed "Troupes de Bahr El Ghazal" and "Correspondence Militaire Mission du Nil, franchise poste signé Dyé", being the replaement 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 "Vaugemestre". (Another Collision on the Nile?). Very rare cover from this brief French intervention in the affairs of the Sudan. [Ex Cavendish's 16 May 2001 "John Firebrace" auction, lot 1209. Important Exhibition Item. Photo

£900

RARE INGOING COVER TO "MACDONALD's EXPEDITION"; 9 Jan. 1899 env. (with original contents from the addressee's mother) addressed to "Rifle Brigade, Macdonald's Expedition, Fashoda, Soudan, Egypt", but much redirected and travelling for almost a full year in all! Franked by GB 1d(2) +½d all tied by Kensington c.d.s.'s; the redirections include "Cairo", "Uganda", "East African Rifles, B.E.A. Protectorate", and finally "Foreign Office, London". The mostly fine to very fine backstamps (some rather overstruck) include "KHARTOUM/S.P.S.", "OMDURMAN" (3 Oct.), "WADI HALFA", and "MOMBASA" (12 Nov.) with the final mark being a London arrival c.d.s. of 16 Dec. 1899, just short of a year after the letter was posted. One of only two such ingoing letters to the Fashoda forces that we have recorded, and the only one with such exotic redirections. Photo plate 7A

£400

ARMY OF OCCUPATION AND LATER EXPEDITIONS

"ZOOLOGICAL EXPEDITION" COVER AT 10m RATE TO U.S.A.; Rare 17 Aug. 1899 env. with "SENFF ZOOLOGICAL EXPEDITION (1899)/OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY" imprint above address, sent to Ohio franked by Large Camel 5m+3m+2m tied/cancelled by very poor small "ATBARA/S.P.S." datestamps. Rare and attractive non-military item. Photo plate 7A

£120

OFFICIAL "S.G." PERFIN "SOUDAN" OVERPRINTS ON COVERS; Pair of large 1900 envs. to Cairo each franked by a single 5m red Egypt "SOUDAN" o.p. with "S.G." [Sudan Government] perfin; one tied by poor scarce "BERBER" c.d.s., the other tied by partial "OMDURMAN" c.d.s. Scarce on cover. (2 covers).

£150

MUCH TRAVELLED COVER FROM G.B. ADDRESSED TO "SAUKIN FORCE"; 13 May 1897 usage of the G.B. 1d pink env. (opened out to display 23 postmarks!) uprated with GB 1½d Jubilee tied by London c.d.s. and addressed to a Surgeon Captain of the "XXXVth Sikhs, Saukin Force, Egypt", but much redirected with numerous backstamps inc. almost very fine 5 June "SAWAKIN" c.d.s., but routed via India with boxed "PARTI/LEFT" and finally endorsed "Left for England". [Ex Malcolm Bushnell; with copy of an article - Egypt Study Circle? - he wrote about it.] Photo plate 7A

£120

OMDURMAN - RARE DISALLOWED EGYPTIAN STAMP ON COVER TO G.B., BUT NOT CHARGED; Attractive 28 May 1899 env. to Fareham franked by Egypt (Pyramids) 1pi blue cancelled by a very fine rectangular retta cancel (in transit at Alexandria?; 9 June transit c.d.s. on reverse), having a mostly very fine "OMDURMAN" bilingual c.d.s. alongside, but just tied by two of the three boxed Omdurman "T" marks that surround it! The "T" marks have been crossed out in pencil and no charge has been raised in England. Presumably the British P.O. was confused by this most unusual and attractive franking. Exhibition Quality. [Ex Basil Owen, 1985.] Photo

£240

1-80	81-160	161-240	241-320	321-400	401-480	481-560	561-640
641-720	721-800	801-880	881-960	961-1040	1041-1120	1121-1196

Index