Worldwide inc. Seychelles, Sudan & Great Britain
Thursday 22 September 2005
SALE 676
* = 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
1 EXCEPTIONALLY EARLY LETTER FROM KHARTOUM TO CAIRO CARRIED BY A GREEK TRADER ACROSS THE DESERT; "25 Siaban 1265" (=1845/6) EL (fine condition; in Italian, complete with 30 Jan. 1846 Cairo bank cheque for 1,500 piastres found inside the letter) from "Cartun" (Italian for Khartoum) addressed to an official in the Ministry of War in "Cairo", endorsed "Raccomandata al Gran Colonbo Salutandola Di...." along the top. The contents mention that the letter is to be sent by the courtesy of a traveller to Cairo, one"Signor Dimitri" the Greek, who is soon to depart. A postscript notes that another Italian traveller has just arrived in Khartoum from "Cordofan", and it seems that he has been in "Berber[a]" as well. Rare letter from this extremely early period. [The 1846 EL to Germany, in the first part of the Collier Collection, was sold by Cavendish in March 2005 for £2,530.] Photo £750
2 "CHINESE" GORDON - RARE AUTOGRAPH, SIGNED MAP OF THE NILE & LETTER; Nov.(?) 1873 letter (no cover) written on a page from a foolscap memorandum book (folds to fit an 11-inch high album page) with a short note about the proposed Expedition to the Sudan addressed to "My dear Nugent", complete with a hand-drawn sketch of the Nile from Khartoum to Cairo showing "Berbera" and "Korosco". Dated on reverse; "Wrote C.R.E. 5/12/73", so presumably sent by Gordon from Cairo in Nov. 1873 while he was making final preparations for the anti-slave Expedition on behalf of the Khedive. The contents read as follows: "Khedive authorized me one companion whose app[ointmen]ts I was to fix for which I did at 1200£ a year...[various figures for salaries of storekeeper, engineer etc.]...1920£ left to me and of this, if you like to take the risk, I am willing to engage with you for 1200£ for 18 months & passage home & out & subsistence. Consider well & consider also my life. Yours sincerely C.G. Gordon." Historical and Important document. PHOTO. £500
3 "CHINESE" GORDON - AUTOGRAPH LETTER WRITTEN FROM "DUFLI" TO GIEGLER IN CAIRO; 19 Feb. 1876 letter (no env.) written and signed by Gordon ("C.G. Gordon") headed from "Dufli" (the small village on the Nile at 3º 45' N, 32º 0' E) with interesting contents about the continuing Expedition into what was to become Uganda; "Gessi starts in a few days for the Lake after calling in at Magungo with stores. I hope to stay here for some time, say two months, to see [the] Steamer completed...I am busy in sending up stores &c to Mroli &c...I am not well; sometimes I am quite well & then very bad...having the whole work of the Province on me is not good...I have, thank God, a splendid memory...Gessi is a hard-working useful man, but I cannot depend on him for anything serious...Whether I have become more requiring [=demanding] since China or not, I don't know..." Photo £200
4 "CHINESE" GORDON - FACSIMILE OF HIS FAMOUS SMUGGLED LETTER EX KHARTOUM, ETC.; Rare c.1885 printed reproduction (on very thin paper) of the famous 22 June 1884 miniature letter that was smuggled out of besieged Khartoum, in Arabic but 'signed' "C.G. Gordon" (without the blue intaglio seal); this letter (full typed translation included) led to the final failed rescue Expedition later in 1884. [An identical facsimile is held in the British Library manuscripts dept., which has recently been recognised for what it is, a printed copy.] Plus a 21 Feb. 1885 GB 1d lilac mourning env. with "WEST BROMPTON" duplex enclosing a letter from "H.W. Gordon" thanking the addressee for his letter of condolence "on the occasion of the death of General Gordon", and 2 prints of Gordon (one a signed 1953 Xmas card from the famous Egypt/Sudan collector, William Byam. (4 items). PHOTO. £150
5 LORDS DUFFERIN & BERESFORD - AUTOGRAPH SIGNED LETTERS INC. MENTION OF GORDON & THE SIEGE; 14 Feb. 1895 letter (no env.) from "British Embassy, Paris" written & signed ("Dufferin and Ava") by the famous diplomat Frederick Temple Hamilton-Temple Blackwood (phew!), 1826-1902 [to whom Gordon wrote what may have been his last letter - 11 Mar. 1884 - before the Siege of Khartoum started]; Dufferin writes to a "Mr. Douglas Murray" ref. a proposed biography (of Gordon?), referring to the 1883 'Hicks Expedition'; "He [Hicks] had thrashed the Mahdi's people in a couple of battles, and cleared them out of Sennar; and, even if the power of the Mahdi had swelled into the importance it had assumed when it overwhelmed Gordon, such a catastrophe as the capture of Khartoum would have been impossible if the Egyptian Army had remained intact..." Plus and 1898 c v of Lord Beresford ("Charles Beresford") ref. an invitation to dinner. (2 letters). £120
6 RUDOLF SLATIN PASHA (P.O.W. OF THE MAHDI 1883-95) - AUTOGRAPH SIGNED LETTER; Mar 1897 (contemporary pencil date) LETTER (NO ENV.) TO "mRS. tALBOT kELLY" accepting an invitation, written and signed ("R. Slatin") by Sir Rudolph Slatin who had been the Governor of Darfur Province 1881-83 when his force was defeated and he himself captured by the Mahdi, in whose hands he was held prisoner for 12 years before escaping. Fine autograph of this famous Sudan character. PHOTO. £100
7 RUDOLF SLATIN PASHA - SIGNED 1931 XMAS CARD WITH PHOTOGRAPH SELF-PORTRAIT; Unusual folded 1931 Xmas card with photograph of Slatin at left (signed "Rudolf Slatin" beneath), having autograph Xmas greetings on the other half. Rare thus. [Ex Freschi.] Photo £100
EGYPTIAN ADHESIVES USED IN SUDAN
8 KHARTOUM:1881 A part cover franked with 1879 Egyptian 2pi cancelled with a very fine KHARTOUM" c.d.s with another strike below. The cover also has a framed "RECOMMANDE" bi-lingual h.s. A little foxed. Photo £140
9 MASSAWA: 1872 20pa on 1p (2) each cancelled with"POST KHEDEVIE EGIZIANE/MASSAWA" (Stagg type 2) c.d.s. Fine part strikes. £60
10 SAWAKIN:1889 10p mauve block of four with central "SAWAKIN" type 19a c.d.s. Some paper adherance to reverse. Scarce. Ex Cooper. Photo £100
11 SAWAKIN/ABU HAMAD/WADI HALFA: 1891 10pa (3, inc a pair), 1893 2pi, and 1888 5m pair and two singles, all with "SAWAKIN" c.d.s. 1884 1p with c.d.s. of Abu Hamad and 1888 1m with part Wadi Halfa c.d.s. £100
12 SOUAKIM/MASSAWA/KHARTOUM:1872-75 1pi )4), & 2pi (4, inc. a small fragment bearing three examples) cancelled with part strikes of the "POST KHEDIVE EGIZIANE/SUAKIM" c.d.s. (Stagg type 2). 1872 1pi with part c.d.s. of Massawa and another with part Khartoum c.d.s. (10). £80
13 SOUAKIM/SUAKIM/KASSALA/WADI HALFA:The small selection of Egyptian adhesives with values to 5p cancelled by c.d.s. of Souakim (16), Sawakin (12), Suakin (4) Wadi-Halfa and Kassala. Mostly fine part strikes. £140
G.B. AND INDIAN ADHESIVES USED IN SUDAN
14 GREAT BRITAIN 2&Mac189;d USED IN SUAKIM:1884 2&Mac189;d lilac, HS & ER cancelled with part strikes of the "BRITISH POST OFFICE?EGYPT" c.d.s. with codes "A" and "C" respectively. Fine and fresh for these. SG. Cat. £450. Photo £120
THE SUAKIN CAMPAIGN, ETC., 1884-92
15 SUAKIN SAILORS' 2d CONCESSION RATE COVER EX THE NAVAL BRIGADE: 1884 printed cover from H.M.S. "Euryalus", a troopship transporting troops to the Suakin to strengthen the garrison in the fight with Osman Digna, addressed to Birmingham, bearing GB 2d rose tied by black "F.B." of London. A somewhat similar cover from the same correspondence realised £600 in the John Firebrace sale of 16th May 2001. Photo £300
16 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). £100
17 ATTRACTIVE INGOING COVER TO LIEUTENANT SANDBACH BEARING EGYPT 20pa rose x 4: 1885 (19 March) cover and contents to Sandbach at Kasr-el Nil Barracks, Cairo, from his brother at Sandbag Camp, Suakin bearing Egypt 20pa rose (4) cancelled by the early "SOUAKIN" c.d.s. (Stagg type 4). Note: On the date the letter was sent a small Dervish Force was encountered and defeated at Hashim and the letter has fascinating contents about the engagement including "The mounted infantry were out and did very well. One of the officers, Birch, was slightly wounded by a spear in the throat. Our total loss was one man killed and three wounded including Birch. We captured three prisoners and one camel.....Tomorrow we are to go out again and make a longer day of it. I believe it is to be business tomorrow. An infantry Regiment is to remain for the night in a zareeba near Hashim and we are going to drag out two Krupp guns to help them in addition to our own. Our horses and men have come out from England, 79 horses and 50 men. They only lost 1 horse on the voyage and the horses landed in very fair condition". Photo £300
18 THE BATTLE OF TOFREK - INGOING COVER TO A CORPORAL WHO WAS KILLED IN ACTION ALONG WITH ENVELOPE FROM THE SUDAN TO THE MOTHER OF THE DEAD SOLDIER: 1885 (23 March) envelope from Oxford to Corporal Pell serving with the 5th Lancers sent at the 1d Concessionary rate received at Souakin on 6th April 1885 and endorsed "killed in action/22/3/85" before being readdressed to the "Postmaster, Oxford" with the GB 1d lilac recancelled by the single-ring "BRITISH ARMY POST OFFICE-EGYPT" and arriving back in Oxford on 28th April. Pell was one of only a few Lancers who lost their lives at Tofrek. Also an envelope sent at the Officer's rate of 2&Mac189;d from the Sudan to the dead soldier's mother carried by the "Army Bag" and put into the post in London which would have contained a letter describing the circumstances of Corporal Pell's death. A scarce pair. Photo £500
19 1885 (29 MARCH) ENVELOPE (SOME WEAR) ADDRESSED TO THE ROYAL ENGINEERS AT CAIRO AND REDIRECTED, franked by G.B. 2½d lilac (faults) tied by fine scarce "ALDERSHOT CAMP/96" duplex, lacking any transit marks, but clearly forwarded. £90
20 INGOING COVER TO LIEUTENANT SANDBACH SERVING WITH THE SUAKIN FIELD FORCE: 1885 (7 May) envelope ex Oswestry to Sandbach serving with the Second Battalion of the Mounted Infantry, Suakin Field Force, bearing GB ½d & 1d x 2.Clean & attractive. £100
21 INGOING COVER TO LIEUTENANT SANDBACH SERVING WITH THE SUAKIN FIELD FORCE: 1885 (6 June) envelope ex South Kensington bearing defective GB 2½d (damaged by rough opening of the envelope) to Lieutenant Sandbach serving with the Second Battalion of the Mounted Infantry , Suakin Field Force. The cover arrived after Sandbach had left Suakin and was forwarded to Cairo. Some toning. £75
22 THE RED SEA LITTORAL - WAR CORRESPONDENT'S MAIL: 1888 (20 Dec.) envelope ex London bearing &Mac189;d vermilion & 1d lilac (2) addressed to the Daily Graphic War Correspondent, the Hon. Gerald de Saumarez with "GRAPHIC" embossed on the reverse, whilst he was covering the constant skirmishes in the Suakin area. Backstamped Suez and Suakin. Photo £120
THE NILE EXPEDITION, 1885
23 "BRACKENBURY'S BOAT COLUMN" - RARE INGOING COVER FROM G.B.; 1885 (19 Feb.) env. (roughly opened - just clear of stamp - and understandable staining barely detracts) franked by GB 2&Mac189;d dull lilac tied by a very fine "SHERBORNE/7U02" duplex, addressed to "Captain M. Brent. 1st South Stafford Regiment, Brackenbury's Boat Column (above Dulka), Soudan, Egypt". Rare thus; this Column was the one to which the famous Canadian Voyageurs were attached - this is the only ingoing cover from GB that we can recall having seen. Photo £200
24 "RESCUE" FORCES IN TRANSIT TO KHARTOUM - IN EGYPT: 1885 (4 Jan) Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders envelope franked with Egyptian 1p and used from Korosko to London , the adhesive cancelled with a fine blue "KOROSKO" c.d.s. with a further strike nearby. the cover is a little roughly opened. Korosko is a small town on the Nile north of Wadi Halfa, where a P.O. at the end of 1870 had according to Geigler Pascha fallen under the Govt. Administration of Sudan. Korosko was a staging post during the build up of troops on their way to rescue Gordon Photo £160
25 ON ACTIVE SERVICE ENVELOPE AND CONTENTS FROM LIEUTENANT ANNESLEY AT FIRKET: 1885 (21 Dec.) stampless envelope to the U.K. ex Lieutenant Annesley at Firket to his father (General Annesley) in Cheltenham cancelled "WADI HALFA 21 DE 85" with boxed "T" & "2&Mac189;d" to pay. The letter plus a transcript of same is included. Fascinating contents include "Everyone congratulates me on taking part in defence of Ambigol. Have the papers said anything about it? We had only 65 men (for 2&Mac189; hours I was in command with only 32) and between 500 and 600 attacked us for 2&Mac189; days.....had some very narrow shaves at Ambigol but got through it alright and feel confident about this business". Photo £200
THE DONGOLA CAMPAIGN, 1896
26 BATTLE OF FIRKET - STAMPLESS O.A.S. COVER FROM "FIRKA" SOON AFTER THE BATTLE; 17 June 1896 stampless envelope (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 "2&Mac189;D/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 £180
27 THE DONGOLA EXPEDITION - STAMPLESS OFFICER'S COVER CHARGED 2&Mac189;d IN G.B.:1896 (8 Sept) stampless env. from Kosheh to London with contents, endorsed "Active Service/No Stamp" with a very fine "WADI-HALFA/CAMP" c.d.s. (11 Sept) and matching boxed "T" on front as well as a superb London "2&Mac189;D/F.B" transit charge mark. Fine. Photo £240
THE THIRD SUAKIN EXPEDITION, 1896
28 INDIAN FORCES - 9p SOLDIERS' AND SEAMENS' ENVELOPE franked with additional &Mac189;a adhesive to make up the 1a rate to India both cancelled by the British Army "BASE OFFICE/B/4 JU 96" (before reaching Quarantine Island). A scarce and highly visual item. Photo £300
29 INDIAN FORCES - 1a ON 9 pi SOLDIERS' AND SEAMENS' ENVELOPE: (9th Aug.) 1a on 9pi envelope (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. £150
30 TOKAR - INDIAN SOLDIERS' AND SEAMENS' 1a ON 9pi ENVELOPE EX SUAKIN TO THE PUNJAB: 1896 Indian Soldiers' and Seamens' envelope cancelled by the duplex "No.1 FIELD POST OFFICE/2 No 1896" with a barred "B" addressed to the Punjab and countersigned by the Commanding Officer .Note: this cancellation was used by the No.1 Field Post Office which travelled with the advance troops to the Tokar area and was the only duplex type canceller used in the Sudan with dates recorded between 1st July and 2nd November, making this the latest known example of same. Photo £300
31 EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM COLONEL CHARLES EGERTON WHEN HE WAS IN CHARGE OF THE SUAKIN EXPEDITION: 20th Sept. 1896 extract (8 sides) of a letter written by Colonel Egerton to a friend in South Africa with very interesting contents including "We have just heard of the capture of Dongola - taken I am glad to say by the Staffords in the gun-boats and not by those accursed Egyptians and wonder what is to be the next move.....you have no doubt seen the magnificent pictures in the illustrated papers of the fiery Gippy Cavalry charging hordes of Dervish spearmen and driving them before them like sheep. The real fact is that the Gippy Cavalry did charge but it was in the opposite direction to the enemy" plus various other derogatory comments about the country and its inhabitants. £100
32 IN-BETWEEN CAMPAIGNS ENVELOPE AND ORIGINAL CONTENTS EX THE SANDBACH CORRESPONDENCE: 1896 (7 Nov.) env. plus enclosed letter ex Sandbach to his mother in Abergele written after the Third Suakin Campaign earlier that year. Interesting contents include "One of the 60th Rifles from Cairo has come on board for the trip through the canal & cast about all sorts of warlike news. War cannot be delayed further than next spring. France & Russia mean to turn us out of Egypt; and we dont mean to go". At the time Sandbach was on board HMS "Jumina". Also a PPC showing Port Said, the Suez Canal & the Bitter Lakes. £100
1897 OVERPRINTS ON EGYPT
33 1m to 10p a mint and two used.sets. 5m pair & single plus 5p cancelled with the star and crescent 1896 error of Merawi. 1m (2 used), 2m (3, inc one used), 3m (2), 5m, 2p & 2m p. due all with damaged S variety. 2m (3), 3m (2), 5m (2), 1p, 2p (3), 5p & 4m p. due all with bent alif variety. 3m (2, inc. one used), 1p and 2m p. due all with inverted V variety. 1m (used) & 2m (2, one used) with small A variety. 2m, 3m block of four and a used single plus 5m with no dot in Arabic NUN variety. Also a good range of forgeries inc a single 1m with inverted surcharge and two covers. (211). £120
34 1m deep brown upper left and pale brown lower right panes of sixty & 2m green upper left pane of sixty. All from the 1st setting. Fine mint. £100
35 1m to 1p used on env. registered from Wadi Halfa to Cairo dated 24 Sept 1897. A portion of the address has been crossed out Photo £100
36 3m orange lower right hand pane of 60 & 5m rose-carmine marginal mint pane of 60 from the bottom of the sheet. Both from the 1st Setting. Fine mint. £75
37 1p ultramarine, a complete pane of sixty from the 3rd setting. Fine mounted mint. £100
THE CAMPAIGN TO RECAPTURE KHARTOUM
38 COVER FROM WADI HALFA CAMP TO THE ARMY SERVICE CORPS IN EGYPT BEARING PROVISIONAL 5m ADHESIVE: 1897 (22nd July) cover ex Halfa to a Captain in the Army Service Corps in Alexandria bearing provisional 5m tied by Halfa d.s. Backstamped Alexandria & Military Post Office (both 27th July). Very clean. £75
39 POSTAL STATIONERY ENVELOPE ADDRESSED TO LIEUTENANT COLONEL SIR ARTHUR SLOGGETT: 1897 (3 Nov.) 1pi blue postal stationery envelope uprated with provisional 10pi (5) tied by Halfa c.d.s. cancellations of 3rd November. A very rare and attractive - albeit highly philatelic franking. Note: Sir Arthur Sloggett served with the Dongola Expedition as Senior Medical Officer , was present at the battle of Khartoum - where he was dangerously wounded - and later served with distinction in the Boer War and the First World War before becoming Surgeon to the Viceroy of India. £180
40 COVER FROM THE WADI-HALFA CAMP TO THE ARMY SERVICE CORPS IN EGYPT BEARING PROVISIONAL 2m AND 3m ADHESIVES: 1897 (Nov.) envelope bearing provisional 2m & 3m tied by Wadi-Halfa d.s. (another example of same clear of adhesives) addressed to Captain Brooke of the Army service Corps at Alexandria. Very clean. Photo £100
41 NILE EXPEDITIONARY FORCE - POSTAL STATIONERY ENVELOPE TO ENGLAND: 1897 5m postal stationery envelope ex "Pte e. Roberts, A Coy 1/R.W.R., Nile Expeditionary Force" to Lowestoft cancelled by the small "DARMALI" S.P.S. of 24th July 1898 (Stagg type 28). Note: The P.O. at Base Camp Darmali opened in March 1898 due to the build up of troops prior to the final assault on the Mahdi's troops massed at Omdurman and closed in October 1898 whwn the troops left after the second successful attack. Private Roberts was a member of the 1st Battalion of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment who figured in the victory at Omdurman. Photo £150
42 AUTOGRAPHED LETTER FROM GENERAL SIR NEVILLE LYTTLETON TO COLONEL ALLATT: 1898 (6th January) letter on embossed War Office paper from The Right Honorable Sir Neville Lyttelton to a Colonel Allatt in Folkestone along with the O.H.M.S. envelope in which the letter was sent. Lyttelton commanded the 2nd Brigade of the British Division at the Battle of Omdurman in September 1898 where he distinguished himself and was mentioned in despatches. £75
43 COVER WITH LETTER FROM T. CAPPER AT BERBER TO MAJOR SANDBACH AT MEROWI -CARRIED ON THE T.P.O:1898 (20 Feb) env. with contents from Berber to Merowi franked at the 5m rate and with a fine "TRAVELLING POST OFFICE/S.P.S." type 221 c.d.s. The contents from T Capper to Major Sandbach tells of rumours regarding possible future plans of attack, asks about nags and wonders how Douglas Haig with settle down. Photo £150
44 "WET THROUGH COLLISION ON THE NILE" COVER ADDRESSED TO ENGLAND: 1898 (April) cover from Halfa to England bearing Large Camel 5m (2), endorsed "Nile Expedition/Soudan"overstruck by "TRAVELLING POST OFFICE" d.s. and with black s/l "Wet through collision on the Nile" on reverse alongside Alexandria d.s. Understandable wear but a rare wreck cover.Photo £500
45 COVER FROM THE FORCES AT DARMALI: 1898 (2 June) envelope from Darmali to Nottingham franked with a single 1p tied by a bilingual "DARMALI" c.d.s. Halfa and Alexandria transit c.d.s. on reverse. Some cover faults. PHOTO. £80
46 THE ONLY KNOWN COVER FROM JAMAICA TO MAJOR SANDBACH WHILST SERVING IN THE SUDAN: 1898 (5th July) cover from Jamaica to Sandbach at Wadi Halfa bearing 2&Mac189;d adhesive tied by double-ring "KINGSTON" c.d.s. At the time he was A.A.G. at Wadi-Halfa supervising the build up of troops and materials prior to the Battle of Omdurman. Some foxing, etc. but a remarkable item nevertheless. Photo £200
47 DARMALI - SOLDIER'S CONCESSIONARY RATE TO G.B.: 1898 (July) envelope headed for a private in the 1st Lincs Regiment endorsed "Nile Expedition" and used to Notting ham, franked with a single 5m Large camel tied by a clear blue "DARMALI" c.d.s. with "HALFA" and "ALEXANDRIA" transit c.d.s on reverse. Also a contemporary sketch of a village near Abu Klea. Photo £160
48 NILE FIELD FORCE - LETTER FROM MAJOR SANDBACH TO HIS MOTHER: 1898 (6 Aug.) envelope plus contents from Arthur Sandbach at Wadi Halfa to his mother, some 27 days before the Battle of Omdurman. Contents include "By that time (15th August) we shall have seen all the British troops through here & then we officials have a fast express train to move us and run through to Atbara in 24 hours instead of 36. The others with me will be the Railway Officers, chiefly R.E. who are going up for the advance. £100
49 PAIR OF COVERS FROM CAPTAIN WILLIAM HENRY SITWELL OF THE NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS TO HIS WIFE IN ENGLAND: 1898 envelope bearing Large Camel 5m (2) ex Atbara written less than a month before the battle of Omdurman plus 1899 cover bearing Large Camel 1pi written from Omdurman after Khartoum had been recaptured. (2). £150
50 POSTAL STATIONERY ENVELOPE AND CONTENTS EX THE GUN-BOAT "AKASHEH" EN ROUTE TO SHABLUKA: 1898 (20th Aug.) postal stationery envelope and contents uprated with Large Camel 5m from G.H. Leslie, an officer on board the Gun-boat "Akasheh" to Ireland thence forwarded to London, cancelled at Atbara on 5th September, three days after the battle of Omdurman. The letter includes fascinating contents re the forthcoming advance on Omdurman. £120
51 OPENED OUT COLOURFULLY FRANKED COVER EX BERBER TO ALEXANDRIA:1898 (4 Oct.) opened out envelope to Alexandria bearing five different values of the 1897 Provisional opt. set plus (on reverse) Large Camel 5m & 1pi, all tied by BERBER c.d.s. of 4th October. Wadi Halfa transit d.s. of 7th October on reverse - the cover travelled on the Railway to Wadi Halfa before reaching Alexandria on 11th October. £120
52 MUCH TRAVELLED COVER FROM A MEMBER OF THE THIRTEENTH SUDANESE REGIMENT: 1898 cover ex the "XIII/SUDANESE" (embossed on reverse) to Captain Cotton, Cairo, thence readdressed to Junior Army & Navy Club , St. James, London and subsequently to Witley, Surrey, bearing 5m Large Camel cancelled by two horizontal pen strokes and with "SAWAKIN" d.s. to lower left of cover along with Cairo arrival mark. £100
53 COVER TO MAJOR SANDBACH BEARING ITALIAN 25c BLUES: 1898 cover to Sandbach c/o "Messrs T.Cook & son, Cairo" readdressed to Halfa in blue crayon, franked by two Italian 25c blue adhesives tied by barred canceller and with poorish circular Cook's Office/Tourist Service d.s. (date unclear) below. Slight faults. £75
1898 LARGE CAMEL ISSUE
54 1898 Opened out envelope from Wadi Halfa to Germany redirected within Germany franked with 1898 large camel 5m, 1p. 2p & 5p tied by fine "WADI HALFA/S.P.S." c.d.s., on the reverse is a German 10pf applied at Labo to pay redirection. Also 1913 envelope registered from Atbara to USA franked with 5m booklet stamps x 4. 1913 PPC from Atbara to UK franked with 1m x 4 and 1913 (Dec) PPC from Khartoum to UK franked with a single 4m. (4 items). £100
55 RARE USE OF NON OFFICIAL ADHESIVES ON AN OFFICIAL ENVELOPE: 1907 (22 Sept) large O.S.G.P. & T.S. envelope registered from Sawakin to London franked with 1m to 5m pairs plus a single 1p tied by "SAWAKIN" type 19a c.d.s. A rare use of non official adhesives on an official envelope. Some faults. £80
1903 5M ON 5PI SURCHARGE ISSUE
56 State 1 irregular block of 18 with "indented M" & "indented e" varieties, State 2 complete mint pane of 30 (6 x 5), pairs (2) & singles (7) plus used singles (4, one with inverted surcharge) and blocks of 4 (2). A useful group. (71). £120
ARMY OF OCCUPATION AND LATER EXPEDITIONS
57 ENVELOPE SENT BY LORD KITCHENER TO THE QUEEN AT WINDSOR REDIRECTED TO BUCKINGHAM PALACE: 1899 (3 March) envelope registered from Lord Kitchener at Omdurman to The Queen at Windsor Castle redirected to Buckingham Palace. Franked with 1p (one stamp is missing and another is cut away). The cover is signed "Kitchener" at lower left and bears his red wax seal on reverse. Some faults, but I wonder what the contents conveyed! Ex Freschi. Photo £200
58 SCARCE EARLY USAGE OF THE "SHENDI" D.S. ON "SOUDAN" 5m P. STAT. ENV.; 23 Feb. 1900 usage of the o.p. 5m envelope (opened out for display; some closed tears) to a Translator at "War Office, Cairo" cancelled by a mostly fine small bilingual "SHENDI" c.d.s. (Stagg 23-1; 3 months earlier than recorded) with a second almost very fine strike alongside. There is a mostly fine blue boxed "EGYPTIAN CAVALRY" d.s. (unrecorded?) on the reverse across the flaps. £90
59 ENVELOPE ADDRESSED BY SIR REGINALD WINGATE - SIRDAR OF THE EGYPTIAN ARMY: 1901 (5 May) mourning envelope from Wadi Halfa to Cairo franked with a single 5m tied by "WADI-HALFA/CAMP" c.d.s. The cover is addressed to Col. Staveley Gordon at The War Office Cairo and is written by Sir R Wingate, m/s in Wingate's writing "General Sir Reginald/Wingate - Sirdar of/the Egyptian Army". Fine. Also a letter from Earl Cromer to Lady Wingate. (2 items). Photo £150
60 ENVELOPE FROM LADY WINGATE: 1902 (11 Nov) Grand Hotel printed envelope from Khartoum to Sheffield franked with 5m pair tied by a fine "KHARTOUM" type 32 c.d.s. £70
LATER LARGE CAMEL COVERS, 1901-13
61 EGYPTIAN REGIMENTAL COVER FROM KHARTOUM TO CAIRO; Unusual 4 Nov. 1901 usage of the "SOUDAN" o.p. 5m red P. Stat. envelope (address partly scuffed) to Cairo cancelled by fine bilingual "KHARTOUM" c.d.s., having the original contents; a letter written in Arabic on special Egyptian Army "33 R.A.D.N." notepaper with a coloured eagle/insignia at the top. With partial transation; recommending some one as suitable for the army. £75
62 THE TALODI INCIDENT - EYE-WITNESS ACCOUNT OF THE CAMEL CORPS' REACTIONS TO THIS DOUBLE MURDER; 2/9 June 1906 envelope (+ contents) to London (Romily correspondence) franked by Large Camel 5m tied by a very fine diamond dotted retta cancel (plus a London machine cancel for redirection) though having a "KHARTOUM" backstamp. Rare cancellation; presumably due to heightened security associated with the Talodi Incident. The two enclosed letters ("El Obeid", 2 June + "Gebel Kadugli", 9 June) give a hasty account of the Talodi Incident; "El Obeid...Returned here day before yesterday...Too busy to write much - anyhow I can't as it's all Confidential", plus "Gebel Kadugli...You probably know by now that we had a Post cut up by Arabs at Talodi (S. of here; Lat 11° 29'). Two Egyptian Officers murdered....We've got a fair force - 200 C[amel]. Corps, 150 Infantry - down here. We hope to get a chance of going for these fellows & taking blood for blood, in order to reestablish prestige...There was, of course, fear of a general rising...Nubas from the mountains & Arabs are helping in hunting these fellows..." Important account of this Sudan skirmish from one of the few Europeans on the spot. Photo £360
63 INGOING COVER FROM TURKEY VIA BEYROUTH; July 1906 envelope (some wear - mostly on reverse - opened out for display) franked by Turkey 1 pi blue tied by a mostly very fine bilingual "STAMBOUL" c.d.s. on the front, addressed to Beyrout (?), but then redirected to "Suakin" and then to London; having a mostly fine "KHARTOUM" c.d.s. on the front and with numerous backstamps (inc. "BEYROUTH", "SAWAKIN", etc.). Unusual country of origin for a cover to Sudan. £75
64 PICTURE POSTCARDS INC. UNRECORDED (?) "STAFF OFFICER BRITISH CAMEL COMPANY" CACHET; 1906-12 PPC's to Greece/France/G.B. with Port Sudan or Khartoum cancels on Large Camel frankings, inc. rare 1909 PPC (real photo of "3rd Battalion Coldstream Guards, Khartoum, 1909, Drummers") with (unrecorded?) straight-line "STAFF OFFICER BRITISH CAMEL COMPANY" partly deleted cachet above the address. Scarce lot. (5 cards). £75
65 POST OFFICE FORMS + INGOING MAIL EX G.B. & U.S.; 1907 "SUDAN POSTAL SERVICE" Parcel declaration form with v. fine "MEROWI" c.d.s. ref. a parcel sent to Denmark (with "BASEL" transit c.d.s. on reverse), 1932 Atbara usage of a P.O. parcel receipt, 1912 env. to Khartoum with GB KEVII 3d tied by Dover c.d.s., and reply half of US 2c blue P. Stat. PC uncancelled but with "PORT SUDAN" & Sudan TPO backstamps. Varied condition but a scarce group. (4 items). £75
66 ITALIAN NAVAL COVER + THE "AMBRUSTER" CORRESPONDENCE ABOUT WINGATE, ETC.; Dec. 1909 envelope ("NAVIGAZIONE GENERALE ITALIANA" flap) to Khartoum with Large Camel 5m on reverse tied by manuscript signature beside manuscript "P. Sudan" and date; plus 1909 correspondence of 3 covers (+ contents) from C.H. Ambruster (senior official in the Sudan Government, who spoke perfect Abyssinian) to GB with 5m frankings tied by Khartoum c.d.s.'s. These latter letters give an insight into Wingate's inability as an administartor, mentions £3,000 spent on celebrating the opening of Port Sudan (with £500 for fireworks alone!), etc. Wingate, Slatin and Ambruster served together on a confidential mission to Somaliland in the months between the second and third letters. (4 covers). £90
THE LADO ENCLAVE, 1906-08
67 SELECTION with a good example of the Belgian Congo 50c "ETAT INDEPENDANT DU CONGO" with signature in black manuscript cancelled by "306" dot Retta . Alfani Certificate of authenticity accompanies. Also a range of forgeries comprising Belgian Congo 5c, 10c & 15c adhesives on small pieces with m/s & retta cancellations, decreed as forgeries by Willy Balasse and subsequently cut in half! (4 items). £100
WORLD WAR I - MILITARY MAIL
68 MISCELLANY with 1915 PPC endorsed "On Active Service" ex Khartoum to England with black boxed "T", 1916 PPC & envelope ex Salonica to personnel in the Egyptian Army Hospital, Khartoum censored by red triangular "PASSED BY CENSOR/Crown" marks, 1917 stampless cover ex El Fasher to the USA with fair purple triangular No.9, cut down env. to the USA bearing 5m (4) with similar no.11 censor mark, Oct. 1918 uncensored cover ex Khartoum to Zeidab bearing 5m (4). A very interesting miscellany. (7). £150
69 GENERAL WINGATE AUTOGRAPH LETTER, SIGNED, SENT IN MILITARY BAG (?) TO CAIRO PLUS FLIMSY MENU CARD FOR A MEAL HELD IN NOVEMBER 1919 AT A MILITARY HOSPITAL IN GAZA; 20 Mar. 1915 large stampless env. (roughly opened; "THE PALACE, KHARTOUM" flap) to Cairo endorsed "From General Wingate" on the front and with no postal marks; plus contents on "Governor General's Office" paper typed and signed "R. Wingate". Rare thus. Also a flimsy menu card for a dinner held on 19th November 1919 at a military hospital in Gaza, signed to reverse by various attendees. £75
70 OPERATIONS AGAINST THE SULTAN OF DARFUR - RARE SKELETON CIVIL DATESTAMP OF EL FASHER: 1916 (August) envelope endorsed "On Active Service" & "No stamps available" from a Sergeant Walker who was a member of the Western Frontier Force in Darfur addressed to Brompton Barracks, Chatham, Kent with triangular violet "PASSED BY CENSOR/8/SUDAN" and black skeleton civil datestamp of El Fasher with the date (12 August) in two lines. Earliest recorded date of two known covers with this rare mark. Photo £150
71 OPERATIONS AGAINST THE SULTAN OF DARFUR - RARE SKELETON CIVIL DATESTAMP OF JEBEL EL HELLA: 1916 (29 Oct.) 5m postal stationery envelope to Taunton, thence readdressed to London cancelled with skeleton civil datestamp of Jebel El Hella with the date in two lines along with violet triangular censor mark (number 10). On reverse are transit marks of Nahud, Khartoum-El Obeid T.P.O. number 2 & Shellal-Halfa T.P.O. number 2. This cover is the latest recorded date of the three examples known. Photo £100
72 THE TURKANA PATROL; 1917 (6 Nov.) usage of the 5m envelope (minor faults) to Cairo cancelled by v. fine "Mongalla" c.d.s., endorsed "early stages of Turkana Patrol" with purple crayon "12" in place of censor triangle. £100
73 THE TURKANA PATROL: 1917 (6 December) 5m postal stationery envelope endorsed "TURKANA PATROL/MONGALLA" cancelled by c.d.s. of Mongalla (type19-8) and with violet triangular censor (number 7) mark. signed by Major A.H. Betterton. Backstamped Khartoum, Shellal-Halfa & Cairo. Note: On 27th May 1918 the Equatorials had located the Turkana guarding cattle near the Lorusia Mountains. Unfortunately they turned out to be well armed, well dug-in Abyssinian regulars. However the Equatorials pressed forward inflicting heavy losses on the Abyssinians, forcing them to withdraw into the hills in the gathering darkness Photo £150
74 THE NYIMA PATROL: 1917 (17 Dec.) 5m postal stationery envelope from Dilling (Kordofan Province) to Cairo with triangular censorship mark (number illegible). Transit marks of Khartoum-El Obeid, Shellal-Halfa & Dawawin (Cairo). Note: A Post Office was opened at Dilling in June 1917 specifically to handle mail of personnel associated with the Nyima Patrol. It closed in March 1918 following the capture of Chief Agabna and his 200 followers who had been raiding Kasha in the Nyima Hills. Photo £150
WORLD WAR I - CIVIL CENSOR LABELS ON COV
75 FRAMED "OPENED BY/THE CENSOR" LABEL ON COVER: 20 December, 1914 env. (opened out for display; some staining) addressed to Hampshire franked with 5m adhesive cancelled by 15 x 15 retta and by Suakin c.d.s. with Port Sudan & Christmas Day Shellal-Halfa T.P.O. No. 2 transit marks and (partially) re-sealed by an example of this scarce censor label; stated to be the earliest known use of this type of label in the Sudan. Photo £150
76 EGYPTIAN TYPE NO. 11: 28 Feb., 1915 env. (minor faults) to Rome with colourful quintuple franking cancelled by three strikes of "ATBARA" c.d.s. with matching registration label partially resealed by a mainly fine and complete example of the blue on cream "OPENED 11 BY CENSOR" label and with a fine oval "REGISTERED/1- MR 15/SHELLAL-HALFA. T.P.O." on the back. This is a very scarce type of label with only some of the numbers recorded and very few have been seen of those numbers which are known. £90
77 EGYPTIAN TYPE NO. 13: 16 Aug., 1915 env. (some staining some of which affects label) bearing adhesives tied by bridge type Halfa c.d.s.'s resealed by a complete example of the blue on cream "OPENED 13 BY CENSOR" label with a Shellal-Halfa No. 1 T.P.O. transit mark on the back. Please see note about these labels at end of previous lot. £90
78 EGYPTIAN TYPE NO. 15: 27 March, 1919 5m red postal stationery env. addressed to Atbara cancelled by "MEROWI" bridge type c.d.s. and almost completely resealed by a fine example of the blue on cream "OPENED 15 BY CENSOR" label tied by two strikes of the violet triangular "PASSED/BY/CENSOR/108/SUDAN" mark. £90
79 EGYPTIAN TYPE NO. 23: 30 Oct., 1915 env. franked with a 5m adhesive tied by "ABU HAMED" c.d.s. with another example below addressed to Atbara and almost fully resealed by a fine & complete example of the blue on cream "OPENED 23 BY CENSOR" label with "HALFA-KHARTOUM T P.O." transit mark plus Atbara arrival mark both on the back. £90
80 LARGE PINK No."1" SUDAN CENSOR LABEL ON COVER EX DONGOLA: 1919 (Dec. 19) registered cover ex Dongola bearing 5m (2) tied by c.d.s. cancellation sealed with pink "SUDAN/OPENED BY CENSOR/1" label tied to obverse & reverse by purple triangular number "19" censor marks. £90