| 161 | MEXICAN CIVIL WAR - ALLIED OCCUPATION OF VERA CRUZ - OFFICER'S 6d CONCESSION RATE COVER TO G.B.; Similar [1/2] Mar. 1862 cover (but fine) to that in the previous lot, but addressed to G.B. and from Lt. Jacob M.W. Silver of the Royal Marines on HMS Mersey (initialled "JMS" by him on the front), endorsed "March /'62, Court Martial" by the addressee on the front. From 6 Jan. 1862, HMS Mersey spent 3 months off Sacrificios Island, Vera Cruz, in support of the Occupation force. The postal marks are exactly the same as the previous lot except for the "PD" mark; stamps (6 GB 1d Red 'stars') tied/cancelled by London "3" numerals, with 31 Mar. 1862 London backstamp.Carried by RMS Thames on 2 Mar. to St. Thomas, then by RMS La Plata to Southampton (30 Mar.). Rare cover from this little-known Campaign. PHOTO | £360 | |||||||
| 162 | GUAYMAS (PACIFIC COAST) - OFFICER'S 6d CONCESSION RATE COVER TO G.B. WITH "PACKET-LETTER"; Mar. 1863 stampless env. (minor dusting) to Scotland endorsed "Officer's Letter" and initialled "J.B." (Lt. John Bruce; on HMS Cameleon at this date) charged "6" (Officer;s Rate) with a v. fine scarce small London "PACKET-LETTER" (Rob.P6; 1859-63 only), having a 29 May 1863 London backstamp. HMS Cameleon sailed on 25 Mar. 1863 from Guaymas into the Pacific (going to Hawaii & Vancouver) so this letter was clearly sent before she left; it found its way to Panama by 6 May and then caught the RMS Tasmanian sailing from Colon on 9 May - the latter reached Southampton on 28 May, hence the backstamps. An extra 6d for Panama transit should have been payable, but it seems that this Ship's Bag was sent to Colon by private means. Rare thus. | £200 | |||||||
| NICARAGUA | |||||||||
| 163 | INGOING MAIL EX GB ? CHESTER TO JAMAICA BUT FORWARDED TO NICARAGUA; 16 Dec. 1855 env. addressed to ?Captain Farleton, H.M.S. Eurydice, Port Royal, Jamaica? franked by GB 4d. carmine (blued paper) and two 1d. reds tied by Chester spoon cancels. Back-stamped Kingston Jamaica 6 Jan. the letter was forwarded to Greytown, Nicaragua via Chagres for delivery to Eurydice. PHOTO | £240 | |||||||
| NIGERIA | |||||||||
| 164 | FERNANDO PO - OFFICER'S 6d CONCESSION RATE COVER EX ANTI-SLAVERY SQUADRON AT LANDANA; Fine 11/12 Oct. 1863 env. (+ contents - interesting reading about life on ship, court martials and bemoaning the fact that "we have not taken any slavers yet...") written from "Landano[/a], 60 miles N[orth] of Congo" on board ship ("The Zebra is a very nice ship...") to Sussex franked by six GB 1d 'stars' (originally a Block of Six) tied/cancelled by v. fine Liverpool "466" numerals matching the fine red "PAID/LIVERPOOL/BR. PACKET" c.d.s. on the front. The arrival date at Liverpool (10 Dec. 1863) fits with the SS Retriever's arrival from Fernando Po (she left there 29 Oct. & reached Liverpool 10 Dec.); it reached Fernando Po on 24 Oct. on HMS Griffon which had taken the ship's bag from HMS Zebra en route. Landana was to become part of Angola in the 1880s, but at this time was a relatively unexplored part of the Congo basin; Richard Burton noted what a terrible place it was in the 1860s when it was still a destination for 'explorers', and 1863 was a particularly bad year for the 'white men' in Fernando Po - Burton notes that 78 of the 250 on the island were wiped out by yellow fever in that summer! Rare letter routed through Fernando Po at this early date soon after the first Consular PO had opened there. [Illustrated in NOL, p.11.] PHOTO | £400 | |||||||
| 165 | BIGHT OF BENIN - OFFICER'S 6d CONCESSION RATE COVER TO G.B. MAILED AT SEA BY S.S. ETHIOPE; Feb. 1868 env. (some creasing and tears - latter mainly on reverse - but attractive) to Scotland initialled "F.E.R." (Asst. Paymaster F.E. Richmond of HMS Jaseur on Anti-Slaver patrol) franked for the 6d Concession rate by GB 1d Reds (pl.71?; Strip of Five + a single, originally a Strip of Six - few minor faults) all tied or cancelled by matching Liverpool "466" numerals with fair red "PAID/LIVERPOOL/BR. PACKET" c.d.s. (17 Mar.) on the front. The letter was carried to Liverpool by the West African SS Ethiope that must have met HMS Jaseur at sea and taken the Ship's Bag from her there. Rare Anti-Slaver cover. PHOTO | £240 | |||||||
| 166 | STAMPLESS SHIP'S BAG COVER ENDORSED "FERNANDO PO...NO STAMPS OBTAINABLE" TO G.B.; Rare 24 May 1872 env. (reinforced wear, etc., but attractive; printed "H.M.S. SEAGULL" flap) to London with matching contents headed "Fernando Po"; the address endorsed "From Fernando Po, W. Coast Africa, No Stamps Obtainable" and so with superb handstruck "d6"on the front matching the black "LIVERPOOL/BR. PACKET" c.d.s. (3 July) on the reverse. The letter talks of life on board ship and mentions a recent expedition to Jellah Coffee in a small boat to collect mail. Rare thus; an unusual stampless endorsement from an Anti-Slaver ship. Technically the 6d rate could have been doubled by the P.O., but the endorsement seems to have done the trick! Exhibition Item. PHOTO | £360 | |||||||
| 167 | FERNANDO PO - SHIP'S BAG USAGE OF G.B. 'JUBILEE' 21⁄2d WITH "LIVERPOOL/BR. PACKET" CANCEL; Unusual 24 Nov. 1897 env. ("H.M.S. FOX" printed flap & sender's date on front; some creasing & opening tears along top edge) to "Mrs. W. H. Woods" in Sussex franked by a GB 'Jubilee' 21⁄2d tied by a very fine black "LIVERPOOL/BR. PACKET" c.d.s. of 23 Dec. 1897; HMS Fox was at sea on 24 Nov. 1897 but she reached Fernando Po the next day (Boatswain W. H. Woods was on board) and the letter was clearly left there; the BASN Co.'s SS Bakana reached Liverpool from Fernando Po on 23 Dec., and clearly brought the HMS Fox Ship's Bag including this letter. There is a "CHICHESTER/STATION OFFICE" backstamp. Rare example of a GB 'Jubilee' Issue used from the island of Fernando Po. [Illustrated in NOL, p.71.] PHOTO | £150 | |||||||
| NIGERIA - LAGOS | |||||||||
| 168 | OFFICER'S 6d CONCESSION RATE COVER FROM HMS JASEUR AT LAGOS FRANKED BY G.B. 1d REDS; Jan. 1869 env. (overall wrinkling and part reverse lost with flap, but attractive) to Dublin endorsed "Officer's letter, HMS Jaseur" on the front and franked by six GB 1d Reds (pl.111; 2 pairs & 2 singles; originally a Block of Six) all tied by fine Liverpool "466" numerals struck in transit with red "PAID/LIVERPOOL/BR. PACKET" c.d.s. on the front (1 Feb. 1869). HMS Jaseur's log records that she was at Lagos on 5 Jan. 1869 when the 'Biafra' mail steamer sailed with letters for England (where she arrived at Liverpool on 1 Feb., fitting the c.d.s. date exactly). There is an intriguing P.S. on the reverse; "Send me some stamps; mine are all gone. J.R.B.". This is doubly significant; it shows that officers preferred to use 6d stamps rather than use up the ships' 1d Reds intended for other ranks mail, and that the writer was Asst. Surgeon Dr. J.R. Burke who served on HMS Jaseur at this date. [Illustrated in NOL, p.26.] PHOTO | £340 | |||||||
| 169 | OFFICER'S 6d CONCESSION RATE COVER FROM HMS JASEUR AT LAGOS FRANKED BY G.B. 6d LILAC; Similar 5 Dec. 1868 env. to the previous lot ex same correspondence (slightly better condition) from Burke to his wife in Dublin, endorsed "Naval Officer's Letter, HMS Jaseur" on the front, but with GB Large White Letters 6d Lilac(pl.6) tied by v. fine Liverpool "466" numeral with v. fine red 31 Dec. 1868 "PAID/LIVERPOOL/BR. PACKET" c.d.s. alongside. Also initialled "J.R.B." back and front, and amusingly also with PS on reverse; "Send me some stamps"! The log of HMS Jaseur records her being at Lagos on 4/5 Dec. 1868; on the second day it states that the "M[ai]l St[eame]r Mandingo" sailed; the latter reached Liverpool on 31 Dec., hence the datestamp on the front. PHOTO | £300 | |||||||
| PANAMA AND CANAL ZONE | |||||||||
| 170 | UNPAID OFFICER'S CONCESSION RATE COVER CHARGED 6d WITH LONDON "PACKET-LETTER" IN RED; c.7th Mar. 1861 env. (flap-tear affects top of address side; some minor edge wear) to Scotland endorsed "Officer's Letter" with sender's "J.B." initials at lower left (identified from the matching cover - with original letter - in the following lot), written on board H.M.S. Mutine anchored at Panama City, and routed via Colon to catch the RMS Tasmanian via St. Thomas and Southampton (30 Mar.; having London transit backstamp of that date); charged "6" (the Officer's Rate, but with no extra 6d for Panama transit) with v. fine scarce small red London "PACKET-LETTER" (Rob.P6; just touched by closed tear) nicely placed on the front. Rare mark and rate on Panama mail. [Ex Bryan Hunt.] PHOTO | £240 | |||||||
| 171 | UNPAID OFFICER'S CONCESSION RATE COVER CHARGED 6d TO SCOTLAND; Matching fine 23 Apr. 1861 env. (+ contents headed "H.M.S. Mutine, Panama") to the previous lot, written (& initialled "J.B." on the front) by Lt. John Bruce to his married sister, Mrs. Dick in Dunkeld; endorsed "Officer's Letter" on the front and charged "6" with 13 May London backstamp; once again the extra Panama 6d rate was not applied. There is a small scarce "CR" (Caledonian Railway) TPO mark on the front. Good family letter asking for clothes and photographs to be sent out to Panama "before the end of May", when presumably the ship was expected to move on. Attractive early Naval letter from the isthmus. | £200 | |||||||
| 172 | INGOING MAIL EX GB ? OFFICERS 1/- CONCESSION RATE TO SOUTH PACIFIC STATION; 28 Feb. 1863 mourning env. addressed to ?Lieut. Childers R.N., H.M.S. Charybdis, South Pacific Station? franked by GB 1/- green Pl. 1 QL tied by London duplex d.s. with Panama receiving d.s. alongside. Prepaid the Officers Concession rate of 1/- made up of 6d. concession and 6d. Columbian transit charge vice the 2/- rate. This letter was probably delivered at Valparaiso in early April. [Illustrated in NOL, p.85.]. PHOTO. | £200 | |||||||
| 173 | UNDERPAID DOUBLE-RATE OFFICER'S CONCESSION RATE COVER FROM PERU TO G.B. "VIA PANAMA"; Unusual "June 27 [1864]" env. from "Callao" (filing notes on reverse) to G.B. endorsed "Officer's Letter via Panama" (rare thus) on the front, franked by GB 6d lilac Small Letters(2) tied by London transit "16" numerals, also having a "1/-" arrival charge and partial red London 'Hot Cross Bun' Inspector's Mark on the front. Clearly the letter weighed above half an ounce, so the normal 6d Officer's Rate plus 6d Panama transit rates had to be doubled. However, there was no fine imposed and only the underpaid postage was to be paid. The sender's ship was HMS Leander, whose 28 June 1864 log confirms that the mails left for Europe on that day (by a P.S.N.C. steamer to Panama), and the RMS Atrato carried it on from Colon to Southampton (129 July; matching backstamps). Attractive and rare Exhibition Item; underpaid Panama route Officers' letters are seldom seen. [Illustrated in NOL, p.13.] PHOTO | £300 | |||||||
| 174 | UNDERPAID SINGLE-RATE OFFICER'S CONCESSION RATE COVER FROM PERU TO G.B. VIA PANAMA; Sept. 1864 env. (fancy "H.M.S. LEANDER" flap) to London franked by GB Small Letters 6d lilac tied by v. fine London "19" numeral, but also with manuscript "6" charge with red London 'Hot Cross Bun' Inspector's Mark and v. fine encircled London "MORE/TO/PAY" all on the front. The 29 Oct. 1864 London backstamps confirm the route from this ship at Callao via P.S.N.C. SS Talca on 28 Sept. from Callao (per ship's log) to Panama, thence by RMS Shannon from Chagres to Southampton (28 Oct.). The Officer's Rate was 6d, but there was an extra 6d charge for the Panama transit route. If the letter had reached London just 3 days later it would have suffered from the new Postage Due fine of 6d for underpayment! (See p.copy of PO Notice included.) Rare thus. [Illustrated in NOL, p.16.] PHOTO. | £240 | |||||||
| 175 | INGOING MAIL EX GB ? OFFICERS 6d. CONCESSION RATE TO PANAMA; 1 Jan. 1867 mourning env. addressed to ?Thomas Warr Esqr. R.N., H.M.S. Alert, Panama franked by GB 6d. lilac Pl. 5 DH tied by Sherborne duplex d.s. Endorsed ?Officer?s letter? this letter was prepaid at the Officers 6d. Concession rate vice the 1/- for normal mail. [Illustrated in NOL, p.93.]. PHOTO. | £150 | |||||||
| 176 | RARE DOUBLE OFFICER'S CONCESSION 'PANAMA' 7d RATE COVER ENDORSED "[HMS] TOPAZE, PANAMA"; 21 Apr. 1868 env. (faults, mainly on reverse; fancy printed "TOPAZE" flap - dated on front by sender) to Manchester endorsed "Officer's Letter" and "[HMS] Topaze" on the front. At this date the ship was at Tobago Bay, Panama, and the correct Concession Rate of 6d per half ounce with double the extra 'Panama Transit' 1d has been fully prepaid with GB Large White Letters 6d Lilac (2; pl.5) & 21d Reds (2; pl.86) all just tied by fine London "50" (Foreign Branch) numerals with 12 May 1868 backstamp. Carried from Colon to St. Thomas in RMS SS Solent, and then on to Southampton (arrived 12 May) by RMS SS Tasmanian. Rare example of the double 7d rate (only used for Panama transit mail; see NOL Introduction, p.3) and usefully fully endorsed. Exhibition Item. PHOTO. | £300 | |||||||
| 177 | INGOING MAIL EX GB ? ?CARE OF BRITISH CONSUL, SAN FRANCISCO? FORWARDED TO PANAMA; 19 Mar. 1875 mourning env. (edge and corner faults), addressed to ?Commander W.E. Cookson R.N., H.M.S. ?Peterel?, Care of British Consul, San Francisco? franked by GB 3d. rose Pl. 16 QH tied by Bath duplex d.s. Red San Francisco receiving 10 Apr. d.s. on front but Peterel had sailed for Acapulco and Panama where the letter would have been delivered. PHOTO. | £150 | |||||||
| 178 | INGOING MAIL EX GB ? LONDON TO PANAMA AND REDIRECTED TO DEVONPORT; 31 Jan. 1876 env. (roughly opened at top, edge wear) addressed to ?Commander W.E. Cookson R.N., H.M.S. ?Peterel?, Care of British Consul, San Francisco? franked by a pair of 6d. grey Pl. 16 DI-DJ tied by Charing Cross duplex d.s. By the time this letter arrived with the British Consul Panama Peterel had sailed for Coquimbo, Chile enroute to England. The letter was redirected to Devonport where it was back-stamped on 10 May. 1876. PHOTO. | £150 | |||||||
| 179 | INGOING MAIL EX GB - 1/6d RATE LOUGHBOROUGH TO PANAMA; 27 Apr. 1876 env. (top flap missing, roughly opened and backed for strengthening) addressed to "Rear Admiral Hon. ble Arthur A.L.P. Cochrane C.B., Commander in Chief etc. etc, M.M.S. 'Repulse', Panama" franked by GB 1/- green Pl. 12 LB & 6d. grey Pl. 15 FC tied by Loughborough duplex d.s. The 1/6d rate was the "notified" non-concessional charge for letters to the Pacific Station. [Illustrated in NOL, p.112.]. PHOTO. | £150 | |||||||
| 180 | INGOING MAIL EX GB ? 4d. UPU RATE SANDWICH(?), KENT TO PANAMA; 1 Dec. 1884 mourning env. (roughly opened at back) addressed to ?Lieut. J.H. Henderson R.N., H.M.S. ?Swiftsure?, Care of H.B.M. Consul, Panama? franked by GB 4d. green (SG. 192) tied by Sandwich c.d.s. [Illustrated in NOL, p.125.]. PHOTO. | £150 | |||||||
| 181 | SHIP'S BAG USAGE OF G.B. 4d DULL GREEN EX "PANAMA" WITH "PLYMOUTH TO BRISTOL T.P.O." CANCEL; Fine 8 Jan. 1889 env. (flap lost but with contents) to London from "H.M.S. CAROLINE" (embossed note-paper) at "Panama" franked by a scarce GB 4d Dull Green tied by a very fine scarce "*"-code "PLYMOUTH TO BRISTOL T.P.O." c.d.s. (2 Feb.). Sent by rail across the isthmus to Colon then, taken by RMS SS Medway all the way to Plymouth (arrived 2 Feb.). Interesting contents ref. the problems with the completion of the Panama Canal; "...the Canal Company cannot hold out much longer & the different contractors are paying off their men gradually...the Company don't seem inclined to keep to their agreement about paying..."!! Rare and attractive usage of this scarce stamp from an unusual place of origin. PHOTO. | £200 | |||||||
| PERU | |||||||||
| 182 | INGOING MAIL EX GB ? ?PACIFIC VIA PANAMA? NEWBURY TO CALLAO, PERU; 6 Oct. 1886 env. (edge wear to left & right) addressed to ?Capt Brackenbury RN. CMG, HMS ?Hyacinth?, Pacific, via Panama? franked by GB 4d. green (SG. 192) tied by Newbury duplex d.s. Hyacinth was enroute Callao when this letter arrived at Panama where it was forwarded to meet her. [Illustrated in NOL, p.131.]. PHOTO. | £120 | |||||||
| PORTUGAL | |||||||||
| 183 | RIVER TAGUS - STAMPLESS SHIP LETTER EX HMS CENTURION + ODD 3d-RATE COVER EX HMS ST JEAN D'ACRE; Stampless 23 Nov. 1856 env. to London charged "8" with fine boxed "LIVERPOOL/SHIP" backstamp; contents headed "HMS Centurion" from her Captain talk of working the sails, etc. The ship was moored off Lisbon from 22 to 27 Nov. 1856; the letter was carried by Bibby Line SS Cintra (arrived Liverpool 1 Dec.) Unusual origin for a Liverpool Ship Letter. Plus 7 Jan. 1861 env. (overall dusting) to Bath "via Southampton" dated & initialled "H.N.A." by Midshipman Henry N. Alleyne on HMS St. Jean d'Acre" that was moored off Lisbon for all Jan. 1861; it is franked by GB 1d Red 'stars' & 2d Blue (pl.8) both just tied by London Foreign Branch "50" numerals, but the rate should have been 4d??!! (2 covers). PHOTO. | £150 | |||||||
| PORTUGUESE COLONIES | |||||||||
| 184 | ANGOLA - SHIP'S BAG USAGE OF G.B. 1d REDS REACHING PLYMOUTH DURING THE FIRST WEEK OF THE 6d CONCESSION RATE; June 1857 env. (overall dusting but attractive) to Ireland franked by GB 1d Red 'stars' (single, pair & Strip of Three; originally a Block of Six) all tied by fine "PLYMOUTH/620" Sideways Duplexes with a matching v. fine very scarce black double-arc "PLYMOUTH/PACKET LETTER" (Rob.P2; recorded only 1854-56 - only used on West African Mails) on the reverse. The letter is addressed to Wm. Jefferson in Ballymoney and Geoff's research has shown that the writer was Asst. Surgeon John Jefferson of HMS Scourge that left St. Helena at the end of May 1857 and reached St. Paul de Louanda on 16 June before leaving for Cape Town. Clearly this letter was left at St. Paul because the African SS Candace passed through this port and reached Plymouth on 7 July, which fits the dates of the Plymouth marks. The West African Ship's Bag was 6d as it happens at this date, but 6 days before this letter reached Britain the new Officer's 6d Concession Rate was introduced. Rare thus; early mail from this part of the world (especially with British stamps) is seldom seen. PHOTO. | £300 | |||||||
| 185 | CAPE VERDE ISLANDS - SHIP'S BAG USAGE OF G.B. 3d ON 3d LILAC & 1d LILAC EX HMS MALABAR; Fine [13] Sept. 1883 env. (fancy printed "H.M.S. MALABAR" flap) to Surrey franked by GB scarce 3d on 3d Lilac o.p. and 1d Lilac both tied/cancelled by unclear ("FB"?) numerals for the 4d rate, with a 2 Oct. 1883 arrival backstamp. The addressee is "Mrs. Arbuthnot" and Geoff's researches show that her husband, Lt. L.C. Arbuthnot was on HMS Malabar at this time en route to India; the ship stopped at St. Vincent on 13 Sept., and the RMS SS Neva took mails from there on 20 Sept., reaching Southampton on 1 Oct. 1883. Unusual place of origin and franking. [Illustrated in NOL, p.57.] PHOTO. | £140 | |||||||
| ST. HELENA | |||||||||
| 186 | RARE SHIP'S BAG COVER EX HMS SHAH AT ST. HELENA WITH G.B. 1/- GREEN TIED BY "B16" OF PLYMOUTH/BRISTOL T.P.O.; Feb. 1879 env. (closed tear at top, well clear of marks and address) to Bristol franked by G.B. 1/- Green (pl.13) tied en route by a very fine vertical oval "B16" numeral of the "PLYMOUTH TO/BRISTOL-T.P.O" (fine c.d.s. on reverse). Geoff's remarkable researches have shown that the addressee was soon to be married to Cdr. J.W. Brackenbury of HMS Shah which, at the time this letter was sent (Feb. 1879), was diverted from Coquimbo (Chile; 2 Dec. 1878) and passing St. Helena to go to Port Natal to support the troops there involved in the 1st Zulu War. The 1/- rate was correct from St. Helena to G.B. at this time. The Union Line SS Nubian is recorded as having collected mail from St. Helena and delivered it to the Plymouth P.O. on 13 March 1879, which fits exactly with the 14 Mar. 1879 TPO backstamp! [Ex Harold Wilson - Cavendish 24 Nov. 2005 auction, lot 2338; sold without the St. Helena attribution for £805.] PHOTO. | £1200 | |||||||
| 187 | INGOING MAIL EX GB ? 6d RATE SEDBERGH TO ST. HELENA; 10 Sep. 1884 env. addressed to ?Commander A.A.C. Parr R.N., H.M.S. Frolic, St. Helena, or Elsewhere? franked by a pair of GB 21⁄2d. lilac and 1d. lilac tied by Sedbergh RSO duplex d.s. the rate had been reduced from 1/- to 6d. on 1 Jan. 1884. [Illustrated in NOL, p.123.]. PHOTO. | £200 | |||||||
| ST.LUCIA | |||||||||
| 188 | RARE SHIP'S BAG USAGE OF G.B. 4d DULL GREEN ON COVER EX H.M.S. CALYPSO AT ST. LUCIA; Fine 6 Feb. 1887 env. to Devonport (Mrs. A. Phillimore) franked by a GB 4d Dull Green (scarce on cover, especially from overseas) tied by a very fine scarce "B16" vertical oval numeral of the Plymouth to Bristol T.P.O., having a Devonport backstamp (20 Feb.). The writer was Lt. Richard F. Phillimore of HMS Calypso; the ship's log recalls her being at St. Lucia from 5-7 Feb. 1887, and the departure of the RMS Solent on 6 Feb for Barbados - there she handed over the mails to RMS Moselle which reached Plymouth on 19 Feb. 1881, hence the backstamp. Remarkable Ship's Bag cover with T.P.O. cancels originating in this tiny island. Rare and of Exhibition Quality. [Illustrated in NOL, p.62.] PHOTO. | £300 | |||||||
| SAMOA | |||||||||
| 189 | PAGO PAGO - RARE EARLY SHIP'S BAG COVER TO G.B. WITH G.B. 6d ON 6d LILAC FRANKING; Rare [29] June 1884 env. to London (ex the 'Lowry' correspondence; the writer, Lt. Robert S. Lowry, was on HMS Espiegle at this date) franked by GB 6d on 6d Lilac o.p. tied by fine London "FB" vertical oval barred cancel, having a red London 1 Aug. 1884 backstamp.The log of HMS Espiegle show that she left Sydney on 20 May for a cruise through Polynesia; she was at Apia 19-24 June and then at Pago Pago 24-29 June, leaving on the 29 June for the Savage Islands. A 29 June 1884 log entry records the rare meeting with a mail ship; "7pm, communicated with SS City of Sydney. This Pacific Mail SS Co.'s ship was en route from Sydney to San Francisco where she arrived on 14 July, whence mails travelled overland to New York to catch the Cunard SS Servia that reached Liverpool on 1 Aug. 1883. These dates fit neatly with the arrival backstamp. Very rare early cover from Samoa. [Illustrated in NOL, p.58.] PHOTO. | £600 | |||||||
| SIERRA LEONE | |||||||||
| 190 | INGOING MAIL EX GB - COVER REDIRECTED FROM PLYMOUTH TO SIERRA LEONE & CHARGED 8[d]; 30 June 1863 env. addressed to "Capt. Hon ble E.G.L Cochrane R.N., H.M.S. 'Sparrow', Plymouth, Or elsewhere" franked by GB 1d. red tied by London duplex d.s. Sparrow had sailed for W. Africa 8 weeks earlier and this letter was redirected with ms. "West Coast" and charged "8"[d] postage due. Devonport, Liverpool and Sierra Leone d.s. on reverse. Rare thus. PHOTO. | £300 | |||||||
| 191 | INGOING MAIL EX GB ? 6d COVER FROM IRELAND TO SIERRA LEONE; 23 Sep. 1867 env. from Dublin addressed to the Assistant Surgeon ?Dr J.R. Burke, H.M.S. Jaseur, Sierra Leone? franked by GB 6d. lilac Pl. 6 PH tied by Dublin duplex d.s. The letter was landed at Sierra Leone on the 9 Oct. awaiting Jaseur?s arrival on 26 Oct. [Illustrated in NOL, p.94.]. PHOTO. | £200 | |||||||
| 192 | OFFICER'S 6d CONCESSION RATE COVER FROM HMS MYRMIDON AT SIERRA LEONE WITH G.B. 6d CANCELLED AT LIVERPOOL; June 1869 env. ("H.N. A[lleyne]" crest) to Bath, England, endorsed "Officer's Letter" and franked by GB 6d Lilac (pl.6) just tied by a very fine Liverpool "466" numeral having a red "PAID/LIVERPOOL/BR. PACKET" c.d.s. (22 June) on the front. Lt. Henry N. Alleyne was serving on HMS Myrmidon at this date; the ship's log records that on 13 June 1869 letters were dispatched to Liverpool by the "Mail Str. Mandingo", which duly arrived on 29 June. It is interesting to note that the normal postage rate from S. Leone to GB was 6d at this date, so there was no real saving, though the handling of Ship's Bag mail was probably more secure. Rare from Sierra Leone. PHOTO. | £300 | |||||||
| SPAIN | |||||||||
| 193 | CADIZ - "OFFICER'S LETTER" 6d RATE COVER TO G.B. TREATED AS A "LONDON SHIP LETTER"; Attractive Jan. 1869 env. (flap lost) to Ireland endorsed "Officer's Letter" franked by GB 1d Reds (pl.117) Strip of Six just tied (through perf. holes) by London vertical barred Foreign Branch "B" cancels, having a very fine scarce red "PAID/C/LONDON SHIP LETTER" c.d.s. (Rob.S53; 1865-71 only) on the front. The addressee was Miss. F.L. French and Geoff;s researches have shown that the sender was Midshipman Frederick P. Trench on HMS Defence; the ship was at Cadiz from 25 Dec. 1868 to 9 jan. 1869, and the Spain & Portugal Steam Co.'s SS Britannia is recorded as arriving off Gravesend (15 Jan.) from Cadiz, and as the ship had no Mail Contract the letter was treated as a Ship Letter, for which the rate also happened to be 6d. Rare thus. PHOTO. | £150 | |||||||
| 194 | CANARY ISLANDS - SHIP'S BAG USAGE OF G.B. 1d REDS FROM TENERIFFE LANDED AT LIVERPOOL; Fine and attractive Dec. 1870 env. (ex the 'Lloyd' correspondence; written by Midshipman Edward W. Lloyd on the Training Ship HMS Trafalgar) franked by GB 1d Reds (6; remarkably coming from three different Plates:- pl.121x3, pl.119x2 & a single pl.135) all tied by light Liverpool "466" numerals and by fine red tombstone-framed "PAID/LIVERPOOL/SHIP" d.s. (13 Dec. 1870). HMS Trafalgar was at Teneriffe on 5 Dec. 1870 and the Ship's Bag was there handed to the British & African S.N. Co.'s SS Benin which arrived at Liverpool on 12 Dec. 1870, hence the Liverpool datestamp. The ship had no Mail Contract so the 6d Ship Letter rate applied, which happened to be the same as the 6d West Africa/Canary Is. rate. Unusual item both philatelically and Postal History wise! PHOTO. | £150 | |||||||
| 195 | THE CANARY ISLANDS - THE 'FRONT COVER' ITEM FROM THE BOOK "NAVAL OFFICERS' LETTERS"; Very fine 15 Apr. 1886 env. (+ contents) from "H.M.S. Sylvia, Teneriffe" to Hampshire franked by GB 21⁄2d Dull Lilac tied by a v. fine Liverpool "466" numeral with a very fine matching red "PAID/LIVERPOOL/BR. PACKET" c.d.s. (25 Apr.) nicely placed on the front; carried by African SN Co.'s SS Gaboon to Liverpool (25 Apr.). Interesting letter ref. travels over the island, boats "damaged at Bathurst" and imminent departure for Gibraltar but delayed until "the mail steamer arrives". Exhibition Quality. [Illustrated in NOL, p.61 & in colour on Front Cover of that book.] PHOTO. | £120 | |||||||
| SUDAN | |||||||||
| 196 | SUAKIN - DONGOLA EXPEDITION - SHIP'S BAG USAGE OF G.B. 21⁄2d 'JUBILEE' EX "H.M.S. MELITA"; Fine Feb. 1896 env. (printed "H.M.S. MELITA" flap) to Sussex ('Dannreuther' correspondence) franked by GB 'Jubilee' 21⁄2d tied by a fine small London c.d.s. (29 Feb. 1896). The ship's ;log records that she was at Suakin from 5 to 24 Feb. during which time this letter was sent to Aden whence it was taken (19 Feb.) by P&O SS Australia to Brindisi (27 Feb.) hence the arrival date. Very early letter from the naval support at this Red Sea port of Sudan, just as this Campaign was commencing. Attractive. PHOTO. | £200 | |||||||
| UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | |||||||||
| 197 | INGOING MAIL EX GB - MAILS TO VANCOUVER VIA SAN FRANCISCO AND TO HONOLULU; 16 Nov. 1874 mourning env. (corner & edge faults) addressed to "Commander W.E. Cookson RN, H.M.S. 'Peterel', Care of British Consul, San Francisco" franked by three GB 1d. reds tied by Bath duplex d.s., probably forwarded to Vancouver Island where Peterel remained until 6 Jan. 1875 plus 11 June 1897 env. (edge faults & light foxing) addressed to "Captain A. Mostyn Field R.N.' Post office, Honolulu, Sandwich Islands" franked by GB 2½d. purple/blue, two 1d. lilac and ½d. orange to make up the double rate, tied by Sandown IOW c.d.s. Mostyn was on HMS Penguin which arrived at Honolulu on 21 July. (2 covers).PHOTO | £120 | |||||||
| URUGUAY | |||||||||
| 198 | MONTEVIDEO - SHIP'S BAG USAGE OF G.B. 1d REDS (12) ON COVER TO LONDON EX H.M.S. INDEFATIGABLE; Feb. 1855 env. (vertical fold affects one stamp) to Pimlico ("Miss Chapman") spectacularly franked by a cleverly arranged irregular Block of Twelve GB 1d Red 'stars' (SC16, Die, Alph.II, pl.181; on Blued Paper) all tied by fine London "34" diamond numerals with matching 20 Mar. 1855 London backstamp; this was the 1/- South American ports rate. Geoff's researches have revealed that the addressee married, in Dec. 1857, Lt. Wm. F. B. Edwardes just after his ship (HMS Indefatigable) had been paid off; this ship (with the Lieut.) was off Montevideo when this letter was sent - on 5 Feb. - by the RMS SS Great Western, which docked at Southampton on 19 Mar. 1855, hence the backstamp. Clever research and a pretty cover! PHOTO. | £240 | |||||||
| 199 | MONTEVIDEO - UNPAID 6d OFFICER'S CONCESSION COVER TO G.B. EX H.M.S. SATELLITE; Fine stampless Nov. 1863 env. to "Mr. A. O'Neill" in Devonport initialled "F. O'N" on the front, which was Asst. Paymaster F. StJ. O'Neill of HMS Satellite, at that time stationed at Montevideo; charged "6" (Officer's Concession Rate) with 3 Jan. 1864 London backstamp. The ship's log notes that the RMS SS Parana left Montevideo on 30 Nov.; she reached Southampton on 2 Jan. 1864, hence the date of the backstamp. Fine example of the Unpaid Concession Rate, which was no longer allowed from Nov. 1864 (i.e. it was only possible to send unpaid 6d Concession Rate mail without surcharge from 1 July 1857 to end. Oct. 1864). | £100 | |||||||
| 200 | INGOING MAIL EX GB - ATTRACTIVE 3 COLOUR FRANKING AT THE 9d RATE TO RIO DE JANEIRO VIA FRANCE; 22 Sep. 1864 env. (some toning, light vert. crease through 2d) addressed to Assistant Paymaster ?F. StJ. O?Neill Esq., H.M.S. Satellite, Rio Janeiro(sic), South America Or Elsewhere? franked by GB 6d. lilac, 2d. blue Pl. 9 EL and 1d. red Pl. 87 tied by Devonport numeral cancellations. Carried by French steamer to Rio de Janeiro and forwarded to Montevideo for delivery. Attractive and scarce routing. [Illustrated in NOL, p.88.]. PHOTO. | £150 | |||||||
| 201 | MONTEVIDEO - H.M.S. PERT SHIP'S BAG 1/- RATE COVER TO G.B. WITH 1d RED PLAT NOS. FRANKING; "Oct. 1872" (addressee's note of arrival date - as always with this 'Seagrove' correspondence) env. (opened out for display) to Portsea, unusually without any datestamps at all; franked by GB 1d Red Plate Nos. (12; pl.147 - originally an irregular Block of Twelve?) all tied by London Foreign Branch barred "P" cancels. The writer "Lt. Sullivan" (filing note) was on HMS Pert at this date; the ship (as per her log) was at Montevideo from 11 Sept. to 14 Oct. 1872, and on 15 Sept. her Naval Bag was dispatched by the RMSP Neva direct to Southampton, arriving on 14 Oct., which fits with the dated note on the front. Rare and spectacular Naval Bag letter from this part of the world. [Illustrated in NOL, p.34.] PHOTO. | £150 | |||||||
| 202 | MONTEVIDEO - SHIP'S BAG COVER WITH RARE RED LIVERPOOL "P.S. PACKET" DATESTAMP FROM CHIEF SCIENTIST ON EXPLORATION SHIP H.M.S. CHALLENGER; Fine and unusual Feb. 1876 env. to Scotland ("Mrs. Wyville Thomson") addressed and initialled "C. Wy. T." on the front by the addressee's husband, Prof. C. Wyville Thomson, FRS, the senior research scientist on this ship's remarkable 4-year voyage of exploration and survey around the Atlantic Ocean. Franked by GB Large White Letters 4d Vermilions (3; pl.13) for the 1/- South America rate, tied by very fine Liverpool "466" numerals with a v. fine matching 17 Mar. 1876 red "PAID/LIVERPOOL/P.S. PACKET" c.d.s. This mark was very little used (most mail was sent unpaid by this "P[acific] S[team] Nav. Co. route); it is Rob.P25a (23mm diameter); only a few examples known, all 1872-6. The first example of this Liverpool datestamp that we can recall having seen. This letter was sent when the ship was off Montevideo and was carried from that port by the PSNC SS Sorata, reaching Liverpool on 17 Mar. 1876. The voyage of the Challenger led to the publication of a 15-volume report on their findings! Important Exhibition Item. [Plus research notes, copy of photo of Thomson on the Expedition and 1976 Bermuda FDC with the 20c showing HMS Challenger in 1873.] PHOTO. | £750 | |||||||
| 203 | INGOING MAIL EX GB - 4d. RATE TO S. AMERICA VIA FRENCH PACKET; 18(?) June 1886 env. addressed to ?Commander AAC Parr RN, H.M.S. Frolic, Monte Video, South America? franked by GB 4d. green (SG. 192) tied by Bickley Station duplex d.s. sent via "French Packet". The letter was probably delivered at Rio de Janeiro. PHOTO. | £120 | |||||||
| VENEZUELA | |||||||||
| 204 | BRITISH BLOCKADE OFFICER'S CARD EX HMS TRIBUNE, "BUSY BLOCKADING VENEZUELAN PORTS"; Unusual and fine 25 Dec. 1902 PPC (of Caracas) from "H.M.S. Tribune, La Guayra" to London franked by GB KEVII 1d tied by very fine small London arrival c.d.s. (14 Jan. 1903); the message includes "Busy blockading Venezuelan ports". From April to Sept. 1902 there was a revolutionary uprising in Venezuela and on 18 Sept. two British bridges were blown up in La Guayra and then in Nov. 1902 four British merchant ships were seized. HMS Tribune was one of the Royal Navy vessels sent to sort things out in Dec. 1902. Rare item from this obscure naval Campaign. [With related 1993 letter signed by Robbie Lowe himself.] PHOTO. | £100 | |||||||
| ZANZIBAR | |||||||||
| 205 | SHIP'S BAG COVER TO G.B. WITH 12 G.B. 1d REDS CANCELLED ON ARRIVAL AT LONDON F.B.; Very attractive Sept. 1874 env. to Miss F. M. Gibbs in Upper Clapton franked by no less than 12 1d Reds (pl.120; a Block of Nine + a Pair; originally forming a Block of Twelve) all tied by fair London Foreign Branch "P" Vertical Ovals, with a matching London backstamp of 2 Nov. 1874. Geoff's detective work has tracked down the marriage (in 1875; official copy of the Marriage Cert. included) of Fanny May Gibbs of Upper Clapton to "Naval Instructor, R.N., Joseph Dallin Paul, who is recorded as having been on HMS Glasgow at Zanzibar in Sept. 1874, prior to departure for the Comoro Is. and Seychelles. This letter was left at Zanzibar for the next homeward ship, which turned out to be the BISN Co.'s SS Euphrates, which left Zanzibar on 24 Sept. and handed over mails to the P&O Mirzapore at Aden, which in turn took the letter to Southampton (arriving 1 Nov.; hence the London arrival date). The Southampton route rate was 9d, but the Brindisi route rate was 1/-, so Paul clearly prepaid the Brindisi rate to cover all eventualities (and to save any chance of his fiancee being charged postage due!). Very satisfying piece of research and a beautiful and rare GB Used From Zanzibar Cover! PHOTO. | £400 | |||||||
| 206 | SHIP'S BAG USAGE OF G.B. 6d GREY & 3d ROSE-REDS (2) ON COVER TO G.B. EX H.M.S. VESTAL; Dec. 1875 env. (reinforced in places; with Douglas family crest on flap) to Seagrove & Co. in Portsea "Via Brindisi" franked by GB 6d Grey (pl.14; ink mark) & 3d Rose-red (pl.17 Pair - one with ink mark) all tied by fine London "70" numerals struck in transit, having a 10 Jan. 1876 arrival backstamp. Endorsed (affects address) as being from "Lieut. C. Douglas" who was on HMS Vestal at this time, when she was (7 to 29 Dec.; per ship's log) at Zanzibar. The log notes that (12 Dec.) the "Mail Steamer" arrived; the latter got to Aden for this letter to catch the P&O Cathay sailing on 27 Dec. 1875 via Suez to Brindisi (10 Jan. 1876). Rare British franking on an early cover from Zanzibar. PHOTO. | £300 | |||||||
| 207 | INGOING MAIL EX GB - TRIPLE 1/- RATE LETTER "CARE OF POSTMASTER ADEN"; 14 Jan. 1876 env. (edge faults/repairs) addressed to "Richard Middleton Esqre. R.N., H.M.S. 'Flying Fish', East India Station, care of Postmaster, Aden" franked by pair GB 1/- green GF-GG and single 1/- green GH (faults) all Pl. 12 tied by Weston Super Mare duplex d.s. Endorsed "via Brindisi" the 1⁄2oz. rate was 1/- so this was a triple rate letter. Despite faults an attractive and scarce cover. PHOTO. | £240 | |||||||
| 208 | INGOING MAIL EX GB - 1/- RATE LETTER "CARE OF HM POSTMASTER ADEN"; 14 Jan. 1876 printed "VIA MARSEILLES" (deleted) env. (edge faults) addressed to "R.W.E. Middleton Esqre. R.N., H.M.S. 'Flying Fish', East India Station, care of H.M. Postmaster, Aden" franked by GB 1/- green PK Pl. 12 tied by Churton St (London) duplex d.s. Back stamped with Aden Steamer Point d.s.he Via Marseilles scroll has been crossed out and the letter has been endorsed "By Brindisi".{Illustrated in NOL, p.109.]. PHOTO. | £240 | |||||||
| 209 | INGOING MAIL EX GB -ATTRACTIVE MULTIPLE FRANKING 1/- RATE LETTER VIA ADEN; 25 Nov. 1876 env. (top edge minor fault, top flap missing) addressed to "R.W.E. Middleton Esqre. R.N., H.M.Ship 'Flying Fish', Care of The Postmaster, Aden" franked by GB pair 3d. rose Pl. 16 IK-IL plus pair 2d. blue LJ-LK and single 2d. blue all Pl. 4 tied by Harleston duplex d.s. Very attractive. PHOTO. | £200 | |||||||
| 210 | SHIP'S BAG USAGE OF G.B. 1d REDS (6) ON COVER TO G.B. EX ZANZIBAR ANTI-SLAVING DEPOT SHIP, HMS LONDON; July 1878 env. ('Seagrove' endorsement "Lt. J.A. Jones" affects address) to Portsea franked by GB 1d Reds (6; pl.188x3 & pl.194x3) all tied by fine circular London "F[oreign] B[ranch]" cancels, having a 26 Aug. 1878 arrival backstamp. Jones was on HMS LOndon at this date, and the ship was (and had been since 1875) the Zanzibar depot ship for the Anti-Slavery patrols off the East African coast. Rare and attractive G.B. Used in Zanzibar cover. [Illustrated in NOL, p.46.] PHOTO. | £300 | |||||||
| 211 | SHIP'S BAG USAGE OF G.B. 6d GREY ON COVER EX ZANZIBAR ANTI-SLAVERY DEPOT SHIP. HMS LONDON; Nov. 1879 env. ('Seagrove' filing note affects address; "Lieut. A.G. Kempe") to Portsea "Via Brindisi" franked by GB Large Coloured Letters 6d Grey (pl.16) tied by a fine London "40" numeral having a v. fine Gosport transit c.d.s. (14 Dec. 1879) on the front. Kempe was on HMS London at this time; the ship was still the Anti-SLavery Patrols' Depot ship at Zanzibar. Rare thus. [Illustrated in NOL, p.49.] PHOTO. | £260 | |||||||
| 212 | SHIP'S BAG USAGE OF G.B. 5d 'JUBILEE' ON COVER TO G.B. EX "H.M.S. GARNET"; Fine July 1888 env. (printed "H.M.S. GARNET" flap) to "Mrs Weightman" (from Surgeon A.E. Weightman) in Liverpool franked by GB 'Jubilee' 5d tied by a fine london "FB" (Foreign Branch) barred cancel, with a 13 Aug. 1888 arrival backstamp. HMS Garnet was at Zanzibar from 14 July to 7 Aug. when this letter was taken by BISN Co.' ship to Aden, then carried to Brindisi (9 Aug.) by P&O SS Sutlej. Rare usage of the GB 'Jubilee' Issue in Zanzibar. [Illustrated in NOL, p.65.] PHOTO. | £200 | |||||||
| 213 | TWIN COVER WITH 5d GB 'JUBILEE' FROM A DIFFERENT OFFICER ON HMS GARNET SENT ON THE VERY SAME DAY!; Similar July 1888 env. (minor faults; same printed "H.M.S. GARNET" flap as previous loot) to Sussex ('Dannreuther' correspondence) franked by GB 5d tied by the same London "FB" cancel with an arrival backstamp (different PO of course) of the same date (134 Aug. 1888) as the previous lot. A second rare GB 'Jubilee' franked cover ex Zanzibar. PHOTO. | £180 | |||||||
| 214 | INGOING MAIL EX GB -5d RATE VIA ADEN; 25 Sep. 1890 env. (minor foxing) addressed to "Lieut. J.B. Moody R.N., H.M.S. 'Conquest', East Indian Station" franked by GB 5d. purple & blue tied by Ross duplex d.s. Sent via Aden this letter would have been delivered in Zanzibar. PHOTO. | £120 | |||||||
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