Dec 16, 2011 Prestige Philately - Auction No 170 Page: 1 Lot Type Grading Description Est $AUD THE HOME STATION

Lot 1 1 L B 1795 (May 5) Act of Parliament that established the concessional postage rate of 1d for letters to or from soldiers or sailors, regardless of the distance travelled. An extremely important document, that also restricted the entitlement of Members of Parliament to free postage, and introduced concessional postage for patterns & samples. 250T

Lot 2 2 L (B) 1813 (Sept) double-sided GPO notice (245x387mm) headed "On the Exemptions granted to Seamen in the Navy, and Soldiers in the Army, in respect of the Postage of their Letters", confirming the current regulations but adding that letters to soldiers & sailors could now be sent for 1d, also listing those members of a ship's company who were not entitled to the concession, heavy central fold that has caused separation & been rejoined. Stated to be extremely rare & believed to be the only copy in private hands. 500T

Lot 3 3 C B AT SEA: 1804 entire headed "at Sea HM Gun Brig Snipe Oct 19 1804" - en route to Yarmouth - & signed "Apprentis/Ths Godfrey", rated "1" in red but obliterated & endorsed "Marked thro Mistake" as the face was not countersigned, subsequently rated "10" also crossed-through & marked "11" payable by the addressee, to Kent, filing creases. An excellent postage due item. [As an indentured apprentice, Thomas Rowe was exempt from impressment. He asks his "Hond Marster...to doo all in your Power to Get me Clear from this pleas...the Lewtenant will not look at my protekshon at all"] 750T Dec 16, 2011 Prestige Philately - Auction No 170 Page: 2 THE HOME STATION (continued) Lot Type Grading Description Est $AUD

Lot 4 4 C A- CHANNEL ISLANDS: 1805 OHMS printed entire with 'Navy Pay Office' imprint at lower-left & endorsed "Free TD Boswell/Prize Department" & "J Torode/of the Blanche", to a woman on Guernsey with light but discernible strike of the 38mm crowned 'FREE/SEP30/1805' cds in red. [On 21/10/1804, off Curacao, HMS "Blanche" captured the French ship "Gracieus", which was added to the Royal Navy. On 19/7/1805, off Puerto Rico, the French captured HMS "Blanche", which they burned and sank] 250T

Lot 5 5 C B CORNWALL: 1812 entire endorsed on the reverse "T Jarvis (Seaman) HM Sloop/Fantome Falmouth May 9th" & countersigned "HKent Lt & Commd Officer", to Norfolk with very fine 'FALMOUTH' h/s in red & London d/s, light vertical filing fold. [Jarvis writes "...we are bound to Lisbon with a Convoy". The French privateer "Le Fantome" was captured in May 1810 & put into Royal Navy service. It was wrecked off Nova Scotia 24/11/1814] 500T

Lot 6 6 C B DEVONSHIRE: 1795 entire headed "Plymouth Sound" & signed "Jn Robson" within & countersigned "HM Ship Marlborough Plymouth/Sound, August 25th 1795/Lieut GI Decaeurdoux", to Westmoreland with poor undated 'PLYMOUTH' b/s & fine double-circle 'PAID/AU28/1795' cds in red, minor overall soiling & some internal reinforcing. Ex Trevor Davis. An extremely significant item, believed to be the earliest recorded sailor's concession letter. 5,000T Dec 16, 2011 Prestige Philately - Auction No 170 Page: 3 THE HOME STATION (continued) Lot Type Grading Description Est $AUD

Lot 7 7 C C DEVONSHIRE: 1799 entire headed "Torbay on Board the Queen/Charlotte Aug 21 1799", signed "Alles Duncan" & countersigned "HMS Queen Charlotte/Cochrane Lt", to Scotland with superb strike of the hooded 'PAID/ F /AUG24/99' cds (A&H #681; used only in 1799) & poor Edinburgh Bishop mark both in red, some soiling/staining but quite appealing. [The writer advises his parents "I have bin taken A Prisoner by the french which During my imprisonment I Wrote to you several Times & Got no ansers". On 16/3/1800, the "Queen Charlotte" accidentally caught fire off Livorno & exploded. 687 of the ship's total complement of 829 were lost] 1,000T

Lot 8 8 C B DEVONSHIRE: 1799 entire headed "Caw Sand Bay Plymouth August 29th", signed "Thomas Sheffield" & countersigned "HMS Bellona in Cawsand/Bay 29 Augt 1799/Delafons Lt", to Bishopsgate with fine undated 'PLYMOUTH/DOCK' b/s & light strike of the hooded 'PAID/ D /SEP 2/99' cds (A&H #681; used only in 1799), minor soiling. [A coffee house cover, addressed "to Be Left at the 3 Jolley Weavers/Angels Alley"] 600T

Lot 9 9 C A HAMPSHIRE: 1797 entire headed "On Board the Piercer Portsmouth/Harbour Feb 6th 97", signed "C Belcher" & countersigned "Piercer Gun Vessel/Lieut Jn Fenton Commdg/5th February 1797", to Berkshire with 51mm curved 'PORTSMOUTH' h/s & fine double-circle 'PAID/FE/6/1797' cds in red. [The writer was the purser's clerk & tells of his duties. Remarkably, he was discharged only 6 months after enlisting] 600T Dec 16, 2011 Prestige Philately - Auction No 170 Page: 4 THE HOME STATION (continued) Lot Type Grading Description Est $AUD

Lot 10 10 C B HAMPSHIRE: a rather similar item of March 1797 from the same correspondence, a trifle soiled. 450T

Lot 11 11 C A- HAMPSHIRE: a rather similar item of April 1797 from the same correspondence but countersigned "Piercer Gun Vessel/Thos Hudson Master", 55mm curved 'PORTSMOUTH' h/s & poor Paid cds, minor concealed repair. [The writer speaks of the ship's company and armaments] 500T 12 C C HAMPSHIRE: 1814 entire endorsed "From T Chamberlain on B HM Ship Warrior" & countersigned "Lt R Watts Comg Offr HMS Warrior", to London with 'PORTSMOUTH/23FE23/1814' b/s & light tombstone 'PAID/24FE24/1814' d/s in red on the face, badly soiled & some internal repairs. [The letter states "...there was 4 men run away at [?] from our ship and there was one man catch and got 4 dozen on his Back..."] See illustrations on our website. 150T

Lot 13 13 C C HAMPSHIRE: 1835 entire signed "Willm Woods", endorsed "William Woods Seaman HMS Excellent Portsm Apl 12th 1835" & at the base "Paid one penny", countersigned "FD Hastings Lieut & Commdg Officer", to Ireland with unframed 'PORTSMOUTH' cds & Dublin diamond arrival both on the reverse, overall soiling & repaired tear at the top. [HMS "Excellent" was hulked - disabled for service at sea - in 1834 to become the gunnery training ship at Portsmouth. On 28/5/1835, Woods was transferred to HMS "Sapphire"] The illustration is above Lot 11. 350T Dec 16, 2011 Prestige Philately - Auction No 170 Page: 5 THE HOME STATION (continued) Lot Type Grading Description Est $AUD

Lot 14 14 C A HAMPSHIRE: 1848 stampless cover to "London/Canada West" with light strike of the straight-line 'NAVY-POST-OFFICE' h/s & 'PORTSMOUTH/JU24/1848/ C ' b/s, superb "tablet" ' L /JU25/ a of Liverpool, light 'LONDON/JUL19/1848/=UC=' arrival b/s in red, fancy '2' overstruck on Canadian '1s/3d Cy' h/s but both crossed through & rated "1/2" in black, addressee's docketing at upper-right. [The Navy Post Office at Portsmouth was situated at Cunninghams on the Point] 600T

Lot 15 15 C B HAMPSHIRE: 1848 mourning cover with Imperf 1d (just cut-into at the base) & faint numeral cancel, very fine straight-line 'NAVY-POST-OFFICE' h/s, 'PORTSMOUTH/SP30/1848/ F ' transit & 'LEICESTER/OC2/1848' arrival b/s in blue. 400T

Lot 16 16 C A- HAMPSHIRE: 1853 cover with largely fine strikes of the undated circular 'NAVY-POST-OFFICE' h/s & 'PORTSMOUTH/OC26/ 1853/ E ' in red both on the reverse, b/s, Imperf 1d Red on Blued Paper (margins close to large) & poor BN '625' of Portsmouth, to Shropshire with London transit & poor 'LUDLOW' arrival b/s both in red. 300T

Lot 17 17 C A- HAMPSHIRE: an 1854 cover from the same correspondence with 1d Stars (trimmed at left) tied by very fine 'PORTSMOUTH/ DE7/1854/ E -625' sideways duplex, undated circular 'NAVY-POST-OFFICE' b/s overstruck with London transit, fair 'LUDLOW/DE9/1854' arrival b/s. 250T Dec 16, 2011 Prestige Philately - Auction No 170 Page: 6 THE HOME STATION (continued) Lot Type Grading Description Est $AUD

Lot 18 18 C A- IRELAND: 1901 hand-painted envelope to "Chief Armourer/HMS Magnificent/Channel Fleet/Beerhaven" with 1d lilac tied by London cds, 'BANTRY' arrival b/s; with the enclosed letter bearing hand-painted pictures of a sailor (perhaps the addressee?) on the first page & a villain on the last, some splitting & rejoining. A delightful exhibit. Ex Ritchie Bodily. [Castletown Bearhaven is a small town on Bantry Bay, at the extreme SW of County Cork] 1,500T

Lot 19 19 C B ISLE OF WIGHT: 1797 (May) entire headed "Cowes Roads", signed "C Belcher" & countersigned "Piercer Gun Vessel/Lieut John Fenton Commg", to Berkshire with largely superb 'ISLE OF/WIGHT' h/s & light Paid cds in red, minor blemishes. A marvellous item for the Isle of Wight collector. [The writer tells his father "Gun Vessels are the most pleasant vessels in the Navy to be in as they are always in some Harbour or the other..."] 850T

Lot 20 20 C B KENT: 1813 entire headed "HMS Namur May 22 1813", signed & endorsed on the flap "R Wade Seaman", countersigned on the face "J Richards Lt" without the name of the ship, to London with 'SHEERNESS/51' mileage h/s in red & London d/s. 300T Dec 16, 2011 Prestige Philately - Auction No 170 Page: 7 THE HOME STATION (continued) Lot Type Grading Description Est $AUD

Lot 21 21 C B KENT: 1832 entire signed & endorsed "From Robt Rodan Pt Royal Marines/on Board HMS Talavera Sheerness/22d Nov 1832", countersigned "Wm Griffin Lieut Commdg Officer" without the name of the ship, to Scotland with 'SHEERNESS' h/s ('51' mileage removed) in red on the flap & superb London d/s, 'DUMFRIES/25NOV1832/ M ' arrival b/s, vertical filing fold. [The writer states "...we struck a French 60 Gun Frigate - both received some injury - we made for the nearest port to repair damages and this day went into Dock"] 400T

Lot 22 22 C B NORFOLK: 1804 entire headed "Yarmouth Roads a board/of the Inspector Troop of War/19 Oct 1804", signed "Alexander Glen" & countersigned "HMShip Inspector Oct 15 1804/EHarris Lieut", to Edinburgh with largely fine 'YARMOUTH/124' mileage h/s & Edinburgh 'OCT/1804/19' Bishop mark arrival in red, minor soiling & internal reinforcing. [On 9/10/1804, Glen had been "impressed" - forced into service by one of the infamous press gangs - on his return to England from 19 months abroad: "I am sorry to inform you of my being Prest...the Press Gang came aboard and prest every man they could lay hold of and indeed none escaped but men unfit for their service"] 750T

Lot 23 23 C D NORFOLK: 1812 entire endorsed "Wm Chamberlain HMS Horatio N Yarmouth/Augt 23rd 1812" & countersigned "Lieut Geo Forder Comg Officer" on the flap, to London with faint tombstone Paid d/s in red on the face, badly soiled & some internal repairs. [The concessional rate of 1d represented a significant saving: normal postage from Yarmouth to London was 10d. The letter - fine condition - states "...Thank God I escaped all Danger...3 of our men Killed had their wives On Board at the time...our Wounded are all at the Hospital..."] See illustrations on our website. 150T Dec 16, 2011 Prestige Philately - Auction No 170 Page: 8 THE HOME STATION (continued) Lot Type Grading Description Est $AUD

Lot 24 24 C (C) SUSSEX: 1805 entire headed "Seaford Bay Octr 27th", signed "Robert Thompson" & countersigned "HM Sloop Calypso Oct 29th 1805/W Napier Lieut", to Hull with faint curved 'SEAFORD' h/s & London paid d/s in red, rather aged & significant splitting repaired internally. [Robert Thompson was promoted Quartermaster 17/5/1805. He writes "...their is verry Great prepperations at pressant for War...the way they are going it cannot Last Long"] 300T

Lot 25 25 C C SUSSEX: 1806 entire headed "HM Sloop Calypso, Downs April 14/1806", signed "Robert Thompson" & countersigned "HM Sloop Calypso/April 14th 1806/JRussell Master", to Hull with very fine 'DEAL/74' (Kent) mileage mark & London paid d/s, heavily soiled. [From 1/8/1806, sailors' letters had to be endorsed with the name & rank of the sender, together with the ship's name & signed by the officer-in-command. Thompson writes "...we are going to our Old Station again to cruse for Russions. Instead of a peace I Expect we shall go to war with all Nations...there will be no Baltick Trade till things gets more Settled"] 300T

Lot 26 26 C (A-) YORKSHIRE: 1795 entire headed "Scarboro 10th July" & signed "Danl Wheeler" within & countersigned "Jn Napier/Major General 89th", to London with very fine undated 'SCARBOROUGH' h/s & light double-circle 'PAID/JY13/1795' cds in red, docketed on the flap "July 10 1795", repaired tear clear of the markings & one flap repaired otherwise a very fine item. A very early soldier's letter, dated only two months after the 1d concession was introduced, on 5.5.1795. 500T Dec 16, 2011 Prestige Philately - Auction No 170 Page: 9 Lot Type Grading Description Est $AUD THE IBERIAN PENINSULA

Lot 27 27 C D/B PORTUGAL: 1837 part-entire signed "Wm Bargent", endorsed "From William Bargent Seaman/on board of his Majestys Ship Pembroke" & countersigned "Jno Wm Aldridge Comer/Lisbon 18th Feby 1837", carried by the Admiralty Packet that departed Lisbon 22/2/1837 & arrived Falmouth 25/2/1837 with a largely fine strike of the scarce 'FALMOUTH/ 1d /PAID' h/s in red, heavy soiling and other faults; also the detached second panel bearing a fine watercolour painting with caption "HM Squadron at General Quarters under the Command of Rear Admiral Sir C Bagot KCB", minor staining at left, the letter stating "...the like of this I never sent you before this I have had maid as a present from one of Richard's shipmates in the Presadent...I hope you will have this in a glass case to take care of it". A truly remarkable survivor of both historical and artistic value. Ex Martin Willcocks (2000). [With a brief article by James Grimwood-Taylor] 4,000T

Lot 28 28 C A- PORTUGAL: 1839 outer endorsed "From Geo Edw Stevens Seaman/HM Ship Donegal Lisbon", countersigned "Peter Duthy Commanding Officer", to Greenwich with London backstamp & superb strike of the scarce crowned-oval 'To be/delivered/FREE' h/s in red. Exceptional appearance. 2,000T

Lot 29 29 C B PORTUGAL: 1853 part-East India Company printed entire to London endorsed "From Geo Vickers Sergt Royal Marines/Her MS Duke of Wellington Lisbon 19th Decr" & countersigned "A Anderson Commanding officer", two disinfection chisel-slits, Imperf 1d red (3 margins) with '37'-in-Diamond cancel of the Foreign Branch in London, the adjoining form - and part of this page - removed. Very attractive. Carried per P&O "Tagus" from Lisbon 19/12/1853; arrived Southampton 24/12/1853. [The contents concern the means of correctly identifying soldiers in the service of the East India Company] 1,000T Dec 16, 2011 Prestige Philately - Auction No 170 Page: 10 THE IBERIAN PENINSULA (continued) Lot Type Grading Description Est $AUD

Lot 30 30 C A- PORTUGAL: 1876 cover with printed 'From Ship's Corporal L Leaney/HMS Resistance at ("Lisbon")' & 'Commanding Officer' countersigned "RF Britten" (apparently a smudged handstamp!), to Wiltshire with 1d Plate '140' (defective) tied by 'DEVONPORT/ K2 /JA18/76 - 250' duplex, superb 'BATH' transit & very fine 'TROWBRIDGE' arrival b/s. [Ship's Corporal was a naval rank equivalent to Petty Officer First Class] 1,000T

Lot 31 31 C B SPAIN: 1837 entire endorsed "From Job Carpenter Private Royal Marines HM Ship/Talavera", countersigned "Barcelona 22 Sept 1837/E Nepean Lt RM", to "Chelsea College" (aka Chelsea Pensioners' Hospital) with double-circle 'LONDON/17/OCT/1837' b/s & light but very fine strike of the scarce crowned-oval 'To be/delivered/ FREE' h/s in red, soiled along vertical filing fold. [During the First Carlist War of 1834-37, Great Britain supported the claims of the infant Isabella II. Despite early defeat of the supporters of the pretender Carlos V, they held out for several years in the Basque region] 2,000T THE MEDITERRANEAN STATION

Lot 32 32 C B FRANCE: 1813 entire letter headed "Caledonia off the Rhone 20th August 1813" & signed "Ed Pellew", to London with fine oval 'SHIP/[crown]/LETTER' h/s & superb arrival b/s in red, rated "1/7" to pay, two chisel slits & stained by the associated disinfection treatment. [At this date, officers were not entitled to concessional postage & thus their letters did not need to be endorsed & countersigned. The sender was Vice-Admiral Sir Edward Pellew, later Viscount Exmouth, who was involved in a blockade of Toulon. Despite his rank, Pellew's handwriting was worse than that of many an illiterate sailor] 500T Dec 16, 2011 Prestige Philately - Auction No 170 Page: 11 THE MEDITERRANEAN STATION (continued) Lot Type Grading Description Est $AUD

Lot 33 33 C B GIBRALTAR: 1842 entire endorsed "From James Risk Seaman/...HMS Malabar/Gibraltar", countersigned but crossed-through & Imperf 1d (3½ margins) tied by Maltese Cross in black suggesting private carriage to England, light 'TP/Deptford' h/s, to Scotland with London transit & boxed 'PORTGLASGOW' arrival b/s, some soiling. A most unusual irregular usage. [Risk writes to his "Cusin" stating "...we are still laying at the Rock". The "Malabar" was on guard against the activities of Moorish pirates] 1,000T

Lot 34 34 C B GIBRALTAR: 1843 (July) entire similarly endorsed & countersigned "W Hamley Commanding/Officer", stitch-marks at lower-left where a penny coin had been secured (more obvious from the reverse), to Scotland with fair strike of the scarce 'FALMOUTH/ 1d /PAID' h/s in red & superb boxed 'PORTGLASGOW' arrival b/s, vertical filing crease, one repaired flap & a bit soiled. Rare "paid by coin" letter. [The writer states "I am Sick & tired of the service...living in hopes one day to be Honourable discharged"] 1,500T

Lot 35 35 C A- GIBRALTAR: 1860 cover endorsed "From J Cunniff Boy On Board/HMS James Watt Gibraltar" & countersigned "EJ Lawson Lt Commanding Officer", to the Duke of Norfolk in London, 1d Stars tied by diamond-numeral '30' cancel of the London Foreign Branch, 'BO/LONDON/MR20/60' arrival b/s in red, repaired flap fault. Carried per P&O "Ceylon" departed Gibraltar 14/3/1860; arrived Southampton 19/3/1860. A delightful cover. Ex Geoffrey Osborn (private transaction). [Boys aged between 14 & 18 could enlist. Boy 3rd Class was the lowest rank in the Royal Navy] 1,000T Dec 16, 2011 Prestige Philately - Auction No 170 Page: 12 THE MEDITERRANEAN STATION (continued) Lot Type Grading Description Est $AUD

Lot 36 36 C (B) GIBRALTAR: 1871 double-rate cover front endorsed "From J Battershill SB [= Sick Berth] Attendant/HMS Northumberland/ Gibraltar" & countersigned "Commanding Officer WF Lapidge" (who was actually the ship's paymaster), largely fine strike of boxed 'OVER ("½") OZ/MORE-TO-PAY' h/s presumably applied at the London GPO where 1d x2 tied by diamond-in-bars '35' cancel, also endorsed "coin" & compulsorily registered with '1/-' h/s amended by hand to 1/1d, oval 'REGISTERED/JU 25 71/DEVONPORT' arrival d/s in red, ironed-out crumpling (we can imagine the recipient being disgusted with the charges). A remarkable item, being the only compulsorily registered naval item recorded by Gerald Ellott. [The illustration is above Lot 35] 500T

Lot 37 37 C B GIBRALTAR: 1874 cover endorsed "From M Sullivan Chief Carp [= Carpenter's] Mate/HMS Lord Warden Gibraltar" & countersigned (Lieut) "PH Mayow", with 1d tied by magnificent strike of the rather crude '4'-in-bars of the London Foreign Branch, Birmingham arrival b/s of SP -/74, repaired flap. A very striking cover. Carried per P&O "Peshawar", departed Gibraltar 8/9/1874, arrived Southampton 12/9/1874. Michael Sullivan Fig 3: thought to be Sullivan's reply to the earlier inwards cover to Malta: see Lot 63. [On 7/11/1874, Sullivan was promoted to Warrant Officer. He was discharged 14/6/1878 but re-enlisted 6/10/1880] 1,250T

Lot 38 38 C B GIBRALTAR: 1896 cover with crest of HMS "Barfleur" on the flap (which has been detached & rejoined), endorsed "From I Foster stoker 47 mess HMS/Barfleur Mediterranean Station" & countersigned with illegible initials, to Durham with Gibraltar 10c tied by A26 duplex, 'SUNDERLAND' duplex, minor toning. Carried per P&O "Arcadia" departed Gibraltar 24/7/1895; arrived London 28/7/1895. [Illustrated on our website] 250T Dec 16, 2011 Prestige Philately - Auction No 170 Page: 13 THE MEDITERRANEAN STATION (continued) Lot Type Grading Description Est $AUD

Lot 39 39 C C GIBRALTAR: 1896 cover from Sussex to "WG Housom/HM Torpedo Boat/No 6/Gibraltar or elsewhere", redirected on a tour of the Mediterranean to HMS "Hawke", "Hibernia", "Ramillies" & "Vulcan" with various not known endorsements, three Greek b/s & several Malta cds including the "we give up" 'RETD LETTER BRANCH/JA14/97/GPO MALTA' (Proud #D2) & very fine strike of the rare 'NOT KNOWN' h/s (#I17; recorded 21/8/1902 only), central fold & soiling. A marvellous item of great character. 1,000T

Lot 40 40 C B GIBRALTAR: 1898 cover endorsed "John Young HMS Caesar Gibraltar or elsewhere" & countersigned "DWG" (= Midshipman Duncan W Grant), to Hampshire with invalid franking of GB 1d lilac uncancelled, 'GIBRALTAR/ C /MR1/98 - A[26]' duplex below & superb strike of worn 'T' h/s, the stamp cancelled at London where '1D/FB/ C ' h/s added, 'CHRISTCHURCH/HANTS' arrival cds on the face, repaired flap. Ex Geoffrey Osborn (private transaction). An unusual cover. [It seems that the GPO decided to accept that postage was paid but that Gibraltar needed to be credited 1d, claimed back from the addressee] 600T

Lot 41 41 C B GIBRALTAR: 1898 cover endorsed "From John Collymore captains Valet HMS Arrogant" & countersigned with illegible initials, to Devon with Gibraltar 10c tied by light A26 duplex, 'TEIGNMOUTH' arrival b/s, repaired flap fault. 250T Dec 16, 2011 Prestige Philately - Auction No 170 Page: 14 THE MEDITERRANEAN STATION (continued) Lot Type Grading Description Est $AUD

Ex Lot 42 42 C B/A- GIBRALTAR: 1899 (Nov 28 & Dec 30) covers with 'HMS EARNEST' on the flap, no sailor's endorsements, to 'LANARK' (Scotland) or 'CHRISTCHURCH/HANTS' each with Gibraltar 10c tied by A26 duplex (one poor), the latter with repaired flap fault. The Imperial Penny Post was introduced 25/12/1898, from which date the normal postage to England was the same as the sailors' concessional rate. Without the required endorsements, the earlier cover needed 2½d (25c) postage paid & should have been taxed. [See illustrations on our website] (2 items) 300T

Lot 43 43 C B GREECE: 1861 cover endorsed "From Thos Dempsey/HM Ship Caeser" & countersigned "Commanding Officer ArthurJDay", to London with 1d Stars tied by 'A/MALTA/NO18/61 - A25' duplex, repaired flap fault; with the enclosed letter headed "HM Ship Caeser/Athens Nov 7th 61". [The writer states "...[a spar] come right across my stomach and very near crushed me to atoms...I have got 2 steps higher which is 2nd Class Petty Officer...I got your letter at Beyrout on the Coast of Syria..."] 1,250T

Lot 44 44 C A- GREECE: 1863 (April) cover endorsed "From W Thompson gunner RMA/On board HMS Foxhound" & countersigned "F Doughty Commanding Officer", to Scotland with 1d Stars tied by diamond-numeral '50' of the London Foreign Branch, French boxed 'PAQUEBOTS/DE LA/MEDITERANEE' h/s in red, Marseilles ('10/AVRIL'), Paris, London & superb 'CARLISLE' transit b/s, rated "6" in black for the unpaid 3d per ¼oz for transitting France. Probably carried from Piraeus by French Packet. [HMS "Foxhound" was at Volos 25/3/1863 & at Piraeus 8/4/1863. On 12/6/1863, Gunner Thompson drowned & was "discharged, dead"] 1,250T Dec 16, 2011 Prestige Philately - Auction No 170 Page: 15 THE MEDITERRANEAN STATION (continued) Lot Type Grading Description Est $AUD

Lot 45 45 C B GREECE: 1892 cover endorsed "From SH Couch SBS [= Sick Berth Steward] HMS Undaunted Phalerum Bay" & countersigned "RW" (= Lt Rosslyn E Wemyss), to Devon with 1d lilac tied by London transit cancel, 'DEVONPORT' arrival b/s (affected by flap fault). [Phaleron Bay is 8km SW of Athens] 750T

Lot 46 46 C B GREECE: a similar flapless cover from the same correspondence endorsed "...Thaso" & countersigned "HGKH" (= Lt Herbert G King Hall). [Thassos is the northernmost Greek island, close to the Thracian coast] 750T

Lot 47 47 C B IONIAN ISLANDS: 1836 large-part outer endorsed "From Peter Castell on board HM Ship/Thunderer" and countersigned "Arthur Wakefield 2Lt", to the East India Company in London with very fine tombstone arrival d/s in red. Carried per Admiralty Packet HMS "Hermes" which departed Zante 1/7/1836; arrived Falmouth 25/7/1836. Ex Geoffrey Osborn (private transaction). 1,500T Dec 16, 2011 Prestige Philately - Auction No 170 Page: 16 THE MEDITERRANEAN STATION (continued) Lot Type Grading Description Est $AUD

Lot 48 48 C A- IONIAN ISLANDS: 1860 officer's concessional cover endorsed "via Belgium/and Trieste" with 6d violet x2 (one with tear in the wing-margin) tied by BN '320' of 'GOSPORT' (Hants, b/s), to "Captain J Pickard/HM Ship Hannibal/ Corfu", London transit b/s & 'P'-in-oval h/s, superb 'AUS ENGLAND PER AACHEN/FRANCO' cds in red, 'TRIEST' transit b/s, endorsed "Partito por [= "departed for"] Malta e Gibralterra" & on the flap "Gibraltar/28 March 1860" apparently in lieu of an arrival cds. Ex Geoffrey Osborn (2007): illustrated in "Naval Officers' Letters" at page 83. A "cracker"!

The rate was 6d per ½oz + 3d per ¼oz x2 for transiting a foreign country, rated "8" in red for 4d credit each due to Belgium & Italy and "1" in black for the Ionian Islands local rate due. The "Hannibal" had departed Corfu on 18/3/1860 so the letter was sent to Malta from where carried per P&O "Ripon", departed Malta 23/3/1860, arrived Gibraltar 28/3/1860. 1,000T

Lot 49 49 C B IONIAN ISLANDS: 1861 flapless cover endorsed "From Joseph Irlam seaman HMS Marlborough/Corfu" & countersigned "T Brandreth Commanding Officer", to a soldier in the 57th Regiment in India but sent (missent?) via London where 1d Stars tied by 'LONDON EC/JA30/61 - 77' duplex, Indian b/s of Bombay, Calcutta & 'ALLAHABAD' arrival all in red. Ex Gerald Sattin (2008, the only sailor's letter in his "Soldier's Rates" collection). Wonderful origin/destination item. [Regulations required that soldiers letters be sent to London in a locked bag, even if the destination was in the opposite direction, as here. In any event, the letter was carried to GB, back to and across India for a mere penny. HMS "Marlborough" was flagship of the Mediterranean Fleet. The 57th Regiment had served throughout the Indian Mutiny including the crucial engagement at Lucknow. In January 1860, the Regiment moved to Allahabad] 2,000T

Lot 50 50 C A- ITALY: 1859 cover from England "via Marseilles" with undated 'TEDDINGTON/SW' b/s, 1d Stars & 4d rose & 6d violet tied by 'LONDON SW - SW/15' duplex and 'PD'-in-oval h/s, to "Commander Whyte RN/HMS Centurion/ Naples/care of HM British Consul" with French 'ANGL/AMB CALAIS B' TPO cds, Paris & Marseilles transit b/s & Italian ' S /Franco'-in-oval paid h/s in red. Carried per French Packet "Simios" departed Marseilles 15/5/1859; arrived Naples 18/5/1859. [The officers' rate was 6d per ½oz + 3d per ¼oz for French transit. However the standard letter rate of 11d was paid] 400T Dec 16, 2011 Prestige Philately - Auction No 170 Page: 17 THE MEDITERRANEAN STATION (continued) Lot Type Grading Description Est $AUD

Lot 51 51 C B ITALY: 1898 cover with crest of HMS "Hawke" on the flap, endorsed "Jas Flowers Stoker HMS Hawke/Port Coute Italy Mediterranean Fleet" & countersigned with illegible initials, to Essex with Gibraltar 10c tied by fair A26 duplex. 400T

Lot 52 52 C B MALTA: 1833 entire letter headed "Malta November 1st 1833" endorsed "from T Walker Seaman on board HM/Ship Rover Malta" & countersigned "HMS Rover/Malta Oct 31st Jas R Dacres Comdg officer", to Kent with superb 'PAID/18NO18/1833' in red & 'FPO' dotted-circle b/s. Carried per Admiralty Steam Packet HMS "Firefly" that departed Malta 31/10/1833, so the sender got his date wrong. Ex George Coates. [The writer states "...we came down to Malta to get hose down on account of us getting on shore in Alexandria..."] 750T

Lot 53 53 C B MALTA: 1834 entire from the same correspondence, similarly endorsed & countersigned "HM Sloop Rover Malta/March 5th 1834/JF Birch Commanding officer", to Kent with fine paid cds in red & 'FPO' dotted-circle b/s, minor soiling. 500T Dec 16, 2011 Prestige Philately - Auction No 170 Page: 18 THE MEDITERRANEAN STATION (continued) Lot Type Grading Description Est $AUD

Lot 54 54 C B MALTA: 1836 entire endorsed "From William Walker boy/On board HM Ship Barham" & countersigned "Fredk Hutton Senr Lieut HMS/Barham Malta Feby 10th 1836", on the reverse there is clear evidence of a penny coin having been stitched to the paper, to Kent with London cds in red & 'FPO' dotted circle b/s, some staining. Carried per Admiralty Packet HMS "African" departed Malta 10/2/1836; arrived Falmouth 28/2/1836. [The writer states "...there as been a very serious affair on board here and I have wrote 7 letters but I do not know how many you have received as the pennys have been cut off & the letters thrown away as Great numbers have been pickt up at sea"] 1,500T

Lot 55 55 C B MALTA: 1842 large-part outer endorsed "From William Lacy Private Royal Marines on board/of Her Majestys Ship Ganges Malta Harbour 16th Jany 1842" & countersigned "C Fegan Capt Commanding Officer/Royal Marines", to Hampshire with largely fine strike of the scarce 'FALMOUTH/1d/PAID' h/s in red, unframed 'WINCHESTER' & 'ALRESFORD' b/s. Ex Disraeli & Gosling. Carried per Admiralty Packet HMS "Polyphemus" departed Malta 18/1/1842; & P&O "Margaret" departed Gibraltar 27/1/1842; arrived Falmouth 6/2/1842. [Our vendor paid £1400 at auction in 2005] 800T

Lot 56 56 C A- MALTA: 1858 cover from England endorsed "Marseilles by French Packet" with undated 'SURBITON/SW' & 'KINGSTON- ON-THAMES' b/s, 1d Stars & 4d rose x2 tied by 'LONDON SW - SW/16' duplex, to "Commander Whyte RN/HMS Centurion/Malta" with ' A /MALTA/DE1/58' arrival b/s. Carried per "Ganges" departed Marseilles 27/11/1858; arrived Malta 1/12/1858. [Effective 1/6/1857, the officer's rate was 6d per ½oz + 3d per ¼oz for French transit] 250T Dec 16, 2011 Prestige Philately - Auction No 170 Page: 19 THE MEDITERRANEAN STATION (continued) Lot Type Grading Description Est $AUD

Lot 57 57 C C MALTA: 1859 cover endorsed "From John Corlett seman on board HMS London" & countersigned "Chas W Manthrop Commanding officer", to "Ballacry Ballaugh/Isle of Man" with 1d Stars (defective) tied by A25 duplex, Liverpool transit & 'RAMSEY/DE9/59' arrival b/s, overall soiling. Carried per P&O "Indus" departed Malta 25/11/1859; arrived Southampton 5/12/1859. 300T

Lot 58 58 C B MALTA: 1860 cover endorsed "From John Smith On board HMS/Neptune Malta" & countersigned "Commanding Officer J Palmer", to Wales with 1d Stars tied by A25 duplex, 'CARDIFF/AP4/69' arrival b/s, repaired tears on the reverse. Carried per P&O "Ripon" departed Malta 23/3/1860; arrived Southampton 3/4/1860. [Seaman John Smith was discharged 21/3/1862 as a military prisoner at Corfu] The illustration is above Lot 57. 350T

Lot 59 59 C B MALTA: 1860 cover endorsed "From Hy Hamier [?] Ships Corprl/HM Ship Caeser Malta" & countersigned "TM Nicholl Commanding Officer/Novr 29th", to London with rare franking of 1d Stars single & pair tied by poor but discernible strikes of the 'A81' mailboat cancel (possibly the earliest recorded usage) applied on P&O "Vectis", London arrival cds of DE15/60 in red on the face. "Vectis" departed Malta 9/12/1860; arrived Marseilles 13/12/1860.

Underpayment of postage on letters sent via a foreign country was common. The French transit rate was 3d per ¼oz, payable in addition to the standard 1d. This cover was thus underpaid 1d but was not taxed. 1,250T Dec 16, 2011 Prestige Philately - Auction No 170 Page: 20 THE MEDITERRANEAN STATION (continued) Lot Type Grading Description Est $AUD

Lot 60 60 C B MALTA: 1860 cover endorsed "From James Stewart Seaman/HM Ship Orion" & countersigned "GLG Commanding Officer" (Lt George Graves), to "Queens town/Ireland" with 1d Stars tied by A25 duplex, repaired flap fault. 400T

Lot 61 61 C (B) MALTA: 1868 cover endorsed "JH Good Ships Steward/HMS Hibernia Malta" & countersigned "G Santo [?] Comg Officer", to London with 1d tied by ' C /MALTA/JU9/68 - A25' duplex, London arrival cds of 19JU68 in red, a couple of repaired tears. [From March 1868, Malta was bypassed by the P&O steamers] 300T

Lot 62 62 C B MALTA: 1868 cover endorsed "G Cullingford Boy HMS Arethusa" & countersigned "JCole Commanding Officer", to London with 1d Plate '98' tied by ' E /MALTA/NO17/68 - A25' duplex, London arrival b/s of NO28/68. 400T

Lot 63 63 C B MALTA: 1875 cover to "M Sullivan Chief Carptrs Mate/HMS Lord Warden/Malta or Elsewhere", with 1d Plate '152' (knocked-about) tied by bold 'BIRMINGHAM/ Z* /JY29/74 - 75' duplex, no arrival b/s, renovated flap. Michael Sullivan Fig 1: the earliest cover in Gerald Ellott's census, and the only cover to Sullivan. Inwards letters to sailors (as distinct from officers) are rare] 400T Dec 16, 2011 Prestige Philately - Auction No 170 Page: 21 THE MEDITERRANEAN STATION (continued) Lot Type Grading Description Est $AUD

Lot 64 64 C B MALTA: 1874 cover endorsed "From M Sullivan Chief Carps [= Carpernter's] Mate/HMS Lord Warden Malta" and countersigned (Midshipman) "RG Fraser", with 1d Plate '134' (rounded corner) tied by 'A/MALTA/AU1/74 - [A25]' duplex, 'BIRMINGHAM/ 1 3 /AU11/74/ P ' arrival b/s, repaired flap. Carried per P&O "Zambesi", departed Malta 1/8/1874, arrived Southampton 10/8/1874. Michael Sullivan Fig 2: the earliest cover from Sullivan in Gerald Ellott's census. [The illustration is above Lot 63] 500T

Lot 65 65 C (B) MALTA: a similar 1874 Sullivan cover countersigned "WSM" (?), with 1d Plate '134' (fault) tied by '11'-in-diamond of the London Foreign Branch, 'BIRMINGHAM/ 1 3 /AU31/74/ P ' arrival b/s, repaired flap & opening tear at top. Not included in Gerald Ellott's census. 300T

Lot 66 66 C C MALTA: 1880 cover endorsed "AE Williams HMS Condor/Malta" & countersigned "ATC" (= Lt Archibald T Carter), to "Post Master General/Haverstock Hill Post Office" with 1d Venetian red tied by ' E /MALTA/AU28/80 - A25' duplex, endorsed on the reverse "Left at Haverstock Hill Branch office opened by Clerk on duty returned 2.9.80" overall toning. [Adolphus Edward Williams was ship's bugler. "Condor" was recommissioned at Malta 20/8/1880. She proceeded to the Albanian coast for a Joint Naval Demonstration (= a show of force) with ships from France Russia Austria & Italy]

Although Malta issued the ½d buff in 1860, GB stamps continued to be used on soldiers' and sailors' mail. The practice ceased on 27/12/1884, in anticipation of the issue on 1/1/1885 of the new Maltese issue of 1d to 1/- denominations. 400T Dec 16, 2011 Prestige Philately - Auction No 170 Page: 22 THE MEDITERRANEAN STATION (continued) Lot Type Grading Description Est $AUD

Lot 67 67 C A- MALTA: 1882 cover endorsed "Via Italy", to "Commander/AAC Parr RN/HMS Inconstant/Detached Squadron/ Malta/or Elsewhere" with 2½d blue Plate '23' tied by 'BROMLEY/13JY/82/KENT - 144' duplex. Ex Geoffrey Osborn: illustrated by him at page 121. [HMS "Inconstant", "Carysfort" & "Tourmaline" were detached from the round-the-world Flying Squadron & returned from Hong Kong to GB. However, at Madeira, orders were received to make haste for Egypt where an insurrection had broken-out. The "Inconstant" was used to ferry troops & supplies between Malta & Egypt] 300T

Lot 68 68 C (B) MALTA: 1885 cover endorsed "From M Sullivan Skilled Shipwt [= shipwright]/HMS Thunderer Malta" and countersigned "MM", with Malta 1d tied by 'MALTA/ E /JU3/85 - A25' duplex, 'BROMSGROVE/JU8/85' arrival b/s, opening tears repaired. Michael Sullivan Fig 30: the only HMS "Thunderer" cover in the census. [Sullivan was assigned to HMS "Thunderer" 26/4/1885 until 15/8/1886. From 1/4/1886, he was re-classified "Skilled Carpernter's Mate"] 250T

Lot 69 69 C B MALTA: 1890 cover endorsed "From G Stevens HMS Landrail Malta" & countersigned "GSH" (= Lt George S Hockin), to Herefordshire with Malta 1d tied by A25 duplex, superb 'ROSS' arrival b/s. [ Stevens was a sickbay attendant] 250T

Lot 70 70 C B MALTA: a very similar cover from the same correspondence. 250T Dec 16, 2011 Prestige Philately - Auction No 170 Page: 23 THE MEDITERRANEAN STATION (continued) Lot Type Grading Description Est $AUD

Lot 71 71 C B MALTA: 1890 cover endorsed "From J Kingston stoker HMS Camperdown Malta" & countersigned "HET" (= Lt Hugh Evan Thomas), to Kent with Malta 1d tied by 'A25' duplex, 'CHATHAM/MY6/90' arrival b/s, overall soiling. Carried direct to Brindisi, taking only 5 days in transit! [On 22/6/1893, "Camperdown" rammed & sank HMS "Victoria" with the loss of 360 officers & crew, including Admiral Sir George Tryon, who had ordered the manoeuvre] 300T

Lot 72 72 C A MALTA: 1890 cover endorsed "From Sergt E Samport RM HMS Hibernia Malta" & countersigned "JF" (= ?), to London with Malta 1d & 2d tied by a superb strike of the 'MALTA'-in-five-bars cancel, oval 'REGISTERED/ D /4NO90/ MALTA' d/s & 'R'-in-oval h/s, hooded 'REGISTERED/LONDON' arrival d/s & oval 'REGISTERED/SEDO' b/s. An exceptional item, stated to be the only registered cover recorded by Gerald Ellott from a sailor or marine. 2,000T

Lot 73 73 C A MALTA: 1894 cover endorsed "From AE Harris PCIC [?] HMS Vulcan/Malta" & countersigned "WH" (= ?), to England with Malta 1d tied by A25 duplex, 'PORTSMOUTH' arrival b/s. 250T

Lot 74 74 C B MALTA: 1894 cover endorsed "From Pte F Trott HM Ship Edgar Medderanean" & countersigned "DJK" (Marines Major Douglas J Kysh), to England with Malta 1d tied by 'MALTA/AU22/94 - A25' duplex, 'BRISTOL/ J1 /AU27/94' arrival b/s in red, vertical fold. Carried per P&O "Britannia", departed Malta 18/8/1894; arrived London 25/8/1894. [HMS "Edgar" was en route to the China Station] 250T Dec 16, 2011 Prestige Philately - Auction No 170 Page: 24 THE MEDITERRANEAN STATION (continued) Lot Type Grading Description Est $AUD

Lot 75 75 C A- MALTA: 1896 cover endorsed "From HE Morrison HMS Ramillies Malta" & countersigned "AW" (= ?), to England with Malta 1d tied by A25 duplex, 'BIRMINGHAM' arrival b/s. [Another 5-day transit] 200T

Lot 76 76 C A- MALTA: 1897 cover endorsed "From AG Lobb Master At Arms/HMS Ramillies Malta" & countersigned with indistinct initials, to London with Malta 1d tied by Valletta cds, part-Bedford Street arrival b/s, flap fault otherwise superb. 300T

Lot 77 77 C B MALTA: 1897 cover endorsed "From A Taulhel [?] Ldg Sigm [Leading Signalman]/HMS Gibraltar Malta" & countersigned with indistinct initials, to Hampshire with Malta 1d only tied by Valletta cds, superb strikes of the Maltese ' T - CENTIMES ("40")' duplex h/s (Proud #UP17) & London Foreign Branch '8D/FB' h/s, 'PORTSMOUTH' arrival b/s. [Because there was no longer a direct packet service between Malta & the UK, the 1d rate was valid only if carried by the occasional direct ship. Mail generally went via either Brindisi or Marseilles, requiring payment of additional postage. 600T

Lot 78 78 C B MALTA: a very similar cover but with seriffed 'T' h/s (Proud #UP1; LRD by two years). [The letter rate was 5d for 1oz, less 1d paid = 4d deficiency x2 = 8d] 600T Dec 16, 2011 Prestige Philately - Auction No 170 Page: 25 THE MEDITERRANEAN STATION (continued) Lot Type Grading Description Est $AUD

Lot 79 79 C B SYRIA: 1863 cover endorsed "From James Headen Seaman 1863/HM Ship Chanticler Beyrout May 3d" and countersigned "Commanding Officer C Stirling", to Manchester with 1d Stars tied by poor mailboat 'A83' cancel used aboard P&O "Euxine", Manchester arrival b/s of JU3/63, soiling. The mail bag was taken to Egypt; per P&O "Euxine" departed Alexandria 19/5/1863; per "Ceylon" departed Malta 22/5/1863; arrived Southampton 2/6/1863. [On 19/5/1863, Seaman Headen died aboard ship & was "discharged, dead"] 2,000T

Lot 80 80 C B SYRIA: 1867 cover endorsed "From John Deveraux Seaman HMS/Cruiser Alexandrietta" & countersigned "Robt H Paul Commanding Officer", to Kent with 1d Stars (faults) tied by poor mailboat 'A81' cancel used aboard P&O "Nyanza", repaired flap fault. [In 1939, the Syrian province of Alexandretta was ceded by the French to Turkey. The city of Alexandretta is now called Iskenderun] The illustration is above Lot 79. 2,000T

Lot 81 81 C A- TURKEY: 1876 cover endorsed "From W Townsend Seaman HMS Sultan/Bayska Bay/Turkey" & countersigned "RF Britten", to London with 1d Plate '187' tied by Malta A25 duplex of JU26/76, two London b/s. Carried Per P&O "Hindoostan" departed Malta 2/7/1876; arrived Southampton 11/7/1876. [Being endorsed & addressed in blue, this cover well demonstrates the convention whereby the sender would also inscribe the words "Commanding Officer", thus requiring the officer to merely sign his name. Besika Bay was named in ancient times, being part of Troy. It is situated at the mouth of the Hellespont (aka the Dardenelles)] 750T Dec 16, 2011 Prestige Philately - Auction No 170 Page: 26 THE MEDITERRANEAN STATION (continued) Lot Type Grading Description Est $AUD

Lot 82 82 C A- TURKEY: 1877 cover to "HMS Pallas/Besika Bay" with 1d Plate '200' tied by bold 'LONDON WC/ X /AU2/77 - WC/1' duplex, London cds of the next day & boxed 'CANNOT BE SENT/EXCEEDS ½OZ.' h/s both in red, initialed by two postal inspectors, two pinholes at left. Rare. [Presumably returned via the Returned Letter Branch] 750T THE CRIMEAN WAR

Lot 83 83 C A- THE BALTIC: 1854 cover endorsed "From Edward Taylor seaman HMS Imperieuse/Baltic fleet" & countersigned "John Taylor" (relative?), to "Sir James Graham/Admiralty/London" with superb double-circle 'DANZIG/19/8/10-11' cds, exceptional franking of 1d Stars on Blued Paper strip of 5 (minor faults from extending beyond the limits of the envelope) & 5 fine to superb strikes of '35'-in-diamond cancels of the London Foreign Branch, two London b/s of AU22/1854 both in red, large 'L'-in-circle h/s apparently in the same red ink so presumably also applied at London & mss "4" in black being the amount due to Prussia, redirected to "West Cowes/Isle of Wight". An exceptional cover, including for the collector of Line Engraved Issues.

In March 1854, England sent a fleet of 15 ships to blockade Russian ports in the Gulf of Finland. A weekly mail service via Danzig was established. Between May & 31st October 1854 only, the rate for seamen was 5d & for officers 8d. This is believed to be the only cover recorded at the 5d rate, making this a highly significant item. 4,000T Dec 16, 2011 Prestige Philately - Auction No 170 Page: 27 THE CRIMEAN WAR (continued) Lot Type Grading Description Est $AUD

Lot 84 84 C (B) THE BALTIC: 1855 officer's cover to Warwickshire with superb double-circle 'DANZIG/25/5/3-4' cds, rated "7" in black but crossed-through, 1d Stars on Blued Paper x3 (a few faults) tied by '42'-in-diamond cancels of the London Foreign Branch, ' GW /29MY29/1855' London b/s in red, & very fine 'LEAMINGTON/MY29/1855/ B ' arrival b/s in green, expertly repaired. With the enclosed 4pp letter headed "HMS Edinburgh/May 22nd/off Revel" & signed by Midshipman "H Waller" states "...seven of the gun boats here have just visited [?] so we expect to try some plan or other...we have had a great deal of illness in the fleet...120 men with the small pox so we have erected a temporary hospital...the snow in some places is still 4 or 5 ft deep but is melting rapidly...the Imperieuse was damaged by running into the Tartar..." [Revel, or Reval, is an historical name of the Estonian capital Talinn]

At the end of October 1854, the fleet moved to Kiel and mail went via Hamburg. The via Danzig service was reinstated from 3/4/1855. A new rate of 3d per ¼oz for both sailors & officers was introduced. [NB: Geoffrey Osborn had no officer's covers from the Crimean War] 1,500T

Lot 85 85 C B THE BALTIC: a rather similar 1855 cover from the same correspondence endorsed "off Ravel", with 1d Stars on Blued Paper x3 (single - faults - & pair) tied by double-circle 'DANZIG/6/7/4-5' cds & also with '51'-in-diamond cancels of the London Foreign Branch, apparently overweight & rated "3" in black, two overlapped strikes of 'LEAMINGTON/JY10/1855/ B ' arrival b/s in green. [Waller served on HMS "Edinburgh" which, in August 1854, had participated in the bombardment & capture of the Russian fortress of Bomarsund in the Aland Islands] 750T

Lot 86 86 C B THE BALTIC: 1855 officer's cover to Lincolnshire with double-circle 'DANZIG/22/6/3-4' cds, 1d Stars on Blued Paper strip of 3 (a couple of faults) with '19'-in-diamond cancels of the London Foreign Branch, apparently overweight & rated "3" in black, faint London b/s in red, redirected to 'WRAGBY' (light but clear b/s) & charged "1" but this crossed-out as concession rate letters were exempt from redirection fees. [The sender was Lieut John Cartwright, aboard HMS "Orion", off Kronstadt, home of the Russian Baltic Fleet at Kotlin Island. Gerald Ellott recorded only ten Baltic Fleet 3d rate covers, all from officers] 750T Dec 16, 2011 Prestige Philately - Auction No 170 Page: 28 THE CRIMEAN WAR (continued) Lot Type Grading Description Est $AUD

Lot 87 87 C B TURKEY: 1853 cover endorsed "John Carmichael Seaman/On Board HM Ship Rodney" & countersigned (Lieut) "G Walker", to Scotland with Imperf 1d Red on Blued Paper (fault at upper-left) tied by BN '466' of Liverpool, rounded-boxed '27JY1853/LIVERPOOL/SHIP' b/s in green, superb '2' handstamp for the master's gratuity, 'GLASGOW/28JY28/1853' arrival b/s in red. Carried per private ship "Prosperita", thus attracting the 2d gratuity. [On 13/6/1853, HMS "Rodney" arrived at Besika Bay on the west coast of Asia Minor, & in October proceeded into the Black Sea]

In May 1853, the Mediterranean Fleet was ordered to join the French Fleet at Besika Bay, in anticipation of hostilities erupting between Russia & the Ottoman Empire. However, it was only in March 1854 - after Britain & France declared war against Russia - that formal postal arrangements were put in place. Prior to this date, it was usual for mail to be carried from Constantinople by French packet to Marseilles. The standard concession rates of 1d paid & 2d unpaid - offcers 6d - applied, unless sent by private ship, in which case the 2d additional fee applied.

An extraordinary aspect of this cover is that it has been opened out to show that it was originally fully addressed to another person. As such, it can be seen how a sailor's letter appeared before it was countersigned & postage applied. A remarkable "turned" usage. 1,500T

Lot 88 88 C A- TURKEY: a similar cover from the same correspondence, additionally endorsed "...Besika Bay" & countersigned (Lieut) "FP Porteous", to Scotland with very fine Imperf 1d Red on Blued Paper tied by '47'(?)-in-diamond of the London Foreign Branch, London b/s of 19SP19/1853 in red & superb '2' h/s for master's gratuity, 'M/NB'-in-circle h/s of the Great Northern Railway (Harold Wilson #6: for late letters) in red, boxed 'GLASGOW/SEP19N/1853' arrival b/s in red. Carried per French packet to Malta; private ship "Sarah" from Malta - thus attracting the 2d gratuity - arrived Gravesend 18/9/1853. [There is a postscript beneath the flap: "Send me som stamps/I have 1 more", confirming that sailors were responsible for providing their own stamps] 1,500T

Lot 89 89 C B TURKEY: a similar cover from the same correspondence, without "...Besika Bay" in the endorsement, again countersigned by Lieut Porteous, to Scotland with Imperf 1d Red on Blued Paper (cut-into at lower-left) tied by '29'-in-diamond of the London Foreign Branch, London & Glasgow b/s both of 6DE6/1853 in red. Believed carried to Egypt; then per P&O "Ripon", departed Alexandria 20/11/1853, arrived Southampton 5/12/1853. [In October 1853, HMS "Rodney" weighed anchor & entered the Bosphorus & then the Sea of Marmara en route to the Black Sea] 850T Dec 16, 2011 Prestige Philately - Auction No 170 Page: 29 THE CRIMEAN WAR (continued) Lot Type Grading Description Est $AUD

Lot 90 90 C A- TURKEY: a similar cover from the same correspondence, to Scotland with Imperf 1d Red tied by light '31'-in-diamond of the London Foreign Branch, London b/s of MY-3/1854 in red & superb 'GLASGOW/MY 3 N/1854' arrival b/s. 850T

Lot 91 91 C B TURKEY: 1856 cover to "Captain Burgess RN/HMS Stromboli/Constantinople", 1d Stars x3 tied by poor cancels of 'PRINCES RISBOROUGH' (Buckinghamshire), London transit b/s & 'PD'-in-oval h/s in red, French 'ANGL/...CALAIS C' d/s on the face, largely very fine 'CONSTANTINOPLE/6/OCT/56/(TURQUIE)' arrival b/s, rounded corners at left. Carried per French packet "Nil", departed Marseilles 22/9/1856, arrived Constantinople 6/10/1856. [NB: the 3d concession rate via Marseilles was withdrawn 12/9/1856. This cover was posted 8 days later but was marked P'aid to' D'estination'] 750T

Lot 92 92 C A TURKEY: 1856 cover with colourless embossing 'HMS/VIGILANT' on the flap, endorsed "Via Marseilles", unpaid to Oxfordshire with 'HYDASPE/15/DEC/56' cds & faint boxed 'PAQUEBOTS/DE LA/MEDITERRANEE' h/s in red, three French transit b/s & 'CHIPPING NORTON/DE26/1856' arrival b/s in blue, rated "1/-" amended to "2/-".

With 4pp partly cross-written letter headed "HMS Vigilant/Buyukdiva [?] Decr 15th" and signed (Commander) "Wm Armytage" states: "...The direct mail leaves the Bosphorus this evening & is supposed to reach London in 9 days [it took 11 days]...There is literally no news here...There is a chance of the Fleet returning to Malta before long but all depends on the result of the conference which is now supposed to be holding its sittings in Paris...this snug anchorage at Buyukdiva will be our winter quarters...The ships are preparing different Xmas amusements for their crews...We go on long walks sometimes in Europe & sometimes in Asia..." 1,000T Dec 16, 2011 Prestige Philately - Auction No 170 Page: 30 THE CRIMEAN WAR (continued) Lot Type Grading Description Est $AUD

Lot 93 93 C B CRIMEAN PENINSULA: 1854 large-part officer's cover (two flaps missing) endorsed "From HMS Queen Black Sea Fleet/via France" with 1d Stars on Blued Paper strip of 3 (a few trimmed perfs) cancelled with light strike of the ' * [crown] * ' h/s overstruck with indistinct numeral-in-diamond cancels of the London Foreign Branch, largely fine strike of the 27mm 'POST-OFFICE/DE10/1854/=BRITISH-ARMY=' - very early usage: recorded from -/12/1854 - on the reverse. [The sender was Lieut John W Whyte. Also included is a July 1853 usage of 1d Envelope to "Lieut Whyte/HMS Queen/Devonport" with BN '666' of 'RYDE' (b/s; Isle of Wight), prior to the ship's departure for Turkey. On 17/10/1854, HMS "Queen" participated in the first bombardment of the Sebastopol forts]

GPO Notice 76 of Dec 1854 stated that letters would be charged 1d for seaman & 6d for officers if sent per British packet, & 3d for both seamen & officers if sent per French packet via Marseilles. [NB: Geoffrey Osborn had no officer's covers from the Crimean War] 750T

Lot 94 94 C B CRIMEAN PENINSULA: 1855 stampless officer's cover endorsed "From Black Sea Fleet/Via Marseilles", to London with largely fine strike of the 27mm 'POST-OFFICE/JA22/1855/=BRITISH-ARMY/ A =' b/s in blue, London arrival b/s of FE-2/1855 in red & rated "3" in black (for the unpaid postage only; no fine).

The lengthy partly cross-written enclosed letter headed "Jany 15th 1855/Achmechett/NW coast of/Crimea" and signed "Wm Armytage" states: "...we are now on our way to Sebastopol. During the last six weeks we have had no communication with the fleet...You can imagine our delight when the Stromboli reached us with letters...Captn Moore decided on paying a visit to...Achmechett...we ran into the harbour with a flag of truce flying...a number of mounted Cossacks were seen...within 900 yards of the ship...these barbarous wretches opened fire...I directed our ten inch gun to be fired at them...the whole party were seen scampering away...examine[d] a large Martello fort...finding... everything in readiness to mount some guns on it I caused the whole fort to be blown up..." Then follow complaints about lack of promotion & a request that his mother petition Sir James Graham about his "21 years service out of which 10 years as a Lieut". [Armytage was aboard HMS "Highflyer"] 1,000T Dec 16, 2011 Prestige Philately - Auction No 170 Page: 31 THE CRIMEAN WAR (continued) Lot Type Grading Description Est $AUD

Lot 95 95 C B CRIMEAN PENINSULA: 1855 sailor's letter endorsed "From Black Sea Fleet", to Hampshire apparently sent unpaid & rated "3" in black, light 25mm 'POST-OFFICE/OC-/1855/=BRITISH-ARMY=' b/s, on arrival readdressed to Essex with 1d Stars added for the internal postage & tied by indistinct cancel, various b/s. [With enclosed brief letter headed "8th October/Kazatch" & signed "J De Lancy": "We sail for Zendra & Kinborne we land an army of about 20 thousand men..." Also a second letter headed "Off Sevastopol/HMS Spiteful 25th May"] 600T

Lot 96 96 C B CRIMEAN PENINSULA: 1855 officer's cover endorsed "Black Sea/Fleet Letter" & "Via Marseilles", to Hampshire with 1d Stars strip of 3 uncancelled apart from a bold black line across the first unit, 'MALTA/JA24/1855' b/s, London transit & very fine 'PORTSMOUTH/FE 9/1855/ A ' arrival b/s in blue, rated "6" in black. [The sender was Lieut Edward Franklin, designated "Agent for Transport Afloat". Beneath the flap he wrote "...send me a Dozen 1d & 2d Heads [= postage stamps] write on thinnest paper & it wont be an Extra Charge..." This would have comforted the addressee who had to pay 6d for this letter, apparently because it was carried privately to Malta where it was placed in the post, and treated as wholly unpaid] 1,000T

Lot 97 97 C A CRIMEAN PENINSULA: 1855 officer's cover endorsed "Sidon" (at lower-left) & "Via Marseilles", to Woolwich with additional endorsement "from Black Sea Fleet" largely obscured by a very fine 1d Stars strip of 3 tied by '45'-in-diamond of the London Foreign Branch, London arrival b/s of FE13/1855. [On 17/10/1854, HMS "Sidon" was involved in the first bombardment of the Sebastopol Forts. Exactly one year later, she took part in the naval Battle of Kinburn, where the naval authorities were convinced of the need to abandon wooden vessels in favour of steel hulls]

The enclosed 8pp partly cross-written letter is headed "HMS Sidon off Sevastopol/Jany 27 55" and signed "George" (Captain George Goldsmith): "...I have been round to Balaklava to visit that extraordinary little port...[on HMS "Highflyer"]...the entrance is most formidable...not a tree or a vine is left, all have been grubbed up for firewood, even the houses are pulled down to draw out the beams and rafters!...[the soldiers are] 12 hours in the trenches in all weather on alternate nights & then frequently formed into working parties...to walk 8 miles through a sea of mud...Be so kind as to send me out 5 Shillings worth of stamps" 1,000T Dec 16, 2011 Prestige Philately - Auction No 170 Page: 32 THE CRIMEAN WAR (continued) Lot Type Grading Description Est $AUD

Lot 98 98 C A- CRIMEAN PENINSULA: a very similar 1855 cover from the same correspondence with very fine 1d Stars on Blued Paper strip of 3 (the second unit with a few trimmed perfs) cancelled '44'-in-diamond of the London Foreign Branch, 25mm 'POST-OFFICE/FE12/1855/ A /=BRITISH-ARMY=' b/s obscured by one of three London b/s of FE23/1855, rated "3" in black as the letter was overweight.

The enclosed 8pp letter headed "HMS Sidon/Feby 9 55" states: "...This has been hitherto a strangely ill conducted war and I verily believe...the right arm of God has not been with us. The war was commenced (especially at homa & by the Baltic fleet) with a spirit of bragadoccio...pray for pardon & future help that wisdom & resolution may be imparted to the Chiefs who direct by sea & land the operations of the war...the whole place is bristling with cannons, a perfect hornet's nest. Another frigate has been sunk of late..." 1,000T

Lot 99 99 C A- CRIMEAN PENINSULA: a very similar 1855 cover from the same correspondence with very fine 1d Stars strip of 3 cancelled ' * [crown] * '-in-bars - used August 1854 to April 1855 only - & fair 25mm 'POST-OFFICE/MR20/1855/ A /=BRITISH-ARMY=' b/s in blue, three London b/s of AP2/1855, docketed on the face "20 Mar 55/Kazatch Bay", minor repaired flap-tear. 1,500T

Lot 100 100 C A- CRIMEAN PENINSULA: another 1855 cover from the same correspondence but not endorsed "Via Marseilles", with 1d Stars on Blued Paper single & pair tied by untidy '43'-in-bars of the London Foreign Branch, light 27mm 'POST-OFFICE/MY5/1855/ =BRITISH-ARMY=' b/s & three London b/s of MY18/1855, minor repaired flap-tear.

The enclosed 4pp letter headed "Sidon off Sevastopol/May 2 55" & signed "George Goldsmith" states: "Events are fast opening upon us...this morning we all met with our gallant chief on shore in Kazatsh Bay...[re] an immediate attack on Kurtch [= Kerch] and the other ports on the Eastern side of the Black Sea...There was some terrible firing last night...Sevastopol was like a volcano: we have never seen such a continuous blaze...This afternoon another severe attack took place...we could hear the whizzing of the shot & shell...it was awful but grand...a thick cloud of smoke hung over the fatal scene...May 3 Reached Balaklava...have been very busy getting off the troops..." 1,000T Dec 16, 2011 Prestige Philately - Auction No 170 Page: 33 THE CRIMEAN WAR (continued) Lot Type Grading Description Est $AUD

Lot 101 101 C A- CRIMEAN PENINSULA: 1855 stampless officer's letter rated "3d" in red & endorsed "Pd", to (Sub-Lieut) "TM Kelsall/HMS Hardy/Black Sea Fleet" amended to HMS "Spiteful", 'TAUNTON/JY5/1855' cds & London transit cds in red. Very few inwards items to the Crimea seem to have survived: this is consistent with later wars, where inwards forces mail is also rarely seen. [With the enclosed lengthy cross-written letter headed "Trull/Somersetshire"] 500T

Lot 102 102 C B CRIMEAN PENINSULA: 1855 cover with '[crown]/HMS QUEEN' embossed in blue on the flap, endorsed "From the Black Sea Fleet/Via Marseilles", to Hampshire, light 25mm 'POST-OFFICE/OC-/1855/=BRITISH-ARMY=' b/s, readdressed to Essex with 1d Stars added & tied by indistinct cancel, faint 'FAREHAM/NO6/1855' cds & endorsed "Pd at Farham/& not to be/charged at Hedingham", London transit cds & bold 'HALSTEAD/NO9/1855' arrival b/s in green.

With 4pp partly cross-written letter on matching embossed notepaper, headed "Constantinople/October 22nd" & signed "Hugh William Skene [?]" states "...We are now at Constantinople flag ship to Adml Grey...The Floating Batteries have arrived out here but they seem to be perfect failures for they cannot steer...There is a French steamer just arrived full of Russian Prisoners. You never saw such a mess...We have got a Telegraph down to the mouth of the Bosphorus from Kesatch...We have a Good Deal of Drunkeness...". Also a second letter from another person headed "Off Odessa/21st September" that tellingly states: "...he says he has no stamps...I di not know the letter Bag was going so I have been taken aback..." 1,000T

Lot 103 103 C B CRIMEAN PENINSULA: 1856 cover endorsed "From the Black Sea Fleet/Via Marseilles", to "Lieut TM Kelsall RN/HMS Cressy/ Sheerness/or Elsewhere", light but clear 25mm 'POST-OFFICE/JU 6/1856/=BRITISH-ARMY=' b/s in red, 1d Stars cancelled with ink squiggle & rated "2" for the deficiency, London transit b/s of JU-17/1856 in red & very fine 'SHEERNESS' arrival b/s in blue.

With 4pp letter headed "Queen/May 20th" and signed "Will Isaac [?]" states "...This is the D'est hole God ever created...We have had Grand Races here and Steeple chases but now there is nothing to do but smoke all day and read Books..." 1,000T Dec 16, 2011 Prestige Philately - Auction No 170 Page: 34 Lot Type Grading Description Est $AUD AFRICA

Lot 104 104 C B CAPE OF GOOD HOPE: 1863 stampless unpaid cover endorsed "Ship Letter per Bahama", to Kent with part-'SHIP LETTER/AU18/63/LONDON' & 'TUNBRDIGE-WELLS' b/s, rated "6" & readdressed to Surbiton, flap & part of the back panels missing; with the enclosed 4pp letter headed "Narcissus/Simons Bay/July 10th" and signed "WR Kennedy" (= Lieut William R Kennedy). Carried per "Bahama" departed Simon's Bay 11/7/1863. [The letter states "The Bahama has just arrived from China...and sails tomorrow...That loss of the Anglo-Saxon [at Cape Race, Newfoundland] is a bad job...I don't think there is much chance of an American war..."] 400T

Ex Lot 105 105 C B/C CAPE OF GOOD HOPE: 1868-69 covers to "Captain The Honble Ernest Cochrane/HMS Peterel/Cape of Good Hope" (or similar), four with Irish ' N /DERRY - 172' duplex & & 'CAPE-PACKET/DEVONPORT' transit b/s (two are superb strikes), the other from London, three at 6d - two with 1d block of 6 folded over the top of the envelope - & two double-rate at 1/-, condition variable. (5) 750T

Lot 106 106 C (B) CAPE OF GOOD HOPE: 1869 officer's cover to County Donegal with 1d Plate '78' x6 (single, pair & strip of 3, some faults) tied by BN '466' cancels of Liverpool, light 'PAID/LIVERPOOL/BR PACKET/25OC69/ 2B ' cds (2-letter month) in red & part-Derry arrival b/s of OC26/69, Captain Ernest Cochrane's signet ring impressed in wax on the flap, ironed-out crumpling & the flap renovated. 250T Dec 16, 2011 Prestige Philately - Auction No 170 Page: 35 AFRICA (continued) Lot Type Grading Description Est $AUD

Lot 107 107 C A- CAPE OF GOOD HOPE: 1874 cover to "F O'Neill/HMS Basilisk/Cape of Good Hope/To await arrival" with 1/- green Plate '9' tied by bold 'DEVONPORT/JY24/74 - 250' duplex, no arrival b/s but endorsed on the face "Recd/13 Sept 74/Simons Bay" in red. 250T

Lot 108 108 C A- CAPE OF GOOD HOPE: 1877 cover with handpainted illustration of a signaller on a barrel inscribed 'TOURMALINE/HMS', to "Commodore F Sullivan/Simons Town" with CofGH 4d incorporated into the design & tied by bold '4'-in-bars of 'KING WILLIAMS TOWN' (cds at upper-right), 'CAPE TOWN/CAPE COLONY' transit cds at upper-left & 'SIMONS TOWN/FE19/77/CAPE COLONY' arrival b/s. Delightful & whimsical. [In 1876, the addressee was appointed Commander-in-Chief Cape of Good Hope & West Africa Station. He retired as Admiral Sir Francis William Sullivan KCB] 850T

Lot 109 109 C A- CAPE OF GOOD HOPE: 1881 cover to "Commander/AAC Parr RN/HMS Inconstant/Cape of Good Hope" with superb 'BICKLEY- STATION/MR23/81' b/s & 6d grey Plate '17' tied by superb 'BROMLEY/KENT - 144' duplex, minor discolouration at right. Ex Geoffrey Osborn: illustrated by him at page 117. [See illustration on our website] 200T Dec 16, 2011 Prestige Philately - Auction No 170 Page: 36 AFRICA (continued) Lot Type Grading Description Est $AUD

Lot 110 110 C B CAPE OF GOOD HOPE: 1881 cover endorsed "From W Gibbs Seaman HM Ship Carysfort Flying/Squadron Simons Bay Cape of Good Hope" & countersigned (Staff Surgeon) "R Bird", to London with 1d Venetian red tied by 'PLYMOUTH TO BRISTOL TPO/MY2/81' cds (affected by repaired opening tear), three different London b/s all in red. Carried per Union SS "Durban", departed Cape Town 12/4/1881, arrived Plymouth 2/5/1882. [HMS "Carysfort" was one of 5 ships comprising the round-the-world Flying Squadron. It was at Simon's Bay between 16/2/1881 & 9/4/1881] 1,000T

Lot 111 111 C B CAPE OF GOOD HOPE: a similar 1881 cover from the same correspondence, to London with 1d Venetian red tied by superb 'B16' h/s used aboard to Plymouth-Bristol TPO, 'LONDON-SE/ V7 /MY16/81' arrival b/s in red. Carried per Union SS "Arab", departed Cape Town 26/4/1881, arrived Plymouth 15/5/1882. [The 'B16' - Harold Wilson #353 - was originally used aboard the P&O Mediterranean Packet "China". It was allocated to the TPO by 1874 & Wilson at page 116 states "I have it used in 1881"] 1,500T

Lot 112 112 C B CAPE OF GOOD HOPE: 1881 cover with 'HMS TOURMALINE' embossed imprint in blue on the flap, to Hampshire with 1d Venetian red x6 (two strips of 3) tied by 'PLYMOUTH TO BRISTOL TPO/MR20/81' cds (Harold Wilson #354 without code letter), light 'WINCHESTER' arrival b/s, minor flap fault. Ex Geoffrey Osborn: illustrated by him at page 51. Carried per Union "Teuton", arrived Plymouth 20/3/1881.

On 16/2/1881, HMS "Tourmaline" arrived at Simons Town with the Detached Squadron to support actions in the First Anglo-Boer War. The enclosed letter with matching imprint headed "Simons Bay/March 6th 1881" & signed (First Lieut) "GW Russell" states "...we hope to play cricket against the Carysfort...on cocoa nut matting..." and "...a rumour we hear that Laing's Nek has been taken [by the Boers] is true...they ought to account for the Boers satisfactorily tho I dare say resistance would be prolonged for some time...". In fact, hostilities ended 6/3/1881, the very day this letter was written. 1,000T Dec 16, 2011 Prestige Philately - Auction No 170 Page: 37 AFRICA (continued) Lot Type Grading Description Est $AUD

Lot 113 113 C C CAPE OF GOOD HOPE: 1894 cover endorsed "From Frank C White HMS Penelope/Cape Town Cape of Good Hope South Africa" & countersigned "RW", to Kent with "Hope" 1d tied by poor numeral of 'ALFRED DOCKS/CAPE TOWN' (cds alongside), 'HIGH ST/ GC*A /TUNBRIDGE WELLS' arrival b/s, damp-spotting. A very scarce item, having been sent through the civilian postal system. 1,500T

Lot 114 114 C B CAPE OF GOOD HOPE: 1894 cover to a seaman aboard "HMS Penelope/Simons Bay" with 1d lilac tied by very fine 'HAMPTON-HILL/ JU28/94 - G74' duplex, superb 'SIMONS-TOWN' hooded d/s on the face, redirected to Cape Town with '1D' h/s & 'ALFRED DOCKS/CAPE TOWN' arrival b/s, repaired flap. 300T

Lot 115 115 C B CAPE OF GOOD HOPE: an essentially identical cover from a month later. 300T

Lot 116 116 PS A- CAPE OF GOOD HOPE: 1896 usage of COGH 1d Postal Card to Germany with the message headed "HMS Magpie/Simons Town/14.12.96" & with pen & ink drawing of the ship at upper-left, hooded 'SIMONS TOWN/15DE96' d/s, 'CAPE TOWN/CAPE COLONY' transit b/s & 'SIEGBURG' arrival cds on the face. The message states "...It's blowing gales here at present, making landing almost impossible...manage to get a little tennis now & then..." [In February 1897, HMS "Magpie" was part of a squadron that landed a Naval Brigade in what is now Dahomey where the "city" of Benin was captured. The British suffered almost 3000 casualties, mostly from "fever"] 250T Dec 16, 2011 Prestige Philately - Auction No 170 Page: 38 AFRICA (continued) Lot Type Grading Description Est $AUD

Lot 117 117 C B EGYPT: 1875 cover endorsed "Jas Rossey/IS [= Indian Ship] Jumna" & "Comng Officer" but not countersigned, to Hampshire with 1d Plate '181' x3 tied by 'BO2' cancels of 'SUEZ' (cds at left), 'PORTSMOUTH/NO29/75' arrival b/s affected by flap fault. Ex Gerald Sattin (private transaction). Carried per Italian Packet arriving Brindisi 24/11/1875; mails arrived London 29/11/1875. [Her Majesty's Indian Troopships made three round-trips each year. WG Stitt-Dibden stated that the concessional rate for sailors' letters from the East sent via Brindisi was reduced from 4d to 3d from -/1/1871. However, Gerald Ellott found no GPO notice that confirms this. It seems that this cover was sent at the UPU letter rate of 2½d, overpaid 1d because the ship's purser probably had only 1d stamps available] 750T

Lot 118 118 C A- EGYPT: 1881 cover to an army officer aboard "HMS Malabar/Suez" with 1d Venetian red x3 tied by fine 'POOLE/JA20/81 - 624' duplex, 'PARKSTONE' & 'ALEXANDRIE' transits & 'SUEZ/28JA81/ARRIVEE' b/s, minor flap fault. The rate was the UPU letter rate of 2½d, which was overpaid ½d. [The illustration is above Lot 117] 200T

Lot 119 119 C B EGYPT: 1882 cover with 'BICKLEY STATION' b/s, to "Commander/AAC Parr RN/HMS Inconstant/Alexandria" with 2½d blue Plate '23' tied by 'BROMLEY/11AU/82/KENT - 144' duplex, repaired flap. Ex Geoffrey Osborn. [HMS "Inconstant", "Carysfort" & "Tourmaline" were detached from the round-the-world Flying Squadron & returned from Hong Kong to GB. However, at Madeira, orders were received to make haste for Egypt where a insurrection had broken-out. The "Inconstant" was used to ferry troops & supplies between Malta & Egypt] 250T Dec 16, 2011 Prestige Philately - Auction No 170 Page: 39 AFRICA (continued) Lot Type Grading Description Est $AUD

Lot 120 120 C B EGYPT: 1882 cover endorsed "From W Gibbs Seaman HM Ship Carysfort/Ismailia Suez Canal Egypt" and countersigned (Staff Surgeon) "R Bird", to London with 1d lilac tied by '1'-in-diamond of the London Foreign Branch, two London b/s of AU11/82 both in red. [On its return with the Detached Squadron from the round-the-world cruise of the Flying Squadron, HMS "Carysfort" was ordered to join the Mediterranean Fleet. Involved in the Red Sea Littoral Campaign. On 20/8/1882 "Carysfort" was involved in the capture of the key town of Ismailia, situated half-way along the Suez Canal] 500T

Lot 121 121 C C EGYPT: 1882 cover endorsed "From M Sullivan Skilled Carp [= Carpenter's] Mate/HMS Seagull Suez Canal" and countersigned "ER" (Lieut Ebenezer Rae), with 1d lilac x2 tied by poor numeral-in-diamond of the London Foreign Branch, superb 'BIRMINGHAM/ 20J /AU31/82' arrival b/s, faults. Carried per P&O "Khedive", departed Suez 20/8/1882; "Malwa", from Port Said, arrived Brindisi 28/8/1882; mail arrived London 31/8/1882. Michael Sullivan Fig 6: Sullivan's service record shows no service aboard HMS "Seagull". [On 20/8/1882, a force from HMS Euryalus" & "Seagull", under Lieut Rae, landed at Chalouf & defeated an enemy force 600 strong. 168 Egyptians were killed. British losses were two soldiers drowned & two sailors wounded] 250T

Lot 122 122 C B EGYPT: 1882 cover endorsed "From M Sullivan Skilled Carp Mate/HMS EURYALUS Suez" and countersigned (Commander) 'ERolfe' (h/s), with 1d lilac pair tied by ' I O /LONDON/SP13/82 - 87' duplex of the London Foreign Branch, flap removed. Carried per P&O "Poonah", arrived Brindisi 11/9/1882; mail arrived London 13/9/1882. Michael Sullivan Fig 7: Sullivan served on HMS "Euryalus" - flagship of the East Indies Squadron - 1/9/1882 to 3/12/1882 only. 400T Dec 16, 2011 Prestige Philately - Auction No 170 Page: 40 AFRICA (continued) Lot Type Grading Description Est $AUD

Lot 123 123 C (B) EGYPT: a similarly endorsed 1882 cover with 'HMS EURYALUS' imprint on the flap, with 2d rose (badly faded) tied by bold '10'-in-diamond of the London Foreign Branch, 'BIRMINGHAM/ K1 /OC20/82' arrival b/s, flap repaired. Carried per Orient "John Elder", arrived Plymouth 19/10/1882. Michael Sullivan Fig 9. 300T

Lot 124 124 C B EGYPT: 1884 use of printed envelope for HMS "London" amended by hand to "Humber", endorsed "From M Sullivan Skilled Ship [= shipwright]/Suez" & countersigned (Lieut) "HC Sayce", with 2d rose tied by bold 'F.B'-in-circle-&-bars of the London Foreign Branch, light London b/s in red & 'BIRMINGHAM/ 30E /AP7/84' arrival b/s, the flap damaged. Michael Sullivan Fig 24.

On 19/3/1884, Sullivan was "dismissed" from HMS "Euryalus" & transferred to HMS "Humber" for return to England to serve 6 months hard labour at Lewes Gaol. [The "Humber" had been heavily engaged in operations in the Red Sea & the Sudan. The ship's log states "23 March: Embarked prisoners for passage to Suez & Malta". After completing his sentence, Sullivan was assigned to HMS "Asia", again as a Skilled Shipwright] 1,000T

Lot 125 125 C C EGYPT: 1884 cover with '[crown]/M' of HMS "Monarch" embossed in blue on the flap, endorsed "From M Sullivan Skilled Shipwt/HMS Monarch Alexandria" and countersigned "JH" (Lieut John A Horne), with 1d lilac tied by bold 'F.B'-in-circle-&-bars of the London Foreign Branch, no backstamps, opening tears repaired, some spotting. Carried per P&O "Chusan", departed Alexandria 10/12/1884, arrived London 25/12/1884 (Christmas Day). Michael Sullivan Fig 29. [Sullivan served on HMS "Monarch" 19/11/1884 until 25/4/1885] 400T Dec 16, 2011 Prestige Philately - Auction No 170 Page: 41 AFRICA (continued) Lot Type Grading Description Est $AUD

Lot 126 126 C B EGYPT: a similarly endorsed & countersigned 1885 cover, with 1d lilac tied by 'F.B'-in-circle-&-bars of the London Foreign Branch, poor Birmingham arrival b/s of FE19/85, part of the flap missing. Carried per P&O "Thames", departed Alexandria 2/1/1885, arrived London 19/2/1885. Absent from Gerald Ellott's Michael Sullivan census. 400T

Lot 127 127 C B EGYPT: a similarly endorsed & countersigned 1885 cover but unusually with Egyptian 20pa rose tied by 'ALEXANDRIE/ 24JA85/DEPART' bilingual cds, Birmingham & 'SPARKBROOK' b/s both of FE2/85. Carried per P&O "Tanjore", departed Alexandria 27/1/1885, arrived Brindisi 30/1/1885; mail arrived London 2/2/1885. Michael Sullivan No 26. 600T

Lot 128 128 C (B) EGYPT: a similarly endorsed & countersigned but larger (160x126mm) 1885 double-rate cover, with 1d lilac pair tied by 'F.B'-in-circle-&-bars of the London Foreign Branch, superb 'BIRMINGHAM/ 57 D /MR17/85' arrival b/s, vertical fold & repaired opening tears. Carried per P&O "Brindisi", departed Alexandria 2/3/1885, arrived London 17/3/1885. Michael Sullivan No 28. 500T Dec 16, 2011 Prestige Philately - Auction No 170 Page: 42 AFRICA (continued) Lot Type Grading Description Est $AUD

Lot 129 129 C C EGYPT: 1885 stampless cover front endorsed "From AT Pritchard ERA [= Engine Room Artificer] Naval Brigade/Nile Expedition Metemmeh Upper Egypt" & countersigned in pencil "EE Hardy" (Sub-Lt Edward Ernest Hardy of HMS "Invincible"), also endorsed "On Active Service" & "Stamps not procurable", to Devon with boxed 'T' h/s & British '1d' h/s, superb 'DEVONPORT/ E /MR17/85' arrival cds, ironed-out folds & rather soiled but full of character. A highly significant naval engagement "cover" from the Gordon Relief Expedition. Ex Trevor Davis.

The Expedition set out in October 1884. The forces arrived on 28/1/1885 at Khartoum, two days after the defences had been overrun. All the defenders including General Robert Gordon were massacred. Alfred Pritchard was one of the ERAs who were sent on the "shortcut" across the Bayuda Desert, and was mentioned in despatches. The Naval Brigade evacuated Metemmeh on 14/2/1885. 2,500T

Lot 130 130 C C EGYPT: 1889 cover endorsed "From G Stevens SBA [= Sick Bay Attendant] HMS Landrail Alexandria" & countersigned "GGB" (?), to Herefordshire with Egyptian 5m tied by Alexandria cds, superb 'ROSS/DE27/89' arrival b/s, soiled & significant staining on the reverse. [From 1890, covers such as this were routinely endorsed "Army of Occupation, Egypt"] 250T

Lot 131 131 PS A- EGYPT: 1896 4d Envelope registered to "HM Ship Skipjack/Mediterranean Squadron/Port Said" uprated with ½d vermilion tied by 'REGISTERED/JERSEY' d/s, rubber hooded 'REGISTERED/LONDON' transit d/s in violet on the face. A lovely Postal Stationery usage. Ex Geoffrey Osborn (2007, Lot 75). [The addressee, Edward Cooper, was a naval surgeon. Sent to Egypt in a closed bag as per Admiralty Regulation 528a] 250T Dec 16, 2011 Prestige Philately - Auction No 170 Page: 43 AFRICA (continued) Lot Type Grading Description Est $AUD

Ex Lot 132 132 C B EGYPT: 1898 (May & July) covers endorsed "W Howe seaman/HMS Fearless/Suez" or "...Alexandria", only the first countersigned (with illegible initials), both to England with Egyptian 5m tied by 'SUEZ' or 'PORT SAID' cds, both with 'NORWOOD S-E' arrival b/s. The latter is Ex Richard Wilson. (2) 400T

Lot 133 133 C B GOLD COAST: 1868 cover with superb multicoloured crest of HMS "Jaseur" on the flap, endorsed "Naval Officers letter/Jaseur", to Ireland with GB 6d lilac Plate '6' just tied by BN '466' of Liverpool, light 'PAID/LIVERPOOL/BR PACKET/5AP68/ 2A ' cds in red at lower-left & 'H&K PACT' b/s. [According to the ship's log, the "Jaseur" reached Jellah Coffee 1/3/1868 & the mail steamer "Athenian" departed from there 2/3/1868] 750T

Lot 134 134 C B LIBERIA: 1893 cover endorsed "from F Wheeler Seaman HMS Thrush/Cavally WC Africa" & countersigned "HA Child", to England with 1d lilac tied by London cds of MY-/93 & superb 'BARNES SW' arrival b/s, redirected to Upper Holloway. [Cavally or cavalla is a type of fish. The Cavally River is the international boundary between Liberia & the Ivory Coast] 750T Dec 16, 2011 Prestige Philately - Auction No 170 Page: 44 AFRICA (continued) Lot Type Grading Description Est $AUD

Lot 135 135 C A NATAL: 1899 stampless cover endorsed "Active Service No stamps obtainable/AEJ Murray RN" & - at lower-left - "Please forward at once to Berea", to Durban with very fine 'FRERE/DE25/99/NATAL' cds, superb GPO cds of the same date & 'DURBAN/26DE/99/NATAL' both on the reverse. Mail from the Boer War Naval Brigades is very scarce. [An excellent item for the Christmas collector: Christmas Day, from Natal!]

Engineer AEJ Murray served aboard HMS "Terrible" which landed a Naval Brigade to assist in the relief of Ladysmith. This force was among the first to enter the town when the siege was lifted. [On 15/11/1899, Frere was the sight of the famous incident in which the Boers derailed an armoured train & captured the young Winston Churchill] 500T

Ex Lot 136 136 L/C B/(C) NATAL: 1899 brief letter headed "31st Dec 1899/Ladysmith" that states "The line is not yet open ...but I trust this with the Army Post Office for safe keeping...I will send you news of our past doings when the posts are going, and I have better opportunities for writing, without shell falling! This is a long siege but it will soon end now..." With the stampless envelope - ripped open but with the tears repaired - endorsed "Stamps Unavailable" & countersigned (Midshipman) "JR Middleton/RN", to Hampshire with 'LADYSMITH/2JA/1900', Durban '10c' postage due h/s obliterated with 'FB'-in-bars h/s of the London Foreign Branch & 'LONDON/PAID/23MR00' cds on the face, 'CHRISTCHURCH/HANTS' arrival b/s. (2 items) 200T Dec 16, 2011 Prestige Philately - Auction No 170 Page: 45 AFRICA (continued) Lot Type Grading Description Est $AUD

Lot 137 137 C B NATAL: 1900 cover with 'HMS POWERFUL' embossed on the flap, endorsed "Field Force Ladysmith/Stamps not obtainable" & "JR Middleton/RN" at lower-left, to London with 'LADYSMITH/2JA/1900', Durban '10d' postage due h/s obliterated with 'FB'-in-bars h/s of the London Foreign Branch & 'LONDON/PAID/25MR00' arrival cds on the face. [On 27/10/1899, HMS "Powerful" landed a Naval Brigade at Durban. They moved to Ladysmith, where they saw out the entire siege. A contemporary report stated "...this handful of sailors have been the saving of Ladysmith"]

With the last 8pp of a 16pp letter from Midshipman Middleton to his father: "...our men used their bayonets & had much the best of it. Total losses 6 killed 35 wounded but the Boers own already to a loss of 25 killed so on the whole it was a success...The Boers still fire into the town every day & usually manage to kill one or two. Yesterday with one shell they killed 4 Natal Carbineers wounded six, Killed 10 horses & a fragment killed an Artilleryman 150 yards away...on the whole they have fired about 100 shells for every man killed!...we have lost 5 Lt Gerton & one bluejacket from wounds 1 from peritonitis, 1 from dysentery & 1 from enteric fever, & we have 50 men in hospital all out of 270...we now hear that Buller has not been successful in taking Colenso...Dec 30th...the prices of things get more absurd every day...Vegetables are hardly obtainable...we have now 6 officers in hospital out of 16..." 1,000T

Lot 138 138 C (B) NATAL: a similar cover, to London with 'LADYSMITH/MR1/1900', Durban '10d' postage due h/s obliterated with 'FB'-in-bars h/s of the London Foreign Branch & 'LONDON/PAID/25MR00' arrival cds on the face, roughly opened & repaired.

With 8pp letter headed "Ladysmith/Feb 10th/100th day of siege", from Midshipman Middleton to his mother: "...Buller is outside still & occasionally backs us up by firing a gun. The official report says we have forty days provisions left but 2½ biscuits, 1oz of sugar, 1/6oz of tea & meat can hardly be called rations. They kill horses now & make sausage meat & chevril (bovril) out of them...all the men grumble like mad & the epithets applied to Buller would make him blush...Feb 23rd Buller seems to be getting very close now...26th Feb...We can hear Buller going at it outside nearly every day...but he seems as far off as ever...lots of cases [in hospital] are simply dying for want of stimulating food...March 1st Hurrah! Buller has at last relieved us...Yesterday...about 6pm two squadrons of Dundonald's horse came in...Genl Buller's staff arrived about 12am, & I was lucky enough to be there at the meeting of the Generals..." [The illustration is above Lot 137] 1,000T Dec 16, 2011 Prestige Philately - Auction No 170 Page: 46 AFRICA (continued) Lot Type Grading Description Est $AUD

Lot 139 139 C A- NIGER COAST: 1897 cover endorsed "From WJ Sudlier CPO [= Chief Petty Officer] HMS Jackdaw Warrie/West Coast of Africa" & countersigned "FWM" (Paymaster Frederick W Mortimore), to London with Niger Coast 1d tied by very fine 'PAID/LIVERPOOL/BR PACKET/10DE97/ 4K ' cds unusually in black, London arrival b/s, repaired flap fault, most attractive. Ex Gerald Sattin (private transaction). Carried per BASN Co "Dahomby", departed Warri 11/11/1897; arrived Liverpool 10/12/1897. [Warri is a Nigerian port, at the mouth of the Niger River. Until the late-19th century, it was a base for slave traders] 2,000T

Lot 140 140 C (B) NIGER COAST: 1898 cover endorsed "From W Tolhurst Ldg Stkr [= Leading Stoker] HMS Heron WC of Africa" & countersigned "FWM" (Paymaster Frederick W Mortimore), to "No 4 Mess/HMS Victory/Portsmouth" with Niger Coast 1d tied by very fine 'PAID/LIVERPOOL/BR PACKET/31AUG98/ 1C ' cds (3-digit month) unusually in black, redirected to 'CHATHAM' & then to "Gunnery School/Sheerness" with 'SHEERNESS' arrival b/s, ironed-out vertical folds & soiled. [One of the few recorded seaman-to-seaman covers, this between brothers. HMS "Heron" was supporting the Illah Expedition against slave-traders] 1,500T

Lot 141 141 C B SIERRA LEONE: 1894 cover endorsed "From Mark Bate PO [= Petty Officer] 1st Class HMS Raleigh/Sierra Leone" and countersigned "HW" (Assistant Clerk [!] Harry J Wilson), to "William Bate/PO 1st Class/HMS Empress of India/Channel Fleet" at Devonport (arrival b/s & squared-circle on the face) with GB 1d lilac tied by very fine 'PAID/LIVERPOOL/BR PACKET/15AP94/ 3A ' cds (2-digit month) unusually in black, redirected to "FB" (= Foreign Branch) as the ship had sailed, minor spotting. Ex John Sacher: the only Sierra Leone sailor's letter in his collection. [One of the few recorded seaman-to-seaman covers, this between brothers of the same rank] 1,500T Dec 16, 2011 Prestige Philately - Auction No 170 Page: 47 AFRICA (continued) Lot Type Grading Description Est $AUD

Lot 142 142 C B SUDAN: 1884 cover endorsed "From M Sullivan Skilled Shipwt [= shipwright]/HMS EURYALUS Suakim Red Sea" & countersigned "HA" (Sub-Lieut Henry Aplin), with 2d rose tied by bold 'F.B'-in-circle-&-bars of the London Foreign Branch, 'BIRMINGHAM/ 15 I /MR2/84' arrival b/s, the flap removed. Michael Sullivan Fig 23.

In early-February 1884, HMS "Euryalus" landed a Naval Brigade of 150 sailors and marines at Suakin. They marched inland to relieve Sinkat - which had already fallen, with all of the garrison killed - and Tokar. At El Teb they were confronted by a large Arab force, of whom some 1500 were killed by the British. Tokar was relieved on 30/2/1884. [The illustration is above Lot 141] 1,500T

Lot 143 143 C B SUDAN: 1884 cover endorsed "From W Gibbs Seaman HM Ship Carysfort" & countersigned "WF" ( Lieut CW Fowler), to London where 1d lilac tied by 'SE/2'-in-bars, 'LONDON-SE/ AP /MR25/84', rounded corners. [On 14/2/1884, HMS "Carysfort" landed a force of 332 sailors & marines at Suakin. She was recommissioned at Malta on 15/4/1884] 1,000T

Lot 144 144 C B WEST AFRICA (LOCATION UNSPECIFIED): 1863 cover endorsed "From John Vincent HMS Gorgon" and countersigned "RARoss", to Lincolnshire with GB 1d Stars (rubbed at upper-right) tied by very fine '26'-in-diamond cancel of the London Foreign Branch, London transit & 'GRANTHAM' arrival b/s. [HMS "Gorgon" was a paddle sloop] 500T Dec 16, 2011 Prestige Philately - Auction No 170 Page: 48 AFRICA (continued) Lot Type Grading Description Est $AUD

Lot 145 145 C B ZULULAND: 1879 stampless cover with embossed imprint of 'HMS SHAH' on the flap, endorsed "Stamps not procurable", to Somerset with light double-circle 'DURBAN/18 4/1879/NATAL' b/s & faint 'BRISTOL/MY21/79' arrival b/s in red, carried free of charge, opening faults professionally repaired. [From Commander John W Brackenburg to his fiancée Miss Frances Mary Francklyn. On 7/3/1879, HMS "Shah" landed a Naval Brigade of 16 officers & 378 men. Under Commander Brackenburg, they were conspicuous at the Battle of Gingindlovu & took part in the relief of Eshowe]

In January 1879, a British force, without government authorisation and using border disputes as a pretext, invaded Zululand. Initial British arrogance resulted in large casualties, the destruction of the main column, and the besieging of Colonel Evelyn Wood's column at Eshowe. The British rushed 7 regiments to Natal. On 29/3/1879, the second invasion began. On 2/4/1879, the Battle of Gingindlovu took place. The British lost only 2 men killed: the Zulus losses were estimated at 1200! The next day Eshowe was relieved & evacuated. 1,000T

Lot 146 146 C B ZULULAND: 1879 cover endorsed "Via Plymouth & Madeira" to "Commander JW Brackenburg/HMS Shah/Natal" with 6d grey Plate '16' tied by 'BRISTOL/ 19D /JU12/79 - 134' duplex, 'DARTMOUTH' transit & 'DURBAN/[crown]/JUL12/1879/ NATAL' arrival b/s, minor opening tears at top repaired. [The sender was Brackenburg's fiancée Miss Frances Mary Francklyn] 400T

Lot 147 147 C A- ZULULAND: 1879 cover with embossed 'HMS BOADICEA' imprint on the flap, endorsed "officer on Active Service/in Zulu Land" & "Stamps not/obtainable", to London with superb '6d'-in-circle h/s applied at Durban, light 'DURBAN/15 7/1879/NATAL' transit & 'LONDON SW/ SC /AU12/79' arrival b/s, light vertical fold. Carried per Union SS "Arab", arrived London 12/8/1879. Ex Geoffrey Osborn (private acquisition). [The sender was Midshipman the Hon SCJ Colville. On 6/8/1879, the Naval Brigade re-embarked HMS "Boadicea" at Simon's Town] 2,500T Dec 16, 2011 Prestige Philately - Auction No 170 Page: 49 Lot Type Grading Description Est $AUD SOUTH ATLANTIC ISLANDS

Lot 148 148 C A ASCENSION: 1849 unstamped cover endorsed "By HMS Flying Fish" to "Lieut John Townsend/Isle of Ascension/ West Coast of Africa" rated "1/-" in red, 'BATH/AU30/1849' cds & London Paid cds in red, 'Damberg/ VI /24 25 26' impressed in wax on the flap; with the enclosed close-written 8pp letter. Sergio Sismondo Certificate (2004) states "...is in excellent state of preservation".

In 1815, Ascension was garrisoned by the British, and was officially designated by the Royal Navy as a "stone frigate" named HMS "Ascension", with the classification of "Sloop of War of the smaller class"!! 500T

Lot 149 149 C A- ASCENSION: a very similar cover from one month later endorsed "By HMS Hecla", again with the lengthy enclosed letter. Sergio Sismondo Certificate (2004) states "...is in excellent state of preservation". 500T

Ex Lot 150 150 C/L ASCENSION: 1852-54 series of letters from Captain Henry William Bruce to his daughter Jane, mostly headed "Penelope Ascension" or similar. Includes 1852 stampless cover to Devon with London '[crown]/PAID/14JY14/1852' d/s in red & 'TORQUAY' arrival b/s in blue; 1852 stampless cover to County Derry with Dublin b/s ' 5 /NO17/1852/ 9 ' in red, 'BALLYMENA' cds in blue & on the face undated 'BELLAGHY' h/s; & an 1853 part-entire from which the stamp has been torn-off to Torquay & readdressed to Portsmouth. [Bruce had served at the Battle of Trafalgar, as a 13yo, & in the War of 1812 against the United States. Commanding HMS "Penelope", he was in charge of an anti-slaving squadron based at Ascension & patrolling the coast of West Africa. The letters speak of the anti-slaving operations, life on Ascension, & contain many references to other naval officers including Lieut John Alexander, who married Jane Bruce, the recipient of these letters. There are also a number of ribald jokes: "Which of His animals did Noah see the least of in the Ark? His Ass"] (9 items) 1,000T Dec 16, 2011 Prestige Philately - Auction No 170 Page: 50 SOUTH ATLANTIC ISLANDS (continued) Lot Type Grading Description Est $AUD

Lot 151 151 C B ASCENSION: 1861 cover endorsed "from A Newbury Boy HMS Arrowgant" & countersigned "RB Cay", to Scotland with 1d Stars tied by very fine '37'-in-diamond cancel of London Foreign Branch, London transit & Edinburgh arrival (affected by opening fault) b/s. Carried per Union SS "Norman" departed Ascension 5/7/1861; arrived Plymouth 31/7/1861. Ex Geoffrey Osborn (private transaction). 2,000T

Lot 152 152 C B ASCENSION: 1866 cover endorsed "from J Clark HMS Flora" & countersigned "John Fletcher Rees", to Devon with 1d Plate '94' tied by 'PLYMOUTH/AU16/66 - 620' duplex, superb 'DEVONPORT' arrival b/s. Carried per Union SS "Norseman" departed Ascension 25/7/1866; arrived Plymouth 16/8/1866. [Between 1866 & 1868, HMS "Flora" was three times recommissioned at Ascension. John Clark, boilermaker, was on the "Flora's" books as a civilian. As such, he was not entitled to the 1d rate. However, it's likely that a blind eye was turned where members of a ship's complement were concerned] 2,000T

Lot 153 153 C (B) ASCENSION: 1867 cover endorsed "from John Clark Boilermaker Ascension" & countersigned "John Hawkins for Commanding Officer", to Devon with fair 'ASCENSION/AU2/67' cds on the face & 1d Plate '78' (rounded corner) tied by '250' cancel of Devonport, 'PAID/DEVONPORT/CAPE-PACKET/22AU67' arrival b/s in red, minor peripheral faults & repairs. Sergio Sismondo Certificate (2004). 1,500T Dec 16, 2011 Prestige Philately - Auction No 170 Page: 51 SOUTH ATLANTIC ISLANDS (continued) Lot Type Grading Description Est $AUD

Lot 154 154 C (B) ASCENSION: a rather similar cover from the same correspondence, to Devon with fair 'ASCENSION/DE2/67' cds on the face & 1d Plate '97' tied by '250' cancel of Devonport, unframed 'CAPE-PACKET/DE22/1867=DEVONPORT=' arrival b/s in red affected by repaired opening tear. Sergio Sismondo Certificate (2004) wrongly states that the stamp is from Plate 87. 1,500T

Lot 155 155 C B ASCENSION: another cover from the same correspondence but countersigned "JMolloy", to Devon with fair 'ASCENSION/ JA5/68' cds on the face & 1d Plate '103' tied by 'DEVONPORT - 250' duplex, repaired tear on flap. 1,500T

Lot 156 156 C A- ASCENSION: 1869 cover endorsed "officers letter" to England "via Liverpool" with 'PAID/LIVERPOOL/BR PACKET/18JL69/ 4A ' cds in red & 1d Plate '72' x6 (two strips of 3) cancelled with BN '466' of Liverpool, very fine 'BATH' arrival b/s, flap fault. [6d was the officer's privilege rate. The flap bears the Alleyne Family crest over the sender's 'NHA' monogram. There was no officer's letter from Ascension in the 2007 sale of Geoffrey Osborn's collection] The illustration is above Lot 155. 750T

Lot 157 157 C C ASCENSION: 1875 flapless cover endorsed "From EM Reade/Hospital Matron Ascension" & countersigned "John Bradley/Staff Surgeon/In Charge", to Westmoreland with part 'ASCENSION' cds on the face & 1d Plate '154' tied by a very fine strike of the rare 'PLYMOUTH/MR2/75/HMS - 620' duplex, superb 'KENDAL' arrival b/s, overall spotting. [Unusual usage from, & countersigned by, staff at the island hospital] 1,000T Dec 16, 2011 Prestige Philately - Auction No 170 Page: 52 SOUTH ATLANTIC ISLANDS (continued) Lot Type Grading Description Est $AUD

Lot 158 158 C A- ASCENSION: a very similar, but far superior, cover from the same correspondence, fair 'ASCENSION/AP17/75' cds on the face & 1d Plate '154' tied by a largely fine strike of the rare 'PLYMOUTH/HMS - 620' duplex, 'KENDAL' arrival b/s. Sergio Sismondo Certificate (2004) states "A rare cover, from about five known sent by the Matron of the Military Hospital, all in 1875". 2,000T

Lot 159 159 C B ASCENSION: 1898 cover endorsed "CJ Johnson Writer I of Ascension" countersigned "DOM" [?] with 1d lilac tied by 'ASCENSION/ A /AU11/98' cds (SG Z7), to Portsmouth with largely superb 'PLYMOUTH/SHIPLETTER' b/s, repaired tear at top. Sergio Sismondo Certificate (2004) states "Military concession rate covers from Ascension are scarce". [In an age when illiteracy was rife, the ship's writer or scribe was an important member of the crew] 1,000T

Lot 160 160 C (B) MADEIRA (PORTUGUESE): 1864 cover endorsed "From W Lynn HM Ship Princess Royal Madeira" and countersigned "JPMaclean" [Maclear ?], to Kent with 1d Stars (oxidised) tied by 'EC/9'-in-bars of London (cds of AP21/64), ripped-open & repaired. Carried per "Hawthorne", departed Madeira 16/4/1864, arrived London 21/4/1864. [William Lynn was Boy 1st Class] 600T Dec 16, 2011 Prestige Philately - Auction No 170 Page: 53 SOUTH ATLANTIC ISLANDS (continued) Lot Type Grading Description Est $AUD

Lot 161 161 C B MADEIRA (PORTUGUESE): 1880 cover with embossed 'HMS INCONSTANT' crest in red on the flap, endorsed "From GR Smith Seaman HMS Inconstant" & countersigned "GWS" (Midshipman George W Smith), to Lincolnshire with 1d Venetian red tied by 'PLYMOUTH-TO/NO15/80/BRISTOL-TPO' cds, 'ULCEBY' arrival b/s. [HMS "Inconstant" was one of 5 ships comprising the round-the-world Flying Squadron. It was at Madeira 6-10/11/1880. An unarmoured vessel, at the time the "Inconstant" was the fastest naval vessel afloat] 1,000T

Lot 162 162 C C ST HELENA: 1842 stampless entire to "Richard Wall Seaman/On Board HMS Erebus/St Helena/Or Else Where" with light 'WOOLWICH/1D PAID' h/s & London d/s of 27AU27/1842, overall soiling & internal reinforcing. Ex Gerald Sattin (private transaction). Exceptional destination item. [The ungrammatical letter is from the sailor's wife: "...so glad to mark that you haer comen home". Even in this period, letters from working class women are rarely seen. In 1848, the "Erebus", under Captain Sir John Franklin, disappeared in the Arctic] 1,000T

Lot 163 163 C B ST HELENA: 1850 stampless cover endorsed "from Richd E Harris Seaman/On Board HM Brig Lily" & countersigned "W Burdon", to Cornwall with London cds of 18SP18/1850 & large undated 'CAMBORNE' arrival h/s both on the face, soiled & the flap removed. Carried per "Gloriana", departed St Helena 1/8/1850, arrived Falmouth 18/9/1850. [According to the ship's log, the "Lily" was at St Helena on 1/8/1850 en route to Simon's Bay (CofGH) & Amsterdam Island (now within the French Southern & Antarctic Territories)] 750T Dec 16, 2011 Prestige Philately - Auction No 170 Page: 54 SOUTH ATLANTIC ISLANDS (continued) Lot Type Grading Description Est $AUD

Lot 164 164 C B ST HELENA: 1862 cover endorsed "A Newbery seaman on Bord HMS Philomel" & countersigned "Chas RK Smyth", to Scotland with 1d Stars tied by superb '50'-in-bars of the London Foreign Branch, London b/s of MY-2/62 & superb Edinburgh arrival b/s, repaired tear at upper-left. Ex Geoffrey Osborn (private transaction). Carried per Union SS "Dane", departed for Ascension 4/4/1862, arrived Plymouth 1/5/1862. [The ship's log states that, on 1st April, the "Philomel" was at single-anchor at James-Town St Helena, & mentions arrival of the "Dane". The Robert Deakin "St Helena" (July 2011) included no sailor's letter, no usage of GB stamps in St Helena, and his earliest soldier's letter was from 1886] 1,500T

Lot 165 165 C B ST HELENA: a rather similar 1864 cover from the same correspondence with 'PAID/LIVERPOOL/BR PACKET/11MY64/ 2A ' arrival cds in red & 1d Stars tied by BN '466' of Liverpool, Edinburgh arrival b/s. Carried per Union SS "Athenian" via Jellah Coffee (Gold Coast); arrived Liverpool 11/5/1864. [There is a curious notation "shut/[initials]" to the left of the stamp. Our suggestion is that this is a reference to the letter being accepted as a late letter, after the naval bag had been locked] 1,500T 166 L A TRISTAN DA CUNHA: 1867 & 1870 attractive pen & ink illustrations from "The Illustrated London News" captioned 'TRISTAN D'ACUNHA' or 'TRISTAO DA CUNHA', the first re the visit of HMS "Galatea"; also two lovely pen & ink illustrations by George Crabb of HMS "Emerald" & HMS "Comus" that visited the island in 1878 & 1880 respectively. (4 items) 0T

Lot 167 167 C C TRISTAN DA CUNHA: 1867 cover endorsed "From 113th Coy Sergt Wm Grimes HMS Galatea" & countersigned (First Lieut) "FH Poore", to London with 1d Plate '78' x3 tied by 'H'-in-bars of the London Foreign Branch, two London b/s of SP2/67 both in red, repaired opening tear & rather aged.

HMS "Galatea", under command of Captain HRH the Duke of Edinburgh, visited Tristan on 5/8/1867, where - at the request of the islanders - the Duke named the principal settlement Edinburgh. Simon's Bay (CofGH) was reached 15/8/1867. Based on the relevant dates, this cover was almost certainly written at or off Tristan & was probably carried per "Alert", out of St Helena, that arrived London 2/9/1867. 4,000T Dec 16, 2011 Prestige Philately - Auction No 170 Page: 55 Lot Type Grading Description Est $AUD INDIAN OCEAN ISLANDS

Lot 168 168 C A- MADAGASCAR: 1883 (May) cover endorsed "G Doody RMLI HMS Dryad Madagascar" & countersigned "MBF" (= Lieut MB Fowke), to Essex with very scarce overseas usage of 1880-81 2d rose tied by one of two strikes of the French 'UNION/14/JUIN/83/MARSEILLE' cds in red, 'COLCHESTER/JU16/83' arrival b/s, minor flap fault. Carried per Messageries Maritimes Packet "Argo", departed Tamatave 19/5/1863; arrived Réunion 22/5/1883; per "Saghalian", departed Réunion 23/5/1883, arrived Marseilles 14/6/1883; by train across France, & channel ferry, arrived London 16/6/1883. One of the gems of the collection: we found no comparable item in the vast French maritime collections formed by Tom Roberts and Bernard Berkinshaw-Smith. [Gerald Ellott states that the 'UNION/MARSEILLE' cds was applied to loose ship letters pending assessment for postage due: Postal Union Decree of 14/4/1883, effective from 1/5/1883, making this an extremely early example]

In February 1883, the French Rear-Admiral Pierre was ordered to enforce his country's claims in Madagascar. Pierre's squadron arrived at Tamatave on 31st May to find the British sloop HMS "Dryad" anchored in the roads. The French ordered the withdrawal of all foreign consuls but the British envoy was critically ill and, in fact, died that day. Commander Charles Johnstone of the "Dryad" assumed the role of acting consul, removed all the consular papers to his ship, and placed 19 marines - probably including the sender of this cover - on guard at the consulate. Despite the British presence, the French bombarded Tamatave and other towns, inciting the First Franco-Hova War against the Malagasys, which lasted until 1886. 10,000T

Lot 169 169 C B MAURITIUS: 1845 unpaid entire - cleverly folded to appear to be an envelope - signed "John Leak" but endorsed "From John Bailey seaman/HMS Conway Mauritius Decr 29 45" & countersigned "A Hesseltine Commandg Officer", to Lincolnshire with 'KY/25MR25/1846' London b/s in red & '2' h/s for the postage payable, 'STOCKPORT' arrival b/s in blue, the address panel soiled. Carried per "British Sovereign", arrived Gravesend 24/3/1846; or "Chartley Castle & Lily", arrived Gravesend 25/3/1846. [From 1/8/1837, postage could not be prepaid from Mauritius, and 3d was payable by the addressee. On 1/9/1840, the fee was reduced to 2d. [The sender several times intriguingly addresses the recipient, R Dearing, as "Parent"]

NB: the GPO Notice of 7/2/1834 stated that letters should be folded in such a way as to imitate envelopes. Easier said than done, unless you're trained in origami: this and the next lot are the only two examples we have seen of the sender being able to accomplish this difficult task! 1,000T Dec 16, 2011 Prestige Philately - Auction No 170 Page: 56 INDIAN OCEAN ISLANDS (continued) Lot Type Grading Description Est $AUD

Lot 170 170 C B MAURITIUS: a very similar entire of 9/7/1846 from the same correspondence, 'AV/8OC8/1846' London b/s in red and 'STOCKPORT' b/s in blue. [The illustration is above Lot 169] 1,000T

Lot 171 171 C (B) MAURITIUS: 1883 cover endorsed "From M Sullivan Skilled Shipwright/HMS EURYALUS/Port Louis Mauritius" and countersigned (Lieut) "HH Philips" unusually in red, with 2d rose tied by 'LONDON/ XW /SP9/83' cds, part-Birmingham arrival b/s, redirected to 'RHYL' (part-b/s; a seaside resort in North Wales), opened-out & part of the flap removed but renovated. Carried per Messageries Maritimes "Caledonien", departed Port Louis 14/8/1883, arrived Marseilles 6/9/1883; mail arrived London 9/9/1883. Michael Sullivan Fig 16. [In April 1883, the Messageries Maritimes commenced a monthly service between Mauritius & Sydney, extending to Port Vila (New Hebrides)] 600T

Lot 172 172 C B MAURITIUS: a similar 1883 cover of superior quality, countersigned (Naval Clerk) "J Murray" again unusually in red, with 2d rose tied by superb BN '176' of the London Foreign Branch, 'BIRMINGHAM/ 31 D /OC3/83' arrival b/s, part of the flap removed but renovated. Carried per Messageries Maritimes "Melbourne", departed Port Louis 11/9/1883, arrived Marseilles 30/9/1883; mail arrived London 2/10/1883. Michael Sullivan Fig 17. 1,000T

Lot 173 173 C C ZANZIBAR: 1878 cover to "R Whitaker Seaman/HMS Fawn/Zanzibar/or elsewhere" with 1d Plate '176' tied by ' B / CHATHAM/JY17/78 - 176' duplex, no other markings, peripheral faults & repaired tear at the top. [HMS "Fawn" was a screw sloop engaged in surveying duties "in the Red Sea"] 600T Dec 16, 2011 Prestige Philately - Auction No 170 Page: 57 INDIAN OCEAN ISLANDS (continued) Lot Type Grading Description Est $AUD

Lot 174 174 C B ZANZIBAR: 1883 (?) cover-front endorsed "From M Sullivan Skilled Shipwt [= shipwright]/HMS EURYALUS/ Zanzibar E Coast of Africa" & countersigned (Lieut) 'ERolfe' (h/s, unusually in violet), 2d rose tied by bold BN '176' of the London Foreign Branch. Michael Sullivan Fig 18. [HMS "Euryalus" was at Zanzibar from late-1883 until early 1884, engaged in anti-slavery patrols] 500T

Lot 175 175 C A- ZANZIBAR: 1888 cover endorsed "From William Clark Skd Carps Mate [= Skilled Carpenter's Mate] /HMS Garnet/Zanzibar" & countersigned "William W Smythe", to Devon with Indian 2a tied by 'ZANZIBAR/OC23/88' squared-circle, superb backstamps of 19mm 'SEA POST OFFICE/ D /2NO/88' used aboard P&O "Coromandel", 23½mm 'ADEN/NOV 3/88' & 'DEVONPORT/ A /NO20/88' (inverted 'A') arrival, ironed-out light vertical crease. Ex Dr Cecil Walkley: acquired for $3808 at our auction of 9/11/2002. A very scarce item, having been sent through the civilian postal system. [HMS "Garnet" was engaged in anti-slavery patrols] 5,000T

Lot 176 176 C B ZANZIBAR: 1888 cover endorsed "From M Sullivan Sk SW [= skilled shipwright]/HMS Griffon Zanzibar" and countersigned "WmF" (Chief Engineer William Firkes, at lower-left), with 2d Jubilee tied by 'FB'-in-bars of the London Foreign Branch, 'BIRMINGHAM/ BA 29 /JA14/89' arrival b/s, repaired tears on the reverse. Carried to Aden; then per P&O "Ballaarat", departed Aden 27/12/1888, arrived Brindisi 11/1/1889; mail arrived London 14/1/1889. Michael Sullivan Fig 43. [Between 17/6/1888 & 2/10/1889, HMS "Griffon" was mostly at Zanzibar] 1,000T Dec 16, 2011 Prestige Philately - Auction No 170 Page: 58 INDIAN OCEAN ISLANDS (continued) Lot Type Grading Description Est $AUD

Lot 177 177 C B ZANZIBAR: a similar mid-1889 cover but endorsed "...East Indies" & countersigned "LGT" (Lieut Leicester FG Tippings, at lower-left), with 1d lilac pair tied by 'FB'-in-circle-&-bars of the London Foreign Branch, superb 'BIRMINGHAM/ U68 /JU1/89' arrival b/s, repaired tears on the flap. Apparently written at sea. Michael Sullivan Fig 45. 750T

Lot 178 178 PS C ZANZIBAR: 1889 usage of Ceylon 5c Envelope with 5c vertical strip of 4 added & tied by poor 'F' cancels of 'BATTICALOA', to "S Coonew/Ward Room Cook/HMS Reindeer/Zanzibar or Elsewhere", 'COLOMBO/PAID' & 19mm 'ADEN' transit b/s, flap fault & some staining. Excellent origin/destination item. Ex Dr Cecil Walkley: acquired for $700 at our auction of 9/11/2002. [The "Reindeer" was engaged in anti-slavery patrols] 800T

Lot 179 179 C B ZANZIBAR: 1889 cover with 'HMS GRIFFON' embossed on the flap, endorsed "From M Sullivan Sk SW/HMS Griffon Zanzibar" & countersigned "LGT" (Lieut Leicester FG Tippings), with 1d lilac pair tied by 'LONDON/ NU /OC24/89' cds, superb Birmingham arrival b/s, repaired tears on the reverse. Michael Sullivan Fig 49. [On 1/7/1889, Sullivan was demoted to shipwright. On 11/11/1889, he was sentenced to 21 days in Bombay's Byculla Gaol for breaking the conditions of a leave pass] 1,000T Dec 16, 2011 Prestige Philately - Auction No 170 Page: 59 INDIAN OCEAN ISLANDS (continued) Lot Type Grading Description Est $AUD

Lot 180 180 C (B) ZANZIBAR: 1891 cover endorsed "From D Strang Seaman/HMS Redbreast Zanzibar" & countersigned "FWD" (Sub-Lieut Frederick W Dean), to Devon with 1d lilac strip of 3 tied by ' OX /LONDON/MR25/91' cds, 'DEVONPORT' arrival b/s, roughly opened, renovated at lower-left & new flap added. Carried per P&O "Ganges", departed Aden 6/3/1891, arrived London 25/3/1891. [From 1/2/1880, the rate for a seaman's letter via Brindisi was 2d. The overpayment suggests that the sender overpaid by ½d the UPU letter rate of 2½d] 750T THE ARABIAN GULF & PENINSULA

Lot 181 181 C C ADEN: 1884 cover endorsed "From GJ Simmonds B1C [= Boy 1st Class] HMS Ranger Aden" & countersigned "PH" (Lt Powlett HE Hungerford), to England with 1d lilac tied by rubber 'FB'-in-bars of London Foreign Branch, London arrival b/s of JY14/84 in red, flap faults. Carried per "Cathay", departed Aden 30/6/1884; overland from Suez; per "Surat", departed Alexandria 8/7/1884, arrived Brindisi 11/7/1884; mail arrived London 14/7/1884. [HMS "Ranger" was recommissioned at Suakin (Sudan) on 1/5/1884. Being sent via Brindisi, the cover should have been taxed. The all-sea mails arrived 22/7/1884] 400T

Lot 182 182 C B ADEN: 1887 mourning cover endorsed "From M Sullivan Sk SW [= skilled shipwright]/HMS Griffon Aden" and countersigned "C" (Lieut Myles H Cooper), with 2d Jubilee tied by 'FB'-in-circle-&-bars of the London Foreign Branch, poor Birmingham arrival b/s of OC1/87, repaired flap faults. One of the most attractive Michael Sullivan covers, & the finest of only 3 mourning covers in Gerald Ellott's census. Carried per P&O "Sutlej", departed Aden 18/9/1887; "Gwalior", departed Alexandria 26/9/1887, arrived Brindisi 29/9/1887; mail arrived London 1/10/1887. Michael Sullivan Fig 32. [ Sullivan was assigned to HMS "Griffon" 1/7/1887 until 30/6/1889] 1,000T Dec 16, 2011 Prestige Philately - Auction No 170 Page: 60 THE ARABIAN GULF & PENINSULA (continued) Lot Type Grading Description Est $AUD

Lot 183 183 C B ADEN: a similarly endorsed 1887 cover, with 2d Jubilee tied by poor cancel of the London Foreign Branch, superb 'BIRMINGHAM/ 52Y /NO26/87' arrival b/s, repaired flap faults. Carried per P&O "Bengal", departed Aden 1/11/1887; "Tanjore", departed Alexandria 9/11/1887, arrived Gravesend 24/11/1887. Michael Sullivan Fig 33. [Although paid for the via Brindisi rate, the arrival date indicates the cover went by sea to England] 800T

Lot 184 184 C B ADEN: a very similar cover, superb 'BIRMINGHAM/ 16R /DE12/87' arrival b/s, light vertical fold & repaired flap faults. Carried per P&O "Ganges", departed Aden 29/11/1887; "Gwalior", departed Alexandria 6/12/1887, arrived Brindisi 9/12/1887; mail arrived London 12/12/1887. Michael Sullivan Fig 34. 800T

Lot 185 185 C (B) ADEN: a similar cover but not countersigned (and not taxed), 1d lilac x2 (one defective) tied by 'FB'-in-circle-&-bars of the London Foreign Branch, 'BIRMINGHAM/ 16S /JA16/88' arrival b/s, repaired faults. Carried per P&O "Malwa", departed Aden 5/1/1888, arrived Brindisi 13/1/1888; mail arrived London 16/1/1888. Not included in Gerald Ellott's Michael Sullivan census. [The illustration is above Lot 184] 500T Dec 16, 2011 Prestige Philately - Auction No 170 Page: 61 THE ARABIAN GULF & PENINSULA (continued) Lot Type Grading Description Est $AUD

Lot 186 186 C B ADEN: a similar cover but countersigned "LGT" (Lieut Leicester FG Tippings), with 1d lilac pair tied by 'FB'-in-bars of the London Foreign Branch, 'BIRMINGHAM/ 16S /FE20/88' arrival b/s, minor repaired flap faults. Carried per P&O "Brindisi", departed Aden 7/2/1888, arrived Suez 12/2/1888; "Nizam", departed Alexandria 13/2/1888, arrived Brindisi 16/2/1888; mail arrived London 20/2/1888. Michael Sullivan No 37. [This cover was carried on the last mail that went overland between Suez & Alexandria. Thereafter, all contract mails passed through the Suez Canal] 1,000T

Lot 187 187 C B ADEN: a similar cover but countersigned "C" (Lieut Myles H Cooper), with 1d lilac pair (one damaged) tied by 'FB'-in-bars of the London Foreign Branch, superb 'BIRMINGHAM/ 29S /MR5/88' arrival b/s, minor repaired opening tears. Carried per P&O "Valetta", departed Aden 21/2/1888, arrived Brindisi 2/3/1888; mail arrived London 5/3/1888. Michael Sullivan No 38. [This cover was carried on the first contract mail that passed through the Suez Canal & on to Brindisi] 800T

Lot 188 188 C B ADEN: a similar cover also countersigned "C" (Lieut Myles H Cooper), with 2d Jubilee tied by 'FB'-in-bars of the London Foreign Branch, side-flap with the arrival b/s missing. Michael Sullivan No 40: apparently written at sea, between Aden & Zanzibar. [This is the last cover in the census signed by Lieut Cooper. On 17/10/1888, he was killed in an engagement with an armed dhow] 400T Dec 16, 2011 Prestige Philately - Auction No 170 Page: 62 THE ARABIAN GULF & PENINSULA (continued) Lot Type Grading Description Est $AUD

Lot 189 189 C C ADEN: 1892 cover endorsed "From A Sherriff ERA [= Engine Room Artificer]/ HMS Cossack Aden" & countersigned "AHR" (Lt Arthur HD Ravenhill), to Lincolnshire with 1d lilac tied by 'FB/12'-in-bars of London, 'GRIMSBY' transit b/s affected by flap faults. 400T

Lot 190 190 C (B) ARABIAN GULF: 1857 cover endorsed "From G Raymond AB on Board HEI Company SF [= Honourable East India Company's Steam Frigate] Ferooz", not countersigned so liable to postage due, to "Rock Port/Mass/United States" with very fine 'INDIA'-in-oval h/s in red, 'BOMBAY/JU27[?]/1857' & London transit b/s, rated '2' (London h/s), mss "4" converting 2d into 4c credit due to the UK & '9' h/s representing 5c US inland postage + 4c credit to the UK, 'NEW YORK/AUG/20' arrival cds, crudely opened & tear across the face repaired. Ex Gerald Sattin (private transaction). Carried per naval bag from Bushire; P&O "Norna", departed Bombay 1/7/1857; "Colombo", departed Alexandria 23/7/1857, arrived Southampton 4/8/1857; and Cunard Line "Arab", departed Liverpool 8/8/1857, arrived New York 19/8/1857. A remarkable origin/destination cover.

The "Ferooz" was the flagship of the Indian Navy Persian Gulf Squadron stationed at Bushire, in support of the British forces engaged in the Anglo-Persian War. The first edition of the British "Post Office Guide" (1856) stated that letters posted abroad by sailors in the service of the East India Company did not need to be prepaid but, if sent unpaid, would be charged 2d, in addition to any foreign postage due. Gerald Sattin believed that this was probably the only such cover from this conflict. 3,000T Dec 16, 2011 Prestige Philately - Auction No 170 Page: 63 Lot Type Grading Description Est $AUD THE ASIAN SUB-CONTINENT

Lot 191 191 C C BURMA: 1852 entire headed "Rangoon Feby 3rd 1852" endorsed "From John Hunter Seaman on/Board HMS Fox" & countersigned "GH Clarke Lieut", to "Cornwall North/America UP Canada", Liverpool lozenge 'L/MR 22/C' on the face, part 'MONTREAL' transit b/s in red overstruck with light 'CORNWALL/ MAY3/1852/=UC=' arrival b/s also in red, endorsed on the flap - apparently by the recipient - "this being the only letter I have/from the deceased I would be/glad to have it returned", some staining. Carried Per P&O "Achilles", departed Bombay 17/2/1852; "Ripon", departed Alexandria 7/3/1852, arrived Southampton 21/3/1852; then probably Cunard Line "Africa", departed Liverpool 27/3/1852, arrived New York 5/4/1852; then by river boat & overland to Montreal normally within 4 weeks. Ex Trevor Davis. An extraordinary (1) origin/destination item; (2) inwards cover to Canada; (3) trans-Atlantic letter; and (4) military letter.

The writer gives a vivid eye-witness account of the attack on Rangoon that precipitated the 2nd Burmese War: "...I came here to Receive some money owing to the East India goverment since the last war we got an ansurr from the governer of Rangoon that the would not pay any then we took the only ship the had as a prise She had a few small guns on bord but the men all ran away...we got under way and left the town to gow and blockade the harbour When we got abrest of the battery...the opened fire on us we returned the ball very quick & kept on for 3 hours stedy fireing to we killed 400 men...and not one man on bord of us We should have destroyed 10 times as many if the had not Run away..." Fantastic stuff! [The details roughly conform to the Wikipedia entry, except that it states "The first substantial blow of the Second Anglo-Burmese War was struck by the British on 5 April 1852, when the port of Martaban was taken. Rangoon was occupied on the 12th..." It seems things heated up two months earlier. Richard Cobden, in "How Wars are Got Up in India" blames Commodore George Robert Lambert of HMS "Fox" for starting the war. This letter suggests that he acted under extreme provocation] 6,000T

Lot 192 192 C B CEYLON: 1882 cover endorsed "From M Sullivan Skilled Shipt [= Shipwright]/HMS EURYALUS Trincomalee" & countersigned (Commander) 'ERolfe' (h/s), with 2d rose tied by bold '10'-in-diamond of the London Foreign Branch, 'BIRMINGHAM/ 1L /FE11/83' arrival b/s, small piece of the flap missing. Carried per P&O "Thibet", departed Galle 24/1/1883, arrived Suez 6/2/1882; "Tanjore", departed Alexandria 7/2/1883, arrived Brindisi 10/2/1883; mail arrived London the next day (?). Michael Sullivan Fig 10. [HMS "Euryalus" arrived Trincomalee 1/1/1883, departed for Rangoon 8/2/1883] 400T Dec 16, 2011 Prestige Philately - Auction No 170 Page: 64 THE ASIAN SUB-CONTINENT (continued) Lot Type Grading Description Est $AUD

Lot 193 193 C B CEYLON: a very similar cover with 2d rose tied by superb BN '176' of the London Foreign Branch, flap - with the arrival b/s - removed. Michael Sullivan Fig 12. [Sullivan served on HMS "Euryalus" 12/1/1882 to 25/4/1882 and 1/9/1882 to 18/3/1884] 300T

Lot 194 194 C C INDIA: 1845 unpaid entire headed "Madras East India/Sepr 7th 1845" & signed "John Lines", endorsed "From J Lines Seaman On Board Her Majesty's/Sloop Serpent" & countersigned "GA Payne Lieut", to England with London transit b/s of 30OC30/1845 in red & '2' h/s for postage due from the addressee, 'NORTHAMPTON' arrival b/s across the flap, soiled. Carried per naval bag from Madras; P&O "Bentinck", departed Bombay 15/9/1845; "Great Liverpool", departed Alexandria 9/10/1845, arrived Southampton 29/10/1845. [The letter states: "...I received your kind letter at Trincomalee [Ceylon] ...they cannot keep us out much longer...get in provisions on board for Moulmein [Burma]...a European can get any situation he chooses on shore here every Englishman is well to do...Madras is a beatyfull place and Everything is English fashon governed by English Laws..."] 500T

Lot 195 195 C B INDIA: 1857 cover endorsed "From James Young Yeoman of Signals/HMS Sans Pareil Kedgeree East India" but not countersigned, to England with GB 1d Stars (rubbed at upper-right) cancelled with "socked on the nose" octagonal 'B/102' cancel of 'KEDGEREE/10/NOV/1857/PO' (cds at left), light 'MADRAS' cds & superb boxed 'INDIA UNPAID' h/s, 'LONDON/DE19/57' transit & superb 'BATH' arrival b/s. Carried to Ceylon; per P&O "Bengal", departed Galle 18/11/1857; "Nemesis", departed Alexandria 5/12/1857, arrived Southampton 18/12/1857.

A rare and highly desirable sailor's letter posted in the civilian mails with British stamp & Indian cancellation. Despite 1d paid, the cover should have been taxed for two reasons: 1) because it was not countersigned; and 2) because it was underpaid for the civilian non-concession rate to England. 10,000T Dec 16, 2011 Prestige Philately - Auction No 170 Page: 65 THE ASIAN SUB-CONTINENT (continued) Lot Type Grading Description Est $AUD

Lot 196 196 C C INDIA: a similar cover endorsed "From Chas Allen MSC [= Medical Staff Corps] Navel Brigade" but not countersigned, to England with GB 1d Stars cancelled with "socked on the nose" octagonal 'B/58' cancel of 'SKEVAN/ 18/NOV/1857/PO' (Sewan?, cds in red on reverse), 'PATNA/PO' b/s in red, boxed 'INDIA UNPAID' h/s, superb ' KM /LONDON/JA-6/58' arrival b/s in blue & '28'-in-diamond of the Foreign Branch struck over the Indian cancellation, vertical fold & staining. Carried to Ceylon; per P&O "Alma", departed Galle 2/12/1857, transferred at sea to the "Adjaha"; "Indus", departed Alexandria 23/12/1857, arrived London 5/1/1858. A significant cover from a little-known naval force.

Charles Allan was in the Medical Staff Corps, an Army unit. However, he was assigned to the Naval Brigade, as a supernumerary aboard HMS "Pearl". Forces from HMS "Pearl" & "Shannon" were engaged in inland operations during the Indian Mutiny, most notably in the campaign that led to the relief of Lucknow. The Navy Records Society refers to this as "an under-studied and poorly remembered episode of British maritime history". 5,000T

Lot 197 197 C B INDIA: 1876 cover endorsed "James Rossey S [= Senior] Steward/HMS Jumna" but not countersigned, to Hampshire with GB 1d Plate '140' tied by bold Levick Rotary Obliterating Machine '1'-in-bars of the London Foreign Office, not taxed, very fine 'PORTSMOUTH/ 1H /DE29/76' arrival b/s, repaired opening tear at the top. Ex Gerald Sattin (private transaction). Carried per P&O "Pekin", departed Bombay 20/11/1875; "Poonah", departed Alexandria 8/12/1876, arrived Southampton 28/12/1876. [HMS "Jumna" was stationed at Bombay. There is a faint pencil endorsement in the appropriate space that suggests the cover was, in fact, countersigned] 400T

Lot 198 198 C C INDIA: 1878 cover endorsed "From TH Marshall Capts Steward/HMS Spartan Bombay" & countersigned "JEB" (= Captain John E Bearcroft), to England via Brindisi but not taxed, with 1d Plate '178' (?) tied by bold 'FB'-in-bars of the London Foreign Branch, 'LONDON SE/ W7 /NO18/78' arrival b/s in red, two vertical folds & soiled. Carried per P&O "Hydaspes", departed Bombay 28/10/1878 for Suez; "Pera", departed Alexandria 11/11/1878, arrived Brindisi 15/11/1878 (the "direct" mails arrived Southampton 24/11/1878). 400T Dec 16, 2011 Prestige Philately - Auction No 170 Page: 66 THE ASIAN SUB-CONTINENT (continued) Lot Type Grading Description Est $AUD

Lot 199 199 C B INDIA: 1882 cover from Wales "Via Brindisi" to an artillery officer aboard the troopship HMS "Crocodile" at Bombay with 1d lilac x5 tied by 'ABERGELF/MR23/82 - 181' duplex, 25mm 'SEA/POSTOFFICE/ F /4APR' & five different Bombay transit b/s, redirected to "Watson Hotel", then to "Mhow" - as instructed by the sender at upper-left - with light arrival b/s. Ex Geoffrey Osborn (part of Lot 19). [The ship's log records arriving at Bombay 9/4/1882 so this cover must have just missed being delivered there. The rate was UPU foreign letter rate 2½d x2] 200T

Lot 200 200 C B INDIA: 1883 cover endorsed "From M Sullivan Skilled Carp Mate/HMS EURYALUS Calcutta/East Indies" and countersigned (Commander) 'ERolfe' (h/s), with 2d rose tied by bold '10'-in-diamond of the London Foreign Branch, 'BIRMINGHAM/ N45 /MR20/83' arrival b/s, opened-out & part of the flap removed. Carried per P&O "Thames", departed Calcutta 2/3/1883, arrived Brindisi 17/3/1883; the mail arrived at London 20/3/1883. Michael Sullivan Fig 13. [Sullivan served on HMS "Euryalus" 12/1/1882 to 25/4/1882 and 1/9/1882 to 18/3/1884] 400T

Lot 201 201 C B INDIA: a similar but undated cover endorsed "...Bombay", opened-out & part of the reverse removed. Ex Geoffrey Osborn (private transaction). Michael Sullivan Fig 14. [HMS "Euryalus" was at Bombay 3/4/1883 to 3/5/1883 only] 300T Dec 16, 2011 Prestige Philately - Auction No 170 Page: 67 THE ASIAN SUB-CONTINENT (continued) Lot Type Grading Description Est $AUD

Lot 202 202 C B INDIA: a similar 1883 cover endorsed "...Bombay E Indies", with 2d rose tied by 'CHARING-CROSS/ A11 /MY8/83' squared-circle, Birmingham arrival b/s, part of the flap missing. Carried per P&O "Bokhara", departed Bombay 20/4/1883; "Tanjore", departed Alexandria 5/5/1883 for Brindisi; Italian packet, arrived Venice 6/5/1883; mail arrived London 8/5/1883. Not in Gerald Ellott's census. 400T

Lot 203 203 C B INDIA: 1884 cover with crest of HMS "Euphrates" on the flap, endorsed "From GR Smith Seaman HMS Euphrates/ Bombay India" & countersigned "HH Bruce", to Lincolnshire with 1d lilac x2 tied by 'LONDON/ GN /FE7/84' cds, very fine 'ULCEBY' arrival b/s, repaired opening tears. Carried per P&O "Nepaul", departed Bombay 4/1/1884; "Rome", departed Suez 21/1/1884; "Lombardy", departed Alexandria 25/1/1884, arrived Brindisi 28/1/1884 where the mails were delayed by quarantine regulations; arrived London 7/2/1884. [The rate was 2d via Brindisi] 350T

Lot 204 204 C (B) INDIA: 1889 cover endorsed "From M Sullivan Sk SW/HMS Griffon Bombay" & countersigned "AHS" ( Paymaster Alfred H Sherris), with 1d lilac pair (one defective) tied by light 'FB'-in-bars cancels of the London Foreign Branch, superb 'BIRMINGHAM/ 16E /DE23/89' arrival b/s, repaired faults. Michael Sullivan Fig 50: the last item in Gerald Ellott's census. [On 1/7/1889, Sullivan had been demoted to shipwright, which was not reflected in his endorsement. On 11/11/1889, he was sentenced to 21 days in Bombay's Byculla Gaol for breaking the conditions of a leave pass. On 31/3/1891, Sullivan was pensioned-off, at the age of 46] 300T Dec 16, 2011 Prestige Philately - Auction No 170 Page: 68 THE ASIAN SUB-CONTINENT (continued) Lot Type Grading Description Est $AUD

Lot 205 205 C C INDIA: 1891 mourning cover endorsed "From D Strang Seaman/HMS Redbreast Bombay" & countersigned "G" [attributed to Assistant Paymaster William L Gill], to Devon with 1d lilac tied by unusual 'SS/ F '-in-bars cancel, 'DEVONPORT/JU24/91' arrival b/s, tonespotting & renovated flap. Carried per P&O "Siam", departed Bombay 29/5/1891; "Britannia", departed Aden 6/6/1891, arrived London 24/6/1891. [The unusual cancellation was for use by WH Smith & Sons for cancelling bulk mail at the Foreign Branch London!] 350T THE CHINA STATION and THE FAR EAST

Lot 206 206 L C CHINA: 1853 letter headed "HMS Lily/Canton Octr 9 53" & signed "Richd E Harris" who states "...we have long expected the rebels at every port we been in...they have taken Shanghai Amoy & all the princable ports...I suppose they propose to leave this place till Last...Yesterday at the execution ground there whore sixty of them had there heads cut of in about 8 minutes...with one blow his hed was rowling before a headless body if the head come not of at one blow another man behind him with a saw would saw of the piece remaining...the pigs were turned in to distroy there bodies...", rather worn with some repaired splitting. [Illustration on our website] 150T

Lot 207 207 C B CHINA: 1856 cover endorsed "From J James Steward Boy HM Ship/Sybille China" & countersigned "EF Dent", to Ireland with 1d Stars tied by indistinct London Foreign Branch cancel, London transit b/s of 3NO3/1856 & 'CORK' arrival b/s in blue, flap fault. Carried per P&O "Erin", departed Shanghai 6/9/1856; "Ganges", departed Hong Kong 13/9/1856; "Hindoostan", departed Galle 1/10/1856; "Pera", departed Alexandria 21/10/1856, arrived Southampton 2/11/1856. [The Second China War erupted only a month after this letter was sent] 1,500T Dec 16, 2011 Prestige Philately - Auction No 170 Page: 69 THE CHINA STATION and THE FAR EAST (continued) Lot Type Grading Description Est $AUD

Lot 208 208 C B CHINA: 1858 cover endorsed "From John B Carmichael Seaman/HM Ship Cambrian/Wampoa October 26 58" and countersigned "JW Webb", to Scotland with 1d Stars (faded) tied by '44'-in-diamond of the London Foreign Branch, London transit b/s of '58/DE22/LONDON/ LU ' & 'GLASGOW' arrival b/s. [The first phase of the Second China War concluded in June 1858, when the four Treaties of Tientsin opened 11 more ports - the Treaty Ports - to foreign trade. However, there were continuing engagements, including involving HMS "Cambrian" at Whampoa. After this engagement, Lieut John Whitemarsh Webb was promoted to Commander] 4,000T

Lot 209 209 CL B CHINA: 1859 long cover endorsed "From William Dingle Seaman HMS Retribution/East India Station" & countersigned "Shute B Piers", to Devon with 1d Stars x8 - including a block of 4 - tied by light to superb '44'-in-diamond of the London Foreign Branch, 'PLYMOUTH/AU7/59' arrival b/s, flap fault & central vertical fold. Ex Colonel Guy Crouch (1956). Rare overweight sailor's letter: at 1d per ½oz, the article must have weighed between 3½ & 4oz. [In November 1858, HMS "Resolution" had seen action against the Ti Pings along the Yangtze River] 2,000T

Lot 210 210 C B CHINA: 1859 stampless cover endorsed "Paid 33cts" & with postmaster's manuscript "Arcadia Wis/Nov 10", addressed to "Albert H Markham/HMS Retribution/East India Station/via England", partial 'NEW YORK/BR PKT' b/s plus fancy '12' h/s for credit to the USA & 'LONDON/ BV /FE1/59' transit cds all in red, no arrival marking, minor peripheral defects. A remarkable origin/destination item. Carried per British Packet to the UK; P&O "Delta", departed Southampton 4/12/1859; "Colombo" from Suez; & "Cadiz" from Galle, arrived Hong Kong 30/1/1860. [Midshipman Albert Markham eventually became Admiral Sir Albert Hastings Markham KCB. The enclosed lengthy cross-written letter is from his mother to "My very own much loved Albert" & signed "Marianne GO Markham"] 1,000T Dec 16, 2011 Prestige Philately - Auction No 170 Page: 70 THE CHINA STATION and THE FAR EAST (continued) Lot Type Grading Description Est $AUD

Lot 211 211 C B CHINA: 1861 cover to "Captn AC Strode/HM Ship Vulcan/China Station" endorsed "Via Marseilles" with 1d 2d & 6d (damaged) paying the full 9d rate tied by 'LONDON WC/MY24/61 - WC/11' duplex, no other markings. [With the enclosed entertaining 4pp letter - repaired - from his father Admiral Sir Edward Chetham-Strode KCB: "...I was glad to see your interesting account of Japan...more secluded from the world than China was before our Troops entered Pekin...You were particularly fortunate & successful in the Expedition...but too bloodless for a large promotion.... John Bull thinks more of these events if 10 or 12,000 men are killed & wounded...The Admiralty looks as quiet & stupid as its inmates..."] 400T

Lot 212 212 C B CHINA: 1861 cover endorsed "From George Fossick on board/HM Hospital Ship Acorn Shanghai" & countersigned "HMaitland Sr Lt", to Yorkshire with 1d Stars (faults) tied by very fine 'A83' mailboat cancel used aboard P&O SS "Euxine", 'HONG KONG/ C /NO13/61' & 'RIPON/JA3/62' arrival b/s, ironed-out horizontal fold. Carried per P&O "Emeu", departed Hong Kong 15/11/1861; "Simla", departed Galle 1/12/1861; "Euxine", departed Alexandria 20/12/1861; arrived England ?? 2,000T

Lot 213 213 C A HONG KONG: 1850 unpaid entire endorsed "From John Collier Pt Royal Marines/HMS Hastings Hong Kong China 21 Octr/1850" & countersigned "John W Holland", to Kent with poor Hong Kong b/s overstamped with London cds of 28DE28/1850 in red & rated "2" for postage payable by the addressee. Carried per P&O "Braganza", departed Hong Kong 30/10/1850; "Indus", departed Alexandria 8/12/1850, arrived Southampton 25/12/1850. A very clean & attractive item. [HMS "Hastings" was on anti-piracy patrol but was not permitted to take action unless British ships or subjects were molested. By 1849, more than 70 pirate ships operated along China's east coast. The writer states "...we ave been away from hear five months and there is a great many of the 59 regement of foot died since we left here...we ave the Admaral and is family on board...ican Assure you that icant stand Drink..."] 2,000T Dec 16, 2011 Prestige Philately - Auction No 170 Page: 71 THE CHINA STATION and THE FAR EAST (continued) Lot Type Grading Description Est $AUD

Lot 214 214 C B HONG KONG: 1857 cover endorsed "From James Backler Royal Marine on board/HM Ship Acorn Hong Kong China" & countersigned "CH Clutterbuck", to Suffolk with 1d Stars struck with superb '50'-in-diamond cancel of the London Foreign Branch, London b/s of DE19/57 & poor arrival b/s. 2,000T

Lot 215 215 C A- HONG KONG: 1859 cover endorsed "From John Carmichael Seaman/on Board HM Ship Cambrian" & countersigned "SP Brett", to Scotland with 1d Stars tied by superb '24'-in-diamond of the London Foreign Branch, London transit b/s of ' ZY /LONDON/JU13/59' & superb 'GLASGOW' arrival b/s, repaired flap fault. 3,000T

Lot 216 216 D B/C HONG KONG: c.1860 & 1863 large pieces 1) endorsed "From Robert Jones RMLI on/board HM Ship Assistance" and countersigned (Lieut) "L Brine", 1d Stars with very fine 'A83' mailboat cancel used aboard P&O "Ceylon"; and 2) endorsed "From Edward Doyle Pte RM/HM Ship Meeanee", 1d Stars with fine 'A86' mailboat cancel used aboard P&O "Ripon", 'CARLOW/AP27/63' arrival b/s. BPA Certificate (1990) for the second. 250T Dec 16, 2011 Prestige Philately - Auction No 170 Page: 72 THE CHINA STATION and THE FAR EAST (continued) Lot Type Grading Description Est $AUD

Lot 217 217 C B HONG KONG: 1861 cover endorsed "From William Campbell Corpl RM/HMS Adventure" & countersigned "GD Clay Mills", to Scotland with 1d Stars (fault at left) tied by poor 'A83' mailboat cancel used aboard SS "Euxine", ' 4* / GLASGOW/FE18/61' arrival b/s, repaired flap faults. Carried per P&O "Ottawa", departed Hong Kong 31/12/1860; "Nemesis", departed Galle 18/1/1861; "Euxine", departed Alexandria 4/2/1861; & "Ceylon", departed Malta 8/2/1861, arrived Southampton 16/2/1861. [The illustration is above Lot 216] 2,000T

Lot 218 218 C A- HONG KONG: 1864 cover endorsed "From John Richards/Seaman HM Gun Boat Cockchafer" & countersigned "EM Dayrell", to Cornwall with 1d Stars (faded) tied by superb 'A81' mailboat cancel used aboard SS "Baroda", 'HONG-KONG/ C /JU11/64' b/s in blue & 'ST GERMANS/AU7/64' arrival b/s. Carried per P&O "Orissa", departed Hong Kong 13/6/1864; "Mooltan", departed Galle 23/7/1864; "Baroda", departed Alexandria ? ; & "Delhi", departed Malta 28/7/1864, arrived Southampton 6/8/1864. [During mid-1861, HMS "Cockchafer" was prominent in apprehending pirates off Kwangtung] 2,000T

Lot 219 219 C C HONG KONG: 1878 cover endorsed "From A Oldham Seaman HMS Growler/China" & countersigned "EPJ" (= Lieut Edward P Jones), to Manchester with 1d Plate '187' tied by 'FB'-in-bars of London Foreign Section, 'HONG-KONG/ A / MY17/78' cds & ' L /MANCHESTER/8JY78/ 3 ' arrival b/s, a bit crumpled with a couple of repaired tears. Carried per P&O "Gwalior", departed Hong Kong 18/5/1878; "Deccan", departed Galle 5/6/1878, arrived Southampton 7/7/1878. 600T Dec 16, 2011 Prestige Philately - Auction No 170 Page: 73 THE CHINA STATION and THE FAR EAST (continued) Lot Type Grading Description Est $AUD

Lot 220 220 C A- HONG KONG: a rather similar cover from the same correspondence but endorsed "...Hong Kong", to Manchester with 1d Plate '205' tied by '10'-in-diamond of the London Foreign Section, 'HONG-KONG/ A /JU15/78' cds and ' L / MANCHESTER/3AU78/ 52 ' arrival b/s. Carried per P&O "Thibet", departed Hong Kong 15/6/1878, arrived Southampton 3/8/1878. [The voyage was remarkable in that the "Thibet" completed the entire trip] 1,000T

Lot 221 221 C B HONG KONG: 1880 cover endorsed "From Pte J McLachlan RM/HMS Albatross China" & countersigned 'RGroome' using a handstamp, to Scotland with 1d Venetian red pair just tied by 'HONG-KONG/ B /OC5/80' cds & by superb '10'-in-diamond of London Foreign Branch, 'NEW GALLOWAY/NO23/80' arrival b/s. Carried per P&O "Lombardy", departed Hong Kong 6/10/1880; "Assam", departed Galle 23/10/1880; & "Tanjore", departed Alexandria 7/11/1880, arrived Brindisi 10/11/1880, arrived London 13/11/1880. [HMS "Albatross" was on the China Station 1879-1882. From 1/2/1880, the concessional rate via Brindisi was 2d prepaid] 1,000T

Lot 222 222 C B HONG KONG: a very similar cover from the same correspondence, with 1d Venetian red pair tied by 'F'-in-diamond of London Foreign Branch, 'HONG-KONG/ A /OC27/80' cds & 'NEW GALLOWAY/NO30/80' arrival b/s. Carried per P&O Packet, departed Hong Kong 27/10/1880; P&O "Indus", departed Bombay 13/11/1880; & Italian Packet, departed Alexandria 25/11/1880, arrived Brindisi 27/11/1880; mail arrived London 29/11/1880. 1,000T Dec 16, 2011 Prestige Philately - Auction No 170 Page: 74 THE CHINA STATION and THE FAR EAST (continued) Lot Type Grading Description Est $AUD

Lot 223 223 C B HONG KONG: another cleaner cover from the same correspondence, with scarce franking of 1880-81 2d rose tied by '26'-in-diamond of London Foreign Section, 'HONG-KONG/ B /JU21/81' cds & ' BM /EDINBURGH/AU3/81' arrival b/s. Carried per P&O "Ravenna", departed Hong Kong 23/6/1881; "Bangalore", departed Alexandria 26/7/1881, arrived Brindisi 30/7/1881; mail arrived London 2-3/8/1881. 1,500T

Lot 224 224 C B HONG KONG: 1883 cover endorsed "From T Marshall Captns Steward HMS Audacious China" & countersigned "A Schomberg", to England with Hong Kong 2c rose-lake SG 32 pair tied by poor 'B62' cancels & 'HONG-KONG/ B /NO27/83' cds, 'LONDON SE/ OF /JA2/84' arrival b/s in red. Carried per P&O "Verona", departed Hong Kong 27/11/1883; "Khedive", departed Colombo (Galle?) 11/12/1883; "Cathay", departed Suez 25/12/1883, arrived Brindisi 30/12/1883 but mail not landed due to a cholera epidemic; Italian packet to Venice; mail arrived London 2/1/1884. 750T

Lot 225 225 C B HONG KONG: a similar 1884 cover from the same correspondence but countersigned 'RA Brock' (h/s, two strikes), Hong Kong 4c grey tied by 'B62' cancel, 'HONG KONG/ A /NO27/83', 'LONDON SE/ 8C /MR29/84' arrival b/s in red. Carried per P&O " ? ", departed Hong Kong 25/2/1884; "Assam", departed Bombay 14/3/1884; Italian packet, departed Alexandria 25/3/1884, arrived Brindisi 29/3/1884; mail arrived London 29/3/1884. 750T Dec 16, 2011 Prestige Philately - Auction No 170 Page: 75 THE CHINA STATION and THE FAR EAST (continued) Lot Type Grading Description Est $AUD

Lot 226 226 C B HONG KONG: 1884 cover endorsed "From Pte Thomas Shedden R Marines/HM Ship Daring Hong Kong China" & countersigned 'H Elliott' (h/s), to Scotland with Hong Kong 2c rose-lake SG 32 x2 tied by poor 'B62' cancels, superb 'HONG KONG/ C /MY22/84' cds, 'DALRY/JU30/84' arrival b/s. Carried per P&O "Ancona", departed Hong Kong 22/5/1884; "Brindisi" departed Colombo 7/6/1884; "Mongolia", departed Alexandria 24/6/1884, arrived Brindisi 27/6/1884; mail arrived London 30/6/1884. 750T

Lot 227 227 C C HONG KONG: 1888 cover endorsed "From AE Evans BFC [= Boy First Class] HMS Imperieuse Hong Kong China" and countersigned 'H Elliott' (h/s), to England with Hong Kong 2c carmine tied by 'HONG KONG/ A /JU30/88' cds, superb 'BRISTOL/ G 1 /AU6/88' (in red) & 'CLIFTON/BRISTOL' (affected by minor flap fault) arrival b/s, some toning. Carried per P&O "Nepaul", departed Hong Kong 30/6/1888; "Ballaarat", departed Aden 25/7/1888, arrived Brindisi 2/8/1888; mail arrived London 6/8/1888. 500T

Lot 228 228 C B HONG KONG: 1891 cover endorsed "From Gr F Cole RMA HMS Victor Emmanuel China" & countersigned 'JEC GOODRICH' (h/s), to Kent with Hong Kong 2c carmine tied by 'B62' cancel, 'HONG KONG/ A /JY9/91' cds, superb 'WOOLWICH/ BA / AU13/91' arrival b/s. Carried per P&O "Peshawar", departed Hong Kong 9/7/1891; "Shannon", departed Colombo 24/7/1891, arrived Brindisi 10/8/1891; mail arrived London 13/8/1891. [With the enclosed letter signed "Francis Cole"] 750T Dec 16, 2011 Prestige Philately - Auction No 170 Page: 76 THE CHINA STATION and THE FAR EAST (continued) Lot Type Grading Description Est $AUD

Lot 229 229 C B HONG KONG: 1892 cover endorsed "G Stevens SBS [= Sick Bay Steward] N [= Naval] Hospital Hong Kong" & countersigned "Principal M[edical] Officer/AT" (Deputy Inspector-General A Turnbull), to Herefordshire with Hong Kong 2c carmine tied by bold 'B62' cancel, 'HONG-KONG/ C /NO24/92' cds, superb 'ROSS/DE26/92' arrival b/s. Carried per P&O "Ganges", departed Hong Kong 24/11/1892; "Victoria", departed Colombo 6/12/1892, arrived Brindisi 22/12/1892; mail arrived London 26/12/1892. 750T

Lot 230 230 C B HONG KONG: a similarly endorsed 1893 cover from the same correspondence with Hong Kong 2c carmine tied by 'HONG-KONG/ C / MR16/93' cds, superb 'ROSS/AP17/93' arrival b/s. Ex Yates. Carried per P&O "Rohilla", departed Hong Kong 16/3/1893; "Himalaya", departed Colombo 30/3/1893, arrived Brindisi 13/4/1893; mail arrived London 17/4/1893. [Despite this & the previous item both being endorsed as being from G Stevens, they are written in entirely different hands, strongly suggesting that Stevens was illiterate & that ship's scribes were responsible for both items] 750T

Lot 231 231 C B HONG KONG: 1898 cover with 'HMS CENTURION' imprint on the flap, endorsed "CW Hanmore HMS Centurion Hong Kong" & countersigned with an indistinct handstamp in rosine, to Dorset with Hong Kong 2c carmine pair tied by 'HONG-KONG/ C /FE1/98' cds, part Bournemouth arrival b/s of 2MR/98, renovated flap. Carried per P&O "Ganges", departed Hong Kong 20/2/1898; "Ballaarat", departed Bombay 12/2/1898, arrived Brindisi 25/2/1898; mail arrived London 1/3/1898. 600T Dec 16, 2011 Prestige Philately - Auction No 170 Page: 77 THE CHINA STATION and THE FAR EAST (continued) Lot Type Grading Description Est $AUD

Lot 232 232 C A- HONG KONG: 1912 PPC from England to "HMS Minotaur/Hong Kong/China" with GB 1d tied by 'NEWTON FERRERS' cds, superb double-oval 'COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF/23AUG1912/CHINA STATION' cachet in purple. 150T

Lot 233 233 C C JAPAN: 1864 cover endorsed "From John Morris Seaman HMS Barrosa" (the spelling is correct) & countersigned "S Huntley", to Dorset with 1d Stars cancelled by mailboat 'B57' used aboard the "Baroda", flap missing resulting in no arrival b/s, overall soiling. Carried per P&O "Ganges", departed Yokohama 26/8/1864; "Orissa", departed Shanghai 4/9/1864; "Mooltan", departed Galle ? ; "Baroda", departed Alexandria ? ; "Ripon", departed Malta 23/10/1864, arrived Southampton 3/11/1864. [HMS "Barrosa" was one of 9 British ships that joined with 4 Dutch & 3 French ships to force the Japanese to open the Shimonoseki Straits between Honshu & Kyushu to foreign vessels. The force assembled on 17/8/1864, the decisive battle taking place on 8/9/1864. Ordinarily, it would be difficult to ascribe an undated cover such as this to a particular location. However, the "Barrosa" had only the one commission, to the East Indies Station and, on 27/11/1864, John Morris died in a Yokohama hospital, and was "discharged, dead"] 750T

Lot 234 234 C (B) JAPAN: 1864 cover endorsed "W Downton Pte RM/British Legation Japan" & countersigned "JS Applin/Captain", to Devon with 1d Stars cancelled by mailboat 'A83' used aboard the "Euxine", 'HONG-KONG/ C /OC29/64' (in blue) transit & 'PLYMOUTH/DE22/64' arrival b/s, roughly opened & with repaired tears. Carried per P&O "Cadiz" from Shanghai; "Benares", departed Hong Kong 1/11/1864; "Simla", departed Galle ? ; "Euxine", departed Alexandria ? ; "Delhi", departed Malta 8/12/1854, arrived Southampton 21/12/1864.

Pte Downton was attached to the flagship as a supernumerary. He was involved in guard and escort duty at the British Legation in Yokohama. This was probably his last letter home. On 28/10/1864, the day before this item transitted Hong Kong, he died at the Legation & was "discharged, dead". 3,000T Dec 16, 2011 Prestige Philately - Auction No 170 Page: 78 THE CHINA STATION and THE FAR EAST (continued) Lot Type Grading Description Est $AUD

Lot 235 235 C A JAPAN: 1870 cover endorsed "From Wm Davis HMS Endymion" & countersigned "HH" (Commander Henry Hand), to Gloucestershire with 1d Plate '108' cancelled by mailboat 'A88' used aboard the "Massilia", 'HONG-KONG/ C /AP18/70' transit, 'STROUD/JU5/70/GLOS' & 'PAINSWICK' arrival b/s of the same date. Carried per P&O "Bombay", departed Shanghai 14/4/1870; "Orissa", departed Hong Kong 19/4/1870; "Surat", departed Galle 4/5/1870; "Massilia", departed Alexandria ? , arrived Southampton 4/6/1870. [HMS "Endymion" arrived at Yokohama on 6/4/1870. She was the last wooden screw frigate built for the Royal Navy. Kirk states that this cover is the latest recorded bearing a British mailboat cancellation] 1,500T

Lot 236 236 C C JAPAN: 1875 cover with 'CHALLENGER' crest on the flap, endorsed "From GMatkin SSA [= Senior Surveying Assistant] HM Ship Challenger/Yokohama" & countersigned "JP Maclear", to Rutland (!) with 1d Plate '160' (?) cancelled with very fine strike of the Levick Rotary Machine '1'-in-bars used at the London Foreign Branch, 'HONG-KONG/ A / MY21/75' transit & 'OAKHAM/JY12/75' arrival b/s, some staining. A significant cover from an important voyage of discovery. Carried per P&O "Bombay", departed Yokohama 12/5/1875; "Lombardy", departed Hong Kong 22/5/1875; "Mongol", departed Galle ? , arrived Southampton 12/7/1875. [Rutland is the smallest English county with only two towns of significance, Oakham and Uppingham. This is the first 19th century overseas cover we have seen addressed to Rutland]

HMS "Challenger", flagship on the Australian Station 1866-71, was the survey ship for the round-the-world oceanographic expedition lead by Professor Charles Wyville Thomson. In oceanographic terms, the Wyville Thomson Expedition has been compared in importance to Charles Darwin's momentous voyage in the "Beagle". On 16/6/1875, HMS "Challenger" departed Yokohama for Hawaii. [This explains the superscription being changed (in another hand?) to "Honolulu". However, the Hong Kong b/s proves the letter was sent from Japan] 4,000T

Lot 237 237 C C JAPAN: 1882 cover endorsed "From RJ Dailey Seaman HMS Albatross/Yokohama Japan" & countersigned "R Groome" (h/s?), to Devon with 1d lilac pair tied by '28'-n-diamond of the London Foreign Branch unusually in red, 'HONG-KONG/ A /JY6/82' transit & superb 'DEVONPORT/3A/AU16/82' arrival b/s, some staining despite which this is a striking cover. Carried per P&O "Kaiser-i-Hind", departed Hong Kong 7/7/1882; Italian Packet from Alexandria, arrived Brindisi 13/8/1882; mail arrived London 16/8/1882. [From 1/2/1880, the rate via Brindisi was 2d] 2,000T Dec 16, 2011 Prestige Philately - Auction No 170 Page: 79 THE CHINA STATION and THE FAR EAST (continued) Lot Type Grading Description Est $AUD

Lot 238 238 C A- JAPAN: 1888 cover endorsed "From G Smith Seaman HMS Leander/Yokohama Japan" & countersigned "CF" (Lieut Cunningham R deC Foot), to Lincolnshire with Hong Kong 2c tied by 'HONG-KONG/ B /AP10/88' cds, 'ULCEBY/MY14/88' arrival b/s, very minor blemishes only. Carried per P&O "Tibet", departed Yokohama 1/4/1888; "Deccan", departed Hong Kong 11/4/1888; "Parramatta", departed Colombo 25/4/1888; Italian Packet from Alexandria, arrived Brindisi 11/5/1888; mail arrived London 14/5/1888. [At one time, this cover graced Stanley Gibbons' retail stock with a price tag of £2250] 1,500T

Lot 239 239 C B JAPAN: 1888 cover endorsed "From A Knell Stoker HMS Satellite China" - but with the enclosed letter headed "Oct 20th 1888/Yokohama/Japan" - & countersigned "JD Laxton", to the United States with Hong Kong 2c tied by 'HONG-KONG/ B / NO20/88' cds, New York transit b/s & 'MILLBURN/NJ' arrival b/s, small repair at upper-right corner. Unusual destination. Carried per P&O "Ancona", departed Yokohama 11/11/1888; "Ravenna" from Hong Kong; "Britannia" from Colombo, arrived London 30/12/1888; Cunard Line from Liverpool, arrived New York 5/1/1889.

The 4pp letter states "...I wear the gun and crown for being a crack shot...I am the best shot on the station for this year...". In a postscript, he says of his wife "...I dread the time to go home...I shall not live with her any more" and then, of another lady, "she wants me to buy my discharge...I will have to have six years in the navy...and then it will cost me 12 pounds..." 1,000T

Lot 240 240 C B SINGAPORE: 1857 cover endorsed "From James Young Yeoman of Signals HMS/Sans Pareil Singapore East India 1/9/57" & countersigned "JS Knight" (?), to England with 1d Stars tied by superb '4'-in-diamond cancel of the London Foreign Branch unusually in bright blue, London b/s of 1857/3NO3 & superb 'BATH' arrival b/s in blue. Carried per P&O "Formosa", departed Singapore 5/9/1857; "Colombo", departed Malta ?, arrived Southampton 3/11/1857. Most attractive.

During the Second Anglo-China War, HMS "Sans Pareil" was involved in the Battle of Fatshan Creek where the British defeated a force of Chinese pirates. At this date, "Sans Pareil" was at Singapore, returning to China after depositing troops at Fort William (Calcutta) & disembarking a naval brigade that participated in suppression of the Indian Mutiny. On 28/12/1857, "Sans Pareil" took part in the bombardment of Canton. 6,000T Dec 16, 2011 Prestige Philately - Auction No 170 Page: 80 THE CHINA STATION and THE FAR EAST (continued) Lot Type Grading Description Est $AUD

Lot 241 241 C B SINGAPORE: 1862 cover endorsed "From George Fossick on/board HMS Ship Scout" & countersigned "H Maitland", to Yorkshire with 1d Stars cancelled by faint 'A88' mailboat cancel used aboard the "Euxine", 'RIPON/SP18/62' arrival b/s. Carried per P&O "Orissa", departed Singapore 5/8/1862; "Colombo" departed Galle 19/8/1862; "Euxine" departed Alexandria 5/9/1862; "Pera", departed Malta 8/9/1862, arrived Southampton 18/9/1862. 1,000T

Lot 242 242 C B SINGAPORE: 1862 cover endorsed "From James Duhig Seaman on Bord HM Ship/sans parreil" & countersigned "S Greville", to Ireland with 1d Stars cancelled by superb '33'-in-diamond of the London Foreign Branch, 'MIDLETON/OC31/62' arrival cds unusually on the face. Carried per P&O "Orissa", departed Singapore 20/9/1862; "Nubia", departed Galle 2/10/1862; "Pera", departed Alexandria 19/10/1862, arrived Southampton 1/11/1862 or - based on the arrival date - per "Euxine", departed Alexandria 19/10/1862, arrived Marseilles 25/10/1862 (but the cover was not taxed). 1,000T

Lot 243 243 C B SINGAPORE: 1888 cover endorsed "From G Stevens SBS [= Sick Berth Steward] HMS Rattler" & countersigned "GW" (Paymaster George Whitcroft), to Herefordshire unusually with Straits 2c rose tied by 'SINGAPORE/NO26/93' cds, superb 'ROSS/DE26/93' arrival b/s. Carried per P&O "Sutlej", departed Singapore 28/11/1893; "Massilia", departed Colombo 5/12/1893, arrived Brindisi 22/12/1893; mail arrived London 26/12/1893. 1,500T Dec 16, 2011 Prestige Philately - Auction No 170 Page: 81 Lot Type Grading Description Est $AUD THE AUSTRALIA STATION

Lot 244 244 C B NEW SOUTH WALES: 1857 cover endorsed "From G Millican Seaman on/board HMS Herald" & countersigned (Lieut) "John Hutchison", to Leicestershire with NSW Diadems Imperf 1d (almost full margins) tied by bold bars cancel of Sydney (b/s of NO10/1857), superb 'LEICESTER/JA13/1857' - error for 1858 - arrival b/s, minor repair at upper-left. One of the most outstanding items of military mail from Australia. Only one other pre-1860 sailor's letter from NSW is recorded. It is from the same correspondence as this item: the stamp is defective. Carried per E&ARM "City of Sydney", departed Sydney 11/11/1857; "Teviot", departed Alexandria 29/12/1857, arrived Southampton 12/1/1858.

George Millican was captain's steward & acting seamen's schoolmaster! HMS "Herald" served on the Australian Station between 1853 & 1861, principally charting large areas of the South-West Pacific Ocean. In 1856, it was involved in the resettlement on Norfolk Island of the inhabitants of Pitcairn Island. 10,000T

Lot 245 245 CL C NEW SOUTH WALES: 1864 triple-rate cover endorsed "From HK Robshaw [engineer's servant] HMS Salamander Australia" & countersigned (Lieut) "H Grimston", to Yorkshire with 1d Stars strip of 3 just tied by '50'-in-diamond of the London Foreign Branch, very fine 'DEWSBURY/DE22/64' arrival b/s, the flap renovated, repaired tear at right & repaired at lower-left. Rare multiple-rate sailor's letter. Carried per P&O "Bombay", departed Sydney 22/10/1864; "Simla", departed Galle 17/11/1864; "Delhi", departed Alexandria 4/12/1864, arrived Southampton 21/12/1864. [3d paid the concessional rate via Marseilles. However, the arrival cds proves it went on the long all-sea route. The long envelope also indicates that the article exceeded the standard ½oz limit]

The paddle-sloop HMS "Salamander" served on the Australian Station between 1863 & 1868, engaged mainly in surveying along the east coast of the continent. On 16/11/1866, Harry Robshaw was discharged at Sydney "per request & order". 1,000T Dec 16, 2011 Prestige Philately - Auction No 170 Page: 82 THE AUSTRALIA STATION (continued) Lot Type Grading Description Est $AUD

Lot 246 246 C B NEW SOUTH WALES: 1868 cover endorsed "From Sergeant Wm Grimes 61 Co Royal Marines/HMS Galatea Sydney" & countersigned (Lieut) "FH Poore", to London with 1d Stars (faded) tied by 'B56' mailboat cancel used aboard P&O "Bangalore", light 'LONDON N/ JA /AP25/68' arrival cds in red on the face, repaired flap tears. Carried per P&O "Bombay", departed Sydney 1/3/1868; "Surat", departed Galle 28/3/1868; "Bangalore", departed Alexandria 12/4/1868, arrived Southampton 25/4/1868.

During 1867-68, HMS "Galatea" under the command of Queen Victoria's second son, Captain HRH Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh, was engaged in a world cruise. "Galatea" arrived at Adelaide on 31/10/1867 to commence what was effectively the first Royal Visit to Australia. This cover was posted about 2 weeks before an assassination attempt on the Duke's life, in Sydney. On 12/3/1868, the Duke was seriously wounded when the Irish radical Henry James O'Farrell shot him in the back at close range. The Duke recovered &, despite recommending clemency, was still in Sydney when O'Farrell was hanged, on 21/4/1868. On 3/6/1893, the Duke was appointed Admiral of the Fleet. [See also Lot 274] 4,000T

Lot 247 247 C C NEW SOUTH WALES: a similar 1869 cover from the same correspondence, countersigned (Marines Captain) "RF Taylor", to London with 1d Plate '97' (?) tied by 'A81' mailboat cancel used aboard P&O "Tanjore", superb 'LONDON N/ FO /MY22/69' arrival cds in red on the face, opened-out & resealed. Carried per P&O "Avoca", departed Sydney 27/3/1869; "Candia", departed Galle 23/4/1869; "Tanjore", departed Alexandria 9/5/1869, arrived Southampton 22/5/1869.

The attempted assassination of the Duke of Edinburgh resulted in the remainder of the world cruise being cancelled. HMS "Galatea" departed Sydney 26/6/1868 & made haste for England. However, after some months, the "Galatea" again set sail for Australia, to complete the originally intended tour, arriving at Fremantle 28/1/1869, departing Sydney 3/4/1869, one week after this letter was sent. 2,500T

Lot 248 248 C A- NEW SOUTH WALES: 1868 cover from England to "D McAlpin RN/HMS Blanche/Australian Station" with 6d lilac Plate '6' tied by 'MILFORD/MR24/68' duplex, London transit b/s, no other markings. Ex Geoffrey Osborn: illustrated by him at page 95. Carried per P&O "Delta", departed Southampton 18/4/1868; "Nubia", departed Suez 4/5/1868; "Avoca", departed Galle 19/5/1868, arrived Sydney 11/6/1868. HMS "Blanche" arrived a fortnight later, on 26/6/1868. [McAlpine was the ship's assistant paymaster] 300T Dec 16, 2011 Prestige Philately - Auction No 170 Page: 83 THE AUSTRALIA STATION (continued) Lot Type Grading Description Est $AUD

Lot 249 249 C A- NEW SOUTH WALES: 1870 cover with 'WH SMITH & SON/186/STRAND/WC' embossed on the flap, to "The President/Gun Room Mess//HMS Blanche/Australian Station" with 2d Plate '18' strip of 3 tied by superb 'LONDON-WC/ X /SP30/70 - WC/15' duplex, no other markings, endorsed "R 6/12/70" on the reverse, repaired flap fault. [The Gun Room Mess was traditionally the Midshipmen's Mess. HMS "Blanche" had been in New Zealand in 1869 when the Duke of Edinburgh visited on HMS "Galatea". He went from Wellington to Port Chalmers aboard the "Blanche"] 300T

Lot 250 250 C B NEW SOUTH WALES: 1873 overweight officer's letter to "F O'Neill/HMS Basilisk/Sydney/Or Elsewhere", endorsed "Via Brindisi" with GB 9d straw Plate '4' tied by 'DEVONPORT/FE20/73 - 250' duplex, British 'DEFICIENT POSTAGE ("9")/FINE ("6")' h/s & rated "1/3" in black, 'SYDNEY/ D /AP10/73= A =' arrival b/s. Ex Geoffrey Osborn: illustrated by him at page 105. Carried via Brindisi, then per E&ARM "Poonah", departed Brindisi 24/2/1873; "Malwa", departed Suez 1/3/1873; & "Sumatra", departed Galle 17/3/873, arrived Sydney 10/4/1873 (endorsed by the addressee "Recd at/Sydney/2d July 73". [The addressee was the paymaster, Francis StJohn Steer O'Neill]

The paddle-sloop HMS "Basilisk" served on the Australian Station between 1871 & 1874. When this letter arrived at Sydney, "Basilisk" was surveying the coastline of what became British New Guinea (Papua), returning to Sydney 2/7/1873. The commander was Captain John Moresby, who named Port Moresby after his father, Admiral Sir Fairfax Moresby. 800T

Lot 251 251 C A- NEW SOUTH WALES: 1881 cover endorsed "From W Gibbs Seaman HM Ship Carysfort Flying/squadron Sidney New South Wales Australia" & countersigned "GT" (Lieut Gerald T Langley), to London with 1d Venetian red tied by 'FB'-in-bars of the London Foreign Branch, boxed 'LONDON EC/SP6/81' & 'LONDON SE/ AD /SP7/81' b/s both in red. Ex Gerald Sattin.

As the name suggests, a "Flying Squadron" is a group of vessels that move rapidly from port to port, engaging in little more than observation. HMS "Carysfort" arrived at Sydney 14/7/1881, and departed 9/8/1881 for Brisbane - the original intention was to go from Sydney to Auckland - & Fiji. 2,000T Dec 16, 2011 Prestige Philately - Auction No 170 Page: 84 THE AUSTRALIA STATION (continued) Lot Type Grading Description Est $AUD

Lot 252 252 C B NEW SOUTH WALES: 1885 officer's letter with 'HMS ESPIEGLE' imprint in blue on the flap, to Lt-Gen RW Lowry in London with 1d lilac x6 (3 pairs) tied by 'LONDON/ YE /MR29/85' arrival cds, the flap has been renovated. Ex Geoffrey Osborn. [The sender was First Lieut Robert Swinburne Lowry, writing to his father. Promoted to Captain in 1896, he became the senior officer at the Royal Naval Engineering College] 250T

Lot 253 253 C B NEW SOUTH WALES: a very similar cover from the same correspondence, with 1d lilac strip of 6 tied by 'FB'-in-bars cancels of the London Foreign Branch. Ex Geoffrey Osborn. 250T

Lot 254 254 C B NEW SOUTH WALES: 1886 cover endorsed "From Jas AF Clark HMS Nelson Sydney NSW" & countersigned (Commander) "HD Hamilton", to Middlesex with 1d lilac x2 - paying the via Brindisi rate - tied by 'FB'-in-bars of the London Foreign Branch, superb 'STAINES/DE27/86' arrival b/s. Carried per coastal ship to Melbourne; P&O "Tasmania", departed Melbourne 18/11/1886; "Ballaarat", departed Colombo 7/12/1886, arrived Brindisi 24/12/1886; mails arrived London 27/12/1886. 750T Dec 16, 2011 Prestige Philately - Auction No 170 Page: 85 THE AUSTRALIA STATION (continued) Lot Type Grading Description Est $AUD

Lot 255 255 C B NEW SOUTH WALES: 1888 cover endorsed "From JE Young S.G.T. [= Seaman Gunner/Torpedo Man] HMS Swinger Sydney Australia" & countersigned (Lieut) "GW Cornish", to Lincolnshire with NSW 1d Centennial tied by rubber 'FB'-in-bars of the London Foreign Branch, 'BOSTON/JU28/88' arrival b/s, repaired minor opening tears. NB: Gerald Ellott states that this is the earliest of the 15 recorded HMS "Swinger" covers, & one of only three from which the stamp has not been excised & replaced. [JE Young was with the Royal Marines] 600T

Lot 256 256 C A- NEW SOUTH WALES: 1889 cover from the same correspondence, endorsed "10/1/89" at lower-left & countersigned (Lieut) "FA Hodge", with NSW 1d Centennial tied by oval of 5 horizontal bars of the London Foreign Branch, superb '1D/FB' tax h/s, 'BOSTON/FE18/89' arrival b/s. NB: Gerald Ellott states that only three - two from NSW - of the 15 recorded HMS "Swinger" covers have not had the stamp excised & replaced: this is the finest of them. 750T

Lot 257 257 C B NEW SOUTH WALES: 1889 cover from the same correspondence, with NSW 1d Centennial tied by rubber 'FB'-in-bars of the London Foreign Branch, superb '1D/FB' tax h/s, 'BOSTON/FE3/90' arrival b/s, the stamp excised & replaced. Carried per coastal vessel to Adelaide; P&O "Carthage", departed Adelaide 30/12/1889, arrived Brindisi 1/2/1890; mails arrived London 3/2/1890. [The cover was underpaid 1d for the 2d rate via Brindisi] 400T Dec 16, 2011 Prestige Philately - Auction No 170 Page: 86 THE AUSTRALIA STATION (continued) Lot Type Grading Description Est $AUD

Lot 258 258 C (B) NEW SOUTH WALES: 1890 cover from the same correspondence, unusually for "Swinger" covers with GB 1d lilac tied by ' FD / LONDON/AP3/90 - 87' duplex of the London Foreign Branch, superb 'BOSTON/AP5/90' arrival b/s, the stamp excised & neatly replaced. 400T

Lot 259 259 C B NEW SOUTH WALES: 1889 cover to "Commander G leC Egerton/HMS Orlando/Australian Station" with Jubilee 6d - paying the via Naples rate - tied by 'LONDON-W/ F5 /FE8/89 - W/6' duplex, no arrival b/s, repaired flap fault. Carried per Orient "Ormuz", departed Naples 11/2/1889, arrived Sydney 15/3/1889. Ex Geoffrey Osborn: illustrated by him at p132, the last item in his book. [HMS "Orlando" was flagship on the Australia Station 1888-97. In 1899, she was sent to China to relieve the Peking Legations] 250T

Lot 260 260 PS A NEW SOUTH WALES: 1893 usage of 1d Postal Card to "FWH Migeod RN [clerk] /HMS Orlando/Sydney" apologising for having inadvertently sent him an unstamped letter. Ex Geoffrey Osborn. [Illustration on our website] 100T Dec 16, 2011 Prestige Philately - Auction No 170 Page: 87 THE AUSTRALIA STATION (continued) Lot Type Grading Description Est $AUD

Lot 261 261 PS (B) NEW SOUTH WALES: 1895 usage of Indian 9pies 'SOLDIERS AND SEAMENS ENVELOPE' to a seaman aboard HMS "Katoomba" at "Sidney" [sic] with superb 'COLABA/5MA95/BOMBAY' squared-circle cancel, superb Sydney arrival b/s of 'MR27/95', redirected to Lyttelton (New Zealand) & then to Auckland (b/s of 6AP/95), repaired opening faults on the reverse. Unusual destination. [Gerald Ellott states he has never seen one of these envelopes used from a sailor, and this is the only example he has recorded used to a sailor, this between brothers] 1,000T

Lot 262 262 C B NEW SOUTH WALES: 1898 cover endorsed "A Sherriff ERA [= Engine Room Artificer] HMS Mohawk Australia" & countersigned "ACS" (?), to Lincolnshire with NSW 1d Arms tied by Sydney duplex of AP5/98, superb 'GRIMSBY/MY9/98' arrival b/s. [The enclosed letter states: "Australia is a very expensive place I would never advise anyone to come out here...There are no fortunes to be made in Australia now...we expect to proceed to China at once in the event of War being declared..."] 1,000T

Lot 263 263 C B NEW SOUTH WALES: 1900 cover with 'HMS MILDURA/AUSTRALIAN STATION' embossed imprint in blue on the flap, to Sussex with 1d lilac tied by 'LONDON/ CB /AU20/00' cds, 'HASTINGS/STATION OFFICE' arrival b/s, repaired flap tears. Ex Geoffrey Osborn. [HMS "Mildura" was on the Australian Station between 1891 & 1905, principally for protection of "floating trade" in Australian waters. Between 14/6/1900 & 16/7/1900, she was stationed at Sydney. In October 1900, Lord Ranfurly, the Governor/Governor-General of New Zealand (1897-1904), travelled on the "Mildura" to attend the formal ceremony for the annexation of the Cook Islands & Niue] See illustration on our website. 150T Dec 16, 2011 Prestige Philately - Auction No 170 Page: 88 THE AUSTRALIA STATION (continued) Lot Type Grading Description Est $AUD

Lot 264 264 C (B) QUEENSLAND: 1888 cover endorsed "From JE Young S.G.T. [= Seaman Gunner/Torpedo Man] HMS Swinger" & countersigned (Lieut) "GW Cornish", to Lincolnshire with Lined Background 1d tied by bars cancel of the London Foreign Branch, superb '1D/F.B.' h/s, 'BOSTON/OC14/88' arrival b/s, the stamp excised & neatly replaced (as is usual for "Swinger" covers). [The cover was underpaid 1d for the 2d rate via Brindisi] 400T

Lot 265 265 C (B) QUEENSLAND: a very similar 1888 cover from the same correspondence, endorsed "20/11/88" at lower-left, with Lined Background 1d tied by 'FB'-in-bars cancel of the London Foreign Branch, '1D/F.B.' h/s, superb 'BOSTON/JA14/89' arrival b/s, the stamp excised & neatly replaced (as is usual for "Swinger" covers). [HMS "Swinger" proceeded to Port Moresby for the official proclamation on 6/11/1888 of the Protectorate of British New Guinea (Papua). This cover was posted from Cooktown, on the voyage back to Sydney. It was probably carried via Torres Strait and Batavia] 400T

Lot 266 266 C A- QUEENSLAND: an 1890 cover from the same correspondence headed "...Brisbane Australia" & countersigned (Lieut) "FA Hodge", with Lined Background 1d tied by 'LONDON/ VE /NO6/90' arrival cds, superb 'BOSTON/NO17/90' arrival b/s, the stamp excised & neatly replaced (as is usual for "Swinger" covers). NB: Gerald Ellott states that 15 HMS "Swinger" covers have been recorded, & that this is one of only three - and the only one from Queensland - from which the stamp has not been excised & replaced. 1,000T Dec 16, 2011 Prestige Philately - Auction No 170 Page: 89 THE AUSTRALIA STATION (continued) Lot Type Grading Description Est $AUD

Lot 267 267 C C QUEENSLAND: 1891 cover from Scotland with 1d lilac tied by superb 'DUNDEE/OC1/91 - 114' "dotted" duplex, to "John W Sutton/HMS Paluma/Brisbane Queensland" with 'COOKTOWN/NO30/91/QUEENSLAND' cds on the face & Sydney b/s of DE9/91, sent back to England where redirected several times to HMS "Victory", "Vernon", "Orlando" & "Seagull" where endorsed on the flap "Arrived hire not known on Seagull so I have sent it back so you can see where it has been", also endorsed on the face "Not Known/in/Asia", various GB markings & finally returned to sender with superb 'PAIGNTON/JY28/02' cds on the face, rather soiled but oozing character. [In 1891, HMS "Paluma" was loaned to the Queensland Government to assist with the Queensland Survey] 250T

Lot 268 268 CL A- QUEENSLAND: 1898 cover with pen & ink illustration of bluejackets pulling a gun carriage inscribed 'FROM/HMS DART', to Miss Parry in Hobart (b/s) with Qld 4d tied by GPO cancel, 'BRISBANE/NO24/98/QUEENSLAND' cds. Most attractive. [The sender was Commander John F Parry of HMS "Dart", stationed at Morris Island off Cooktown] 250T

Lot 269 269 C A- QUEENSLAND: 1898 cover from the same correspondence with pen & ink illustration of a dog captioned "The Sydney Terrier Ratting", with Qld 2d tied by BN '178' and 'COOKTOWN/JY13/98/QUEENSLAND' cds alongside. [This cover was found in a family album with the caption: "Our Headquarters at Morris I was full of rats"] 250T Dec 16, 2011 Prestige Philately - Auction No 170 Page: 90 THE AUSTRALIA STATION (continued) Lot Type Grading Description Est $AUD

Lot 270 270 C A- QUEENSLAND: 1902 cover from the same correspondence with pen & ink illustration of seagulls, to Wales with Qld ½d & 1d pair tied by superb BN '55' & 'GATTON/JL3/02/QUEENSLAND' cds below, Brisbane transit & 'HOLYHEAD/JY14/02' arrival b/s. 250T

Lot 271 271 C B SOUTH AUSTRALIA: 1890 cover endorsed "From Gunner J Woolley RMA [= Royal Marines Artillery] HMS Curacoa Australia" & countersigned "IMRG" (Lieut Ian MR Grant), to London with South Australian 2d tied by 'SHIP MAIL ROOM/JY9/90/SA - S.AUST' duplex, 'LONDON-SE/ 10 /AU13/90' arrival b/s in red, repaired flap fault. Rare: the first sailor's letter from South Australia that we have offered.

HMS "Curacoa" was on the Australian Station between 1888 and 1894. She cruised widely, including to the Solomons and Gilbert & Ellice Islands. In 1894, she was sent to Samoa to support the American & German "intervention". 4,000T

Lot 272 272 C B TASMANIA: 1878 cover-sized piece from a parcel with address label endorsed "Pamphlet only from/Captn Henslow RN" and "By Book Post/Via Southampton", to Norfolk with Chalon Perf 10 6d slate-purple tied by 'HOBART TOWN/MY12/78 - TASMANIA' duplex. A rare concessional rate item through the civilian post office. 600T Dec 16, 2011 Prestige Philately - Auction No 170 Page: 91 THE AUSTRALIA STATION (continued) Lot Type Grading Description Est $AUD

Lot 273 273 C (B) TASMANIA: 1889 cover endorsed "From JE Young S.G.T. [= Seaman Gunner/Torpedo Man] HMS Swinger Hobart" & countersigned (Gunner) "W Martin", to Lincolnshire with Tasmanian DLR 1d tied by ' OJ /LONDON/ MR21/89' cds, superb 'BOSTON/MR22/89' arrival b/s, the stamp excised & neatly replaced (as is usual for "Swinger" covers). Stated by Gerald Ellott to be one of only two HMS "Swinger" covers from Tasmania. 1,000T

Lot 274 274 C B VICTORIA: 1867 cover endorsed "From 61 Co Wm Grimes Sergeant Royal Marines LI/HMS Galatea Melbourne" & countersigned (Marines Captain) "RF Taylor", to London with 1d Plate '91' tied by light 'A81' mailboat cancel used aboard P&O "Tanjore", light 'LONDON N/ A6 /FE17/68' arrival cds in red on the face, repaired flap tears & a few moderate tonespots. Carried per P&O "Geelong", departed Sydney 24/12/1867; "Nubia", departed Galle 18/1/1868; "Tanjore", departed Alexandria 5/4/1868, arrived Southampton 17/4/1868.

During 1867-68, HMS "Galatea" under the command of Queen Victoria's second son, Captain HRH Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh, was engaged in a world cruise. "Galatea" arrived at Adelaide on 31/10/1867 to commence what was effectively the first Royal Visit to Australia. On 3/6/1893, the Duke was appointed Admiral of the Fleet. [See also Lots 246 & 247] 3,000T

Lot 275 275 C B VICTORIA: 1871 cover from London with 1/- green Plate '5' (rounded corners at the base) tied by superb 'LOMBARD-ST/ D4 /DE22/71 - LS/4' duplex, to "Donald AL McAlpin/Asst Paymaster/HMS Blanche/Australia Station/Melbourne", redirected to "Pembroke Dock/South Wales", no transit or arrival markings. [A replacement crew for HMS "Blanche" was sent out in 1871 but were stranded at St Paul (now in the French Southern & Antarctic Territories), where their ship was beached for being unseaworthy. The crew finally arrived in -/11/1871. On 1/12/1871, McAlpin was finally able to return to Great Britain] 250T Dec 16, 2011 Prestige Philately - Auction No 170 Page: 92 Lot Type Grading Description Est $AUD NEW ZEALAND

Lot 276 276 C B 1869 cover endorsed "From Sergeant Wm Grimes Royal Marines LI/HMS Galatea New Zealand" & countersigned (Captain of Marines) "RF Taylor Commanding Detachment", to London with 1d Plate '97' tied by light 'A85' mailboat cancel used aboard P&O "Delhi", light 'LONDON EC/PAID/16JY69' arrival cds in red on the face, piece of the flap missing. Ex Joseph Hackmey (2010). Carried per Circular Saw Line "Alice Cameron", departed Auckland 8/5/1869; P&O "Geelong", departed Sydney 20/5/1869; "Surat", departed Galle 15/6/1869; "Delhi", departed Alexandria 3/7/1869, arrived Southampton 15/7/1869.

HMS "Galatea", under the command of Queen Victoria's second son, Captain HRH Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh, visited New Zealand in 1869, arriving 22nd April to commence what was effectively the first Royal Visit to New Zealand. A ballroom had been added to Auckland's Government House in anticipation of the visit! [On a stay in Sydney in 1868, the Duke was seriously wounded in an assassination attempt on his life, causing the cancellation of what had been intended to be a world cruise by HMS "Galatea"] 10,000T

Lot 277 277 C B 1869 a very similar cover from the same correspondence & carried in the same mails, of somewhat better condition & with light London arrival b/s of JY16/69 in red.

This and the previous item are the only two covers recorded from the first Royal Visit to New Zealand. (In honour of the Duke's visit, a large Maori War redoubt was named Fort Galatea.) They are also the only pre-1870 sailor's letters from New Zealand of which we are aware. The outstanding collection formed by John Woolfe included only 3 soldiers letters & no sailors letters. Joseph Hackmey's magnificent collection included only five soldiers letters - one Ex Woolfe - & one sailors letter (the previous lot). 12,500T Dec 16, 2011 Prestige Philately - Auction No 170 Page: 93 NEW ZEALAND (continued) Lot Type Grading Description Est $AUD

Lot 278 278 C A 1870 cover with 'WH SMITH & SON/186/STRAND/WC' embossed on the flap, to "Gun Room Officer/HMS Blanche/Wellington/New Zealand", with 6d mauve Plate '8' tied by superb 'LONDON-WC/ X /OC27/70 - WC/15' duplex, sensational 21mm 'AUCKLAND/JA13/1871/NEW-ZEALAND' arrival b/s, however the ship had departed so the cover was redirected to "Adelaide" in red with transits of 'HOBART-TOWN/TASMANIA', diamond 'SHIP-LETTER-INWARDS-FREE' b/s in red also applied at Hobart, 'PORT ADELAIDE' (b/s) & 'GPO/FE17/71/ ADELAIDE' arrival cds on the face. A beautiful cover. Ex Geoffrey Osborn: illustrated by him at page 101. [On 29/9/1870, the Governor of New Zealand, Sir George Ferguson Bowen, visited New Plymouth where a large group of hostile Maori had assembled. He wrote "...the presence of HMS Blanche produced an excellent moral impression on both the loyal & the disaffected natives: encouraging the former and dispiriting the latter"] 500T

Lot 279 279 C A 1873 cover with superb embossing of the 'HMS/BASILISK' serpent crest in silver, to Wellington with Chalon 2d vermilion tied by ' A /NZ/AUCKLAND/DE4/73 - 1' duplex, ' A /N Z/WELLINGTON/DE11/73' arrival b/s. [The sender was Surgeon Godfrey Goodman, to his wife. While in NZ, HMS "Basilisk" visited White Island, the only active volcano in the colony] 400T

Lot 280 280 C B 1886 cover endorsed "30.1.86/Jas AF Clark Boy 1st Class/HMS Nelson Wellington NZ" & countersigned (Commander) 'WDHamilton' (handstamp), to Middlesex with 1d lilac tied by 'F'-in-bars of the London Foreign Branch, very fine 'STAINES/MR12/86' arrival b/s, a couple of minor repaired tears. Carried per "Mariposa", departed Auckland 2/2/1886, arrived San Francisco 22/2/1886; Nord-Deutsche Lloyd "Eider", departed New York 3/3/1886, arrived Southampton 11/3/1886. [HMS "Nelson" was on the Australian Station between 1881 & 1888, and was the flagship 1885-1887. TD Taylor, in "The New Zealand Naval Story", stated that HMS "Nelson" visited NZ in 1887. This cover proves it was a year earlier. The "Wellington Evening Post" of 1/2/1886 advised that "Nelson" would be departing for Tasmania the next day] 1,000T 281 L A/B 1895-97 series of lengthy letters - 50+ pages in all - all headed "HMS Lizard" at Auckland (27/4/95), Lyttelton (9/11/1896) & Wellington (28/1/1897), others from Sydney (5/9/96 & 15/1/1898), Cairns (22/7/1896) or "At Sea" (26/5/1896, to be posted at Townsville), all signed "Henry W Finlayson" to his wife, some minor blemishes but generally fine to very fine. Research opportunity. [HMS "Lizard" was on the Australia Station between 1889 & 1904. Finlayson was the ship's surgeon. In 1900, HMS "Lizard" was one of three ships that carried the NSW Naval Contingent to serve in the Boxer Rebellion (China)] See illustration on our website. (7 letters) 400T Dec 16, 2011 Prestige Philately - Auction No 170 Page: 94 Lot Type Grading Description Est $AUD CANADA

Lot 282 282 C B BRITISH COLUMBIA: 1862 cover endorsed "From Charles Hutchins boy HM Ship/Bacchante" & countersigned "FM Prattent", to Sussex with 1d Stars tied by 'LONDON EC/JU12/62 - 82' duplex, 'HURST-PIERPOINT' arrival b/s. Carried per PSNC to Panama; across the isthmus; RMSP "Solent", departed Colon 8/5/1862, arrived St Thomas 14/5/1862; "Atrato", departed St Thomas 29/5/1862, arrived Southampton 12/6/1862. [HMS "Bacchante" was flagship at the Pacific Station]

Students have long believed that the Pacific Station was not relocated from Valparaiso to Esquimalt until 1865. However, historian Barry Gough (1971) has shown that the base at Esquimalt began to be developed in the late-1840s: "Although Esquimalt had become the chief haven of the Navy...in 1862, no proper depot...had been constructed. It was therefore necessary for ships to go to Valparaiso for replenishing stores & for some refitting purposes". [Note also, GPO Notice 41 of 1859 advised rates for mail to naval ships at British Columbia via Panama or New York] 1,500T

Lot 283 283 C A- BRITISH COLUMBIA: 1867 officer's letter to Ireland with 1d Plate '95' & 6d Plate '5' tied by 'B'-in-diamond of London Foreign Branch, ' FE /LONDON/JY15/67' in red & superb unframed 'H&K PACT' transit & 'MONKSTOWN' arrival b/s. Carried to Panama; per RMSP "Tyne", departed Colon 5/6/1867; "Tasmanian", departed St Thomas 1/7/1867, arrived Southampton 14/7/1867. [The sender was Midshipman Edward Henry Bayly, aboard HMS "Scout" at Vancouver. From 28/6/1865, officers' letters from ships in the Pacific were charged 6d + 1d for Panama transit. In mid-1867, St Thomas was ravaged by yellow fever and an earthquake, causing major disruption to shipping transits] 400T

Lot 284 284 C A- BRITISH COLUMBIA: 1898 cover with 'HMS IMPERIEUSE' imprint in red on the flap, endorsed "From JW Treays MAA [= Master at Arms] HMS Imperieuse Comox BC" & countersigned 'CH Adair' (h/s in violet), to England with rare franking of Canadian 1898 Numerals 2c purple tied by heavy bars cancel, 'COMOX/OC20/9[8]/BC' (year slug omitted) cds at left & London arrival b/s of NO 5 98. Ex Alan Steinhart, who stated this to be the only recorded example of an 1898 2c on a concession rate cover. BPA Certificate (1958). Carried per Canadian Pacific Railway; then per Cunard "Pavonia", departed Halifax 27/10/1898. [Comox is located on the eastern shore of Vancouver Island] 4,000T Dec 16, 2011 Prestige Philately - Auction No 170 Page: 95 CANADA (continued) Lot Type Grading Description Est $AUD

Lot 285 285 C B NEWFOUNDLAND: 1898 cover endorsed "From PW Fitz CC [= Chief Carpenter] HMS Rambler Bule isle Labrador" & countersigned "CEM" (Lieut Charles E Monro), to England with Newfoundland 1c x2 tied by indistinct cancels, light but obvious 'COASTAL TPO NORTH/AU15/98/NEWFD' cds at left, superb 'LIVERPOOL/AU29/98/ SHIP' cds in red & 'LIVERPOOL/=8=' cds both on the face & 'PADDINGTON W' arrival b/s, part of the flap missing. [Belle Isle is NE of the northern tip of Newfoundland. Geologically, it is the northernmost peak of the Appalachian Mountains, that stretch from Alabama in the American South] 2,000T

Lot 286 286 C A- NEWFOUNDLAND: 1898 cover endorsed "From PW Fitz CC [= Chief Carpenter] HMS Rambler Red Bay Labrador" & countersigned "CE Monro", to Middlesex with Newfoundland 1c x2 tied by indistinct cancels, light but obvious 'COASTAL TPO NORTH/SP13/98/NEWFD' cds at left, 'ST JOHNS/NEWFD' b/s, superb 'LIVERPOOL/SHIP' cds in red on the face, 'LONDON E/SP30/98' & 'PADDINGTON W' b/s and redirected to Shepherds Bush. Ex Alan Steinhart. [Red Bay is on the south coast of Labrador. Since 1550 it has been home to Basque (!) whalers] 2,500T

Lot 287 287 C A- NOVA SCOTIA: 1864 cover endorsed "From J May HM Ship Galatea Halifax Nova Scotia/North America" & countersigned "StJH" (Lieut William St John Hornby), to Middlesex Hospital with 1d Stars (fault at lower-right) tied by superb mailboat cancel 'A95' used aboard the "Africa", fair 'LONDON W/AU29/64/PAID' arrival cds in red on the face. [The enclosed letter states: "we encountered a great many ice bergs on our way out...we have a touch of small box on board...I have to write...two [letters] for one of my shipmates..."] 2,000T Dec 16, 2011 Prestige Philately - Auction No 170 Page: 96 CANADA (continued) Lot Type Grading Description Est $AUD

Lot 288 288 C B NOVA SCOTIA: a very similar 1864 cover with 1d Plate '91' tied by light mailboat cancel 'A93' used aboard the "Asia" & 'LONDON WC/ 11 /DE19/64 - WC/20' duplex, two other London markings & segmented 'M/W - C/A' missent h/s, renovated flap. Carried per Cunard "Asia", departed Halifax 9/12/1864, arrived Liverpool 18/12/1864. Greene Foundation Certificate (1992). [The enclosed letter states "...leave here some time in January with troops for Bermuda and from there to Barbados". In October 1865, HMS "Galatea" & "Lily" responded to the sinking of HMS "Bulldog" by the Haitians, by bombarding the forts at Cap-Haitien] 1,500T

Lot 289 289 C B NOVA SCOTIA: 1869 cover endorsed "From Charles Taylor Seaman/On Board HMS Phoebe Halifax" and countersigned "EW" (= Lieut Edward Wickham), to Devon with 1d Plate '121' tied by light numeral cancel of Liverpool, 'PAID/ LIVERPOOL/BR PACKET/1JU69/ 2B ' cds in red on the face & 'PLYMOUTH' arrival b/s, repaired flap tears. Carried per Inham Line "Brooklyn", departed Halifax 22/5/1869, arrived Liverpool 1/6/1869. [The enclosed letter states "...We are going to join the Flying Squadron to sail around the world...". He gives his address as Bahia (Brazil), where the 6 ships of the Flying Squadron were to assemble] 1,250T

Lot 290 290 C C NOVA SCOTIA: 1872 cover endorsed "James Rossey Steward/HMS Lapwing" & countersigned "Ed Wickham", to Hampshire with 1d Plate '138' tied by superb BN '466' of Liverpool, 'PAID/LIVERPOOL/BR PACKET/31MY72/ 3A ' cds in red on the face & 'PORTSMOUTH' arrival b/s, spotting & a couple of repaired tears. Carried per Inham "Caspian", departed Halifax 21/5/1872, arrived Liverpool 31/5/1872. [The enclosed letter states "...I have been in the greatest agony with a Nuralgia in the Head...the probable cause I think is a bad birth to sleep in...coming from [Bermuda to Halifax] in three days the change was 36 degrees from Heat to cold] 750T Dec 16, 2011 Prestige Philately - Auction No 170 Page: 97 CANADA (continued) Lot Type Grading Description Est $AUD

Lot 291 291 C (B) NOVA SCOTIA: 1875 cover endorsed "Via Queenstown" to "JW Brackenburg/HMS Bellerophon/Admiralty House/Halifax/Nova Scotia" with rare franking of ½d Plate '6', 1d Plate '181' pair (folded over the edge of the envelope) & 2½d rosy mauve on Blued Paper SG 138 Plate '1' (Cat £140; unpriced on cover) all tied by 'CHRISTCHURCH/OC18/75 - 200' duplex, partial 'HALIFAX/OC29/75/NB' arrival b/s, repaired at lower-right. [The addressee, Commander John W Brackenburg, served with distinction in the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879: see Lots 145 & 146] 750T CENTRAL and SOUTH AMERICA

Lot 292 292 C B BRAZIL: 1864 cover endorsed "From William Hall boy HM Ship Bombay Rio" & countersigned "E Kelly", to "Surey" (sic) with misperforated 1d Stars tied by ' CB /LONDON/AU4/64 - 3' duplex, 'LONDON-S/ MM /AU4/64' arrival b/s in red (affected by repaired tear). Carried per PSNC "Magdalena", departed Rio de Janeiro 9/6/1864, arrived Southampton 4/8/1864. 1,000T

Lot 293 293 C A- BRAZIL: 1864 cover endorsed "From Stephen Wooley HM Ship Bombay/Rio de Janerio South America" & countersigned "E Kelly", to Soho with 1d Stars tied by ' JB /LONDON/AU4/64 - 89' duplex, 'LONDON-W/ OL /AU4/64' arrival b/s. [On 14/12/1864, HMS "Bombay" was completely destroyed by fire off Montevideo. Stephen Wooley - one of the marines acting as sentry - & William Hall - see previous lot - both perished and were "discharged, dead"] 1,000T Dec 16, 2011 Prestige Philately - Auction No 170 Page: 98 CENTRAL and SOUTH AMERICA (continued) Lot Type Grading Description Est $AUD

Lot 294 294 C B BRAZIL: 1895 cover with 'HMS RETRIBUTION' imprint on the flap, endorsed "From G Bennett sto [= stoker] HMS Retribution" & countersigned "LP" (Lieut Lawrence E Power), to Devon with 1d lilac tied by 'LONDON/ NH / OC26/95' cds, 'BARNSTAPLE' arrival b/s, part of the flap missing. Carried per RMSP "Clyde", departed Rio de Janeiro 30/9/1895, arrived Southampton 26/10/1895. 300T

Lot 295 295 C B CHILE: 1853 cover endorsed "From Henry Reed Seaman On board/HM Ship Amphitrite" & countersigned "EBH Franklin", to Yorkshire with Imperf Penny Red (3 margins but cut-into at left) tied by superb '35'-in-diamond cancel of the London Foreign Branch, 'HULL/MY31/1858/ E ' arrival b/s in red. Carried per PSNC "Santiago", departed Valparaiso 15/4/1853 for Panama; carried across the isthmus; RMSP "Avon", departed Chargres 10/5/1853; "Plato", departed St Thomas ? , arrived Southampton 30/5/1853. This is possibly the earliest recorded seaman's cover from Chile. [Chagres is at the Pacific mouth of the Chagres River, the only river in the world that empties into both the Atlantic & Pacific Oceans!] 2,000T

Lot 296 296 C A- CHILE: 1864 cover endorsed "From John Austin Boatswains Mate/HM Ship Columbine Valparaiso" & countersigned "Charles E Pearse", to Norfolk with 1d Stars tied by '24'-in-diamond cancel of the London Foreign Branch, very fine '6d' h/s & segmented inspector's h/s in red, ' FM /LONDON/MR29/64' b/s in blue & superb 'YARMOUTH/ MR30/64/NORFOLK' arrival b/s in red. Carried per PSNC ? , departed Valparaiso 15/2/1864 for Panama; carried across the isthmus; RMSP "Tyne", departed Colon 7/3/1864; "Atrato", departed St Thomas 15/3/1864, arrived Southampton 29/3/1864. A marvellous cover. Ex Gerhard Blank: at the time (1991), this was thought to be the only sailor's cover recorded from Chile. [GPO Notice No 41 of 4/6/1859, required 6d additional postage to be paid in respect of sailors' letters sent from the Pacific Coast of South America via Panama. On 1/1/1864, John Austin was promoted Quartermaster, news of which had not reached him 6 weeks later] 2,000T Dec 16, 2011 Prestige Philately - Auction No 170 Page: 99 CENTRAL and SOUTH AMERICA (continued) Lot Type Grading Description Est $AUD

Lot 297 297 C B CHILE: 1873 flapless cover endorsed "From Harry Newbold Armourer/On Board HMS Nereuse Valparaiso" and countersigned "WH Sharp", to London with 1d Plate '76' pair cancelled 'C51'-in-bars of St Thomas, 'LONDON/ PAID/14AP73' cds in red on the face & superb 'LONDON - N/ F /AP14/73' arrival backstamp in red. Erik Paaskessen Certificate (1995). Carried per PSNC ? , departed Valparaiso 15/2/1864 for Panama; carried across the isthmus; RMSP "Nile", departed Colon 21/3/1873; departed St Thomas 28/3/1873, arrived Plymouth 12/4/1873. [GPO Notice No 37 of 26/6/1865 reduced the Panama transit fee from 6d to 1d. Postage was 2d for sailors & &d for officers] 2,000T

Lot 298 298 C B CHILE: a similar cover from the same correspondence but countersigned "Jas W Saunders", to London with 1d Plate '76' pair cancelled 'C51'-in-bars of St Thomas, superb 'LONDON - N/ A6 /MY14/PAID' arrival cds in red on the face. Carried per PSNC ? , departed Valparaiso 15/2/1864 for Panama; carried across the isthmus; RMSP "Elbe", departed Colon -/4/1873; departed St Thomas 28/4/1873, arrived Plymouth 14/5/1873. 2,000T

Lot 299 299 C B CHILE: 1879 cover endorsed "From F Wrigg Signalman HMS Pelican/Coquimbo Chile" and countersigned "HB" (Commander Henry H Boys), to England with 1d Plate '215' pair cancelled 'C35'-in-bars of Panama, ' A / PANAMA/MR8/79' cds on the face, ' H /MANCHESTER/29MR79/ 3 ' arrival b/s. Carried per PSNC ? , departed Coquimbo 15/2/1879 for Panama; carried across the isthmus; RMSP "Para", departed Colon 9/3/1879; departed St Thomas 16/3/1879, arrived Plymouth 28/3/1879.

With the enclosed lengthy letter - some reinforcing - dated "Feb 14th 79" that states "...we have been up and down chili...while we were at a place called anterfagasta there was a great earthquake their...we could not get out to sea again there is three small islands there while the sea was swallowing one up...the sea was boiling hot and the sky was so red we thought we had come to our worlds end it swallowed a great many houses up on shore..." [Antofagasta is 700km north of Santiago. A rich mining region, it was subject to ongoing border disputes with Bolivia. Chile occupied the town on 14/2/1879, the date of this letter!] 2,000T Dec 16, 2011 Prestige Philately - Auction No 170 Page: 100 CENTRAL and SOUTH AMERICA (continued) Lot Type Grading Description Est $AUD

Lot 300 300 C A CHILE: 1885 mourning cover to "Lieut JH Henderson RN/HMS Swiftsure/Pacific" (!) with scarce franking of 1883 4d dull green tied by very fine 'SANDWICH/MY7/85' cds, no other markings. With the lengthy enclosed letter. [HMS "Swiftsure" was the flagship on the Pacific Station. Between 1/5/1885 & 21/8/1885, the ship was stationed at Coquimbo. Despite serving on 13 ships, having a fine service record, and being recommended for promotion, Lieut John Hannan Henderson never advanced & was eventually retired on account of his age, having never been given a command: one of Thoreau's "lives of quiet desperation". Imagine today addressing a letter to "Pacific"; it wouldn't leave the home city!] 400T

Lot 301 301 C B HONDURAS: 1860 cover endorsed "from W Anderson Marine HMS Icarus Belize bay of Honduras" amended to "Truxillo", not countersigned so it should have been taxed, to England with 1d Stars tied by ' D1 /LONDON/OC13/60 - 88' Pearson Hill machine cancellation, 'LONDON-WC/ 8 /OC15/60 - WC/ ? 'duplex below. Carried per RMSP "Wye", departed Belize 17/9/1860; "Conway", departed Kingston 24/9/1860; "Atrato", departed St Thomas 30/9/1860, arrived Southampton 13/10/1860. [Pte William Anderton contracted yellow fever & died on 3/10/1860, 12 days before this cover was delivered]

HMS "Icarus" was probably in Honduran waters in response to the fate that had befallen the American adventurer William Walker. In 1856 Walker had seized control of Nicaragua and become its President. However, his declared military designs on other Central American countries brought about his undoing & he fled to Honduras, where he was captured & executed at Trujillo on 12/9/1860. [How has Hollywood neglected this guy!?] 4,000T

Lot 302 302 C B HONDURAS: 1860 cover to "Wm Anderson/Marine/HM Ship Icarus/West Indies/or elsewhere" with 1d Stars tied by 'LONDON- WC/ 3 /DE31/60 - WC/12' duplex, endorsed "D [= Deceased] Dead" & returned to England with 'PORTSMOUTH/ MR1/61' cds on the face, sender's details under the flap match the address of the previous item, to which this was apparently the reply, making for a truly remarkable pair (as they were acquired by Gerald Ellott about 1993). 500T Dec 16, 2011 Prestige Philately - Auction No 170 Page: 101 CENTRAL and SOUTH AMERICA (continued) Lot Type Grading Description Est $AUD

Lot 303 303 C B PANAMA (COLOMBIA): 1868 double-rate cover with 'TOPAZE' crest embossed in red on the flap, endorsed "Officer's Letter" & "Topaze/Panama 21/4/68", to Manchester with rare franking of 1d Plate '86' x2 & 6d lilac Plate '5' pair cancelled '50'-in-diamond of the London Foreign Branch, ' BC /LONDON/MY12/68' b/s in red & Manchester arrival b/s, opened-out & slightly reduced. Carried per RMSP "Solent", departed Colon 22/4/1868; "Tasmanian", departed St Thomas 30/4/1868, arrived Plymouth 11/5/1868. [Believed to be the only double-rate officer's letter recorded from Panama] 1,000T

Lot 304 304 C B PANAMA (COLOMBIA): 1868 cover endorsed "From Wm Lintott Steward/HMS Phoebe Colon" & countersigned "G Roberts", to Sussex with 1d Plate '81' pair tied by 'F'-in-diamond of the London Foreign Branch, ' CU /LONDON/JY29/68' b/s in red & 'BRIGHTON' arrival b/s (affected by repaired flap fault). Carried per RMSP "Solent", departed Colon 7/7/1868, via Kingston & Jacmel (Haiti), departed St Thomas 15/7/1868, arrived Plymouth 28/7/1868. 1,500T

Lot 305 305 C B PERU: 1879 cover endorsed "From Joseph Marcelis Seaman HMS Turquoise Callao" & countersigned "CT Turner", to London with 1d Plate '176' pair tied by ' A /PANAMA/SE20/79 - C35' duplex, 'LONDON SE/ AD / OC13/79' arrival b/s, minor repaired tear at the top. Carried per PSNC to Panama; across the isthmus; RMSP "Don", departed Colon 22/9/1879 via Kingston St Thomas & Barbados, arrived Plymouth 12/10/1879. [From 30/12/1867, the via Panama rate was reduced to 2d]

The War of the Pacific involving Peru, Chile & Bolivia erupted in February 1879 & was resolved by treaties in 1883 & 1884. Despite having relocated the Pacific Station to British Columbia in 1865, the Royal Navy maintained a presence in South American waters to protect British interests. 2,500T Dec 16, 2011 Prestige Philately - Auction No 170 Page: 102 CENTRAL and SOUTH AMERICA (continued) Lot Type Grading Description Est $AUD

Lot 306 306 C B PERU: 1881 triple-rate cover similarly endorsed & countersigned, endorsed "Via Panama" to London with rare franking of 1d Venetian red x2 + 1d Plate '216' x4 tied by ' A /PANAMA/AP16/81 - C35' duplex, 'LONDON SE/ FJ /MY13/81' arrival b/s in red, opened-out to allow the stamp at the base - folded over at the bottom of the envelope - to be fully displayed. RPSofL Certificate (1996). A very striking cover. Carried per PSNC Packet, departed Callao 27/3/1881, arrived Panama 16/4/1881; across the isthmus; RMSP "Moselle", departed Colon ? , arrived Southampton 13/5/1881. [It appears that the 1d Venetian red x2 were applied by the sender; on arrival at Panama, the cover was found to be overweight & the additional 4d added; presumably the postage would have been reclaimed from the sender] 4,000T

Lot 307 307 C B URUGUAY: 1864 cover endorsed "From W Wiggett HMS Bombay South America" & countersigned "ES Poe", to London with 1d Stars tied by bold '10'-in-diamond of the London Foreign Branch, 'LONDON - W/ MC /OC1/64' arrival b/s, repaired flap. Carried per RMSP Packet, departed Montevideo 29/8/1864, arrived Southampton 1/10/1864. 750T

Lot 308 308 C B URUGUAY: a very similar cover from the same correspondence, countersigned "Jas Buchanan", to London with 1d Stars tied by '10'-in-diamond of the London Foreign Branch, 'LONDON - W/ CP /JA2/65' arrival b/s, repaired flap. Carried per RMSP Packet, departed Montevideo 29/11/1864, arrived Southampton 1/1/1865. [On 14/12/1864 - while this letter was in transit - HMS "Bombay" was destroyed by fire off Montevideo. 97 lives were lost, including Sick Berth Attendant William Wiggett] 750T Dec 16, 2011 Prestige Philately - Auction No 170 Page: 103 CENTRAL and SOUTH AMERICA (continued) Lot Type Grading Description Est $AUD

Lot 309 309 C B URUGUAY: 1881 cover endorsed "From W Gibbs Seaman HM Ship Carysfort/Flying Squadron Monte Video IEC [?] of America" & countersigned (Staff Surgeon) "R Bird", to London with 1d Venetian red tied by light '75'-in-diamond of the London Foreign Branch, square ' D-4 /LONDON EC/FE7/81' arrival b/s in red, small pieces missing on the reverse. [HMS "Carysfort" was one of 5 ships comprising the round-the-world Flying Squadron. It arrived at Montevideo 22/12/1880. On 8/1/1881, at a ball honouring the naval visitors, a telegram was received ordering the squadron to the Cape of Good Hope, where the First Anglo-Boer War had broken-out] 1,250T

Lot 310 310 C A- VENEZUELA: 1903 stampless cover endorsed "Stamps not obtainable/Ainslie ERA [= Engine Room Artificer]" and at lower-left "HMS Tribune/Blockading La Guayra", to Essex with 'PORT-OF-SPAIN/JA15/03/TRINIDAD' transit cds on the face, 'T'-in-circle h/s (apparently a battered variant of Proud #UP4) & superb strike of the by now very worn '2D/F.B' h/s applied at the London Foreign Branch, 'HARWICH/JA29/03' arrival b/s, repaired flap. Carried per RMSP "Trent", departed Port of Spain 15/1/1903, arrived Southampton 28/1/1903.

La Guayra (or Guaira) is the port of Caracas, the Venezuelan capital. Following the civil war of 1898, Britain and Germany claimed reparations in respect of losses suffered by their resident nationals. In response to Venezuela's refusal to meet these demands, the two nations jointly blockaded La Guayra, from 9/12/1902 until 19/2/1903, on which date Venezuela signed an agreement to commit 30% of its customs revenues to settling the claims. This incident contributed to the demise of America's non-interventionist Monroe Doctrine. [This item is believed to be the only surviving cover from this incident: one British & two German postcards have also been recorded] 2,500T Dec 16, 2011 Prestige Philately - Auction No 170 Page: 104 Lot Type Grading Description Est $AUD BRITISH WEST INDIES

Lot 311 311 C B BAHAMAS: 1876 cover endorsed "From W Edmiston CB [= Chief Bosun's] Mate/HMS Pert Nassau" and countersigned "BS" (Assistant Paymaster Beresford C Scott), to Hampshire with 1d Plate '162' (minor faults) tied by a superb strike of the very rare 'D67'-in-bars (stated to be the only recorded example on cover; another impression set-off on the reverse!), very fine '1d' h/s for master's gratuity, very fine 'GOSPORT/JA13/77' arrival b/s. Carried per American steamer "Leo" Nassau-Halifax, attracting the master's gratuity; Allan Line "Sarmatian", departed Halifax 31/12/1876, via Queenstown & arrived Liverpool 11/1/1877. Ex Gerald Sattin (private transaction).

It is believed that the 'D67' h/s was used at Queenstown (at the terminus of the Dublin to Cork Travelling Post Office). Harold Wilson at p204 states "D67 has been recorded on a sailor's letter from the Bahamas and addressed to Gosport". We suggest that this may be an instance of mis-sorting: on arrival at Queenstown, this letter was included in the Irish mails landed there; placed aboard the TPO, the mail clerk cancelled the stamp & then noticed the English address; the cover was returned to the SS "Sarmatian" before it departed for Liverpool. [Wilson also states that the related 'D68' h/s, also allocated to the TPO, has not been recorded] 6,000T

Lot 312 312 C (B) BERMUDA: 1856 cover endorsed "From George Evindon Seaman/on board HM Ship Boscawen/Bermuda" & countersigned "H Johnston" in blue, to Kent with 1d Stars (faults) tied by a superb strike of the '43'-in-diamond of the London Foreign Branch, poor London b/s overstruck 'CHATHAM/MR6/1856' arrival b/s in blue, repaired faults. Carried per SS "Curlew", departed Nassau 23/1/1856, arrived St Thomas 29/1/1856; RMS "Parana", departed St Thomas 18/2/1856, arrived Southampton 5/3/1856. Ex Gerald Sattin (private transaction). 850T Dec 16, 2011 Prestige Philately - Auction No 170 Page: 105 BRITISH WEST INDIES (continued) Lot Type Grading Description Est $AUD

Lot 313 313 C C BERMUDA: 1862 cover endorsed "From Wm Wright seaman/on board her majest ship/rinaldo" & countersigned "RL Turton", to Devon with 1d Stars tied by BN '620' of Plymouth, very fine 'PLYMOUTH/MR5/1852/ =SHIP-LETTER=' & 'DARTMOUTH' arrival b/s, superb '1' h/s representing the master's gratuity payable, ironed-out vertical fold. [HMS "Rinaldo" had left Ireland Island en route for blockade duty off Charleston South Carolina, during the American Civil War. Encountering difficulties, the nearby HMS "Cleopatra" was requested to provide a tow. The opportunity was taken to put the mail aboard "Cleopatra", and she actually took the mail to England. GPO Notice No 41 of 4/6/1859 stated that where there is no direct communication by British packet, a penny gratuity to the master of a private ship must be paid. However, "Cleopatra" was a naval vessel] 1,000T

Lot 314 314 C B BERMUDA: 1864 cover endorsed "From George Grayson HMS Phaeton" & countersigned "C Paget", to Surrey with 1d Stars x2 with Misplaced Perforations (originally a vertical pair, the right-hand unit a little damaged) cancelled with '50'-in-diamond of the London Foreign Branch, 'PAID/JY18/64/LONDON' cds in red on the face, repaired flap fault. Carried per British Packet "Alpha", departed Nassau 28/6/1864; Cunard "Africa", departed Halifax 8/7/1864, arrived Liverpool 16/7/1864. [Gerald Ellott notes he has seen another HMS "Phaeton" cover endorsed "Bermuda" with the same arrival date but paid 1d only. 2d was the rate if carried by private ship & the sender may have thought this was required] 600T Dec 16, 2011 Prestige Philately - Auction No 170 Page: 106 BRITISH WEST INDIES (continued) Lot Type Grading Description Est $AUD

Lot 315 315 C B JAMAICA: 1801 part-entire to "George Farrington/HM Ship La Topaze/at the Island of/Jamaica", endorsed "pd 1" & "Post Paid 1d", London tombstone ' E /PAID/JUL29/1801' d/s in red & faint Waltham Cross mileage h/s, no arrival marking. Ex Bob Swarbrick. [The French frigate "La Topaze" was taken by the British at the surrender of Toulon in 1793]

This is an important & significant item, being one of the earliest recorded concession rate covers addressed to overseas. In fact, Gerald Ellott advises that it is the only letter to a sailor serving abroad that he has recorded prior to the Crimean War! This item technically contravened the 1795 Act, which required that the 1d postage on letters to soldiers & sailors be paid upon arrival. Perhaps the postal clerk wisely accepted payment from the sender, as it could not be collected in Jamaica. Gerald Ellott notes that mail to ships overseas was not specifically covered in the original enactment. It was only in 1806 that the Act was amended to cover sendings "...within any part of His Majesty's Dominions". 2,000T

Lot 316 316 C A- JAMAICA: 1860 cover endorsed "From Henry Richman Seaman/HMS Icarus Port Royal" but not countersigned so it should have been taxed, to Hampshire with 1d Stars tied by '37'-in-diamond of the London Foreign Branch, ' DY / LONDON/MY28/60' transit & 'PORTSMOUTH' arrival b/s. Carried per RMS "Teviot", departed Port Royal 10/5/1860; "Atrato", departed St Thomas 14/5/1860, arrived Southampton 27/5/1860. [The Swarbrick sale (2005) included no sailor's letter with GB stamp]

Port Royal is Kingston's harbour. The original town - immortalised in "Pirates of the Caribbean" - was destroyed by an earthquake in 1692. 2,000T

Lot 317 317 C B JAMAICA: 1861 cover endorsed "From James Young Yeoman of Signals/HMS Mersey Port Royal Jamaica July 14th" & countersigned "JS Twysden", to Somerset with 1d Stars tied by superb 'LONDON EC/AU13/61 - 79', 'BATH' arrival b/s. Carried per RMS "Trent", departed Port Royal 24/7/1861; "Atrato", departed St Thomas 29/7/1861, arrived Southampton 13/8/1861. [The sender contracted yellow fever &, on 5/10/1861, was "discharged, dead"] 2,000T Dec 16, 2011 Prestige Philately - Auction No 170 Page: 107 BRITISH WEST INDIES (continued) Lot Type Grading Description Est $AUD

Lot 318 318 C B JAMAICA: 1863 cover endorsed "From Isaac Dawson Seaman HMS Phaeton" & countersigned "C Paget", to Surrey with 1d Stars & '50'-in-diamond cancel of the London Foreign Branch, ' 7E /LONDON/MR31/63' b/s in red. Carried per RMS "Thames", departed Port Royal 11/3/1863; "Tasmanian", departed St Thomas 16/3/1863, arrived Southampton 31/3/1863. 1,500T

Lot 319 319 C B JAMAICA: 1864 cover endorsed "From Isaac Dawson Seaman/HMS Phaeton Port Royal Jamaica" & countersigned "AJK" (Lieut Andrew Kennedy), to Surrey with 1d Stars & superb '50'-in-diamond cancel of the London Foreign Branch, two different London b/s of OC14/64 in red. Carried per RMS "Solent", departed Port Royal 25/9/1864; "Seine", departed St Thomas 29/9/1864, arrived Southampton 13/10/1864. 1,500T

Lot 320 320 C B JAMAICA: 1864 cover endorsed "Officers letter" & "EJP/Aug 7th 64" (Commander Edwin John Pollard , of HMS "Royalist"), to Scotland with 1862-64 6d lilac tied by very fine 'LONDON EC/AU29/64 - 77' duplex, superb 'DUNKELD' arrival b/s, part of the reverse missing. Carried per RMS "Tyne", departed Port Royal 9/8/1864; "Shannon", departed St Thomas 15/8/1864, arrived Southampton 29/8/1864. [HMS "Royalist" was in Jamaica 1864-65 to suppress a local rebellion] 350T Dec 16, 2011 Prestige Philately - Auction No 170 Page: 108 BRITISH WEST INDIES (continued) Lot Type Grading Description Est $AUD

Lot 321 321 C B JAMAICA: a very similar cover dated "Oct 24th 64" at lower-left, to Scotland with 1862-64 6d lilac tied by very fine '61'-in-bars of the London Foreign Branch, superb 'DUNKELD/NO16/1864' arrival b/s, part of the reverse missing. Carried per RMS "Tamar", departed Port Royal 25/10/1864; "Tasmanian", departed St Thomas 29/10/1864, arrived Southampton 15/11/1864. 300T

Lot 322 322 C B JAMAICA: 1875 cover endorsed "A Fricker Seaman HMS Woodlark Jamaica" & countersigned "AA Broughton", to Somerset with 1d Plate '151' & light 'C51' of St Thomas, superb 'BATH/JA16/76' arrival b/s. Unusual & very scarce carriage outside the naval bag. RPSofL Certificate (1993) states "is genuine as far as one can tell". Carried per RMS "Tasmanian", departed Port Royal 25/12/1875 (Christmas Day), departed St Thomas 28/12/1864, arrived Plymouth 15/1/1876. 1,000T

Lot 323 323 C B ST THOMAS (DANISH WEST INDIES): 1865 cover to "Captain EJ Pollard RN/HMS Royalist/St Thomas's/West Indies" with 6d lilac (defective) tied by very fine 'DUNKELD/AP15/65 - 118' duplex, London transit b/s in red & fine 'ST THOMAS/MY1/1865' arrival b/s. Carried per RMSP "Shannon", departed London 17/4/1865, arrived St Thomas 1/5/1865. [Edwin John Pollard joined the Navy as a cadet on 12/10/1846 (aged 13). He saw action in the Crimea and China. 30/10/1863, appointed Commander of HMS "Royalist". Retired 1885 as a rear-admiral] 300T Dec 16, 2011 Prestige Philately - Auction No 170 Page: 109 BRITISH WEST INDIES (continued) Lot Type Grading Description Est $AUD

Lot 324 324 C A TRINIDAD: 1898 cover endorsed "From PW Fitz CC [= Chief Carpenter] HMS Rambler WIS [West Indies Station]" & countersigned "CEM" (Lieut Charles E Monro), to Middlesex with 1d lilac tied by 'LONDON/MR31/98' cds, 'SHEPHERDS BUSH' arrival b/s. Ex Geoffrey Osborn (private transaction). Carried per RMS "Orinoco", departed Port of Spain 10/3/1898, arrived Plymouth 31/3/1898. [HMS "Rambler" was at Port of Spain 10-14/3/1898, then departed for Halifax, Nova Scotia] 750T