Dalai Lama Letter 1895/1904: 'Shirt' Letter from the 13th Dalai Lama (Thubten Gyatso) to the King of Nepal addressed "To His Excellency Highly Glorified Wang Gurkha King", folded for Exhibit display to show the Dalai Lama's square official red seal with blank surround (Dawson type 4) with the Dalai Lama's personal seal in red (Dawson type 7) below the honorific address. In the main text there are traditional greetings with the Dalai Lama referring to himself as "Gandhen Throne Holder" and stating that he is working hard on behalf of his Government and "I am serving the Emperor who is our religious patron with my loyalty" - an important reference as Tibetans viewed the Dalai Lama and Emperor as spiritual teacher and lay patron rather than subject and lord. The letter continues for the need "to maintain cordial relations with the King and ministers of the Gurkha" and refers to the Tibetan delegation's desire "to make offerings to the two holy stupas and other scared places" in Nepal. The letter requests assistance in acquiring herbs and medicines and refers to Tibetan gifts of silver ingots, brocaded cloth and tea. Whilst the letter is undated, it has to belong to the period between 1895 and 1904, when the Dalai Lama fled to Urga in advance of the Younghusband Expedition to Tibet. A rare and fascinating document of great importance. (Image 1)(Image 2)(Image)
Opening CHF 3,000.00
Sold...CHF 6,500.00
Closed..Jun-06-2023, 23:59:00 EST
Sold For 6500
Sale No: 298
Lot No: 1206
Symbol:
1904: Official stampless cover and complete original contents from Lhasa to Kathmandu, mailed by the Nepalese Ambassador to Tibet, Jit Bahadur. The reverse of the cover with oval negative seal of the Ambassador in black. The cover was mailed during the British Military Mission to Tibet led by Younghusband who describes Jit Bahadur, in his book "India & Tibet" as one of "the two men who were eventually to be the greatest help to me as intermediaries...Captain Jit Bahadur has been many years in Tibet and is much respected". A rare and historical entire. (Image 1)(Image 2)(Image)
Opening CHF 200.00
Sold...CHF 400.00
Closed..Jun-06-2023, 23:59:00 EST
Sold For 400
Sale No: 298
Lot No: 1307
Symbol:
1906/07: India 1 a. carmine, three single examples used on 1912 registered cover to Nepal, all tied by "GYANTSE-TIBET / SILIGURI BASE" cds's (May 21) in black with framed "R / GYANTSE-TIBET / VIA-SILIGURI" registration label and cachets at left in black. Reverse with "Nepal / Dely." cds of receipt. A fine and scarce cover. Signed Dr. Orth BPP. (Image 1)(Image 2)(Image)
Opening CHF 250.00
Sold...CHF 360.00
Closed..Jun-06-2023, 23:59:00 EST
Sold For 360
Sale No: 298
Lot No: 1308
Symbol:
1911/23: India ½ a. bright green and 1 a. rose-carmine in a horizontal pair, used on 1920 registered cover to Nepal tied by "GYANTSE / TIBET" datestamps (July 6) in black. Registration label at left and (Nepalese) sender's seal in black with 'Nepal' cds of receipt and oval "Katmandu" handstamp. Minor scuff particularly attractive (Image 1)(Image 2)(Image)
Opening CHF 100.00
Sold...CHF 180.00
Closed..Jun-06-2023, 23:59:00 EST
Sold For 180
Sale No: 298
Lot No: 1309
Symbol:
1932: India 1 a. 3 p. mauve used on reverse of cover to Lhasa, Tibet tied by "NEPAL" cds (Dec 4) with oval "Katmandu' handstamp adjacent in black. "Gyantse / Tibet" cds (Dec 12) adjacent and obverse with Tibet 1933 ½ tr. orange, perf., tied by "Gyantse" cds.rnrnrn (Image 1)(Image 2)(Image)
Opening CHF 120.00
Sold...CHF 240.00
Closed..Jun-06-2023, 23:59:00 EST
Sold For 240
Sale No: 298
Lot No: 1310
Symbol:
1933: Tibet 1 tr. scarlet and 2 tr. scarlet used on reverse of 1942 cover from Kathmandu to Pharijong with Nepal 1941 8 p. scarlet tied on reverse, "Opened by Censor" Reseal label and tied with "Opened by Censor" handstamp in black, adhesives tied by PHARI datestamp with Exchange Office "Pharijong" cds on reverse (Nov 30). Sensibly opened for display, a fine and unusual cover; matched with a similar 1943 cover but without the Tibetan adhesives applied. (Image 1)(Image)
Opening CHF 140.00
Sold...CHF 480.00
Closed..Jun-06-2023, 23:59:00 EST
Sold For 480
Sale No: 298
Lot No: 1311
Symbol:
1940/42: Covers (2) both to Kathmandu, earlier cover with India 1 a. brown tied by PHARIJONG cds (Aug 15) and struck with framed "NOT OPENED BY / CENSOR" in black on obverse; 1942 cover with India 3 p. slate and 1 a. 3 p. bistre similarly tied at Pharijong, with palin paper Reseal Censor at left. A fine matched pair. (Image 1)(Image)
Opening CHF 100.00
Sold...CHF 140.00
Closed..Jun-06-2023, 23:59:00 EST
Sold For 140
Sale No: 298
Lot No: 1312
Symbol:
1943: Cover from Pharijong to Kathmandu, Nepal struck on obverse with very fine half-round "PHARIJONG F.P.O. No. 81 / DUE" Postage Due marking and a second in Tibetan script with charges in manuscript. Reseal Censor at side with italic "Opened by Censor" in black and reverse with PHARIJONG cds (March 18) and Kathmandu arrival. A most unsuual cover. (Image 1)(Image 2)(Image 3)(Image)
Opening CHF 200.00
Sold...CHF 420.00
Closed..Jun-06-2023, 23:59:00 EST
Sold For 420
Sale No: 298
Lot No: 1313
Symbol:
1933/: 4 tr. green tied by Lhasa cds used in combination with India 1948 Gandhi 1½ a. brown pair and 1949 1 a. turquoise and 2 a. carmine tied by "Gyantse / Tibet" cds's (Aug 19) on reverse of 1950 registered cover to Kathmandu, with "Indian Embassy / Nepal" arrival (Aug 30) alongside. Gyantse registered label on obverse, imperfections but unusual. (Image 1)(Image 2)(Image)
