Sale No: 52
Lot No: 1072
Symbol:
Cat No: Collection
First Opium War. 1842 (June 4/5) Entire letter from Major Philip Anstruther, Madras Artillery, written on the "Ship Rustomjee Cowarjee at anchor off Rugged Islands" (Zhoushan, Zhejiang, China), addressed to J.A Anstruther at Rajamundry, the address panel endorsed "China Expedition Letter Free". Handstamped boxed "MADRAS / SHIP LETTER / 12 Novem / Bearing 9as" and backstamped boxed "RAJAMUNDRY / Bearing" (Nov 21), carried free of charge to India by Government ship, charged 3a inward ship letter fee and 6a inland postage. Anstruther writes "we are all terribly disgusted at getting no more brevets, poor Penn has commanded in three actions & failed in getting the majority which I got for one. If they don't give me the Lieut Colonelcy as they did Knowles the majority is useless & C.B a mockery .... we are furious about our prize money being so infamously stolen from us ... My heart sinks at seeing such stupid folly as our Generals & Admirals exhibit, here we are fully sufficient to bang all China, & because more men are coming they wont even attack Woosung till all have joined. It is likely to prolong the war for another year". Major Anstruther was captured by the Chinese in September 1840, who transported him around the country in a wooden cage; he was freed after the British attack on Ningpo in October 1841. A good campaign letter from a noted soldier, ex Sir Percival David (lot 7 in the November 1965 auction of his collection), recipients filing endorsement "From Philip Anstruther going up the Yangtse Aug 1842". Vertical fold, otherwise fine and scarce. Photo on Page 162. (Image1)
Opening GBP 1,000.00
Sold...GBP 2,000.00
Closed..Apr-20-2023, 23:59:00 EST
Sold For 2000
Sale No: 52
Lot No: 1074
Symbol:
Second Opium War. 1860 (Nov 26) Registered cover from London to Wales franked 1d + 2d + 4d, the enclosed letter from A. Boulby, whose brother Thomas Boulby, a war correspondent for "The Times", was captured by the Chinese whilst going forward with a small party under a flag of truce. Boulby writes "my brother has been taken prisoner by the Chinese & carried to Pekin along with Consul Parkes, Lord Elgin's secretary, & three or four officers of the staff ... Elgin has refused to negotiate until they are released & has threatened to blow Pekin about their ears if they harm a hair of their heads ..... I dare to say they have been carried through the streets of Pekin in cages & exhibited as wild beasts". Boulby had accompanied British envoys to Tungchow to arrange a peace treaty, but they were arrested when negotiations broke down. He was tortured and died in captivity in September, one of the reasons the British and French decided to destroy the Old Summer Palace in Peking.
Opening GBP 180.00
Sold...GBP 220.00
Closed..Apr-20-2023, 23:59:00 EST
Sold For 220
Sale No: 52
Lot No: 1075
Symbol:
French Post Office. 1899 Registered cover from Shanghai to the China and Japan Telephone Co. Ltd in London, franked 6f, comprising China P.O 25c (12) + 1f (3), boxed "R" handstamp, Shanghai and London datestamps. Two vertical folds cross four stamps, also lighter edge creasing and minor toning but an impressive franking paying this high rate.
Opening GBP 100.00
Sold...GBP 260.00
Closed..Apr-20-2023, 23:59:00 EST
Sold For 260
Sale No: 52
Lot No: 1076
Symbol:
Shanghai Defence Force. 1927-37 Covers and cards (11) and a piece from British forces in China, including 1927 (Mar 25) covers to G.B or Austria posted at F.P.O 1 franked at the 2½d civilian rate during the March 25/26 Chinese Post Office strike when the Field Post Office was opened to civilian mail; printed "1st Bn. The Queen's Royal Regiment, Tientsin, North China" envelope from F.P.O 1 to Malta; 1929 registered "Smye" cover from A.P.O 1 franked 9d with blank type registration label handstamped "A.P.O 1"; 1927 (July 26) postcard with scarce F.P.O 4 c.d.s (located at Yulin Rd, Yangtszepoo, Shanghai, June-Sep. 1927), etc. Also "Good For One Letter of One Ounce" voucher with "EPS" handstamp issued by the Shanghai Municipal Council during the 1932 Chinese Post Office strike. (13).
Opening GBP 240.00
Sold...GBP 440.00
Closed..Apr-20-2023, 23:59:00 EST
Sold For 440
Japan
Sale No: 52
Lot No: 1314
Symbol:
Cat No: Collection
Air Mails. 1919-39 Covers and cards including 1919 (Oct 20) Tokyo to Osaka flight, 1935 Tokyo to Manila flown cover and postcards of the aeroplane with special cachets (3), various commemorative postcards, cachets and handstamps, an interesting group. (28).
