Sale No: 309
Lot No:3366
Symbol:Cat No:Collection

First Afghan War 1841 (Aug. 5): Second page of an entire letter, written by General Elphinston presumably from the camp outside Kabul, sent to Regents Park, London, there put in Poste Restante, on reverse with light strike of the rare intaglio "AFGHANISTAN / PAID" handstamp (Robson Lowe Asia HS1) in brownish red, dated in manuscript rather indistinctly, on obverse clear oval INDIA handstamp in red, reverse with London arrival datestamp (Oct. 8, 1841). The cover was first charged "2 / 8", this due later on excised as the INDIA and the AFGHANISTAN handstamp indicate payment of postage, the letter bears a handwritten date "5th August 1841". A rare cover that opens well for Exhibit display. Signed Todd AIEP.rnrnNote The British attempted twice to establish a cooperative government in Afghanistan under Shah Soojah. During the First Afghan War they occupied Kabul twice, first in August 1841 and after their disastrous withdrawal in November 1841 again in 1842. Although no place of despatch is given here, this cover was therefore sent two days before British forces entered Kabul on August 7, 1842.rnProvenance: The Afghanistan - Horst Dietrich Grand Prix Collection”, David Feldman sale (Nov. 2003), lot 10020. (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image)

Sale No: 309
Lot No:3367
Symbol:Cat No:Collection

First Afghan War 1842 (Oct. 5/6): Entire letter no. 106 from to correspondence of Capt. William Riddell serving as Deputy Paymaster with General Pollock's Force, at that time in Kabul, to his wife in Indore, on reverse with nearly clear strike of the rare intaglio "AFGHANISTAN / Bearing" handstamp (Robson Lowe Asia HS3) in black, dated in manuscript "6 Oct. 42", making its way with the postage-free Fieldpost via Peshawar to FEROZEPORE, an indistinct handstamp (Oct 21, 42) struck on reverse, rated "5 as." to Indore. Rare strike that displays well. Signed Todd AIEP.rnrnNote: Riddell's second last letter from Kabul, his complete correspondence of 148 letters was studied in "The Afghan Campaign 1841-43 - The Letters Of Captain William Riddell" by Peter Collins (1973), large parts of this correspondence had been in the collection of Major Adrian Hopkins, offered in auction in 1988 (Christie's sale 8205, lot 3307).rnProvenance: The "Afghanistan - Horst Dietrich Grand Prix Collection”, DF sale (Nov. 2003), lot 10028. (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image)

1871-1893: Album page with 18 tiger heads from various issues, used and unused and 24 rectangular stamps 1892-93, additionally one cover 1 Ab issue 1893 some adhesives questionable. Sold tel quel. (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image)