1914 cover with a very fine strike of the rare diamond 'POSTED ON/OCT 6 1914/HMNZT/NO 8' d/s in murky violet, Auckland cds of the same date alongside, minor repaired peripheral tears. Ex Gordon Darge: acquired for $3650 in 1998. [Troopship No 8 was the "Star of India". The diamond d/s was replaced with an oval type before the fleet left New Zealand. This is stated to be the only recorded example] [The illustration is above Lot 1214]

Grade B (Image1)

Estimate AU$500

1916 stampless OAS cover to New Zealand with a very fine strike of the rare 'TRANSPORT/CENSOR/COLOMBO' cachet in violet believed used aboard HMNZT "Ulimaroa" which left NZ 1.5.1916 as part of the last convoy to go via the Suez Canal.

Grade A- (Image1)

Estimate AU$150

1916 (Mar) cover endorsed "...Motuihi...Prisoner of war!" on the flap, to Germany with 'From Prisoner of War/Free' h/s (typed?) at lower-left & superb 'PASSED BY THE/MILITARY CENSOR/N.Z.' h/s in violet, with the enclosed letter headed "Motuihi 2.3.1916". Exc Gordon Darge. [The 2-line Free marking appears to be produced by the same typewriter as the address & the enclosed letter! This suggests that the inmates were responsible for the endorsement! NB: Startup & Proud's illustration at page 47 is a caricature only] (2 items)

Grade A (Image1)

Estimate AU$250

1917 PPC with remarkable combination of three different Hospital Ship "Marama" cachets including the rare fancy oval 'NEW ZEALAND HOSPITAL SHIP No 2/1OCT1917/MARAMA' d/s in black, some minor silverfish damage.

Grade B (Image1)

Estimate AU$250

1918 British OHMS cover to "NZEF Headquarters/London" with 'NZ MTD FIELD AMBULANCE' h/s & superb 'ARMY POST OFFICE/22MR18/SZ 32' "skeleton" cds used at Bir Salem, superb strike of the defective 'DAMAGED BY IMMERSION/IN SEA WATER I.S.' h/s (variant held together by two rubber bands!) applied at London, some immersion faults but remarkably fine & attractive. Ex Gordon Darge. [Carried per SS "Kingstonian" which, on 11/4/1918, was torpedoed by German submarine U68]

Grade C (Image1)

Estimate AU$400