1900 Cover from Point to G.B with a Natal 1d washed off and reaffixed, reverse with a large "FOUND OPEN AND OFFICIALLY CLOSED IN G.P.O" seal, the cover front and seal on reverse both with red "RECOVERED FROM / WRECK OF MEXICAN". Photo on Page 100. (Image1)

1900 (Mar 23) Cover from the Cape to Berlin, the stamps washed off, reverse with arrival c.d.s (Apr 30) and four line cachet "Aus dermit dem / uniergegangenen Dampfer * Mexican * / beforderter Post aus Capstadt / Bahnpostamt No.15", this uncommon cachet only used on mail addressed to Germany.

1900 (Apr 4) Picture postcard from Cape Town to Germany franked Cape 1d, octagonal framed "T/15c", arrival c.d.s at Bingen (Apr 30), water damage explained by the four line cachet in German (as previous lot but first line with "der mit" shown as two separate words), fine and uncommon. Photo on Page 100. (Image1)

1900 (Apr 4) Picture postcard from Lady Grey Bridge to Germany franked Cape 1/2d, two other stamps washed off, arrival c.d.s of Neubrandenburg (Apr 30), water damage explained by the four line cachet in German (as previous lot) applied to both sides, fine and uncommon. Photo on Page 100. (Image1)

Fifth Frontier War. 1819 Letters written by a conscript, Ernst du Toit, serving on the Eastern frontier, both written from "Grijhamstad" (Grahamstown), July 30 and September 11, the second addressed to Kleinbosch in the Drakenstein Valley with the address panel signed and underlined by Du Toit to ensure free postage. In April 1819 10,000 Xhosa had attacked Grahamstown but were repulsed by the garrison of 350 men. Also an 1848 War Office enquiry certificate concerning a man who had served in the Cape. Two interesting 1819 frontier war letters which talk of the various Burghers then serving against the natives, the postally used item fine and very scarce. (3). Photo on Page 84. (Image1)

c.1820 Entire headed "On H.M Service" and endorsed "Customs", addressed to "His Excellency Major General Sir Rufane Shawe Donkin K.C.B, Acting Governor & Commander in Chief". Donkin was acting Governor from January 1820 until November 1821; mail to Donkin during this period is scarce.

c.1827-42 Entires with boxed "TO PAY" (3, two types) or "POST PAID" (7), three also with Post Office "Crown" handstamp of Uitenhagen, Caledon or Worcester, the last sent locally and unusually endorsed "returned not residing in this district". (10).

Slavery. 1822-33 Entire letters (2) and entires (3) comprising 1826 entire letter from Uitenghage to "G.T Rogers Esq., Chief Guardian of Slaves, Cape Town" concerning the writers 10 year old slave girl who found some clothing but was then sentenced to three months solitary confinement for theft in a trial the writer considers to have been unfair; c.1830 O.H.M.S. entire from the Secretary's Office, Stellenbosch, to "G.T. Rogers, Inspector, Cape Town"; 1833 entire letter from George prepaid 9d to C. Zaastron, Controller and Registrar of Slaves in Cape Town; c.1830 O.H.M.S entires endorsed from the Office for the Enregisterment of Slaves at George or Graaf Reinet, four with Post Office "Crown" handstamps. Also an 1822 certificate of registration for an infant called "January" born to a slave mother, registered as the property of the widow of the late Jacob van Reenan. An interesting and scarce group. (6). Photo on Page 84. (Image1)

Free Mail. 1828-40 Entires both with crowned "POST OFFICE / CAPE / TOWN / FREE / GENERAL" second type free datestamps, the first to "The Honble Lieut. C. Bell, C.B, Acting Secty to Government, Cape Town" with "POST OFFICE / WORCESTER" Crown handstamp, the other to "A. Stockenstom, Commisaris Generaal, Grahamstad" and redirected to Cape Town with Crown handstamps of Uitenhagen and Grahamstown. The 1828 entire with two repaired edge tears, otherwise fine. (2). Photo on Page 84. (Image1)

1837 Entire to the Wesleyan Mission House in London with "POST OFFICE / (crown) / SOMERSET", crowned oval "GENERAL POST OFFICE / CAPE OF GOOD HOPE" datestamps (10 JU), reverse with red boxed "INDIA LETTER / DEAL" and a London c.d.s. Both Cape handstamps remarkably fine, exhibition quality. Photo on Page 84. (Image1)

c.1850 Entire to "J. Stuart, Master of the Supreme Court, Cape Town" prepaid 4d, with octagonal framed "12" handstamp of Paarl, fine and scarce. Photo on Page 90. (Image1)

c.1850 Entire to J. Stewart, Master of the Supreme Court in Cape Town, prepaid 4d, with octagonal framed "19" handstamp of Clan William, fine and scarce. Photo on Page 90. (Image1)

Convict Mail. 1860 (Oct 20) Entire letter to "Charles Pritchard Esq., Beaufort", the address panel headed "Convict letter" and signed "R. Merritt, Matron House of correction" with red Cape Town backstamp, no other datestamps, possibly returned to the writer as it was posted unpaid contrary to regulations. The writer Maria Marais asks for a few pounds as she has no money, has not heard from her children, and hopes for a mitigation of her sentence and to be free by January, but will then need money for the steamer to Mossel Bay. An unusual and scarce convict letter, a couple of internal tape stains, otherwise fine. Photo on Page 90. (Image1)

1861 (Oct 28) Cover from Cape Town to "His Excellency Rear Admiral Sir B. Walter, Admiralty House, Simons Town" bearing 1853 4d deep blue on deeply blued paper with three large margins, well tied by triangular obliterator. Recipients endorsement shows the sender to be the Bishop of Cape Town. Rear Admiral Sir Walter was Commander-in-Chief of the British fleet operating from the Cape, aboard his flagship the frigate "Narcissus". A fine example of the first 4d triangular (S.G. 2) on cover. Photo on Page 90. (Image1)

1862 (Nov.) Page from the Captains log book of H.M.S "Severn" recording the ships arrival at Simons Bay and a visit to Simons Town, with four unused Perkins Bacon 1d Cape triangular stamps attached (S.G. 5b, £1,200 each mint), all two margins, an unusual and attractive page and an early example of stamps being bought as souvenirs rather than for use. Photo on Page 88. (Image1)

1866-1912 Covers and cards (31), stamps and pieces (27), various selected cancels, the covers including "KING WILLIAMS TOWN" double arc datestamp, triangular "CGH" obliterators (8), barred oval numerals (17), skeleton datestamps (3, Mossel Bay, Stellenbosch and Graaf Reinet) and violet "BEDFORD / C.G.R" rubber c.d.s, also a stampless O.H.M.S cover with Mossel Bay c.d.s sent to "Post Office Agent, Ruyterbosch" then redirected to "Thunes Van der Wats, Telegrams, This reply to be sent to him", single stamps with cork cancels including various cross and grid types (25), etc. (58).

Returned Letter Office. 1871-1909 Cape Town Returned Letter wrapper and covers (4) comprising 1871 wrapper (side flaps removed) sent within Cape Town charged 4d, handstamped "TOO LATE" and "ADVERTISED / AND / UNCLAIMED"; 1878 printed "to Pay" cover to Hendriks Kraal charged 4d, oval "HUMANS-DORP" datestamps; 1882 Paid letter envelope registered within Cape Town, RLO wax seal on reverse; 1906 cover to East London; and 1909 unpaid letter envelope to Bedford with "3d" charge mark and "CHARGE CLERK" c.d.s. A unusual group, the unpaid letter envelopes scarce. (5). Photo on Page 90. (Image1)

Griqualand. 1872-1906 Covers and cards including 1872 registered cover to Cape Town franked 4d pair with "HOPE-TOWN" double arc datestamp, 1893 Douglas c.d.s with "8" numeral cancel, "1903 SCHMIDTS / DRIFT" c.d.s, and Kimberley items (4), two with boxed "POSTED LATE". (7).

Second Korana War. 1879 (Aug 29) Stampless entire to "The Post Master General, Cape Town" endorsed "On Active Service" and endorsed "Gower, Adjutant, Hankeys Rangers", datestamps of Kenhardt, Victoria West and Cape Town. Slightly reduced at left (with loss of first three letters of "Hankeys"), otherwise fine and a very scarce soldiers cover from this little known campaign against the Korana leader, Klaas Lukas and his band of followers who were involved in cattle rustling from farmers along the Orange River. Internal O.A.S. soldiers letters could be sent free of charge during this campaign. Photo on Page 90. (Image1)

Postage Due Mail. 1882 Cover from Belfast to "Commanding Officer, Colonial Volunteers, King Williams Town, South Africa" franked G.B 2d, a "3d" charge mark (indicating "half fine" of 3d due to G.B) obliterated in Cape Town with numeral "1", charged 8d; and 1882 cover from George franked 1d pair to "F. Kinto, Inspector of Stores, King Williams Town" charged 4d, both covers handstamped oval "AUDIT OFFICE / ORIGINAL / 6 DE 83 / CAPE OF GOOD HOPE". Both with a few faults though a very unusual pair. (2).

1888 Cover to Scotland bearing 4d with "G" overprint (S.G. 26), originally issued for use in Griqualand, cancelled by a superb Grahams Town hooded circle datestamp, very fine. Photo on Page 92. (Image1)

1891 Cover to Cape Town with Cape 1d tied by superb "ROBBEN ISLAND" c.d.s, exhibition quality.

1891-1906 Printed advertising covers, the first for "Baldwins Butterfly Company" with a picture of a butterfly, registered from Somerset East to England bearing 4d + 21/2d on 3d pair; the other for the ostrich feather merchants J. Friedland & Co. depicting an ostrich, registered from Cape Town to Luderitzbucht, German South West Africa, bearing KEVII 1/2d + 2d strip of three. (2).

1d Naval Concession Rate. 1895 Cover to England headed "From J. Blainey, Seaman, HMS Philomel, Simons Bay, S. Africa" and initialled by the Commanding Officer, with Cape 1d tied by Simons Town hooded circle, Plymouth arrival backstamp. Light horizontal fold, otherwise extremely fine and an uncommon example of the 1d sailors concession rate. Photo on Page 90. (Image1)

Postage Due Mail - Refused. 1897 Postcard requesting a free sample tin of Dr Tibbles Vi-Cocoa, sent from Bedford to Cape Town, franked by a 1/2d stamp as stated in the terms printed on the reverse, despite this with "CHARGE CLERK" datestamps and a "1d" charge mark, and a small "REFUSED" handstamp. Vertical fold, otherwise fine and very unusual, this "Refused" handstamp not recorded by Goldblatt and the first example we have seen.